Bank Palava

Richard let out a bitter chuckle. "Forgive you? You and father abandoned me when I was just eight, and now you stand here acting like everything's normal?"

The elderly woman let out an exasperated sigh. "Richard."

"Don't you dare come any closer!" He recoiled as he saw her approaching. "Do you have any idea what I've been through since then? My life has been nothing but misery!"

Richard wanted to scream out his pain, but he couldn't find the words. "When you two left me, I thought something terrible had happened. I thought you had vanished from the face of the earth. I never imagined you were out there living so comfortably."

He couldn't decide whether to cry or laugh as he looked at his grandmother, who appeared so elegant after years of struggling.

The old woman gazed at Richard with affection. "I'll make things right, Richard. You won't suffer anymore."

Richard was momentarily taken aback, but his anger still burned within him.

He sneered, "You think you can make things right? Can you turn back time and erase my suffering, pain, and sadness? Will making things right erase the horrible memories etched into my mind?"

"Will re-entering my life change the fact that you once abandoned me?"

"Can altering my life now bring my mother back from the dead?" His voice almost screamed with pain at the last words.

Yes, his mother had passed away. Due to the depression caused by his father and grandmother abandoning them, Richard's mother couldn't bear it and soon passed away after battling with a long illness. Richard tried all his possible best to make sure that his mother was healed but all his efforts proved abortive.

From the age of eight, Richard's life had never known peace. From having a family to having none, how could he endure that?

How could his grandmother appear after all this time and act as if nothing was wrong? How?!

The old woman clenched her chest in anguish. "Richard, I can't fully comprehend the extent of the struggles you've faced, but believe me, I've faced my own."

Richard sneered, clearly unwilling to heed the old woman's words, but her expression weakened him.

"What do you mean?" His voice had lowered without him even realizing it.

The old woman sighed, feeling helpless. "I struggle to explain many things to you because I'm kept in the dark in some situations."

Richard raised his eyebrows, glancing at the old woman. "Could you be more direct?" He asked, his irritation evident.

The old woman shook her head. "Richard, I can't elaborate much, but know that my memory of the past is fragmented, and I'm only starting to recall things recently."

Dumbfounded, Richard looked at the old woman. She didn't seem like she was lying.

"You don't remember things from the past, including me?"

The old woman nodded sadly. "Yes, in fact, I only recall events from my early life, before you were born. Your father isn't with me either."

Richard was once again stunned; he couldn't believe it. "My father ran away with you, so what are you saying?"

"If my father isn't with the old woman, then where is he?"

"I'm telling you the truth, Richard. Just as you've endured pain and sadness, so have I.”

Richard was rendered speechless. He found himself at a loss for words. Knowing the truth now, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, realizing that reality was different from what he had imagined.

"My grandmother didn't abandon me, but something else happened!" He screamed inwardly.

The old woman noticed Richard's expression of belief and smiled. "Now, Richard, there's something I need to disclose to you," her voice took on a solemn tone.

Richard remained silent, his confusion evident in his expression, indicating he was eager to hear what the old woman had to say.

"You are now going to be the heir of the Dixon family!" She finally revealed.

"The Dixon family?" Richard recalled the mysterious men in black calling out his name, but hearing it again from the old woman surprised him.

Before Richard could interrupt, the old woman added, "The company, properties, and everything else will belong to you!"

Although Richard listened to everything she had to say, he couldn't fully believe it.

Initially, he felt the urge to leap up in joy, but his lingering disbelief restrained him.

The old woman noticed his subdued reaction but didn't mind. Instead, she said, "The alert you received was sent by me. It's for you."

Richard couldn't contain his excitement any longer. The alert had been troubling him greatly, and now, hearing the old woman confirm it, his heart soared.

Just as he was about to inquire further, he noticed one of the men who seemed like a bodyguard whispering to the old woman.

"Oh dear," the old woman exclaimed, smacking her head, "Richard, take some rest in this hotel for now. I'll return tomorrow. I need some time to sort things out."

Richard nodded as he watched her leave.

"Oh, I've been brought to a hotel?" He muttered to himself before refocusing his thoughts on the alert.

