"Akio....look, I am really sorry," Mark said, this time, apologising for real.

There was no reply.

"Akio?" "AKIO?" "Where are you?"Mark started getting concerned.

"Where could he have possibly gone off to?"Mark tried to deduce but failed.

Things had started to heat up and Mark was genuinely tensed now. He began frantically searching for Akio. It had not even been a single day since his wound healed and any kind of rigorous movement could result in the wound opening again. Mark began searching anyplace he could. The bathroom, The living room and even the balcony. Akio was not to be seen anywhere. Mark decided to inform the landlady so she could help him contact Akio. When he got out of the house and scurried to the exit of the building, He stumbled upon a small object. He picked it up.

It was a lighter, black in colour and had golden Japanese characters inscribed upon it. A small amount of combustible fluid was also leaking.

"It must be Akio's. He must've dropped it. Which means, he must be somewhere near."

Mark hovered to check whether Akio was standing there. He was.

"There you are!"Mark exclaimed loudly but there was no reaction from Akio's side.

"AKIO!"Mark called out his name, thundering in his Akio's ear. Akio was flabberghasted.

"What happened!?"Akio asked, furiously.

"What happened? What the hell do you mean by 'what happened'?I was so worried that you ran away with that unhealed wound of yours. At least you could have answered when I was calling out for you like a madman. Why did you not respond when I called out your name?"Mark said, venting out his frustration.

Stolen novel; please report.

Akio was in a trance-like state. He seemed to have not heard anything. Inside his brain, thoughts were like a tumultuous wave-storm with waves crashing up and about each other...Faint visions were forming inside every corner of the brain.

It was a very dark room. there was a strange aura of the place...The air had a peculiar stench and tasted bitter. He could see brown stains on the wall..there were red stains on the carpet. suddenly, he heard two gunshots from the other room...He hurried to reach there but as soon as he reached there, everything was black and he could not see anything.

"Akio? What's wrong with you?" Mark questioned.

"Huh?"Akio replied, still in a trance-like state.

"Why are you zoning out? It seems that your cigarette had reached its end."Mark questioned.

"Its...ss nothing," Akio replied, throwing the cigarette butt and hurriedly tried to run. Mark ran behind him and caught him by tugging the sleeve of his shirt.

"Where are you running off to?" Mark questioned in exasperation. Akio looked back but the sight was unbelievable. Akio's eyes were watery. Mark let him go and Akio ran away.

It was almost sunset. The sun was seemingly orange and had been covered with fog, appearing hazy. Mark was wearing his sweatshirt when the doorbell rang.

It was Akio. Mark decided to keep his mouth shut due to the commotion in the morning.

There was a prolonged period of awkward silence.

"What's there for dinner? I hope it's not the Indian food laden with chillies" Akio said, breaking the silence. His mood was seemingly uplifted and back to joyful self.

"Okkaeri(Welcome Back)," Mark said, stunning Akio.

"How do you know Japanese?"

"I watch Anime.duh." Mark gave a placid reply.

The dinner table was ready and the food was served. It was chicken curry, a staple Indian dish of chicken simmered in a flavour full broth of spices, onions and tomatoes.

"I hope this is not as spicy," Akio said, fearfully.

"No. It is not"Mark chuckled."Eat it before it gets cold."

Mark poured a spoonful of curry into Akio's plate. He mixed it with the rice and offered it to him. Akio took a cautious bite but soon gave in. The combination of flavours was extraordinary."It is not as spicy as before."

"By the way, why did you run away?"Mark asked, finally dropping the bomb.

Akio said nothing but his expressions gave it all. There was no expression on his face but his eyes seemed to be pleading for help, now gleaming with tears...

Why did Mark's question affect Akio so much? Was he in trouble? or was all Mark's figment of imagination?