"Gauri, I don't understand. Why the hell do you think it is me who stole your scooty?"

"Because Saumya, you are the only one who loves to see me in pain." Gauri said with the phone on her ears.

"Good point." Saumya replied, "but still I didn't steal it. Jeez, I don't even know your favorite book."

"You don't know?" Gauri said after she nearly crashed with three people while rushing through the lanes with full speed, "I think I've told you about that multiple times."

"I still don't remember. I just know it was a story about some Hazel and her August."

"Not August! Augustus!" Gauri shrieked on her phone, as she started counting the shops as she walked along." His name is Augustus!"

"Whatever Gauri..." Saumya replied, "but the truth is I didn't steal your scooty. And really, I need to go now. Bye."

"I hate you Saumya"

"I love you too." Saumya said with a giggle as she disconnected the call.

Gauri stood in front of the seventh shop of ninth lane, the Visionary Bookstore, panting furiously. The shop was still opened, and there was a great hustle and bustle inside. She looked at here and there. Still no sight of scooty. Not knowing what she was supposed to do next, she pushed open the door and entered in.

A woman in forties casted a look in her direction as she came in. She had occupied the table of the reception, noting something in a small notebook from the bills over the table.

"Can I help you?" The woman spoke, as her hands still continued the work she was doing.

"Yes, I.." her voice faltered. How was she supposed to tell her that she came to her shop looking for her two wheeler. She lowered her gaze while biting her lips, thinking what to do.

The code word.

"Can I get a copy of The Fault In Our Stars?" She said in a single breath.

The pen dropped from her hands as the woman looked up towards her. She squinted while fidgeting with her spectacles, as if to look her clearly. "Miss Gauri Kumari Sharma?"

"Wh-what?"

"Are you Miss Gauri Kumari Sharma?" The woman repeated, as smile adorning on her lips.

"Ye-yes, I am." She stammered due to confusion.

The woman's smile widened over her reply, as she looked down to open the drawer of her table. Pulling out a book, she handed it over to her.

"There you go." She said, "it's yours."

Gauri frowned at her words, as she pulled out her handbag to pay for book.

"Don't bother about money." The woman said at once, observing her actions, "I've been paid."

Gauri narrowed her eyes, "But I didn't-"

"You didn't." The woman interrupted her, "but someone else did it for you."

Her eyebrows rose at her reply."Who?" She asked, "Who paid for me."

"I am sorry." The woman said tilting her head, 'I can't tell you that."

Gauri frowned even more, and moved her eyes towards the book. Suddenly, she spotted a paper folde, like a book mark, between the pages of the book. Knowing what it can be, she pulled it out and unfolded it.

NUMBER TWO

Hop a little, jump a little,One, two, three.Run a little, Rush a little,To Aroma Bakery.

Code word: your favorite flavor.

"I gotta go." She muttered to the woman, before dashing out from the bookshop.

As she nearly trotted along the streets towards the direction of the bakery, she kept the phone at her ear after dialling the number.

"Hello?" A voice came out from the phone as the call got connected.

"Anika Bhabhi?"

"Yeah, Gauri?" Anika said, "Where are you? Do you know Shivay just arranged a famous jeweller for you marriage..."

"Later Bhabhi, later." She huffed restlessly, "tell me, have I done anything wrong?"

"No."

"Are you angry with me?"

"Nah."

"Then why are you doing this to me." She wailed out, as she thought about how only Anika knows she buys dessert only from Aroma Bakery, "What is the meaning of stealing my scooty?"

"Gauri, sweetheart, I don't what you're talking about.." a pause, "O bete ki, these earrings looks so pretty, how much for this ?"

"Bhabhi!" She exclaimed miserably, "you mean it's not you who is playing this game with me?"

"Oh, fifty thousand? Yeah...What? What game are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Bye." She said before stuffing the phone back in in her bag, as she crossed the road.

Aroma Bakery had supposedly got it's name by its action. As it occupied the place at the square, it effortlessly diffuses the aroma of chocolate, vanilla, strawberries and others along the four direction, seducing almost ever sweet tooth towards it. And as Gauri stood in front of the bakery, she couldn't help but hear her stomach grumble out loudly.

"Calm down" she patted herself on the shoulder as she entered in.

She found the familiar faces of two young girls, who greeted her as soon as she entered.

"Good evening..." One of them chirped, "Can we help you?"

"Yes, I..."She began, "I wanted a black forest pastry."Suddenly, both girls frowned at each other.

"Are you Miss Gauri Kumari Sharma?"

"Yes, I am." She replied bag.

"Oh, okay. Gimme a second." One of them said excitedly as she rushed towards the refrigerator. After opening it, she took out a small box of pastry and handed it to her.

Gauri stared at the box." The money..."

"Don't bother." The other one smiled, "we've been paid."

"And who paid you?"

The girl gave her an lopsided smile. "We can't tell you that. We've been paid for that too."

"Okay." Gauri muttered looking at the box again. "But isn't there's supposed to be some sort of note along with it?"

The two girls chuckled out. "Raise the box."

Gauri did as she was told. She gently raised the box to a level such that she could see beneath. As she did so, she found letters scrawled at the bottom with marker.

NUMBER THREE

Drag, drag, drag your feet

Gently down the street.

Merrily Merrily to Royal's flower

It's gonna be like a dream.

Code word: your favorite flower

"I..." Gauri shook her head and looked at both, "thank you very much."

.

.

.

.

A/N: Okay! It was getting too lengthy, so I decided to break it into two parts. Part B will be updated soon.

Let me know what you think through comments. Have I ever mentioned that reading comments of you guys makes my day?