Chapter 43

Love the stranger’s family

The food was fantastic there was no ghee, no spice, an authentic Kannada meal, rice and rasam and sambar with potato fry and bhindi

It was extremely awkward for her to eat at a stranger’s house

She wondered how much of what happened 10 years ago was told to Apoorva and when was it told

She cringed about what they must think of her

Jaidrith  was totally chill, emptied out potato fry twice and gobbled up rasam and rice like a G

Mihir was sort of a quiet guy but asked many investing questions of Aatreya

“Do you want to come spend the day with me?” Apoorva asked fondly

“talking superhero stuff?” he asked pausing with a spoonful of potatoes

She had to laugh on that one

She didn’t follow superheroes

She was going to read up and educate herself she decided

“I am going to know so so much you will be shocked” she fibbed

“Why do you like Storm?” he rolled his eyes

She had no answers

“DHRUUU” Mrunal whispered, gently pressing a hand on his knee

“Don’t” Aatreya warned gently

He was in awe of his son, he was the most curious, talkative, opinionated kid he had ever met

He wondered why Mrunal was so afraid of everything

“I mean she is SO cool” Apoorva made up stuff

“What is the most badass thing she ever did?” he questioned

“DHRUUUU” Mrunal was horrified she turned deep red on behalf of her child

“That’s fine” Aatreya’s eyes sparkled with amusement as Apoorva squirmed not knowing how to answer the Q

HE didn’t either

“She is a perfect diplomat, in Reign of X, she was able to solve everything without drawing a knife, setting any one on fire or dropping an avalanche”

His eyes shone with pride for the imaginary character

“Did you introduce him to comic books?” he asked Mrunal

She shook her head

“There was a library in Ba… where we lived before”

“He has an amazing memory”

“Yes when it comes to comics and anime”

Jaidrith was offended by that comment

“I HATE school” he muttered, mutilating his bhindi

“DHRUUUU”

“Do you call him Drew?” Apoorva asked with a smile

“DHRU?” Mrunal clarified

“Why did you choose the name Jaidrith? It’s the most beautiful name”

“I HATE it” Jai supplied

Aatreya and Apoorva laughed uncontrollably

“Sorry he has a mouth on him” Mrunal fidgeted

“He is so adorable”

“They call me Jaya… I hate the name”

Aatreya’s expression turned grim

“They don’t he is imagining” Mrunal reassured

“What is the story? Did ur family pandit suggest?” Apoorva asked

Watched Mrunal clam up

“Umm.. no. I just looked it up on the web”

“Great”

“Dhru Jave lagela”

“Hogbeka?” (Apoorva checked with her brother in a whisper

“I guess” he nodded

“Do you have action figures?” Jai asked as Mrunal dragged him off his chair

“I”

“We have to get Athe some” Aatreya promised

“I don’t want many I only want TWO” Jai started putting in his request

“DHRUUUU” Mrunal hissed near his ear

“I just need Riptide, Black Panther and Ant Man, I lost Ant Man when we moved” “I hate my house” he added

“DHRUUU… chalo” she ordered in a whisper

“Do you want to go see her… them off?” Apoorva offered Aatreya

“I will follow her home” Aatreya nodded searching in a glass bowl on the runner table by the door for his keys”

“I have driven home late that is fine” Mrunal stopped him

“sure you have, but I just want you to be safe” he smiled not taking no for an answer

Apoorva ran inside and brought some sindoor “Amma says we shud give to all the guests”

Mrunal nodded and carelessly dipped a finger and just placed it on her forehead

“What can I get?”

‘You got Books dhruuu its rude”

She almost had to drag him out of there

There was no explanation for why he was so attached to this family

Crazy boy! She cursed, telling herself she would have a “talk” with him

As Aatreya walked her to her car

“Would you like to visit my office sometime?” he asked

“Why?” she panicked looking at him

“To see for yourself that I have a decent job in a reputable place?”

“Many bad people have that” she muttered

He HEARD it

“U think so?”

“I just want Dhru to be safe”

“I can understand that”

“Aai…” he pulled her down and whispered “Bathroom” in her ear

She was livid

They went all the way back up

Ghosts were real… in his mother’s world

He didn’t want to go home and go to that toilet

For sure!!

“You can too if you like” Aatreya offered turning away from the bathroom area

“No thanks” she said

AND PROMPTLY DID

Empty flat, night time, no lights on

Her heart skipped a beat when she thought of her place

Aatreya didn’t know how to intervene

Mrunal didn’t know how Aatreya could be stopped