Dedicated to @VeerNaithani
Do check out his book called 'My Birthday Promise' if you love humor related book's. It's not just a love story between two people, there are multiple people in the book ;)

***

"Pssst wake up" I felt something poking at the side of my stomach. I tried to shove whatever thing was poking into my stomach but my attempts failed when I felt a feather grazing under the sole of my feet.

"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK" A hand clamed over my mouth, trying to muffle my scream. Survival instincts kicked in so I bit into the hands of my intruder while trying to kick on the person shin.

"Don't be so violent woman. Geez, you are pretty strong for your size," Rajiv mumbled while rubbing over his palms marked by my canines. Being the nice person I am I inspected his hands while laughing on his face.

"I have left a pretty good mark."

I yelped when I felt Rajiv pulling away the band-aid away from my tattered eyebrow.

"I am not in a mood to fight back with you. You are a very immature person so I will let this one pass thinking that a kid just peed on my bed." I spoke while rubbing my fingers over my glazed skin. I still felt a burning sensation but I think I would look badass and maybe it might become a next 'Fashion thing' who knows.

"Are you done? Honestly I love my precious sleep but the only reason I woke you up because Zara kept calling so I had to wake you up. She might be worried ass for you so I think you shouldn't delay talking to her." Rajiv handed me Bobby's phone.

I was about to call Zara but then I remembered about the call rates so I just waited for her to call me back again. While fiddling through his phone I came across a message from Ankit' without further ado I poked my nose to read his message.

It's not like Ankit would have messaged Bobby just to say hi and ask him how I am right besides he is one of the reasons I am here in this country.

"Nathalia, Where are you? What the hell are you doing in the county? Running away from everything just like that without informing anyone then disappearing off just like that only to end up with three strangers?! AREYOU OUT OF YOUR MIND! CALL ME ASAP WHEN YOU GET THE MESSAGE! If anything happens to you with those guys then please try to come to "AASHIYANA- Dilo ko dhadakne do, Amritsar" There's a house, college and school right next to the NGO. Everyone knows about this place so you can easily come here. Please take care of yourself."

Now when I think about it, I started doubting about my mental state. Why did I just run away to this country in the heat of the moment? What if these three people kidnap me then throw my body inside a vegetable cart and I will keep rotting there. I would most probably die by getting myself eaten from cockroaches, Lizards and ants but that means I could meet fate then have a mug of milkshake with him while I throw banana peels on humans from above. What motive did these three guys have for helping me?

"Wow, first you requested Lee to help you by taking you in with us then you pour out your story in front of bobby which made her agree to help you and now after a collection of so many hours you doubt us? I am sorry to say but yes you do have to get yourself checked. The only reason you came here was to meet your dad whom you last spoke to when you were 5, do you think he really wants to see you? How well do you know Ankit? He is also just a stranger to you after all. Just a few chats with him prove that he is a good person? Either trust a person completely or don't. We have come so far only for you to doubt us? That's wonderful."

I felt embarrassed at Rajiv's outburst. I didn't know what to tell him to make the situation less awkward between us but thankfully Zara called me so I could dodge at Rajiv for a few minutes.

"Hello, Zara." I tried to sound cheery for her; I knew she would moat probably whoop my ass.

"Nathalia...how...you?...Scared...Please...care...She...tracked...found...Coming...you... Gun...Pissed...RUN...Love...you..."

The phones signal was really weak so I was running around in circles like a mad woman, by the time I reached out in the open and the signal bar had gone up, Bobby's phone winked at me then flashed dead out of battery.

"Zara, ZARA! TALK TO ME! STUPID BLOODY GADGET, COULDN'T KEEP ITS BALL STRONG FOR LONG. CAN'T IT BE AS STRONG AS A VAGINA?"

A few people in the resort gave me weird looks while some elders were pushing their kids behind them like my site would damage their childhood.