"I should hurry to the bank to confirm it," he decided. His mind was restless, and going to the bank would provide him with reassurance.

With his decision made, he left the hotel room and felt relieved to find no guards stationed outside.

He hurried his way out of the hotel to a more open area where he could hail a cab. 

As he reached the open space, he continued walking, scanning the surroundings for an available taxi.

Richard had almost even gotten himself hit by a cab, due to him not expecting a big bus to be coming toward him.

The driver in the bus blasted out.

"You brat! Are you blind or what? Why can't you take poison to die if you are tired of your existence" The driver yelled out in anger.

 "I'm sure you are trying to ruin my day by wanting the legal authorities to punish me." He added, hissing out loudly at Richard 

"I mean no harm. Pardon me." Richard muttered, 

He had apologized even though he wasn't at fault. He did that because he was simply trying to avoid trouble.

"You can't just say you mean no harm. Your action would have gotten me into trouble legally and yet you're clamoring for a pardon!?" The driver shouted again, not ready to take it easy with him.

Richard sighed. " Mister, I already apologized. What else do you want me to do?" His voice was etched, with impatience.

The driver snorted. "Feigning impatience won't change the fact that you had almost gotten me in trouble." He shrugged. " Well, I have passengers waiting for me on the bus, so just pay me an apology and I'll let you off."

Richard gazed at him, as though he was staring at a mad man.

Does this driver take me as a fool!?

He breathed in and out, to take control of his incoming anger. "I have no penny to give to you. Why would I pay for something that wasn't my fault!" 

Hearing the words of Johan, the driver immediately flared up. "Stupid man! Do you think I'll let you off, if you don't pay?"

"I don't care what you want to do, but I still won't pay a penny!" Richard wasn't foolish, to give out the few money left on him.

Just when the driver was about agitating the issues further, those passengers in the bus got down.

It was obvious they were attracted by the noise..

"Driver, what's it?" One of the passengers asked.

"Well, this is what happened…" the driver started narrating it all, while also add-in some sweat lies to it. 

"Pay the driver and stop dragging this out!" Shouted another passenger, directing their harsh words at Richard.

They clearly knew Johan might not have much on him based on his appearance, yet they were determined to torment by leaving him with nothing.

Richard sighed, looking frustrated. He understood that trying to explain anything to them would be useless. The only thinkable option at this moment was to flee!

"Hey, hey, hey! Come back here, you rascal!" They exclaimed as Johan darted away.

Their shouts continued until he varnished from view.

Despite the distance that now separates them, Johan continued his race.

Had he spotted an available cab, he wouldn't have needed to persist with running, but there was none, he had to make his way to the bank by running.

Thirty minutes later, Johan arrived at the bank, panting heavily.

If anyone observed him at this moment, they would likely label him as a beggar chicken. His current appearance is even more distressing than it was before.

Having regained his composure, Johan straightened up and adopted a serious expression. His serious demeanor would have gained much praise if it weren't for his poor appearance.

With that expression, Johan walked in the bank, with his gaze darting around.

Having glance through, he was immediately able to see a lady at the counter and with that he walked towards her.

"Hello ma'am," he muttered, wanting to gain her attention.

"How may I help you?" The lady said, as she raised her help from the note in her hand.

As she saw Johan, she stared at his appearance with a surprising and disgusted expression.

She was surprised because she had spoken to him well, before seeing his disheveled appearance.

Johan wasn't a fool, he had immediately sensed the hostile gaze from her but he still remained calm.

"I'm here to confirm some issue with my bank account." He replied,

The lady sneered, "and do you think you have the right to confirm any issues here?"

Johan was confused. " What do you mean?"

"What I meant is that you have no right to confirm anything here!" The lady said, curtly.

Johan frowned. " I have every right. All I ask for is to see a bank representative."  His voice etched with displeasure.

The lady remained unfused. "Mere looking at your appearance, do you even think you're quality!?" She laughed, loudly. " You should be grateful that I'm sparing you my precious time by talking to you." A pride grin appeared on her face.

Johan's eyes darkened.

"Miss, mind your words." He squeezed out those words, amidst his furious brows.

The lady ignored his words and yelled, "Mister man, get out!"