Chapter 20
Joey
I have been busy arranging Hannah’s engagement because she asked me to organise her party which will held after a month. After the death of Marlin and Aaron she postponed her engagement as she was also very upset about the sudden departure of her friends but who could hold the destiny, whatever has to happen, it happens and nobody can stop it. We all are puppets in God’s hands. We four are upset and frightened that why someone killed our friends. Who did this? and why all are puzzled? and police is still circling around the events and has concluded that these deaths are connected to each other. And they are still finding the reason, why?
I call Grace and Hannah to come to my home because I wanted to discuss something about the engagement party. As bell rings I open the door they come inside and asks about my girlfriend Ariana with whom I live. She is very sweet and good going with my friends. Ariana is a beautician who owns her beauty studio so Hannah wants her to arrange her makeup for engagement and wedding.
Hannah, Grace and I hug each other. Where is she? they ask. She is out for her business. But will join us in half an hour or so. I ask them to sit and relax in the beautiful drawing room decorated with the painting of Mona Lisa and other paintings hanging on the wall. Ariana taste is nice, Hannah says while seeing the painting on the wall. Yes, she is my sweetheart. Joey smiles. Yesterday I had a talk with Gloria she is going to come to attend my engagement next month. Guys, you have to come with your family. I have invited Aaron and Marlin family too; she said in low tone. Joey has the picture of all seven friends in his drawing. We all were very happy and now look at us. He speaks. We lost three friends. Three? I am talking about Nora too. Grace tone is high while answering Hannah. I think you should also call her its more than couple of months we haven’t seen her. Grace suggests to her. I don’t think she will come because she disappeared from our lives long back. If she doesn’t want to be connected with us then we should not force her. Hannah drinks a mocktail. I think Grace is right, in six months we lost three friends if two can’t come back but one is still there whom we can call. Okay, I will try but only once and this time no scene should be there otherwise you two will be responsible. Hannah says in attitude. Nora lost her job, her aunt. Do you think she is in a position to do this kind of thing? and I think she needs us. Grace says while looking into Hannah eyes. Leave the topic, I have to show you the pictures of hall that is booked for your engagement ceremony. Hannah looks excited when sees the preparations and how I am going to handle her ceremony. I think Ariana will be late we should leave. Grace sees the time and they both reach the gate.
After they left, I was all alone in the apartment and call Ariana who says that she will join for dinner. Then I decide to open the laptop and check my emails, inbox was full of business emails. I check my Instagram, Facebook account, Gloria posted the pictures of old days and in caption she wrote “friends in heaven we all together” missing# Aaron# Marlin#. I also commented “yes, we will’. ‘I try to find Nora who is not in our list due to her lock profile, I was unable to see her pics. I wonder what is she doing? and I am curious to know all about the death of my two best friends. Then one email received in my inbox with subject “mystery”. It was an email from Mr. Colin Williams who is investigating Marlin and Aaron case and fortunately he is my father’s friend and he always keep giving update about the case. I quickly opened the email to read what he has found this time. He wrote about those two murders where a long knife was used which is basically used chefs and in CCTV camera footage, he found one man and one number and name common. Then I open the attachment. But photo was not visible it was blurred and one unknown number and name was Nora with whom they both were chatting. Oh my Gosh! Marlin was also chatting with Nora before his death. Maybe he also went to bridge to meet her. I really need to talk to her. I send the reply of the email writing ‘thanks uncle! photo is not clear and after you come back from Philippines we will talk in detail. Again, thanks a lot’. I check my watch and it was almost time for Ariana to come. I must order some dinner online. I call the restaurant near the apartment and after fifteen minutes doorbell rings. My sweetheart arrives and she looked gorgeous and beautiful as always. I kiss her fervently, and we enjoy the dinner with lot of laugh. After dinner we take bath together and then we both make love and she sleep in my arms.
Around 3.am my cell phone rings, I shift her on the other side to pick my phone. Due to heaviness in my eyes, I couldn’t recognise the number and say hello! phone disconnected and then I see my messages.
Hi Joey, this side Nora, I need to talk to you, its urgent please come in basement of your apartment.
I read and quickly get up from my bed, put my lowers and shirt and kiss my beauty and pick up the phone and move out of my apartment. She is here, but why? I ask myself. Oh yes! she might have come to tell something about Marlin and Aaron death. I head over to the lift and quickly go inside. I press the underground button and hope that she will tell something very important. I think is she in New York or Texas? I don’t know, but I will ask her.
As I reach the basement, cars were parked with proper distance. I look for Nora, but found her nowhere I dialled her number then suddenly I see the blimp of car headlight; she must be inside the car. As I go towards her. I see a known face looking at me and as I brush up my memory to recall that face suddenly dispersed and I focus again on Nora. I reach car whose flashlight was blinking and I look through the window but nobody was inside and suddenly I felt pain in my back and realised that someone stabbed me and I turn around to see, my eyes could not believe what I see and then again two and three stabs in my stomach and I fell on the floor of my lobby and my breath stagger and in couple of seconds I feel numb and dark.
