~Episode 3~
The lights were dim, only the screen light of the computer was on. That filled the entire room, making it visible. Ivan was furiously clicking on the buttons of the computer. He had a hunger for winnings… too clearly seen in the eyes of others.
"Kill kill kill… You're incredible…"
A computer voice praised Ivan for winning the game. Ivan was addicted to these PC games since last year, when he lost his father—the only one who appreciated him in everything. His father was the last person whom he loved the most. That love was snatched by his own mother.
After coming back from school, he sat on the table and left the chair only for dinners… sometimes he slept on the chair in a weird position that gave him back pain. But he refused to not play games. He needed proper sleep, but he was suffering from insomnia. Sleep never came easily for him. When he closed his eyes, the face of his dead father came into his mind. With sweating, he woke up.
"When will this end?" he murmured to himself. He had no one to talk about his trauma he was suffering.
Losing his father at a young age can stop you from growing properly.
With bright capital letters, a message popped up.
OH DUDE, YOU'RE PLAYING AWESOME! WANNA BE FRIENDS?
Ivan read the flashed name of the sender in his mind. Who sent him a friend request? "MisterKiller14" — the name of the sender. Ivan thought a while before replying to him.
"What you want from me?"
"But you lost!" he sent him while typing silently. He only clicked buttons fast; he never typed letters on his keyboard. So it was a little difficult for him to find the letters and type them.
IT'S JUST A GAME. LET'S SHAKE HANDS, BUDDY."
His eyes stuck on the buddy. No one called him buddy. No one asked him to be their friend. Why would they want to be friends with a weird lone boy? In school, everyone called him the lone boy. Outside, he never went out to play… for watching movies… enjoying time with friends. He always remained alone. Alone everywhere… even more in his own home.
He clicked on the side button where the "Shake Hand" option was. He tapped it with his heart racing fast… For the first time, he was going to make a friend in his entire life. He never made one. It was a new feeling for him. Only Ivan could understand what he felt after someone actually noticed his existence in the world… to feel noticed, to feel someone cared for him, wanted his company, offered friendship.
In the bright room—luxurious—the big PC screen glowed. A boy on the other side was playing games. A soft voice came from outside his room door.
"Baby, come, it's dinner time."
"Yeah, Mom, coming," he quickly replied. He threw his game remote on the couch and moved outside the room. The screen was still on, but the room faded into silence.
Ivan, in his room, his eyes still glued on the buddy… He was wondering about him—the face behind MisterKiller14. Was he a teenage boy like him, or older… or younger? Was he a boy or girl? A mysterious question for Ivan. He needed answers. He wanted to know him. Why did he connect with him? Was it a coincidence?
His stomach groaned; he hadn't eaten anything all day. So he went downstairs into the kitchen, where his mother was preparing dinner for both of them. He pulled the chair and sat silently without making any noise.
She glanced at him. "Oh, finally you remembered to eat."
He didn't reply. She felt ignored.
Again, "Did you complete your homework?" Her hands were busy on the boil, moving continuously.
"I will after dinner." Ivan took the plate and spoon, more excited about getting back to his room. He felt suffocated everywhere in this home. He found some peace, some oxygen, only in his room; otherwise, the home drowned him.
"When? What have you been doing all evening in your room, Ivan?" She threw napkins on the marble. It was clear she was frustrated by Ivan, by his reckless behaviour, how Ivan had turned himself in these 12 months. He wasn't a better student ever, but not worse than this. He was excited to go outside and play with his dad… his whole life was roaming around his dad. And he lost him. The day he lost him, he also lost his charm. The one who held him always—the person who promised to stand beside him in every situation—left him alone in this cruel world.
Ivan lost interest in life. In his dreams… in his desires…
"I'm not here to answer you, Mother." Ivan spoke back, his eyes still looking straight into his mother's without fear.
"Then who will you answer?" She crossed her arms, ready to hear the truth—things roaming inside her child.
"We were never close. You never asked me these questions before that incident. So why are you acting weird now?" Ivan's tone was sharp.
"I care for you. That's caring." She narrowed her eyes, trying to understand him.
"I call it control." Ivan spoke back again.
Frozen silence. Words caught in her throat. She couldn't say anything except look at Ivan.