My Little Firecracker

Chapter 3

"Hey Boyfriend !!!" I wished kissing him on his cheek, he turned to my side a little startled. He is lying on his bed with his back against the headboard and holding a newspaper in his hand which he's currently reading.

"Hey Girlfriend !! when did you get in? I didn't hear any noise today " He asked all surprised. Keeping my bag aside, I sat beside facing him.

"Your Darling wasn't in the hall, that's why you didn’t hear screaming contest today" I said frowning thinking about his darling.

He sighs.

"You know I have this new found wish that I want to see both of you together without fighting before I die and you know that time is getting closer" He said patting my head. I threw a sharp glare at him.

"How many times have I told you no talks about death? You still have lot of things to see. Remember your last year wish about playing with my children !!" I said handing him a cup of water as he started coughing.

"I do sweetheart! I do! but it won't come true until you quit this dangerous job and find a perfect guy, marry him and give me healthy grandchildren " He said tapping my arm lightly in the scolding manner.

"I don't think there is any scientific relation between marriage and making children, now is there any?" I said raising my eyebrows earning a sharp malicious glare in return. I know he hates these kinds of talks. So old school.

"Don't even think about that, Young Lady" I rolled my eyes at his tone. 

You guys might be confused about the whole scenario, let me clarify.

Ajith Singh, a 74-year-old man whom I oh sweetly call boyfriend. He worked in military and retired. That's why he understands difficulties of work very well than any others. I'll tell you all why I call him boyfriend in a little while.

But first, let me introduce you to my family and tell you all about who Darling is and what conflicts I have with that person.

I live with my joint family consisting of 20 people. Yes ! 20.

It consists of 11 men and 9 women excluding me. Where all 8 women are above 55 and men are above 60 except three , I won't go into specifics but this is my family. Unusual family, isn't it? Let me explain.

Twenty-One years ago, a lady was running in the rain carrying a one and half year-old baby in her arms. When she sees that she has reached a dead end, she looks around and sees a medium sized house and enters in. Lucky for her there was no watchman at that time. When she reached the front door, she started banging on it and before anyone could open she heard few car sounds and shouting of few men and after listening to that she banged on the door a little harder. What she didn’t notice was an old woman sitting on the patio sofa at the end of passage to her left. Old woman was weak, her voice couldn't reach the lady and even she tried to stand up and walk towards that lady but she was unable to hold her clutches as the corridor was wet due to rain.

Lady's banging got even louder, old women could see that lady was in a hurry and was looking at the gate often again is fear.

Soon enough the door was opened and a woman over 30 came out, lady hurries up and places the baby in her hand and murmurs incoherently something like "take care of my baby" between her sobs and as number of cars and their sound increases, that lady gets more petrified. Before that woman holding the baby could speak up, the lady runs out as if she was trying to erase any trails that she left behind.

And that terrified lady was my mother and that one and half year baby was me. The old woman who sat on the patio sofa in the passage was Vidya Acharya, a 88 year old women at that time and she passed away when I was 5 years old and the woman who held me that night is whom I call Mom and her name is Kavya Singh, a 24 year old at that time.

Yes! it’s an Old Age home or a retirement home, you can call it anything. 

The three exception I mentioned above are : One, is the manager who manages this old home and his name is Yash Singh, a 56 year old now and the husband of Kavya Maa and whom I call Dad.

Second, is the cook of this place who changed 10 years back. When I was a kid, there was a woman but now it’s a man called Kashyap and I call him Kashyap kaka(uncle).

Third, is Viju kaka and he is the worker, like a servant. 

As the story goes on you will come to know others but for now these are enough to know how crazy my family is.

Wait! I forgot Darling! No, her real name is Suraksha Anand and she's my boyfriend's "Darling". We both always had been in and out of feuds and normally don’t enjoy each other’s company and that is because ever since I was young, I loved watching television. Be it a cartoon or a movie or news or entertainment programs and that’s where we would have clashes as she's bad s**t crazy about her mega serials.

But my boyfriend thinks she's a really good person and she's been through a lot which I have no idea of because I know each and everyone's story except hers.

Mom and Dad started this old age home when Dad's parents were murdered brutally in one of the strikes in North India, they don't talk about it much but this much I gathered from others.

Apparently, Dad's parents were really good people it seems and social workers too so as a tribute to them, Dad started this old age home.

When my birth mother left me in my mom's hand, mom was clueless about what happened and when everyone got to know, they had several arguments but finally mom decided to raise me although police complaint was made, they couldn't find my parents and thus this became my home.

"You take your medicines; I have some work I'll finish it okay" I said kissing his forehead.

"I will but Kavya was talking about that girl you brought home, what's the matter Amy?" He asked with his eyebrows creased together.

I sighed.

"We found her in our mission" I said rubbing my forehead foreseeing the lecture.

"What mission?" He said glare evident on his face.

"She was drugged and pimped out" I heard his gasp. s**t!

"Amy!!!"

"Listen, this is my work and I won't stop until I find him and you know that but I will be careful" I said grasping his hands.

"Be careful baby, I just want you to be safe and make sure that girl is fine" concern was clear in his eyes. I smiled.

"I will boyfriend, now you take care of yourself. I'll see you later bye " I said grabbing my bag.

