《Forced To Join Army And Fight Dragons And Demons!》 chapter 0-Going High In a Interview It has been few hours since I have been sitting here in the damn waiting room listening to this god damn awful chatter box sitting next to me,thinking of one possible reason for which I should not punch him in the face and tear his face off with my bare hands just so he would stop talking. Well sitting in a army base while there are guards with guns near by is one good reason I guess, Ohh I am sorry usually I am not so short temper or have such violent thoughts...okay may have those more than once in awhile but considering the fact that I have been suffering from a terrible headache for some days now,am sitting in a army base against my will for giving an interview for enlisting which I don''t wanna give and have a guy sitting next to me who just won''t shut the fuck up!...I think I have every right to be angry. "Number 30 and 46 you are up next in 30 min, please get ready "the lady at the reception said. "Number 30,hey isn''t that your number bro,isn''t it?" The reason for my misery for the last few hours said, "Yes.."I replied in the same old low voice I have been answering to him suggesting that I am not interested in talking so just shut up!.it''s my number already,why the hell I have to go through all of this once again,even after that horrible tryout my sister insisted me to go to and beat the living shit out of me for not giving my best. "Hey budd is this your first interview?, I was rejected on previous one so am keeping my fingers crossed.You gave one before too?" he asked again to which i simply replied, "Yes..." I was hoping that was the end of all this " Join the Army,Stand for your people"stuff.The only reason I may think of joining the Army would have been all the benefits they were giving to the family of the ones who joined. "You know they say this time some "Outsider" will be there taking out interview as well?" "Yes..." I replied to my hyperactive friend here while imagining what would it feel like breaking his fingers one by one while asking" does it hurt?". Since it is those monsters out right out of some fricken fairy tales we are supposed to fight here not that many may volunteer but considering the fact the perks given to a soldier and their family are almost near to what a celebrity may have almost everyone may give their life for getting into the army ,well adding the fact that I live in india and yea it is one of the closest countries to the Indian ocean,our family condition was not so well "Good" since the war has ended. "you know I was a little depressed after being rejected the first time...if it ain''t the Army the only work available is construction and that''s somehting I will do anything to avoid" , "Yes...same here..." I replied,with schools closed and most of places destroyed that''s all guys at our age can ask for. But I still didn''t wanted to get into the army as one of the reason would be the fact that I knew for sure my sister would get selected and our family will get same amount of benefits even if one of us got selected.while the second reason for it would be that I live in India!,I saw what we may have to fight with my own eyes!. "You know I was kind a shocked when I first came to know that it is the Army base we have to give our interview in,they informed on phone that I am to be called for another tryout and there were cars in front of my place waiting,was something like this also in your case?" "Yes..." I replied, 27th May 2045 I was on my roof just sitting there as schools had been closed off due to the attack of what news said Dragons....Yes that''s right freaking giant fire spitting Dragons!, "You know I am still worried about wetheir or not I will make it.it would be great if I make we both make it don''t you think" he asked, "No..." I replied, The news channel showed some video from the war that''s going on southern side.My mother was shocked out of her wits while my mindless twin sister was going all crazy about the fact that dragons are real?,sirously that a question a 14 year old should already now of...NO! "Hey buddy that''s real mean,what you don''t like my company?" "Yes..." I replied even after me telling her that that''s not a real Dragon,she just won''t listen, I mean you could have seen that in the video that some strange tech is attached to the "thing" in the air all over his body,it''s gotta be some new weaponry or somehting just...god knows why anyone would do so?.It has been 15 years since all these fantasy beings have been out of fashion,no one even talk about that stuff anymore well except my sister here who for some reason love all those fantasy rpg crap!,sometimes it makes be wonder are we really related,let alone twins?. "You my friend really do know how to joke but yo...." He stopped as a Lady showed up with a glass of water, "Feeling thirsty" she asked me even before I could answer, "I am thank you" the irritating presence next to me raised his hand to get the glass to which they lady moved the tray away saying, "The water cooler is that way!" while not even bothering to give him a look,Savage! "No thank you!" I said,it is the 5th time already they asked me that,i remember in last try out too they tried to be as friendly with the people coming for tryouts,asking for anything we need every 10 mins!, "Well let me know if you need anything" she said while walking away, "Hey?,why so much of partiality,you some sort of V.I.P or somehting", "Yes...", "Really,you joking right?" "Yes..." So here I was on the roof,looking at the sky...just looking.I like to wander off like this once in awhile just to take my mind off things such as all of this war this and that everyone is going on and on about. