CHAPTER 1

"Joy? Wake up honey, its time for school." Joy's mother called her from the dining room. She was arranging the breakfast for Joy's father and herself.

"Five more minutes, Mom." Screamed Joy from her room. She is not sleeping nor preparing for the exam, instead, she is crawled up inside her warm blanket and replying to the messages which she missed while charging her phone all the night.

She was asleep 'accidentally' the before night. Unlike other children of her age who sleeps at eight 'o clock at night and thinks early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise Joy prefers the opposite way. She sleeps in the wee hours of the morning chatting with her friends all the night and wakes too late the next day. In short, she gets a little to no sleep daily. And did she ever bother about it? No! As long as she has her phone.

"Joy? You have only twenty minutes. Your school bus will be here at any moment." Her mom called her again.

"I am almost ready!" Said Joy with irritation. She noticed the time on her phone and realized that her mom was speaking the truth and she needs to hurry as soon as possible.

She sprung from her bed and connected her phone to the charger which was placed near her bed. She showered herself in less than a couple of minutes and wore her school uniform. She untied her messy bun from last evening letting the classic length of hair fall down like a curtain. For an eight-year-old, it is a very rare sight to see such hair length but Joy was blessed to have ancestors with long, healthy, gold hair.

She combed her silky tresses and tied them in a high ponytail. Satisfied with her look she ran downstairs to wear her school shoes.

"Good morning Princess." Joy's father wished her but she ignored it as she is in a hurry.

Her mother noticed Joy searching for something and decided to offer her help. "Are you searching for anything Joy?"

"Yes, Crispy is missing. It was on my bed last night but I can't find it." Joy resumed searching crispy on the coffee table.

Crispy is Joy's best friend. It is a packet of potato chips and listens to all the problems Joy has to share.

"You will have your breakfast and not those unhealthy chips," said Joy's father with low yet stern voice.

"Look here, I served your breakfast in a new bowl." added her mother pointing towards a shiny bowl.

The new bowl eagerly waited for Joy's response by closing its eyes to hear the blissful answer.

"Do not hope high. She will not eat the breakfast." Said the coffee stained tumbler.

"Shut up! I am new here so she will accept me for sure." The new bowl came a little forward so that it can not hear the tumbler's words.

"He will understand after getting rejected. Do not worry." said the long, ceramic jug.

"I do not want to eat breakfast. I am in a rush." Joy gave a final glance at the new bowl and left the place to search Crispy.

Her rejection made the new bowl sulk in sadness and the others gave an understanding look. Joy always skips her breakfast.

"Hey Joy, I am here." a muffled scream was heard from the top shelf of the kitchen. She looked up and gasped when Crispy came in her view.

Crispy's large, blue body was stuffed in a transparent plastic container. Her mom was afraid that Joy may fall sick if she eats them too much.

Joy pulled a chair near the shelf and stood on it trying to get hold of the plastic container. The more she reached nearer the farther the container went making Joy angry. Her emerald green eyes were filled with anger. She took the long metal ladle from the kitchen shelf and hit the container with all her force causing it to fall down and break in two pieces.

"Thank you for freeing me, Joy." The blue, crumpled body came out and Joy picked it up in her arms. They walked away twisting their mouths at the broken Container.

Her school bus arrived and she ran holding Crispy still in her arms while wearing her bag. She boarded her bus and sat in the second row surrounded by her classmates. All the students were around eight to nine years old almost of her age. The bus was filled with their talks and hearty laughs.

"Look at my hair. It is the longest," said Mary pointing at her long, brown braid which reached till her waist.

"Really? You have never seen mine then." Joy stood up and flaunted her hair with proud.

Both of them stood side by side and the other kids compared their hair length. Though Joy tied her hair in a ponytail still she had the longer hair than Mary. Joy stuck her tongue at Mary and sat in her place.

Everyone got down the bus when it halted in front of the school and started running towards their school. Their classes went like any other day and finally, it was their favorite time. The recess time! Everyone started having their snacks and Joy just held her head in weakness. She did not understand why she was feeling so itchy and dizzy that day.

"What is wrong Joy?" asked Crispy with concern.

"I do not know. I am feeling weak," replied Joy in a dull voice.

"Come on then have some chips. You will be cheerful again," said Crispy while bending down and splitting its head for Joy to eat the chips stored inside.

As said Joy ate too much and was energized. She smiled at Crispy and walked towards the swing which was empty on the playground. She held the iron strings on both sides when she felt her knees gave up. She took support from the bench but it was too late as it slipped from her weak, trembling fingers. Her head spun and a dark cloud engulfed her causing her to fall flat on her back.

The last thing she heard was Crispy calling her name. 

-------------------