"Nathalia calm down." Rajiv placed his hand on my shoulder but I shrugged him off. Zara sounded so scared, something was wrong. I tried to comprehend her broken words into a proper sentence. My eyes widened in disbelief when I put two and two together.

My mother had tracked me down and she was coming for me. I don't have much time left. What if she goes to my father first and does something to him? I couldn't risk that. She is on the way and will most probably after a few hours but if I start now then I can reach the NGO in maximum two hours because there won't be much traffic on the road. I have to act quick and fast.

"NATHALIA, CALM DOWN" Rajiv splashed cold water on my face. How dare he ask me to calm down in such a situation?

I grabbed him by the collar without taking my eyes away from his face.

"DON'T EVER ASK A WOMAN TO CALM DOWN ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE IS ON HER PERIODS. IF I WANT TO BLOODY RUN NAKED IN THE TOWN THEN I WILL DO IT. I CAN DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I AM UNSTOPABLE."

I snarled at him while he gave me a blank look. The effect of cold water thrown on me made my skin ripple under the harsh winds.

"What the hell is wrong with you both? Why are you yelling at each other this early in the morning? You have woken up so many people around us." Lee gestured to the people who had come out of their fake village house with sleepy and angry expressions.

"My mother knows where I am, I don't know how she tracked us down but yeah this is the 21st century and we can track anyone down with their IP address. Technology is really advanced now; I should have known that this was coming. I have to go to my papa as soon as I can before her feet touch the ground of this country. I have a really bad feeling with her coming to India; well I always had a bad feeling with her but now it's worse. She must be royally pissed. Though I am surrounded by a lot of people I fell that I am all alone and it's depressing me. I am standing in the roots of my motherland but I don't feel safe anymore. I HAVE GONE INSANE! I don't know who to trust, what to believe and what not to believe. What am I running away from? Where am I running away to? Where do I go next? I don't know what I want anymore."

"Yea ladki pagala gayi hai kya? Agra ka pagal khana jyada dhoor nahi hai toh iska wahan le jao." (Has the girl gone mad? Agra's mental hospital is not far from here so you can take her there) A man spoke to Rajiv while giving me a pitiful look.

"Woh pagal nahi hai." (She is not mad) Bobby scowled at the man who analyzed him while giving him a disgusted look.

While the people around me were debating about my mental health I was busy rolling around in the mud with tears springing out of my eyes.

I think dying would be the best option right now. All my problems would be washed away. Maybe my poor soul could rest in peace. Who would even remember me? No one! No one loves me or cares for me so if I just die then there would be one less problem in the world.

"Ai koi uss pagal ladki ko rook." (Someone stop that mad woman) Everyone's head snapped in my direction but it was too late. I had already jumped into the well. I braced myself for the harsh impact of the water to enter into my lungs then my organs would burst out. Oh shit! I could have donated my organs!

EHEHEHEHEHEHEHE. A woman emerged from the water inside the well.

I totally forgot about this chick I met yesterday at night.

"AHHH" I screamed when her talons pierced on my bums. She rose from the water while I was awkwardly cradled on her arms that were raised in the air.

"NO SUICIDE PLEASE, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU TO KILL YOURSELF BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP THE PLACE ALIVE WITH ONLY FAKE GHOSTS AND NOT THE REAL GHOSTS."

The guy from the reception area scowled at me when he pulled me out of the well while a few people were busy making a video of my sudden outburst.

"Girl I feel like slapping you then stab your brain. This is the second time you tried to jump into the water and take away your life. We are there for you. You might have a chance to lead a normal life after you reach your new destination. You need to chill a bit instead of acting on haste. Have some hope, just hang on a bit. Everything will be alright."

Bobby pulled me in for a hug while patting my head. I felt a bit awkward standing in front of so many people whose naked eyes were scrutinizing me; I could sense them already forming a weird crappy story about my life in their head.

"As much as I like you, I think it's time we make a move; maybe after meeting your dad you would feel better. I hope he turns out to be a nice man or else you will definitely lose that tiny 1% sanity that is left in you," Rajiv spoke while taking out two his wallet and keys. He placed hammy on his head because he feared that I might kill hammy with my stupidity or insanity anytime from now.

