Chapter 38 38

Chapter 38 38

Ivan rushed out in tears, hurrying to the rooftop. He found a place out of the wind and sat down, tears running down his face.
Footsteps behind him made him sit up straight. He used the back of his hand to wipe his tears.
“Hey,” Slavik said.
“What the hell are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay in your lane,” Ivan yelled.
“No, I don’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay, seeing the way you stormed off from your father’s office.”
“Like you rightly said, my father’s office. Not yours. I see no reason why you’re acting all concerned.” Ivan shot back.
“You know what? Never mind. I’ll leave you to yourself.” He said and turned.
“Yes, better! Leave and, pack your bags while you’re at it.”
Slavik stopped halfway, turned, and took short strides towards him.
“You think your little bossy act would make me leave my new home? Then you have no idea who’s standing right in front of you.” He stopped walking. “I’ll be here longer than others, so that bullshit talk you gave me in your room is for you. Better get prepared, ’cause I’ll be here for the longest.”
Ivan shoved Slavik hard in the chest, forcing him to stumble back. He almost fell but caught himself, and rushed forward, throwing a punch straight at Ivan’s face, the hit sharp enough to make Ivan spit blood from his teeth.
Ivan didn’t fall.
Slavik didn’t stop.
They grabbed each other and dragged themselves to the floor. A knee hit the ground, an elbow hit someone’s side, both of them breathing hard, swinging, shoving, trying to overpower the other.
Slavik grabbed Ivan’s hoodie causing him to fall. Ivan got up immediately and shoved him off then immediately tried to mount him but Slavik flipped him over.
They wrestled, pulled, pushed, fought for balance, neither willing to let the other win. Their bodies slammed into the floor again. They froze for half a second, faces close, both out of breath and looking ridiculous.
Then it hit them.
They were simply making a fool of themselves.
They both burst into laughter.
Their laughter echoed through the room. They lay flat on their backs. Ivan wiped the corner of his mouth, smearing a bit of blood, still laughing like an idiot. Slavik tried to sit up holding his side. Ivan noticed and snorted. Slavik looked back.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ivan pushed himself up and shoved Slavik’s shoulder lightly.
Slavik shoved him back, harder. Ivan almost fell again, and they both started laughing a second time, louder than before.
Their breaths finally calmed. Their fight had burned off something heavy, at least for that moment.
“Where did you learn how to fight?” Ivan asked.
“My dad. He used to train me when I was little.” Slavik replied.
“Well, at least you had some time with him to train you. The only time my father and I get to be in the same room is during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or when he calls me to tell me about new guests.”
“So why do you hate him so much?” Slavik had to ask.
“Not to worry, it’s mutual,” Ivan responded.
“You think?” Slavik asked, dusting himself off.
“I know. Anyway, enough about my father. Tell me, why are you really here?”
“Oh, you mean why I’m your cousin?” Slavik joked.
They burst out in laughter.
“Yeah, right!”
“So… my dad, technically your uncle, died a year ago in a car accident. One crazy drunk driver smashed his car,” Slavik said, his voice soft.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Ivan said softly.
“I mean, it’s fine. It happens. I have slowly learnt to get used to the painful fact that people die.”
“So what happened?” Ivan started. “It’s completely fine if you don’t wanna talk about it.”
“I kind of feel like you deserve to know… so I’m going to talk about it.” He paused and then continued. “My father wasn’t that much of a great man. Barely had the time for me. Barely paid attention to my needs. My nanny, on the other hand, was everything. She was my mom, my dad, my teacher, my best friend. Sometimes he’d be gone for weeks, and I’d be left alone. Super glad I had a nanny, I’d have lost my mind.”
“Was it work?”
“Yes, it was always work for him. Except for some days when he came home. Those days were training days, they were the only moments I had with him and there were not a lot though. You know, now that I think about it, He looks a lot like you.”
“Wow. I’m completely shocked. I didn’t even know I had an Uncle, more or less one cousin.”
“Two, actually. I have a sister,” Slavik said.
“Where is she?” Ivan inquired.
“She’s part of your dad’s charitable project.”
“Look, I’m sorry about the things I said earlier. I was just too pained. These past few days have been hard on me. I kinda tend to take it out on anyone around me”
“You have nothing to worry about. I’d probably do the same if I were in your shoes. One thing though, just promise not to be mean afterwards.”
“I won’t,” Ivan assured.
“So does this mean we’re friends?”
“Maybe,” Ivan said with a faint smile.
“So would you tell me what’s wrong between your father and you?”
Ivan heaved a tired sigh.
“I had a brother who died a few years ago. Ever since then, Father hasn’t stopped grieving him. He makes me feel like I’m living in his shadow. I miss him too; my brother, but my father doesn't even see it. He always disregards my feelings. Like I am not entitled to feel a thing.”
“It must be hard for him.”
“Look, I get it…he was his son. But he was also my brother. The room was ours. We shared it most of the time and we spent most of the time playing video games…you name it.” Ivan said, his voice shaking, his grief still visible.
“What was he like?” Slavik asked.
“Whatever I am… he was the opposite. He was the smart one, had a lot of friends, while I barely made any friends.”
“So you think your father doesn’t love you anymore?”
“Clearly. He’s been trying to replace him. My father always had charity projects but never brought them home. But ever since the accident, he’s always been bringing new people every single year and sends them away if they mess up… everyone does.”
“Well, I won’t,” Slavik said confidently.
Ivan smiled.
“Heads up, if you’re going to stay here for long, you’re gonna have to completely obey Father’s wishes. No questions asked.”
“That’s easy!”
“Everyone says that, until three to four months in, and they get tired.”
“Well, I am not everyone”
“Slavik” Don’s voice called out from behind.
“Yes Uncle”
“Come, there’s someone I want you to meet,” Don said.
Ivan got up, stretching his hand to Slavik. “Need a hand?”
“Yes!”