Love Retold: Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality

[2] Anyone Got Sunscreen?

"I am... Narain."

Aiden stood there holding his camera as the new boy, Narain, bowed, grabbed Aru's hand, and kissed it gracefully. As he looked up and saw the faintest blush on Aru's cheek, envy shot through Aiden. How dare he touch her? It was followed by sadness. No, what am I thinking?!

With his jumbled up thoughts, Aiden barely registered the conversation going on. He pushed the thoughts to the back of his head, converted Shadowfax into a watch on his right wrist, and walked forward to the boy.

"Aiden," he said. "Aiden Acharya." He held up his hand. Narain regarded it for a second, then took it, smiling. Aiden fixed his face into what he hoped was indifference.

Suddenly, a huge flame erupted a few feet away from them. The five kids watched as it mounted higher and higher, before the flames parted to let through a man dressed in a dark yellow sherwani. Aiden immediately recognized him as Agni, the god of fire who they had met 3 years ago, on his first quest with the Pandavas.

The Potatoes bowed down with their hand pressed together respectfully. Only when he had straightened back up did Aiden realized that Narain hadn't moved an inch.

Agni, however, ignored them. Talking to no one in particular, he pinched the bridge of his nose, saying, "It was just getting to the good part!" Shooting a glance at the floor, he groaned. "ARGH! That guy just got kicked out by security. I wish I could have seen his face..." (A/N: Remember the denim-kurta guy who shouted "DON'T GO THROUGH WITH THIS! HE'LL NEVER MAKE YOU HAPPY!!" 😅😉)

Aiden was taken aback by this queer statement and was instantly reminded of Aru. Shut up, brain!  he said to himself, before groaning about losing his sanity.

Just then, Agni turned and looked at the Potatoes. He scrutinized them for a moment, then smiled. "Ah! Visitor! And, I see you have met my nephew Narain."

~~~

His nephew? Mini's shock was apparent even through the mind link. Aru decided this was not the moment, and did not respond.

Agni squinted at them once more. "So, who are you, and what do you want? I am sure you didn't come this far just for an autograph. Although I do know some who do..." His voice trailed off into incoherent muttering.

Your coin, your move, Brynne sent telepathically.

     "We thought it was a good time for a family reunion!" Aru said, smiling so hard she felt her face would break. "Remember me? Daughter of Indra? And Mini, daughter of the Dharma Raja..."

     Mini waved.

     "And Brynne, daughter of Vayu."

     Brynne nodded.

At this, Narain looked at them a touch more interestingly.

     "And then there's... Aiden?"

     "Another demigod?" asked Agni.

     "No? More like a former reincarnated... wife?"

Aiden rolled his eyes before replying flatly, "Hi."

Suddenly, a great change came over Agni. Clapping his hands together, he said ecstatically, "Oh, it's you! Almost didn't recognize with the new hair..."

Minus the length, Aru's hair was exactly the same.

"And height."

She had grown. Two inches.

"Were you always wingless?"

"Sadly." piped up Mini.

"Hmm," pondered Agni. "There's something different..."

Suddenly, realization struck him. "Ah yes. Your weapons."

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Hi! I hope that was good. Not as good as the last one, because it is literally same as the book. I will try to do some tiME sKiPSSsSs from now on, to avoid repetition. Thanks! Please share your feedback. Bye!

     –TwilightTales