"YOU ARE KIDDING ME?" Life's voice thundered.
Louis and Marcie stood there shaking, not knowing how to react or what to do. Once Life had come back to his apartment, he had seen the duo walk in as well. Life was expecting a certain human girl to be with them, but apparently, these two idiots had lost her!
"Please sir, know that we did not do it on purpose," Louis tried to reason, "We had no choice! We had upset stomachs since India and we had to use the loo at the gas station. Once we were both in the washroom, they took her."
"And who asked you both to go at the same time?" Life was seething, "Couldn't you take turns?"
Marcie let a tear escape her eye. She was genuinely scared. They couldn't tell Life the truth because then Time would get to them and if they lied to Life, they'd have to face his wrath. At this point facing Life's wrath looked like a smarter option. Nevertheless, she was so freaking scared.
Life on the other hand couldn't understand how such a mishap could happen. Should he have gone himself to get the girl instead of using human means? But if the Moon got a whiff of what he was doing, she would not let him get away with it. Hence, he had used Louis and his wife to do the deed for him.
"Listen, I can't let this go. You two have made a grave mistake."
"We're sorry," Marcie sobbed.
"Cut the emotional drama, Marcie," Life walked to them, "I want you two to track her down and bring her to me at any cost. You have the money and the means, do what you have to do. I want the girl."
***
Amisha woke up in a comfy bed in Bella's studio apartment. There was only one bed and Bella had been kind enough to let her sleep on it while she took the couch. Amisha felt really bad for hi-jacking her place like that, but Bella was insistent that the world looked down upon the French hospitality and she wanted to prove to Amisha that they could be just as hospitable and nice to their guests as the Indians.
"Breakfast is ready," Bella called for Amisha from the kitchen area, "I know we French are known for our fancy food, but I don't have anything but cornflakes at home. Hope that is okay?"
"That is absolutely perfect! Thank you, Bella."
They then sat down on the couch and munched on the cornflakes. By the time they had finished, Bella picked up the dishes and threw them in the sink. Amisha insisted on doing the dishes, but Bella said they could deal with it once they were back home. That's when Amisha realized they were going somewhere.
"I work at Ben's store. The place we were at yesterday?" Bella smiled, "I thought you'd be bored at home alone, so I asked Ben if I could bring you as well."
"That is amazing! I'd love to help out at the store."
"We would love another hand, especially since you speak English so well. The rest of us manage, but the tourists are always confused with our strong French accents. We could use your skills."
"Well, I have a strong Indian accent too, but I know what you mean. I'll help as much as I can!"
Amisha ran to the closet. Bella had pushed her clothes to one side so they could fit in some of the clothes they'd brought with Love. Amisha pulled out a cute yellow sundress with a high neckline and wore a pair of white sneakers. Once done, she combed her hair well and they were ready to go.
At the store, Amisha and Bella were greeted by Ben and Armel who were already working their shift at the store.
"Okay boys, time for y'all to go grab some rest," Bella spoke, "Thanks for covering the graveyard shift."
"Ben's going home to catch some sleep so he can cover the night shift again. I'm going to just catch some sleep on the couch inside the staff room."
"You should go home too. You must be so tired." Bella tried to convince Armel.
Armel just ignored her and walked into the staff room. Bella let out a sigh and went behind the counter. Amisha joined her, not knowing what to do. India didn't really have the summer job or part-time job concept since everyone just focused on studies during their school years, hence Amisha had no experience at all when it came to manning a store.
"Don't worry, I'll instruct you on what to do," Bella smiled when she noticed her uneasiness, "just stay by my side and do what I say, okay?"
"Okay."
***
Shiuli was sitting by the beach wondering about the life she had left behind. Especially, the life that was gifted to her by Amisha and her parents post the accident that changed her life completely.
"Hi, baby," Death's voice broke Shiuli out of her thoughts, "what are you doing?"
Shiuli turned around to find Death smiling down at her. The sun by the beach was shining brightly, making him glow brighter than ever. His pale skin glistened almost and that just reminded her that he wasn't human, but a powerful creature of the universe who had miraculously stolen her heart.
