(Book 5) Hayden Mackay and The Pride of Haima-Endira

5.1 The Grunt Work

The first snow of the new year flurried. The pale wintry sun dawned from behind the Sharad's palace, and the downtrodden land reeked with the threat of terror. The soft and chilly wind gusted in through the window, ruffling my hair. I hissed and stiffed a sneeze. Leaving the window open throughout the night was a terrible idea. It had woken me up, not that I had fallen into a sound sleep anyway. Been tossing and turning all night, struggling with my unquiet mind, ideas had been fizzing and bubbling. I just didn't know who to seek help from.

I reluctantly shut the window and sat down on the low cot similar to the one provided in the academy. I sighed and buried my face in my hands, recollecting my days spent in the academy that I'd started to consider as my new home. Irresistible memories began to flood, involving Doctor, Tyrell, and Celina. And then there was the Will, leading to confusion worse confounded. It took a moment to figure out where the pain was really coming from.

Feeling uncomfortable in this new place, I ran my hands through my hair and scrubbed my face. In the process, my palm prickled, as though numerous fiery needles digging into my skin. The acid burn was the last evening was still fresh and glossy, covered with pus-filled blisters. I wasn't healed yet. Weird.

"Hayden!"

I held in a wistful sigh. Feeling my muscles tired out, I moaned pushing myself to stagger out of my room. Pruthvi kept calling me until I sped up. I waded through the narrow carpet-laid walkway and reached the living room of the four-bedroom apartment rented for us. Not a remarkable one, but a cozy little slightly risen on the edge of the community provided for the ministers, advisers and other personnel of the kingdom.

"You've got a fancy fireplace!"

Dhanunjay walked through the door leading to the front porch. He was once again in his weirdo attire, loose green pants with imprints of yellow banana prints and navy blue long shirt beneath a brown fur coat. Can anyone give me one reason why an insensitive person like Pruthvi should resist making fun of him?

He came further inside checking the house thoroughly. He looked back at the fireplace that came with shiny stone hearth occupying most of the wall. The empty living room from the last night was now filled with a couple of armchairs and an oval-shaped table in the center. Leena sat down on her knees and rummaged through the refreshments that Dhanunjay must have brought with him. A few packets of cookies, a basket that constantly provided a variety of fruits, bagels, and muffins. A jar was placed on the table. It was the one that magically refilled with hot chocolate. That jogged a few cherished memories from the time spent in Parallel Universe.

"Don't be so jealous," Pruthvi said, ambling around and sitting on a chair, "You can move in here with us if you want."

"No, thank you," said Dhanunjay, "I prefer to stay with my loving family."

"Aren't you over twenty?" he asked, slightly grimacing, "And you still live with your mommy?"

"That's because we are not Americans!"

"Did mommy wake you up with early morning milk and cookies?"

His mouth dropped. "How do you know?!"

Pruthvi laughed.

"You two, just can't wait to lock horns with each other!" wheezed Leena, pulling out a bunch of grapes from the basket and popping one into her house, "Ooo, these are sweet as candy. Nazira is going to love them."

"What is it?" I asked, seeking Dhanunjay's attention.

"There you are!" he said, flinging his hand at me. "I am here to inform that the three of you are being summoned by King Aghasthya to join Ashwant Veer and Mrs.Ira Zutshi in a meeting held in the palace in order to discuss your upcoming duties."