CH-1, ME? OR YOU?

*huff… huff… huff…

She ran out of that room hastily. She was afraid that if she stayed in that room even a second longer, she would lose all her sane! Those… those heartless demons!

“Why…”

“Why am I alive?”

“Why do I have to be the one to get revenge for you guys?”

She didn’t know how far she had been running, she finally stopped after feeling out of breath. Her legs weakened and she knelt on the ground with a thud. Everyone else died who was with her in that ‘Hell’.

No… they sacrificed themselves for her so that she could live and get revenge for them. But… she is too weak. She doesn’t even know if she can spend a day here peacefully. How is she going to get revenge for them? How?

The excruciating pain in her heart was getting unbearable. It suffocated her, strangled her heart but this pain was nothing compared to the pain those people had gone through. They gave up their life so that she can live. But…

“Sandhya.”

Sandhya raised her head only to see a person standing beside her. That person who saved her from that ‘Hell’ on that day, or else who knows what might have happened to her almost dead body on that cliff. Because of her and those people she is standing here alive, breathing.

The person in front of her was bloodshot while fuming with rage, “I know how you are feeling. Don’t worry their sacrifices won’t go to vain. I will try everything to capture that biscuit and make him pay.”

Sandhya chuckled, “Try? So, the best you can do is try?”

Sandhya looked into the eyes of that person and something flashed across her eyes. She stood up and hit her hand onto the tree. Blood oozed out from her wound and she wiped off those blood on a scarf which she was holding and wore it as a ribbon.

“No, I don’t want to make them pay.”

She turned around. The light in her eyes was gone, instead, there was only coldness and a resolve flickered across those pupils. Her body gives off intense killing intent that even the person in front of her felt threatened. She determined, “I will kill them. Trying? I will do everything which will lead me to them. I, Sandhya Maserati will become the strongest and kill them with my own two hands. Just you wait.”

A beautiful smile bloomed on her teary face. Even though the night was beautiful and brightly lit by the stars her heart was covered by darkness which no light can penetrate. She muttered, “You wanted to turn me into a demon? Now, this demon will hunt down ‘you’ demons. It’s a promise. Let’s see who kills the other first. Me? Or you?”

…

It was 8 in the morning; the Adams street was busy as usual. People had already started to gather at restaurants for breakfast. The shops beside the street had also opened. The ships on the harbor had started their daily sailings and to transport people to their job. The morning rays, the sound of chirping birds along with the sounds of rushing people were entering into the room through the window.

The person sleeping on the bed groaned. She wants to sleep. Why can’t they produce a bit less sound? It would be best if they can do their job soundlessly so that she can sleep a bit comfortably. But before she could go back to concentrate on her sleeping a person entered her room and pulled the blanket which she was wrapping around her.

“Sandhya, for how much more time are you thinking to sleep? It’s already time for breakfast. Get up! I have customers to tend to. I can’t come to wake you up anymore. Don’t complain to me later if there’s no breakfast for you.”

Sandhya, who was trying her best to sleep, got up and rushed to the bathroom. When she came down, there were still some people who were ordering their breakfast but the rush hour had already ended.

She walked towards the table where two people were waiting for her. She greeted them, “Good morning Miss Lola, Good morning uncle Han.”

Uncle Han also greeted her with a smile, “Morning.”

When she sat down Lola asked her, “Why are you still wearing these set of clothes? Don’t you even have clothes for a change?”

Sandhya answered, “No, sis, and I had directly come here from the hospital. So, we didn’t have time for shopping. These are the only set of clothes I have.”

Lola raised her brows, “Is that so? After breakfast, I am going to market. Come with me and buy whatever you want.”

“Yes.”

Seeing her eating her breakfast peacefully that night’s scene flashed across Lola’s eyes. She had never expected her best friend to bring a girl to her and even requested to take care of her.

…

(Four months ago)

*ding

A person entered into the James café and called enthusiastically, “Lola look who’s here? Me, Sere.”

Lola answered from the kitchen, “What took you so long?”

“Sorry, I was busy. Come here quick! I want you to meet someone.”

Lola’s hands were occupied with trays. She came to her and said, “Who do you want me to meet this time? Which animal have you bought with you today?”

Serena pouted, “Geez Lola, do you think that the only things I bought are animals? Couldn’t it be something else like a person?”

Lola laughed, “If that happens then I will give all the sweets that we bake for the day to you free.”

Serena clicked her fingers, “Deal then.”

She looked out of the entrance and called, “Sandhya, come in.”

At first, Lola thought that Serena was just calling another pet of hers as Sandhya but she was surprised when she saw a girl, especially when Serena introduced her, “Lola, meet my little sister, Sandhya.”

Then she introduced Lola to Sandhya, “Sandhya, this is my buddy, Lola”

Lola looked at Sandhya silently and gauged her.

“Lola, I want to talk with you so much. Can I have a long talk with you, alone?”

Lola understood the hint in Serena's sentence and nodded.

“Yeah, why not? But you have to wait until I close the shop.”

“No problem.”

Serena approved and took Sandhya to an unoccupied corner seat where no one will disturb them. She ordered some normal snacks and appetizers and waited for Lola to close her evening service.

The restaurant closed early at 9. Lola went to Serena at once. Dinner was ready for them. She told uncle Han to serve the dinner and to sit with them.

While the dinner was being served Serena told Sandhya, “Can you go and sit on a different table? I don’t want you to hear the contents. Uncle Han will serve the dinner there. Don’t worry I am giving you the whole pie to eat as compensation. Please?”

Sandhya shook her head and went to a faraway table. After Serena made sure that she couldn't hear them she started the conversation. But before she could start the main topic, Lola stopped her and said, “You don’t need to explain anything if it’s confidential. But it would be better if you could explain why you bought her here.”

Serena answered while chewing her food, “Even though it’s confidential I know I can tell you.”

She put down her fork and answered, “You remember the mission four months ago?”