Death sat down next to her and pulled her to him. Shiuli let her head rest on his sturdy shoulders and allowed herself to relax.
"I was just thinking…"
"About?"
"About Amisha."
Death got stiff. Did she find out about the kidnapping? Or that Amisha was in France currently? Death took a look at Shiuli, but the calm look on her face assured him that she was still in the dark about whatever had happened to Amisha.
"I will bring her here as soon as things are a little better." Death ran his hands down Shiuli's hair soothingly, "She can come to stay here for a bit."
"That would be nice."
Shiuli then got up and pulled Death's hand for him to join her. They then took a long walk on the beach, hand-in-hand, and momentarily allowed themselves to forget about all their problems and worries. It was easier to let go and relax when they were in each other's company.
Once back in their room, Shiuli changed her clothes that had gotten sandy and lay down on the bed. Death had a lot to do, but he convinced himself that work could wait because he really needed to hold his girl in his arms right now.
So, they cuddled and Shiuli dug her head into the crook of Death's neck.
"When all this is over, where do you think we will be?" Shiuli asked suddenly.
"I haven't thought that far yet, but we will be immortal and we will have forever to figure out what's best for us."
"We'd not be able to live in the same place forever…"
"That's right," Death spoke, "It is hard, but since we won't age, people will get suspicious, so it's better to always be on the move."
"That means even if I achieve my dreams and become an author, I can't be famous."
Death didn't reply to that. In love, people had to make sacrifices and that's what Death didn't want for Shiuli. He believed that as long as he made all the big sacrifices in their relationship, everything would be okay. But that was clearly not the case and it broke Death's heart a little.
"Death," Shiuli turned to take a look at Death's face, "Don't you dare think that I'm giving up on my dreams and blame yourself for the same!"
When Death still didn't say anything, Shiuli continued –
"Listen, I can still be famous! Lucky for us authors, we don't really have to reveal our identity to be famous authors. I can write anonymously under a pen-name and still conquer all my dreams!"
"But," Death sighed, "you're making so many alterations to your dreams, I feel like it is all my fault."
"No, it is not. I fell in love with you and my priorities have changed. My dreams are just as beautiful with you and the immortality in the picture. You have no idea how much you mean to me. You are one of my dreams that has come true. I love you so much, you don't even have any idea how much."
"I love you more, Shiuli," Death kissed her forehead, "I am nothing without you."
***
The Moon had just summoned Time to meet him. He had blocked his bond and that had worried her a little, but she trusted him and hence, she kept trying to reach him. When she momentarily felt his presence in France, she knew it was his deliberate attempt at finding her.
"Time," she spoke as she saw him, "where have you been? I've been so worried!"
"Your highness, I have been trying to find the others before Life."
"Why did you block your bond?"
"So that Life couldn't track me down," Time lied, "I am skeptical of Life's intentions. I'm sure he doesn't really care about Death's wellbeing and all this is just his way of fulfilling his evil intentions."
"And do you have proof to back this accusation?" The Moon asked, "Time, I trust your instincts more than anything, but I want to believe that there is some good still left in Life. He is my son after all."
"I'd like to believe that too, but I am thinking rationally. He kidnapped an innocent human girl to use her as bait to get to Shiuli and Death."
"What?"
The Moon couldn't believe what she had just heard. Life had come to meet her sometime ago and he did seem like he was hiding something from her. His eyes… they spoke so much more than he ever did. His eyes held that mischievous glint. Did he really have to stoop that low to accomplish his agenda?
"Life kidnapped a young girl called Amisha who happens to be Shiuli's best friend and sister. I was tracking Amisha when I realized she had disappeared. He made his human assistants do the dirty deed for him."
"I cannot believe this."
"This wasn't any mere kidnapping, your highness," Time continued, "He flew her across continents into France."
Shocked, the Moon fell to the bench next to them at the park they were at. Time rushed to her and tried to steady her. He knew it would be hard for the Moon to take this information in, but he had to tell her the truth. She was their leader after all, and she needed to know the kind of person she was working with to divide Shiuli and Death.
The Moon calmed herself and cleared her throat, "Keep an eye on him."
"I will, your highness."