LOVE & REVENGE (HORROR)

Charles is holding his coffee mug and looking out the bedroom window of his apartment. The tiny snowflakes paint the roadway in front of the apartment building white as they fall, covering the freezing ground. The air is cold and the hot coffee sticks in that cold air. Coffee is being consumed while the air is chilly.

As Charles watches the snowfall, he remembers his military days when he was deployed in Afghanistan. He recalls his pals, in occasionally joyful and frightful situations, and his fear of passing away.

After the war in Afghanistan ended and the soldiers had returned to their countries, Charles remained in the army while the rest of his friends and comrades returned to their jobs. He had so many conflicts and obligations throughout these years that he was unable to contact any of his buddies and was unaware of their whereabouts or activities. His phone rang as he was having these thoughts.

Charles has no family. After he returned from Afghanistan, his wife left him because of his violent and livid mood. She took his only daughter Helena with her and did not allow him to see Helena. His father was also a veteran who could no longer hear or do his work. He lived in a nursing home with his friends, and Charles looked him up from time to time.

Charles glances warily at his cell phone as it continues to ring. He picks it up but the number on the screen has no name to it.

He took the call anyway and answered "Hi, I'm Charles". Then he heard from the other end someone saying, "Charles, where are you boy, you don't know how glad I am to get in touch with you. I'm Albert."

Charles thought for a moment as he suspected that Albert was Maria's previous boyfriend. Maria was Charles's ex-girlfriend. who Albert and Charles fought over a few months ago, and the bruise from his fist was still clearly visible under Charles's eyes.

Hearing Albert's name, Charles said angrily, "How did you get my number, Maria is not here, why did you call me?" Albert replied, "Who is Maria, why are you talking nonsense, I am Albert, friend, don't you remember? Afghanistan, friends, buddies?"

Hearing the name Afghanistan, Charles immediately remembered Albert, his fellow soldier and friend, and said laughingly, "Albert, is it really you? Where are you, boy, what are you doing, I haven't seen you for a long time, where are the others? Do you know about them?"

Albert said, "Hey, sort of. I work now in a restaurant, and Mark is my boss."

Then he chuckled saying, "Remember when Mark and I always fought over who should command and who should obey? He is now giving orders at his restaurant and I must obey." With a chuckle, Charles said," Yeah, I remember." And then they both laughed out loud.

"What are you doing, still in the army?" Albert asked Charles.

"I'm still a soldier and a commander," Charles said with a laugh.

"Who's Maria, your ex-girlfriend?" Albert asked.

Charles replied, "Yes, Maria was my ex-girlfriend, but a few months ago, when we were walking down the street, I was suddenly hit in the eye by a young man, and the bruise is visible today." Then I found out that he was Maria's ex-boyfriend. That guy grabbed Maria's hand and took her with him. After that day, I never saw any of them again.

"Oh, boy, I'm sorry to hear that, she doesn't realize what a treasure she's missing". Then they both laughed.

Albert asked Charles, "Let's see whether you have any plans for the year-end." Charles replied, "No, how about that."

Albert said, "I made the decision to spend the holiday in India with my friends so that we could visit the Taj Mahal and other noteworthy locations there. If you don't have any plans, come with us, we'll have fun."

Hearing the name of the Taj Mahal and traveling to India, Charles said, "Of course, I'm coming, where shall we meet?"

Albert said, "We arranged to meet at the Italian restaurant on Third Street tomorrow night with the kids. We'll be waiting for you there, don't forget."

Charles, who was happy to hear the names of his friends from his military days, picked up his coffee mug, which was already cold, and drank it all at once.

Even though it was still snowing, traveling to a warm country in the frigid weather was enjoyable and interesting.

Charles was boarding the aircraft with Albert, Mark, and John at about three in the morning. They each carried a backpack and placed it in the aircraft cabin over their heads. The plane was small but very stylish and comfortable with two rows of three seats.

Each one checked his ticket number and looked for his seat. Albert and Mark sat in a row together, while John sat a few rows back. He was a mechanical engineer and taught at the university. On the other hand, Charles sat in another row near Albert in the opposite direction.

When Charles came to his seat, an Indian guy with a dark face, already occupying the window seat. He shifted a little, looked at Charles, and inquired about his seat.

Charles showed him his ticket after giving him a dubious glance. He did not understand why the man had asked for his seat number and thereafter looked out of the window of the plane with a smile on his face.

The seat next to Charles was still empty. He knew that all the tickets were sold out because of the holiday. He was waiting to see who would sit next to him. He prayed, pleading with God not to place a child or an elderly person next to him because he did not have the patience of the old people's chatter and the crying of children.

A few minutes later, the plane's door was about to close but the seat next to Charles was still empty. He was happy about that.

At the last minute, a young woman quickly entered the plane in a hurry as she showed her ticket to the flight attendant. The hostess, who was an Indian lady, pointed in Charles's direction while saying something to the young woman. After a few moments, the woman along with the hostess hurried toward Charles and stood next to his seat. It was clear from her hyperventilating red face that she was in a hurry to catch the flight.

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