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Well it seems there are only....20 to 30 people in here,it seems they called only who may have impressed them in last tryouts,I wonder which one they picked me form....i kinda give every single one held by them!" I was just looking at a bird flying up in the sky all carefree without any group just flying as it spit a strange blue ball like think......".wait what?" that''s what I thought as within moment a huge explosion could be seen from where it spited the blue ball like thing,leaving literally nothing at the crash site except for flames reaching up to the heights of the sky. "Hey buddy?,are you even listening.Ok maybe giving one every time is well stupid but well need to find something other than construction?...hello?" The big bird came down lower and lower as I began to get a better look at it.It was huge,had thick skin,very thick,looked like a lizard with wings,had a long neck and scales all over its body, horns on head and eyes...really big red eyes.There were some jet planes visible from some distant which fired some missels on it hiting him on the face but that beast dint even flinched,it just turned and blowed flames in the air burining them into..nothing,there was not even smoke once the flames disapered. "Ok next number 30 and 46 you are next" Receptionist shouted to be clearly heard, "Ok it''s your turn,good luck buddy?....you alright" I could hear my mother screaming my name from downstairs as my sister was trying to pull me towards stairs as I was just standing looking at the beast,The Dragon up in the sky burning down what used to be places I still remember as I was standing on the roof just looking at the world burning down in flames. "hey your number has been called wake up" he shouted while trying to shake me, "Ravi" I said, "Yeah?" he replied, "Shut the fuck up" I replied to which he just kept silent while staring at my clinched fits. I got up and walked towards the room. Once I...We entered the room we saw a woman barely in her 30 sitting there in simple civilian dress while there were two armed men behind her, "Number 30,Aaryan and number 46,Ishi.have a seat" She said while going through some files down at the table. We just sat on the chairs in front of the table,for some reason even though their are these armed men and this strange lady who seems to be a "Outsider",judging from that strange bracelet all "Outsiders" seems to wear...I am feeling very relaxed,I don''t even feel that painful headache I had been suffering from since last few days!. "Ok,so it seems we should not waste anymore time and get to the point,but before that drink some water kidd" she said while pointing a glass of water kept on the table, "No I am fine" I replied while looking at the strange stones she pulled out and kept on the table , "Well you don''t look like so well,anyway what I want you kids to do is pretty simple hold that stone in your hand and focus" she said while leaning back on her chair in relaxed mood, "Say what?" I asked in a puzzled voice,while the girl next to me just picked up the stone, "Ahh!,we find a rare one!" The lady said in a happy voice looking at the glowing stone in the girl''s hand. It was glowing with bright red orange light to which I was sitting there with a straight face as my mind trying to figure out what''s happening. And the answer came to my mind,it''s a mage test!.After the 1st year of war it was pretty clear that those fantasy stories aren''t that childless as one may believe!,"Outsiders" told as that their is a strange source of energy called by different names in different worlds but most common term is Mana and it''s known to be the best source of energy in every world,places where it hasn''t been identified by its inhabitants are usually in stone age but in case of our world that doesn''t seem to be the case but even on worlds which have found this source very few people who can control it are present.Throughout the world they began having tests for individuals having some sort of control over this source.People found were trained and were one of the main reasons we were able to fight with the attackers on equal term,aided by our other worldly friend of course. "Kid,dont look so surprised drink some water" the lady said while looking at me, "Ahh Ms...." This is not good,not good at all, "Claire,Miss Claire"she said while picking up the glass"Here have a drink", "I think there is some mistake,I have given this test before,well they didn''t told me to hold some stone but still,it seems I may have wasted your time as I have already failed this one so can I leave?" I said while beginning to stand when she interrupted in a very Scary voice, "Sit"I dropped back on the chair " See it seems that year test was a bit incomplete so just sit down and focus a bit on the stone and who knows you may pass", "But I am telling you it won''t work see" I said as I picked up the stone hoping it won''t light up! ,It dint worked last time and I am hoping it won''t this time either. I held it tight in my hand,fearing to open it to see it glowing and to my