Wrapped around in the comfort of Bobby's hug I felt a bit better; Bobby was just like Zara just for the age and the body part. Bobby could be my new non blood elder sister now, her hug was so warm and comforting. I can imagine Bobby braiding my hair while I paint her nails every weekend then we could have pillow fights.

"Come again next time! Hopefully you will come back as a big fat happy family." The receptionist guy handed us a skull with a photo of us sticking from its jaw. The photo of us was taken yesterday night while we were inside the 'Deaths play room'.

When did they ever take this photo? I guess they had cameras inside the haunted house. The photo was pretty funny to be honest. Lee was licking an eyeball lollypop, Bobby was glaring at the moving picture in the hallway while I was busy clutching Rajiv's neck who had a tight hold on me; it looked like Rajiv wanted to throw me on the wall for squeezing his neck but that buffoon was not putting me down. I didn't want to be carried bridal style inside a haunted house; people would think I passed out so this man helped me which was not the case here.

"Ughh before we leave I think you need to change kiddo." Bobby covered my body while making her way to a section of ladies near a made up lake. Those ladies were really nice and handed us spare clothes without anything in exchange.
"Do you know how to tie this?" I shook my head while looking at the saree in his hands.

"STOP POKING ME!"

"STOP SQUIRMING OR I WILL STAB YOUR EYES WITH THESE NEEDLES. YOU RUINED THE PLEETES I MADE FOR YOU WOMAN. IF YOU WIGGLE AGAIN I WILL NOT HELP YOU TIE THIS SAREE."

I was awkwardly standing with my legs wide apart and my hands on my hips.

"Is it windy or is it just me? Shit! Look at the amount of belly hair I have. It's been a month since I bleached my hair. Oh my so much wind is going inside this inner skirt. I feel that this is some kind of mini personal Air conditioner or something... OI YOU POKED ME AGAIN! YOU ARE DOING IT ON PURPOSE.

"SHUT UP! God damn it why are you being so difficult? You know what? I'm leaving. Do whatever you want. Run around in just your blouse and inner-skirt."

Bobby didn't spare me another glance while walking away from the changing room.

I didn't dare call her back because I knew I had pissed her off so much with my antics, I had to let her cool down. If I open my stupid mouth again, bobby might pour lava in it.

I would definitely not dare to take such a risk.

"I guess tying a saree won't be that difficult. It's just a lengthy piece of cloth," I mumbled under my breath while trying to tie this beautiful Indian wear.

I take back my words. How do Indian ladies tie saree's so gracefully in a few minutes? Can't I get a 'How to tie a saree' manual or something. Step by step instructions would have helped me a bit.

"I knew you wouldn't have been able to tie it. The things I do for you," Bobby spoke while shaking his head. Without further ado Bobby got down to business while I kept my mouth shut in fear.

"Twirl around, you look so elegant!"

I swear I saw a tear dropping from Bobby's eyes when she saw me twirling around.

I felt a lot of wind coming between my legs, I tried to cover my belly but that was ruining the style so bobby swatted my hands while I scowled at her.

"From now on you can be my guinea pig. I am so going to experiment different styles on you .You are my personal style doll from now.

After a bit more of tear shedding from Bobby and a few cussing from my part we headed towards the parking lot where Lee was impatiently standing for us.

"LOOK GOODIES." Lee shoved a packet on our faces.

The packet consisted of some eyeball lollipops, sour candies in the shape of fangs, black bubble gums in the shape of nails, brain shaped marshmallows and so many more weird stuffs.

"You have it. We are better off without this," I pushed the packet back to Lee who popped something that looked like a human finger but a few sprinkle pops came out of it that usually crackles up inside your mouth.

We drove around for nearly two and a half hours but I made Rajiv stop the car when we came near the Golden temple.

