An Emotionally Bankrupt's Odyssey by Shweta (classic book list txt) 📖

A top multinational organization's sole owner, who had everything in this world anyone can ever desire and dream of suddenly one day broke into a strong bout of crying all alone in the veil of darkness of his exquisite bedroom. He's crying bitterly, tears of remorse trickling down his shiny chiseled cheeks. Several bottles of champagne, cognac and several world famous and exotic wines were lying in a complete bedlam. Cartoons of pizzas, French fries and several high- profiled- menu cuisines were thrown here and there in total frenzy.

Seems this utterly heartbroken guy was having some kind of fun with his friends...may be a bachelors' party with no spinster around,at least not for romance or if any happened to be, it would just be for lust because he just not seems to be a love-kind-person.

"Tring- tring"...."Tring-tring"...."Tring-tring"

He picks up the phone lying carelessly on the ruffled sheet of his bed.

He manages to be in a cool and calm composure somehow to answer it.

"Hello, Mr. Woodland" a soft voice of a gentle lady came in through.

"Yes, Ellena. What's it?

"Mr. Woodland, you have an important appointment with the delegates for the next deal early in the morning sharply at 6 o'clock....umm..so just I wanted to know do you want me to wake you up....

"For God's sake! It's 2 a.m. Ellena...do you realize? Cancel that deal, I'm not in a state to meet all the conditions of that deal.Bye!"

"But Mr. Wooddd...........

He just wanted to be in a state of oblivion....completely shut from all obligations. He just wanted to be in a state of nothingness and sleep, relaxed.

He was damn drunk, still not able to shut down the images roving at the back of his brain which were keeping him awake. He didn't even realized what a mess he had done just now.

Utterly tired, tired of thinking, he fell into a deep slumber only to be woken at 11 a.m. by a knock at the door.

"Who's it?" He just slurred, half still asleep.

"Mr. Woodland, breakfast is ready, should I bring .........

"Goddamn! You stupid fellow. I'm not hungry. Go and eat yourself"

No voice came in again. This was his ever so loyal Butler who was serving him so earnestly since his teenage. He guessed something was wrong. His master was not his usual self. He helplessly went away from there. Thought of waiting for the right time. He couldn't tolerate himself to see such a successful and one of his kind person like 'Joy woodland' waste his life merely at the age of 39. Success came to him very early all due to his sheer labor and honesty.

No one knew him better than his butler on this earth. Evan Grace, came in the family of Woodlands almost two decades ago. Due to his masterpiece skill in making some classy and class apart cuisines, he was recruited as soon as Senior Mr. Woodland tasted one of his cooked cuisine. He was immensely impressed by his culinary skills. Since then Evan has grayed and remained with this family. He saw every rose blooming and thorns stinging in this family. He saw little Joy crying and missing his parents when they died in a plane crash when he was just thirteen. He has no siblings. All his family since then consisted of a nanny and Evan, himself. Evan knows Joy like his very own blood running deep in his veins, although the case is not same with Joy. He hardly cares to bother about this old fellow in his early sixties.

But, Evan never felt bad.

Whole day long the door of Joy's bedroom not even cricked. He was still inside. Now, Evan was growing restless. But he was unable to do anything. His multiple calling and knocking at the door were all in vain, just answered by the utter ominous silence of the corridor. Evan has seen the plays of the world. He could feel what Joy is going through but he wanted to hear directly from him. One day, he will be forced to utter everything, he strongly believed or may be he was having a strong institution.


**********************


In the evening, Evan just happened to pass through his door. In the darkness of the corridor, he could see a beam of light coming through the bottom edge of the door. Joy was up!

In the meantime, Ellena called just to inform that the delegates have left and it seemed as if they were really furious and said," Mr. Woodland doesn't realize at what a loss he's, I guess."Evan nodded in appreciation and put the phone down.

Evan knew that Joy would feel sorry for himself when he returns to his senses. He had really worked hard for the last two months to procure this whole assignment and did everything, by hook or by crook, to ensure this deal goes in his name, in spite, of the tough competitors in the existing oligopoly market.

What was wrong with this ever joyous Joy?

But Evan guessed what could be the possible reason for this.


Inside, Joy was sitting at the edge of his master bed holding his head in his both palms, dropped down. He was sobbing again. Suddenly, he felt gripped by a strong feeling of nausea and felt an urge to vomit. He ran for the bathroom. In the wash basin everything inside his gut came brimming through his mouth, all just fluid, like a magma but smelling like hell.