surprise it wasn''t, "See" I said as I was dropped the stone on the table, "Well you first need to..." she stopped as she saw the stone on the table broken,it was in in several pieces. "I don''t have to pay for that right? " I asked in a low voice, "Drink" she shouted while pulling out a gun from under the table and slamming it on the table!, I picked the glass up and drank it down in one gulp, For some reason I am feeling strange all over my body..... "You didn''t made me drink some roofies right?" I asked to which she just smiled, A very creepy smile! Chapter 1:A Dragon In Air And a Monster On Chair! "What the hell was in that drink!" I shouted at the lady sitting in front with a amused expression which is really starting to tick me off!,I feel really angry,irritated,cheated and really soft...no my shirt it is sooo soft!,and this chair,it is really comfy and so smooth leather.What''s this nice smell I can smell? "Kidd can you really stop staring at me like that" Claire said in response to my strange stare "Don''t worry it is not something lethal,just somehting to make this test a 100% success!", "You drugged us?" the girl sitting next to me said in a pissed off tone with dead serious look.Ishi was her name right? "Well technically yes!" Claire replied to which Ishi''s stare got to a level she could stare holes through her head!, "Ok Ok,it''s just a sensitivity enhancer!,nothing to get so sensitive about right?" she said expecting some reaction to her poor pun to which all she got was complete silence.Wait aren''t those the same thing used in those rape comics and stuff? "So that is the reason you guys were being so over friendly at those tryouts and today with that almost forceful service" I asked trying to look shocked but really,that was a little suspicious to begin with. "Oh and that reminds me" Claire said while passing me some tissues"Do you have a screw loose in your head or somehting?", "Huh?" I was caught off guard as I began to notice her staring at my face with disgust and Ishi looked panicked.Then suddenly I noticed my shirt has somehting red on it...Blood!.My nose was bleeding,I quickly grabbed the tissue from Claire''s while Ishi shouted!, "YOU POISONED US?" she shouted at top of her voice to which Claire looked at her in the eyes and said, "Behave little miss" to which Ishi claimed down and guards lowered their guns, "The reason for that" she said pointing towards my nose as I am still busy cleaning...this was my favourite shirt!, "Would be this guy''s lack of respect for others generosity" she said while shrugging her shoulders "We could not have told applicants that we would be...", "Drugging" Ishi said interrupting Claire, "Adding somehting extra in their drinks for 100% success for our tests.we made sure to keep asking every participate for drinks and snacks every 5 mins for 2 hours just so we were sure we got everyone.Those who didn''t took anything made sure to delay their test until break time trying to...", "Drugg them?" Ishi interrupted again which Claire ignored,i think one of the guards behind chuckled a little , "Have them drink the Drinks at least ones,while also making sure not to offer the same person twice."She then looked at me with a irritated look for some reason, "but even with all that some guys just won''t drink or eat anything at all!,well then we would just let them take the tests for normal soldiers or for Pilots. If they can not clear those then it''s sayonara" she said "YOU KID" she shouted, "You somehow managed to score a perfect score of the digit just below the selection cut off in every dam written or physical test!,that was a record no one could beat!.Except Pilot test in which it seems you tried but alas your score was a bit way too low!" well that was the only one I was interested in as the perks given to them were a whole lot better. "Seriously! even today Lisa kept asking you for water again and again and you kept refusing?" she asked to which I simply replied, "Mother says not to take something from unknown people.Especially if they happen to be from another world" to my reply she just facepalmed, "Well your oversmartness has costed you Kidd " she said with that same irritating smirk on her face"How are those headache coming around?"to that I was taken a bit off guard, "In last test we were also testing people for psychic abilities,something which is a bit rare even in our planet.As we could not test you properly the last time,we never found you had one!" she said while trying to act like "Serves you right bitch!" way. "Why call me again then?,I don''t seem to be having any such headaches you are talking about?" Ishi asked in a confused voice, "Well as you may have heard somewhere already that we are searching for people who can sense or even control Mana,it''s a source of energy almost every world has but for some reason your world doesn''t But still you guys managed to progress! A feat which was thought to be impossible.but it seems there has been a time when people in your world too could control mana.In the war,The enimes were unable to enter some spesific locations us those pyramids,those religous monaments you guys have and that really big wall...what was it called again?", "China wall" Ishi replied, "Yea that one!,there were some ruins even new to us!,well so we searched for people in your world for such powers in a rushed manner and may have missed some.That is until now,so