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My father hasn’t shut up about Riya. Does she know how to do black magic? How does she charm the Williams men so easily? All in all, I have been advised to stop being a dick and “go get my girl.” There were definitely sparks flying all over the place between Riya and I but instead of talking about our relationship, I coward out.

I even managed to get the stink eye from her father who was waiting for her downstairs as I dropped her off. I don’t know what I can say to get his approval. I know for a fact that he hates me. Hate is probably a light word. But perhaps I understand his hate. Everything happened to Riya because of me. Because I fought with her. It was my fault up to some extent. But I was going to make up for it.

On our drive back from the picnic, I dropped off dad and Caleb home and drove her home. She was quieter than usual. Until she finally asked me, “What happened to Caleb?” I never told her what happened that day. She already had too much on her plate and I didn’t want her to think it was her fault.

“He fell down the stairs.” I tell her and pray that she leaves it at that. But knowing Riya, she probably won’t.

She stayed quiet and didn’t ask anything after that. No follow-up questions.

Just before I turn around the block of her house she tells me. “You know I still am scared sometimes…That he might come for me one day. That he might send someone out for me one day.” She sent away the security after everything was settled, but I can understand why she feels uneasy.

The man who Jake was involved with wasn’t just any other drug dealer. He was a very dangerous man. I can only imagine the connections he might have if he has been in that world for some time now.

I cannot stand the sight of Riya shivering in fear, especially fearing the man who assaulted her.

And I am going to do something about it.

◆◆◆

I had received a message from Riya’s father to meet him for dinner. Apparently he had some concerns regarding my intentions with his daughter that he wanted to address. I won’t lie, but her father is very intimidating. He made a reservation for us at the fanciest place in Massachusetts and trust me it is next to impossible to make a reservation here even a month before.

“Sir.” I shake his hand and take a seat in front of him. Riya told me that her parents were leaving for India at the end of this week.

He signals me to take a seat and the waitress brings us water and the menus. “Riya told me that you play American football? How is that working out for you?” The way he says American football reminds me of Riya. I assume that Riya inherited her hate for American football from her father.

“Yes Sir I do. I am the quarterback for Winston.” I panic and forget to tell him that I am also the captain, but I doubt that it matters to him anyway.

“And what are your future plans?” He asks me as he orders a whiskey on the rocks for himself and I just stick to water. I’m already nervous as it is. Riya is the spitting image of her father. Same nose and same eyes, only her forehead doesn’t crinkle so much.

“I intend to graduate with my Computer Science degree and go pro in football. Sir.” I stress on the degree and Computer Science aspect more, hoping that maybe it will make a good impression on him because football is not going to work in my favor.

“I see.” He clears his throats and looks me dead in the eye. I will admit that in my life only coach Belkis has managed to scare me to death with his gaze, but Riya’s father scares the living shit out of me. “So, my daughter is not in your future plans?” Fuck!

I did not expect that turn in the conversation. I gulp hard, thinking what I should respond, but words fail me. As if to save my ass the waitress arrives with the whiskey. Blue Label 21 years old, neat. I myself prefer 21 years over 25 years Blue Label. But that is not what I should be thinking about right now.

“That will be your daughter’s choice. If she shall have me as her partner, it will make me the happiest man alive, but if she doesn’t, I will respect her choice. Sir.” I want to pat myself on the back for coming up with that response.

I see a faint smile on that man. Faint. But I will take it. “So how is your father doing? The last time I met him, he was an aspiring football player.” Riya’s father had met my father in the past?

“I went to the same University as him.” Mr Nayan adds. I had zero idea. “I’m surprised Riya did not mention that to you. Of course I only met him a couple of times at parties, but I remember his spirit and love for football.” He chuckles softly. Or maybe I just imagined it. I wonder if my father remembers Mr Nayan. It’ll be great if I can hear some stories that will humanize him for me.

“You seem to share the same passion for football I see.”

“Yes sir.” I answer.

“You can call me Chandran.” He tells me and I know that this is a trick question because Indians don’t call the elderly by their name. I learned that from Riya. She wouldn’t call my father by his name whatsoever. It is a form of respect for them.

“Thank you Sir, but is it okay if I call you Uncle?” Well played Marcus!

“Of course Marcus.” he nods in approval.