"Bye" He smiled.

I rushed to my room to freshen up. As soon as I changed into my pyjamas, I wandered around looking for Maa. I found her in the kitchen.

"Hey maa" I hugged her from behind. She smells like home. I could just stay like this forever.

"Hey beautiful, when did you get home?" She said patting my cheek. Moms are the best, aren't they?

"Half an hour back, was talking with my boyfriend " I said kissing her cheek.

"Oh ho, you and your boyfriend. You know today he was flirting with the lady doctor who came to check his BP" she said shaking her head. I laughed out loud sitting on the kitchen isle.

"What can I say? He's charming" I said picked up a carrot and taking a bite.

"That doctor was flushed when she came out of his room " she said raising her eyebrows.

I laughed "Chill maa, he's harmless."

"It’s obvious, he's 74 " she said winking.

See, my mom's the coolest.

"Oh I forgot to ask, doctor came to visit that girl today and wanted to talk to you. I tried calling you but you didn't pick up " she said with a worried look.

"Did she say something about the girl?" I asked curiously.

"No, all she said was her condition isn't that good and she wanted to talk to you" she said caressing my arm.

"Baby, will she be okay? Poor girl, she's been through a lot. Scars on her body screams pain dear" she said with unshed tears in her eyes.

"Until and unless she gets consciousness, we can't say anything maa" I said trying her sooth her. I shouldn't have brought that girl over here. It took a toll on mom but this is the safest place for her.

"I hope that girl gets better soon" Mom said resuming her work.

"I hope so too mom" I sighed remembering in which state I found that girl. Men are pathetic, not all but some are just disgusting.

I walked into that girl’s room, looked at her pale face. There is a family out there who will be searching for this girl. Just the thought made me sad. I'll make sure those guys rot in hell.

Giving her hand a squeeze, I walked out. 

_________________________________________

"Good morning, kaka" I wished kashyap kaka as I entered the kitchen next morning.

"Good morning Amy, I made your favorite " He said passing a plate full of pancakes. Yummy!!!

"Thank you kaka" I said kissing his cheek.

"Your welcome dear" he said smiling. 

"Kaka can you do me a favor,please" I said giving him a puppy face. Everyone except that darling, are suckers for my puppy look. 

"Of course dear, tell me what is it?"He said shaking his head at my face. 

"Can you check on the girl that i brought few days ago from time to time?" I asked giving him please look.

"Ohh about that, don't you think your mom or any women would be suitable to look after her. I mean she's been through a lot and what if she wakes up when I'm there, she'll freak out" He said giving me thoughtful look.

He's right though. 

"Okay then can you tell mom, she went out to buy vegetables" I said having a bite of my food. It's heaven. Kaka's pancakes are best. 

"Don't worry dear, I will" He said placing another pancake on my plate.

"Thank you kaka, I'll see you later" I said munching my food.    

"Take care baby " he said patting my cheek. Everyone in this house are worried about me and my work, every day they pray I come home safely due to my work but the best part is I'm their baby.

I walked inside dining room and saw few grannies having breakfast. I wished them good morning and started eating while gossiping with them. They love to gossip; trust me some day world might come to an end but their gossiping won't.

As I got Arsh's text, I finished my food and rushed out yelling bye to everyone.

I rushed inside the hall where Mr big shot's press meet is held. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against billionaires it's just that, their life story isn't that important to me than saving young girl’s lives is.

"Hey Miss Sexy " urghhh! That irritating voice and crude commentary.

Everyone introducing "Danny Takkar".

I turned around with a grim look on my face.

He stood there in his grey shirt, blue jean's and signature olive color jacket. And not to forget a stupid smirk on his face.

" Hello there, jerk-face " I said pulling up a sarcastic smile.

"There there, don't need to twist your panties early in the morning " see words like these makes me want to castrate him.

"Well, how about I twist your ugly face and give it a nice shape " I said binding my sleeve.

"Umm feisty, I like it " he said eyeing me up and down making me grind my teeth. I swear to god-

"Guys, press meet is about to start. Let's go " Val came and dragged me.

He made a 'I'm watching you' sign, to which I flipped him off.

Ha! Take that.

Soon we took our place, Val and Arsh sat in between Danny and I because they know if we sat together, press meet will take a different turn.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen" A man in a suit walked up to the podium and started talking. I blocked out and started reading some emails until his yickitii - yackitii stops.

"Let's welcome man of the hour, Mr Arjun Sehgal" His voice boomed.

I looked up to see a man of 6.3 height walked around from the side in white shirt and black suit.He's dark soft hairs perfectly set, he's black shoes shining better than my highlighter. His walk is suave and energetic. He wore black shades but as soon as he stood by the podium, he removed it and that's when I lost my s**t.

Those eyes.

Those eyes that won't let me sleep at night, those eyes that haunt my dreams.

No!! It can't be.

He's a billionaire, what was he doing in that dump.

Amy, wake up.

I saw Val swoon, looking at him face.

I rolled my eyes. I get it, he's hot. In that sexy suit, that perfect physique I bet he has 6 packs or better yet 8 pac--

What the hell, Amy!!! Focus.

But all my focus drained out as his husky voice reached my ears.

"Good Morning Everyone" that voice.