Tiger's Beginning

Chapter 8: Sightings

     So it turned out that my parents had agreed to stay with the Rajaram’s for two of the five weeks we were staying in India. It seems my dad and Ren made the connection that the Mujulaain Empire that my dad is studying is the same empire that Ren’s family are “ancestors” to. What a coincidence.

After Ren approached me, he only introduced himself, and expressed how happy he was that Kamala and I were going to be living together. He thanked me for coming, and said he hoped to see me around soon.

I was puzzled. Maybe I had mistaken the look on his face for something else, but I was sure he recognized me. Maybe he didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone? Either way, I guessed that I would have to talk to him.

I did talk to Kelsey before we left, who told me how excited she was that we were staying, and that she couldn't wait to show me around.

That night I didn't dream at all, except for faces that kept flashing across my subconscious. A few were familiar like Kishan, Kamala, and Mr. Kadam, but others, with a more ominous presence, were alien. While the faces appeared, a soft feminine voice could be heard in the back chanting “Bhāgya” which for some reason I knew meant “destiny.”

Over the next week, I stayed busy helping Kelsey finish up her organization system and organize her computer files. It wasn't my first choice, but I really did enjoy spending time with her.

After we finished up almost everything Kelsey let out a sigh.

“Well, I guess that’s all we can finish before I leave for the summer. And you too of course.”

I returned her smile.

“I am very excited to be going with you guys. I can’t believe my parents are letting me go a week early with your family. How did you manage that one?”

She smirked and said,

“Well, power of persuasion helps. I merely said Kamala would love some company her age and of her same gender, and that you could fly with us, no charge.”

I gave her an unconvinced look, so she rolled her eyes.

“I also might have said I need your help finishing up some stuff for the fall.”

“Oh…well I guess I can do that, you are very generous taking me early. That’s the least-“

“Grace, the only helping you will be doing for me in the fall is making sure I don’t burn while we are by the pool, alright?”

I grinned and saluted her saying,

“You got it.”

“Good, and we leave Monday morning around 10 o’clock. You can just come over to our house the night before and spend the night with kamala so your parents don’t have to stay home from work. How does that sound?”

I nodded and told her that I would tell my parents. After I said my goodbyes to everyone in the office, I headed home to pack.

My mom agreed once I told her of the plan and then proceeded to go on a rant for ten minutes about how the Rajaram family was generous and kind and helpful and blah blah blah. I mean I know they are all of those things, but I don't need someone to lecture me about it to know that. 


On Sunday afternoon I made sure I had everything packed in my suitcase before zipping it up. It was an extra large black suitcase that was bursting at the seams, but I didn't want to forget anything.

I rolled it bumpily down the stairs and rested it by the door. I called for my parents, but didn't get a response. The kitchen was empty, and so was their room, so I checked dad's study, and found them both seated in the leather armchairs, with solemn looks on their faces.