I woke up the next morning with someone driving knives into my stomach.

So I went up to the desk, trying to see my tasks for the day, when I saw AJ's letter. Interesting.

I don't make that poor of a food right? I mean, I know I've certainly improved from the first day. This is why I want AJ in my life. He can do what no one can. He is effortless. He can bring a smile when I need it the most. Anyways...

I should ask Yudhishthir about this Devika. He might know her.

" Mini! " I shouted as I trudged up to see her sprawled on her bed, snoring.

I should make her breakfast. Then I need to attend her PTM too. What does one even wear to these things?

Waking her up, I went into the kitchen. What I forgot, was that I had still not taken pain medication or any form of pain reliever and so I stood , leaning on the kitchen platform, waiting for the first knife stab to vanish.

Making breakfast was annoying now that I knew AJ thought that they might not be eating good food. So I made aloo paratha. The best dish ever for breakfast. My mummy used to make these. People would be jealous of how soft the were.

'The trick to have them that soft , is to put the aloo in the microwaves for thirty seconds, if it's cold boiled aloo and then mashing it as it is hot. That retains the moisture and makes the mash softer and creamier, making the parantha softer. '  She would say.

In half an hour, Mini was out and Yudhishthir had just woken up.

Wearing the most appropriate Kurta I could find, I sat Mini out and went to our room.

I found Yudhishthir looking through the photos on my phone.

" Alright. I'm going for Mini's PTM. I'll be back by the afternoon. If you want to come along, you may. "

" No. I have a few things I want to do." He said and I was confused. Things to do? Oh right. His spy work.

So I left and reached the school.

   ^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" Ms Sagarika, your sister is an excellent student in class. But she needs to talk less. It is not wise to speak when the teacher is speaking. Both teachers and students have times in the class when they should speak. Yours choses to cross them both. That is all. Even if I make her sit alone she'll talk. To me or to those who I have made to sit alone as well. " Her teacher said as I just looked at her with a smile on my face. How am I supposed to say anything.

" Yes ma'am. I completely understand. I'll try and help her with that. How is her work ethic? Complete copies and work? "

" Yes, all that is fine. As I said, wonderful student but overtly talkative. It will not help in senior classes. " She rehearsed.

" I understand ma'am. Thank you. " I said, looking at Mini, who was hiding her face.

While we sat in the cab, I realised I needed to learn how to drive as well.

" Mini. You know you shouldn't be talking in class. Why do you? Right now she's telling me, later I'll be in the principal's office for the same. "

" But what she teaches is so boringgg! I have already done all that. I remember all of it. I can apply all of it. What am I supposed to do in the class. If I study something more advanced they tell me to pay attention. When I try to, I fall asleep. What should I do? " She said, completely annoyed it seemed.

I had no answer to that. What should I say if they are unable to let her study extra and what they are teaching is already known to her.

" You should study it. If they say anything else, tell me. I'll talk to them. We shall see what to do then. But you need to make sure not to loose marks in the final year end exams. If you do then everything you are saying now makes no sense. If you have already learnt everything, you should be able to do well. I'll get you books from class seven to read. " I told her, tucking her in my side.

As we reached near the market of my house, I stopped the cab.

" Come we'll have ice cream. "

We walked up to a nearby parlour when...

" Oh! Here you are. Hey little kid. Hey littlest kid. " Ashwatthama said, staring at us down his Ray Bans. I swear he is unusually well adjusted. Maybe because he came here first.

" Ashwa bhai! How are you? I just came back from the PTM. " Mini said, jumping into his arms. I could not decide whether to smile or frown.

A frown would raise questions. So I smiled.

" Little kid. What are you upto here? Where's-"

" I'm here to treat her to ice cream. " I interrupted, trying to tell him to shut up. She hadn't met Yudhishthir. Well, not really.

" Where's who didi? "

" No one Mini. Ashwatthama has lost his mind trying to look cool. Don't worry. You choose your flavour. " I told her, watching as she did so.

" She doesn't know! What are you doing? "

" I'm having ice cream, can't you see?" He said smirking.

" I -fine. Do you want something from me? "

" No. But I will come by your house in the evening. I need to talk to the two of you. "

" Didi! I'll have Cookie Crunch. Should I call for the same for you? "

" Haan. Here take the money. "

" What do you mean you'll come. What's there to talk about? "

" Keshav has sent me with your new mission. We must accomplish that. So I need to tel you and my friend about it. "

" But -"

" Shall we go didi? Bye Ashwa bhai! " Mini said, grabbing my hand as she handed me the ice cream in another.

All the whole walking back the same thing played on my mind.

As we walked in, I saw the gate open.
That wasn't unusual. What was unusual was the amount of chaos in the house. Everything was torn apart. Bed covers, sofas, the kitchen was in disarray. Most of all, I couldn't see the man I left home.

" Mini, go to your room, close all doors and close this one too. " I ordered.

" But Didi - "I looked at her with eyes that could kill. " Go. Do it. Now! " I said, as she ran in looking.

I rushed to my room. All my books and files were torn apart. But what shook me was the red on the bed. All over my phone and a photo of AJ and me.

" Yudhishthir! Yudhishthir! " I called relentlessly, no response.

" Yudhishthir! "

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
So. Where is Yudhishthir  ? Tell me where or who you think has him.

Share your opinions on the comments and vote as many of you can.

Much love

Radhekrishn ❤