"I never asked you this but which religion do you follow?" Rajiv asked me while we sat down near the marble steps to watch the fishes inside the water near the temple.

"I follow humanity. As far as I remember my dad is an atheist while my worships only figures. I got my surname Beckham from my mom's side, Kaur from my Dad's side and Khan from Zara. Zara is not related to us by blood my late grandmother thought it would be great to give me this big name as it defines the unity of so many religions."

"I love this atte ka halwa so much. Can I like go stand in the queue again and get some halwa? He won't be able to recognize me if I take a round and go back for the Prasad after 10- minutes nah?"

Lee gulped the halwa in one go. I knew that lee would keep making rounds so I just went and requested the person who was giving the Prasad in a small bowl made of dried beetle leaves so that Lee could happily gulp it later in the car.

'Thank you so much! You are the best! Can we go for round-2 in the langhar?"

Lee was getting really greedy now. Who knew that a small petite man like him can have such a huge appetite?

Only two kilometers were left till we reach our destination. I shut my eyes while sending a prayer above.

Please make everything ok, please make everything ok, please make everything ok. I just want to a normal life. I just want to have a small happy family, is that too much to ask?

"Take deep breaths, Nathalia You look like you are going to pass out any time soon." Lee began to rub his fingers over my palm that had gone cold.

Maybe it's because of the Air conditioner in the car?

"Where exactly should we go? There's the NGO right in front but there are so many houses nearby," Rajiv asked while tugging me to move forward but I stood rooted in my spot.

Thud thud thud, my heart was rapidly beating. I was feeling really cold all of a sudden. FROZEN; I would have looked like a wax statue to the passersby. I could see Rajiv, lee and Bobby's mouth moving but I heard nothing. There was absolute silence. Hammy was gnawing my fingers but I was numb.

"NATHALIA" Rajiv snapped his fingers that made me come out of my solid stance.

"Let's go and..." I didn't wait for Lee to complete his sentence. I practically ran towards the NGO. If I take my father's name or show his old photos maybe someone would be able to identify him.

"Hey girl, do you..." I had stopped a girl to ask her if she knew about my father but she cut me off midway.

"Are you Nathalia? Hello I'm Nivea. People call me special while I like to call them common. I have seen your photo's in Ankit's phone. He spoke about you yesterday; he seemed very sad. I don't like to see people who are sad. We should all be happy. What's the point of being sad? We all love gifts; life is a gift so why are people not happy with their life? You don't talk much? You have a mouth so utilize it. Who knows when it might get out of use? Do you call yourself as normal? You look a bit pale. What's wrong dear?"

The woman in front me didn't even have a mute button but thank god she stopped speaking.

"Can you please take her to her father?" Rajiv asked instead me but his voice seemed to be a bit impatient.

"Who are you? Where do you come from? How did you know of this place? Why are you giving me that look as if I'm weird? I am not weird. I am very special. That's what everyone around here tells me. I am very intelligent though I might not seem like it. We are all unique just like everyone else but only the ingredients in us vary. The final output is the same. We are all humans with organs and body parts that vary in color size, our blood color is the same but the group is different. You have jet black that is straight while I have brown curly hair but it is hair after all. Now you understood what I meant by being unique just like everyone else?"

She waited for our response while we stood gaping at her. I think she didn't even hear me asking my question but just started talking without taking a break till she wanted us to answer something. Doesn't her mouth pain even a bit?

"Nathalia" A voice called for me.

"IT'S YOU! YOU ARE HERE! YOU ARE ALIVE"

I ignored the rambling woman while running towards my Ankit. It was a pretty comic scene if you ask me because Ankit was a tall rough and tough kind of guy with a bit tattoos over his body while I was so small compared to him. I was running towards him with my saree pulled up till my knees to help me run better.

To an outsider, it would look as if some bad boy and an innocent girl's love story who were meeting after a bad misunderstanding.

"Bhaiya."

"Behena"

We both cried out while hugging each other. I didn't know him personally but these past few days made me know him emotionally. I felt a deep connection towards my brother; I was hoping for the best to happen between us.