we are using some interesting method form our world to find the ones we may have missed", The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "It has something to do with heredity" I said in a low voice catching her off guard,well that could have been the only reason they called me again!, "Yes...we found this in our world quite some time ago that people who can control force of mana or have these psychic abilities are usually from same bloodline,hence we thought of calling you again,twin brother of our poster girl!" she said with a smirk on her face, Remember when I said my sister got selected,yeah she has gone ahead and became the hero of the war and star attraction for the Army,you can see posters all over the city with her face and that god damn awful slogan "join the war,stand for your people". Most people may think they are using her just as a public attraction to inspire the young to join,I mean come on,a 19 year old girl won us the war?, but knowing her she must have brought all sorts of havoc on battlefield!. "Well I am pretty sure you guys must have felt some strange things recently,as you both were in the area were that wrecked beast Scar rain down the destruction" at that we both just sat there all silent, "I found somehting very interesting when going through the files of today''s candidates" she said as she pulled out two files with our name on it, "I can see those blue flames rising every time I look at fire,I can see people burning up from those goddam cursed flames " she read from the file of Ishi...are these our conversation with the psychiatrist."I can see those flames around me burning me in mirror!"she said while looking at the girl sitting beside me looking at the floor, "Well that''s some trauma you may have got from the Scar huh?" she said while picking up my file now"Oh but it''s this one which made me laugh till my stomach started hurting,other than that blue flames it seems he went through a LOT!", "There is no need for this"I said in a hurry but she ignored and started reading out loud, "I saw through that lady at the counter,I could see right through her...at nights I feel as if I am outside my house,in sky,flying...I can see our house from far above...Do you think I''m adopted?" and here she came to the part I wished I was dead before she read"Nowadays I have been having indecent thoughts for a while now,I daydream about people in front of me without clothes...even men!...is that ok I am not turning to the into one of those right?...you know the homose...nevermind" she started laughing as she was finished tormenting us, "This conversation will remain in that very room he said,No one will ever know what I told him he said" I just said while holding my head in my hands,this just fueled her laughter even more! "Well you see those flames our flying fire spitting friend left all over the town,you know the ones which won''t extinguish even after several days.They were made of pure concentrated Mana,seeing that made your sense of being able to feel Mana in others and yourself hence those blue flames" she took a pause to control her laughter for the next part"As in case of psychics,well their power though unaffected by mana for some reason are forced activated when the user feels a strong force of any energy,not only mana even electrocuting them may work!.Did that doctor really gave a hotesses card to a 17 year old?...epic!" she said to which I for some reason found the floor even more interesting to stare at!, "So,end of the story is yes you guys clear our requirements for enlisting into the special forces!" she said in a overjoyed voice, "To think I managed to find one rare Legend rank mage and one mage with psychic abilities,can''t wait for what else I may find!", "Wait that stone....." I said only to be interrupted, "Oh,you are her twin there is no way you are not one,I can not use one more stone at you.they are pretty expensive you know!" Claire said still overjoyed just like a child who got some extremely fancy toys, "Then why make me drink those roofies?" I shouted to which she just waved her hand and said, "Well it seems pointless now,well let''s just say it was to complete the procedure", "Can I at least make one request ?" I said as seeing no way out of this one, "Yes", "There is a guy in waiting room,orange sneakers,long hair,Number 52.Can you pull that stunt with the gun you pulled at me?", At this Ishi looked at me confused and shocked while Claire smiled and said"The one who just won''t keep his mouth shut even for a second?", "Yes!" It seems she had a conversation with him before, "Ok but I can only use blank shot,can''t use real bullets " she said with that same scary look she had before. "No wait that a bit..."as I began to open my mouth Claire interrupted, "Welcome to the forces,you will be contacted within next 24 hours and will be picked up 2 days from now so please make preparation", Oh well at least she is going to use blank shots! Chapter 2:A Long Day,A Short Night! 