Ding Dong

Jared!

Running down the carpeted stairs I almost tripped over the last step.

Just as I was about to fling the door open I paused.

Slowly putting my hand to my chest I calmed myself down. No way is Jared gonna see me like this.

As my breathing slowed I put a calm face on as I turned the bronze door knob.

What greeted me wasn’t Jared.

Glancing at the buff Indian man wearing bright colored garments before the door, I smiled at him.

Then I roughly pushed him aside.

Looking around the street I see no hints of that cocky cousin of mine.

“Jared?” I called out.

No response.

Sucking in a huge breath I did what I would never have done in school.

“Jared!”

I yelled.

“Get your ass over here!

I’m counting ten seconds!!”

“10!”

I didn’t look at the shocked Indian behind me.

“9!”

Nor the pissed off neighbors who were hollering for me to shut my mouth.

“8!”

Nor the barking dogs.

“7!”

There’s one thing I know, and that’s that I’m really mad.

And I’ve never been this mad since a blonde haired brat destroyed my science project in 9th grade.

“6!”

And that brat?

He had to walk in clutches for a month.

“5!”

Sensing no reaction from a certain person, the fire in me grew bigger.

This bastard!

Still hiding!

Oh, he’s got it coming!

“Um,” a heavy Indian accent sounded awkwardly behind me.

Whipping my head toward him I glared, “Spit it”

The man who looked 6’3 stepped back in fear. This would’ve been a sight to laugh at on a normal occasion. Except no one was in the mood to laugh. Not the grumpy neighbors, nor the furious young teen, and especially not the terrified Indian man.

I stared at this foreign man.

As seconds of silence passed, annoyance and frustration welled up and I couldn’t control my temper. Narrowing my slanted, black obsidian eyes at him I spat:

“What is it? I told you to spit it out.”

“Uh, uh, M, Mister, Ja, Jared is, isn’t here, m, miss…”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

With awkward English the man hurriedly tried to explain. But he was so nervous that no matter what he said it was inconceivable. Looking at him wracking his brains with his big, rough hands, I felt weird. This guy… he’s so frank and timid that I feel like I’m bullying him. Yet, my sympathy didn’t last long, taking a second look at his size I felt jealous. If only he could share some of those muscles and height with me. I mean, isn’t it all a waste with that personality of his? That innocent and distressed expression looks like he would just stand helplessly even being robbed.

I sighed.

"What language do you speak?"

"Be, Bengali..."

“Just speak Bengali then,” I said exasperated, “I can understand a little.”

After taking a few seconds to absorb my words his eyes lighted. They were wide and rounded with hints of tears hanging dangerously close to falling. It was the look of a saved puppy.

My eyes twitched.

Seriously, where did this guy come from?

“Thank goodness! You know? This makes things easier…!”

I opened my mouth to cut his blabbering off, why can’t this guy get to the point…?

“So, where’s Jared?” I asked impatiently. But I made sure to make my tone softer this time since it looked like my screaming scared this terribly timid man.

“Oh, yes, Mr. Jared's delivery…!”

Delivery?

Before I could ask, a small marble carved box was handed to me.

“Mr. Jared said that he was sorry he wouldn’t be able to keep his promise and told me to hand this to you.”

The box landed into my subconsciously opened hands. I tried opening it. It wouldn’t budge.

Anxiety started to spread throughout my veins.

“What do you mean he wouldn’t be able to keep his promise?! Where on Earth is he?!”

“Uh, well..”

“You know where he is don’t you? Tell me!”

“No, I don’t recommend…”

“Please, I need to know…”

I squeezed some tears out the corners of my eyes. It wasn’t hard since I was really distressed this time.

“He’s my last family member.”

The tears rolled down.

The Indian man looked shocked at the crying teen as he stammered and fumbled around his garments to look for a napkin. The guilt and indecision on his face was evident.

“Please…!” I begged.

“I get it, I get it… Please stop crying!”

I continued wiping my tears with my head hanging down.

The Indian man sighed.

“I don’t know where Mr. Jared went for him to disappear. But last time I met him he was banging the door of my storefront in Bangladesh muttering something about Russia. A week later, I found this box with this letter taped on top of it.”

He handed me a lined wrinkled paper, I recognized it since it was the same type that Jared often used when taking notes.

Then I saw him speak very seriously.

“Mr. Jared is an unusual one for sure, but please don’t worry. From what I know of him he doesn’t seem to be one that easily dies.”

Of course, I thought, I know that better than you.

Then I hurriedly opened up the folder piece of paper.

===================

Dear Aditya,

Thank you for the years of friendship and assistance. Meeting you was an event to rejoice!

But alas it's time for us to part ways- I have found a new world to explore. You know that I had difficulty staying in one square of land and it's just unbearable for me to stay put when there is such a temptation!

Although I have one regret.

Can you do me one more favor for this old friend?

On your way back to America, drop this box off at Prince Rd, XXX in Ohio.

Tell my sister I wouldn’t be able to see her graduation ceremony like I promised.

PS. Kate, I know you're seeing this. Don’t worry~ I’ll definitely come back alive. The otherworld is awaiting me!

PPS. The box is a little gift I found and I still have no idea how it works. But I know that it’ll be awesome. So I gave it to you! Am I not the best brother? Tell me about when I come back home. Though this trip will take a teensy bit longer. Like… 20 something years?

PPS. Don't try following me this time. I'm serious. Just wait at home like a good little sister :)

====================

The anxiety and worry dissipated.

Replaced with anger, my fingers shook as I reread the last part in English. Then expressionlessly, I threw the marble box to the other side of the room, resulting in a dent to appear on the flowered painted walls.

“Eeek!” The Indian- no Aditya’s, face paled as a squeak emerged from his mouth while taking small steps back carefully, brown eyes shifting between the wall and my clenched fists.

As always, I ignore his overreaction.

I swear, if I worry about this bastard cousin of mine once more then I’ll eat ghost chili pepper for the rest of my life!

Seriously, who does he think he is for coming and going as he pleases?! And he didn’t even tell me beforehand at all! Like “ooh, I’m just gonna disappear for a few months and I just suddenly remembered to tell my sister back in Ohio that I’ll be leaving for 20 something years.”

I’ll be 37 by then!!

What the actual fuck!?