After sometime, he felt better but only physically. He was still bogged down by past memories, haunting him every now then. He sat there leaning against one of the azure walls which was so cool and smooth like a sleek snake, drained all of energy, utterly tired.

He stared at the walls and was lost in reverie. How happy was Catherine when she saw the azure color of the tiles shown in the chart by the interior decorator, for the bathroom fittings. It was exactly what was on her mind. Everything in there was azure except the Jacuzzi which Catherine chose in a rare shade of brown, it has an unique name which his mind could never keep inside. He could visualize Catherine bathing in there. Hell, it was killing. Now pointless, it was all lost. She's no more his. But, he was missing her a lot today. He felt like running away from there. He mustered some strength and came out of the bathroom. Back in the bedroom everything was killing equally.

It was some kind of haunting in there. He thought of going down. He pulled himself in some decent clothes and went down the stairs to the grand living hall. He laid himself on the sofa, eyes shut.

"Do you need something Mr.Woodland?" Evan came from nowhere there and asked as softly as he could.

"Yeah, peace of mind, can you give me?" He said as a matter of fact still eyes shut and in the same posture.

Evan moved from there. Now his suspicion taking a clear picture. He was thinking right. He's ill, mentally ill. May be a little lost. And why not? Past few months event have been really heartbreaking for him. To avoid this he drowned himself in work, wine and friends. But somewhere, it was a mere pretension and it was bound to take an outburst, sooner or later.

He really needed help. But only when he allowed someone too.

************************


Evan had gone to Harvard University of Business to pursue a degree in Economics. It was hard to leave Boston, his hometown. But except a nanny and Evan, the butler he had one whom he remember, whom he could call his own. He's quite a bright student with some fantastic strategies for economic development. Cambridge was a little strange for him. He knew it would take a little time to adjust.

One day,on his weekend he was strolling on the roads of Cambridge, it was always a delight to feel the fresh air while walking. He happened to meet a girl. It wasn't hard to recognize her. She was Catherine his neighbor back in Boston! They even went to the same school there.

She was accompanied with two other girls, may be her friends.

"Hey, if I'm not wrong you Catherine from Boston. Right?"

"Yeah! Oh my God! What you doing here, JOOOY. Right?"

"Yeah! I'm in Harvard. Economics"

The other two girls were just staring at them and then to each other trying to fit in and decipher what was going on here.

"Wohooo! Business guy, huh? By the way I'm too in Cambridge pursuing a degree in Criminal Psychology"

"Oh! Crimes. Not my thing. Hahaha!"

Suddenly Catherine realized she didn't introduce her two new friends.

"By the way meet my friends Amanda and Rebecca"

"Hello girls!!" Joy greeted them a bit shyly.

"Hello!" the two girls cooed.

"Okay Catherine. Its good to see you here. Hope we meet again. Have a good time you all."

"Bye, Joy!" three girls bellowed together.

Girls headed towards their college. Joy went on his own way, strolling.

Evan was feeling good to see Catherine in Cambridge. It's always a delight to meet someone you know in such a strange place. He was smiling at reflecting something of past. She was a nice girl and quite bright, back in school. Catherine was feeling good equally.

That was the first time Joy met Catherine and then there was no stopping.

It was a roller coaster life back in college. Life was busier like never before. But Joy was feeling good. He even became a member of a Business magazine issued by the college.

Another weekend came by. A whole of rest and strolling around Cambridge was just so fun-filled.

Again, he happened to meet Catherine in a supermarket. This time no friend accompanied her.

"Hey, wow! Didn't think of meeting so soon" called her from the back.

" Hey, Joy, what you doing here?" Catherine said in utter surprise.

"Just had to buy some essentials"

"Oh! Right! Same here."

And then just sparks flied higher and higher. From phone numbers to dating. They even didn't realize when they were in love with each other.

They used to spent their weekends together visiting some fantastic places in Cambridge.

It was enough for a blooming love affair.

Both passed their graduation with flying colors. Joy opted for an MBA degree in Harvard itself and Catherine went for her a Master's degree in Criminal Psychology in her same college.

More two years in Cambridge together. Bond between them became stronger and stronger.

Joy was frenetic in carrying his own Business. He slogged like a dog. He was doing fine.

He didn't disappointed himself.

After completion of his MBA, he refused all his recruiters of some top multinational companies. He was determined to start his own Business. And on the way, he had made some good friends. He felt so blessed. All worked for the same goal.

He came back to Boston in his Father's grand house. He was financially well-off. He's father left a legacy, a small company which dealt in manufacturing of various goods.