5th Feb 2050 "FOR THE LAST TIME,I DON''T NEED TO PACK A SUN LOTION!" I shouted at top of my lungs to which my mother simply ignored my disapproval and packed it, "Oh you never know when you may need one!" she said continuing with the packing, "I am going to a military camp,why would I ever need a sun lo......is that lip a gloss?" I said in a confused voice to which my mother finally stopped and looked towards me, "Look kid,you told me to pack your stuff and that''s what I am doing so either help or do you work on your own next time onwards", "I asked you to pack them one day ago", "I am just going through it one more time", "That''s what you said last two times....each time the number of bags increased by one", "Well I forgot to put some necessary stuff", "Define "necessary"?" I asked staring at the lip gloss, "Well stuff you may need but don''t have and think why didn''t I listen to my wiseful mother" she said as she once again began packing "And some other stuff for your sister,make sure to give it to her once you meet her", "Yes I will" I said finally giving up "I will going out for a while,will be back by 7", "Ok", "and please for the love of god,don''t put that lip gloss in their! "I said while walking out of the room, "...Ok" she said,YES! After moving out of the apartment,I was walking by the streets to the meeting place I was suppose to reach 10 mins ago but mom had to "Go Through" my bags one more time.Once I told everyone that I have been selected for the Army,the old gang wanted to meet one last time before I move out.What was the name of that restaurant again?.Well it is the only one around in these parts, As I was walking by the streets,I saw some places which brought old memories.At the other side of the street there used to be a park.Shaurya,my sister and I used to go there every day.Few blocks from here was our father''s office.Shaurya would make us wait till his work was over so that we can go home together.There was this ice cream parlor we use to visit on our way home.Now there is just a scorched land where there useed to be the park,the ice cream parlar is still intact but closed as it seems uncle Ali is looking for more paying jobs.And from all that wreckage,I cant even remember what fathers work place used to look like... I finally reached the place."Howling Cat"....yes that''s the name!,even after being the only restaurant around it is still less crowded, not only because of its strange name but it''s strange owner.A bald old man probably in his 70 and her daughter runs the place.Both of them are "Outsiders",since year 2048 "Outsiders" signed some treaties with our people about some of their guys settling in here and opening business at places still in ruins as sign of friendship.Stuff is really cheap in their stores and they seem quite nice but still people can''t get over the whole "Otherworldly neighbours" part that easily, As I entered I could saw my friends waiting, "What took you so long" Ronav shouted,damn doesn''t he know how loud his voice is?, "Sorry,got held by something at the last moment" I said while settling myself in one of the chairs, "Your mother still going over and over stuff?" Ishana asked in her usual "I know it all" tone, "Yes...she has been going at it since noon" I said as I looked at the group,it seems almost all are here except Dhruv and Nayana, "Oh he had a day shift so he could not make it,told me to apologise in advance!" said Ronav.Man even after all these years I still can''t make it to his shoulder,he should be already be past 7 feet!, "Wait why is he here?" I said pointing at Ritesh who was sitting there drinking his coffee as if not even here, "Why you got a problem with me being here?" he said irritated, "Yes" I replied, "You...." as he was about to start our never ending quarrel,Ishana interrupted, "Guys do you have to go at every single time you meet", "Yes" we both shouted in chorus, "Dear customers, can you guys be a little sutile in your conversation?" a familiar voice came from behind, "Nayana?" I said looking at the waitress standing near our table "You....left your old job?" I asked....is that a maid costume?, "Stop staring" she said in a low but threatening voice, "My shift will be over in half an hour so save me a seat ok!" she said then turned her look over to Ritesh, "Why is he here?" she said to which Ronav and I were unable to hold our chuckle, "Guys siriusly?" Ritesh said while looking at his cup. After that we went on about what everyone has been up to,it turns out Ronav and his father''s construction company is flourishing at quite some pace.Ritesh still can''t find any job so he is working as a part time mechanic.Ishana is working as a accountant in Ronav''s company.Dhruv seems to be working there too. "So I am guessing your mother must have been freaked out when she got the news?" Nanaya asked,finally joining us,I kinda miss her maid outfit! "Well she went all nuts about the interview as soon as I reached home going on and on about how it went" I said sipping in my drink "Or so I expected...."You better inform Mr.Singh about this" is the first thing she told me", "Well she got a point though!" Ritesh said, You see after the war most of the places were destroyed.hospitals,Banks,Airports and so on.Government had their hands tied with strengthening of the defence at borders as our country was way too close to the portal,until last year all government expenditure went into defence. Now when reconstruction began,places such as hospitals,Banks got first preference and places which were necessary in certain parts such as airports were well still put on hold.But one of these was almost completely neglected,SCHOOLS!.As in such times it was very hard to find teachers as many were dead and others were looking for jobs with more pay.Parents prefered their children should get a roof and