Crack Of Dawn

Chapter 6

Her grandmother ran in to grab the purse as the girls were excited to reach the market. They were busy planning their list of to-dos. But she did not want to meet Ridhan who was an upcoming entrepreneur because they were not in good terms.

A secret remained with them and it was terrific that she wouldn't even want to meet her old friend again.

They walked down and got into an ageless carriage which rode them to the market area. The place was busy yet it was a blissful scene. The sound of gossiping, bargaining and selling was new to her. The girls were already checking on things as if they were going to give it the 'approvable to sell' certificates.

Meanwhile, Kashvi was buying the groceries from the store across the street. The girls were still covering the never ending rows of stalls, trying street foods, handmade accessories, embroidered clothing, painted sheets and more.

Kashvi called out from the other end. "Girls, I will be a little late. I want to check the courier office."

The girls nodded as Adya took the lead. "What do you think about going to our place?"

Srishti dropped her smile. "Is that even supposed to be a question?"

"But please don't go behind your books of the lost land." She had her eyes pleading.

"May be I will try not to."

***

She ran around the study and stopped at her father's desk and she struggled to get on the chair. She was playing with the table lamp while her father came in with a pile of books in his hand. "Is my little girl doing that?"

She immediately folded her hands and looked down with her lower lips curved downwards. Her father dropped the book and smiled. "What do my princess want to do?"

"She want that glittering things seen in that book you borrowed." Her mother came in with a little laugh. She brought a cup of coffee and placed it in the table.

"Do you want the magic?" Her father bent his head to look into her eyes.

She rose her head and nodded, staring right back to her father's eyes and he put his hand on her hair and stroked. "You will get it if you solve a mystery for that you need to know all that tricks that life will play on us. Will you be able to overcome the tricks, my princess?"

She acted like climbing over a dragon and flying imaginarily with a magical sword in her hand. "I will do it."

Her mother laughed over the little girl's fascinations.

"You will have to find the lost lands."

***

She suddenly leaped back from her thoughts as an electric cycle crossed their way just a few meters away from the market. The rider in a tracksuit, took off the helmet as he pulled the break. There he was a still having the devil-may-care attitude in his face and he smirked. "Welcome back!"

Adya smiled, "Haven't seen you for so long."

His harsh voice was brought in a reply. "I was still here, may be you just didn't look around." The he turned to Srishti. "How are you? Heard you were coming so did I ask Mother Kashvi to schedule us a meeting for we have unfinished businesses. "

"I don't think we have anything unfinished and I am always better when you are not around." Srishti hit back hard with a beautiful smile.

"Oh! That was rude pal. Never mind." He accelerated his bike giving off a loud noise. "We are in good terms since you have kept it to yourself, not telling anyone about what had happened that night before..."