"I didn't tell papa yet about your arrival. I didn't tell him anything. I wanted to keep it as a sort of surprise. After you meet him call back Zara ok? She told me she spoke to you in the morning but then the phone went off. She was feeling pretty helpless." Ankit pecked my head while giving me a teddy bear hug again.

"Are these the people who helped you?" Ankit asked while he motioned towards the people who stood awkwardly behind me.

"No, they came here for a stroll. Why do you think they are standing here right next to her? Your intelligent provokes me, it makes me want to claw your eyes out but eyes are precious organs. I will donate them after your death or use it for uncle..."

"Can you shut up? For once don't try to spoil a perfect moment Nivea." Ankit snapped at Nivea who had a blank look on her face but I noticed the corner of her lips moving up. She was secretly giving a crooked smile.

"I'm sorry, where are my manners?! Please come in and stay with us for some time. I don't know how to thank you for bringing my sister here. If she was left alone she would have probably been dead by now. Humanity does exist and I'm so glad you are one of the few living examples who helped my sister without any ulterior motive. We are forever in debt to you three for bringing us our gem here safe and sound."

Ankit bowed down with folded hands which made Rajiv, Lee and Bobby blush. They started stammering saying that it was no big deal.

Do you find good people like these guys anywhere? Not so many people could be so big and kindhearted like them and I'm really blessed to have gotten to meet them.

"That's our house. You go in. we will all wait outside first." Rajiv pushed me towards a medium sized two storey Villa.

I looked back at my friends asking them to come in with me but they shook their heads. I swear I even saw tears in Hammy's eyes.

My baby was getting emotional for me; this made me more emotional. Wait! Does that mean my papa is now a grandpa because hamster is my baby? If hammy males another hamster pregnant then papa would become a great grandpa at this age. He would be proud of me.

After a few hesitating moments I pressed the doorbell, my report card on life was going to be revealed soon.

Ever so agonizingly slowly the front door opened. A man with salt and pepper hair opened the door. He just looked at the front without making any movements. He wore dark shades while clutching a walking stand in his right hand.

What did age even do to him?!

Neither of us spoke a word. I tried to speak but my voice was clogged. How could I speak? Why was the person before me not hugging me? Did he not want me? He could have at least made some sort of facial expression so that I could read him.

He looked left and right then right at me. For 5minutes we stood facing each other; Silence has engulfed us. I was about to pounce on him for a hug but then the man shut the door on my face...

WHAT IN THE BLOODY WORLD?

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh" I wailed out while Ankit was rubbing his hands up and down on my arms.

"What's wrong, Nathalia? Did he slap you? Tell us! Why you keeping us from the suspense,?" Lee wailed along with me but a smack on the head from Bobby made him stop crying.

"He... He..." I stammered but a snort managed to touch the top of my lips.

"He what Nathalia?" Rajiv comforted me in a hug.

"I... we... I...he opened the door bu... but we didn't talk. He just looked outside the door. I was about to hug him but then he snapped the door shut right on my face."

"Wait did you say silence? Didn't you know Nathalia? Uncle is blind. He thought that some kid would have just rang the doorbell and left." Nivea spoke which resulted in me shedding another round of tears.

"Oh wait! I forgot to tell you that..." I didn't wait to hear Ankit's reply. I just ran away from there. I needed some space. My poor heart was clenching in pain now.

Why are you making my life so difficult fate? What did I ever do to you?

***

So umm hi? Lol this is awkward. I was ready with this chapter but couldn't post it due to weak signals problem's *frowns*

There are just 3 chapter's left for this book *cries* 2 main chapters and the last one would be the finale.

The girl called in this chapter may or may not have her own book in his future which would be a novella like this one or maybe a short story in the form of diary notes.

I want to write books with a message. If Nivea gets her own book it's going to be different from what I usually write (Romance or humor)
Let's see how far it goes :) first I should finish this book and my other books in line LOL.