some food first before education.Due to which anyone who had at least the basic education was made to teach the students....at least the small ones. So yeah I was a teacher.19 years old,studied till 9th standard and teached children!. "Mr.Singh will need to find someone else now huh?" Ishana said while making a depressed face. "Don''t worry he will manage somehow!" Ronav said to cheer her up, Mr.Singh tried to get her to teach as she was once the brightest among all his students but since the salary wasn''t even enough to pay ones own expenses and she had a little brother to take care of so she refused. Even on the day I told him I would be leaving,all though he was not so happy to hear the news he wished me luck and began to search through his draws and picked out some cash handing it over to me,I turned down the money telling him to cut it off as fine for dropping such news on him so suddenly.At first he was about to refurse such logic but then he thought for a momment and took his extended hand back slowly. "Well if only a part time mechanic who thinks he is too good for simple construction would be willing but alas" I said said to which Ritesh just grumbled, "Bullies", After that we kept talking till 6,they all insisted on walking till my home except Ritesh who had some urgent work so he ran off,literally ran off!. On our way back Nanaya asked me about what was the kids reaction about me leaving, "Savage!" is all I could answer,remember I told that anyone with some basic knowledge was allowed to teach,it was after a test to see their skills as most people no longer had their degrees.After the test I was informed that I have been allowed to teach children from kindergarten up to class 10th.Yes I have only studied till 9th,last year there were some people who wanted my test to be taken again as it seemed suspicious to them.I now have license to teach children up to the class 12th.It dint made any sense to me until Claire told me about how psyhcic minds are stronger than normal humans. So the bigger kids were kind of sad as if their friend was going away,middle schoolers were sad as they liked my teaching methods as it seemed fun!.Kindergarten ones won''t stop crying and tried to hold me hostage in the classroom!. When I told Nanaya and others about that they started laughing but trust me it was no laughing matter when they tried to tie me up and plane to hide me in the old basement. As we reached my home they insisted on meeting mom as it has been long time,once we reached my floor I went to our apartment to find the door open and complete darkness inside.I rushed in sacred,that''s when the lights opened and I saw what was going on!, "Surprise" shouted everyone,Yes I meant everyone!.I could see Mr.Singh,Dhruv and my students and yeah Ritesh too!, "I had to run 4 blocks to get here as fast as" he said trying to gasp his breath "And when I got here Aunty told me ONE OF YOU ALREADY CALLED AND TOLD HER WE WERE LEAVING!" he said shouting and then again gasping for air. "Well I thought just to be sure......" Nayana said holding her laughter back, "Bullies!" Ritesh shouted! "That''s rich coming from you!" Dhruv said while coming near me for a hug, "Long time no see budd!", "Yes it has been a long time,so that''s why you weren''t at the restaurant ", "Well I hope I didn''t missed anything?", "Well you may have missed somehting" I said slightly looking towards Nanaya, "Oh don''t worry I haven''t " he said and walked towards and wait am I seeing right?,did he just kiss her on cheeks?, " Well how did you like the surprise?" my mother asked, "Well surprise is the right word alright!" I said still confused when did this happen!, "Well Mr.Singh said that the students wanted to give you a farewell party and next day your friends came up with same idea so!", Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Thanks mom!". I finally got over that "surprise" and greeted others,Mr.Singh was their telling my mother how much he appreciated me working for him,there were kids with greeting cards and farewell gifts, nothing too expensive just something to remember by.The kids from kindergarden were a little quiet at first after that whole "hostage" incident but once I told them that the janitor office might have been a better place,some of them started crying while others were telling how they will remember me. If you may be wondering how come all of us can even fit in here,our school only has 56 students and our house is a little...ok it is big! thanks to my sister of course. After that the party went on.I went near Dhruv asking him just how in the hell did he manage to get close to Nanaya,he simply replied they started talking and well things went well!.She used to be the most popular girl in our school and he is saying they became a couple just like that!, "Traitor!" I grumbled, "Hey,should you not be happy for your friend here.You still didnt have a crush on her did you?", "Backstabber", "Ok you did.....well this is bad then!", "Congrats" I said in a low voice, "Huh?", "I just needed get that out once to be done with it", "So we cool now?", "Let me see...DOUBLE CROSSES,PLAYBOY,BETRAYER,FLIRT!....Yes I am done", "Great!", "CHEATER,ok now I am done!" I said breathing in relief as Dhruv looked at me amused, After that nothing special happened we just played,drink,eat and well once it got late everyone started leaving. "Aaryan" someone called me from