By the time the main course arrives, the mood has lightened significantly. That is until he drops the bomb on me. His eyes go two shades darker and his jaw tightens. “As you might have seen, I have raised my daughter with a lot of love and care. And…” There it goes. “I don’t understand that if you two were in a relationship, wasn’t it your responsibility to take any action against everything that happened to her? Why did she have to go through it alone? Where were you, Marcus?” He hates me.

I can’t tell him how much I beat himself for that eerie single day. I have no excuses. I just lower my gaze and leave my fork in the plate.

He exhales sharply. “I will never be able to look at myself in the mirror the same way again. I failed to protect my daughter. I know that she might seem strong and she is, but there is a lot that she doesn’t tell anyone. She is a lot like her mother that way.” I doubt that.

“I’m sorry, Sir.” I say it like I mean it.

“I have seen how scared she is to step out of her house alone, fearing that…” he stops and takes a deep breath. “How can I trust that after I leave, nothing of this sort will happen to her again? I know it is not one person’s responsibility to look after her. But how can I sleep peacefully knowing that she doesn't have anyone to rely on, Marcus? Can I rely on you for that?” He asks me directly. I have always seen my father’s friends be very protective over their daughters. I would often just laugh at it, not understanding why. But I think I know now.

“I–”

“I know what you did.”

I am confused as to what part he is talking about? Does he know that Riya and I had fought and she had left angrily and that was why…

“Will you be able to live with that decision?” He asks me, the intimidating expression now replaced with that of concern.

I am very confused. “I spoke with Carlos as well.” he says and my shoulders stiffen. And suddenly I am very attentive.

The PI I had hired had sent me a number that I could use only in life and death situation. The sentence that Jake got was not fair. It wasn’t fair to Riya. It was not fair to all the women that he’d raped. It wasn’t fair to all the women he’d harassed. All of them were living in fear that one day he’d get out and do something.

“I see.” I fold my hands on the table.

“You know that you ordered this kill. And regardless of who kills him, his blood will be on your hands. Will you be able to live with that?”

“Yes.” I say without missing a beat. I know for a fact that if Justine hadn’t knocked on that door, Jake wouldn’t have stopped. Jake is a vile man, who rapes and assaults women and even…God I cannot even say it in my head, let alone say it out loud. Something that nobody knows. Something that couldn’t be disclosed. Something that only Riya and I know. Something that we let Jake get away with.

I know that it makes her feel guilty. I know how badly she wanted to disclose it, but she didn’t. A decision that weighs heavily on her heart. A decision that keeps me up at night. Jake doesn’t deserve to live like this. People like him never change. Second chances are not meant for people like him. And I won’t regret having his death on my conscience. I won’t regret it one bit.

I huff and smile at him. Mr Nayan thinks that I am a bit odd. I can tell it by his expression. “I won’t be able to look myself in the eye if I don’t do this. I cannot just let her sit in the fear that one day that bastard will get out or do something to her. Sir.”

He stares at me, as if trying to understand me. He nods at me and smiles.

◆◆◆

I had to sign up for an advertisement to collect the money to order the kill on Jake. Turns out Carlos Ignacio Ortiz does much more than Hardware programming and making ammunition.. He is one hell of a scary man. But now that I have dipped my toe in that world, I might as well make use of it. After making the deal with him, he told me that it would take at least three weeks to get it done.

Finals are in three weeks and practice has been tougher. And with all the offers I was warding off this year, I decided to sign up with a sports agency. Too much has happened in this semester, and I swear to god that I cannot wait for it to end.

I finish my class schedule for the day and head to practice when my phone pings. It’s Riya. She wants to meet me.

Is this a dream? Is this the light that people talk about that shines brightly at the end of the tunnel? I reply immediately and we set a place and time to meet.

I head to meet the coach and ask him if I can head out early and to my surprise he says yes. Never in the time I have known this man has he allowed any of the boys to flunk any part of the practice. He coaches us as if we’re preparing for war. “It’s nice to see you smile again, Williams.” Belkis says as I walk out of his office. I pinch myself just to make sure that this is not a dream.

I shower quickly and borrow some perfume from Sid. I didn’t pack mine and I don’t want to smell like myself when meeting my Raven.

◆◆◆

I rush to the library fifteen minutes late and find her sitting by the window table. Waiting. For me.

She looks so beautiful! My Raven