behind as I turned and looked, "Shirina" I said looking at the girl,she is a student of mine.yes I have told my students of class 12th to call me by name as I am only one year older. "It seems my brother won''t be able to come pick me up so can you please drop me by my house?" she said while looking back at her friends in distance, "Ok it won''t be a problem" as my friends were already gone and everyone else was also leaving I thought it wouldn''t be a problem. "Mother,I would be dropping one of my students home!", "Alright,try to make it back by 12"she said as she was greeting the ones leaving, After walking some distance from our house she told me where she lives and trust me if I knew before I may not have come along,her house is 3 km away,it will take me almost an hour to walk to her house and then go back home!. "So you will be leaving tomorrow?" she asked as we were walking slowly walking by the streets.Why walk so slowly I need to get home too you know? "Yea,I will be leaving around 8 in morning", "You know the first day you came to our class,we all thought it must be a prank played by teachers.My mother almost made me drop out saying the school was trying to trick us!", "ReallY?" ok I can see there point! "But you turned out to a be some genius" she said looking towards, ""Genius might be too much" ok she does know I am no longer a teacher,no use butering me up? "You always kept talking about stuff about how things used to be which at first used to irritate me and others a bit as it brought memories", "...", "But then we understood that it wasn''t you just blabbing on and on about how past used to be but how our future should be!", "...", "How to correct past mistakes and avoid making new one....", "Ritu lives next to you house right?" I asked, "Huh?", "So does Arpit and Mihir?", "They...", "Your Brother works at a factory right,you should not have called him to pick you up since they always work in night shift.", "He....", "and here I used to think you never missed extra classes as you had interest in algebra" I said shrugging my shoulder, for quite a while we walked with complete silence,sorry but I am really bad at playing a dense idiot who can''t even read his surrounding.ok you are a student and I am a teacher card won''t do me any good as age difference isn''t that big,I love someone else might work but that will create a lot of trouble latter and is not my style!. I really don''t want to let this situation turn out bad,she is a good kid and well actually one of my favourite "student" in school too,there is also the fact that her father is a karate and judo teacher and I heard she is a black belt but that''s one situation I know I can avoid and knowing her won''t arise in the first place. We kept walking until we were a few blocks away from her home.I was thinking of letting it end like this with me going on my way back home after dropping her home and going away next morning.But that will for sure create problem for her in long term,she is that type,you know "My one and only" at least from what I can see. "Shirina" Ok here it goes"Remember what I told you about presentation?", "Huh?" she was confused about what the hell did I started blabbering about? "To get the other to look at things your way you need to make sure you know how you see it yourself", "...", "Once you know what exactly you are trying convey,Tell them what you want to say straight to their face!", "...", "See their reaction and try making out how they look at things as well and then what you need to do is...NOTHING", "...", " Just let them figure it out themselves whether what you said is right or wrong,if they disagree you would know why.If the matter is worth fighting for,keep trying to tell them your point and if it doesn''t seem worth it.Let it be,it''s their loss!", "What if...." she said in a low voice,her eyes may have teared up a little"I was the wrong one from the very start", "Let the other guy make you look at things his way,if he manages to prove that''s the right one that is!", "One more chance!" she said wiping her tears, "Next time I will make sure to say out loud what I wanted", "Thats better!", "And Aaryan", "Yea?", "Being straight is good but it is good to be a little dense sometimes,for other''s sake", "Message conveyed!", After that I we went straight to her house after which I ran my way back straight home. "Easy there son!" my mother said shocked by my sudden entrance all tired and sweating, "Sorry for making you clean after party all alone!" i said going towards my room, "Who said all the work was done,get back here" Dang!. We started cleaning up the dishes while mother went on and on about how my friends have all grown up,the big crybaby Ronav is now standing shoulder to shoulder working with his father in rebuilding the town while also looking out for others such as Ishana and Dhruv and a lot others.Yes he is always trying to look out for others in his own way.Unlike in the past when he used to be a delinquent, well until he was made to quit by my sister also known as the Menace of the Xavier.Even I was shocked on how he helped out those in need back in those days.Ishana still can''t believe that a guy like him came to her rescue after her parents died and is still helping today as yes she may used to be the "True Prodigy" back in the day but seriously an accountant for his company is not a job needed but rather created to aid her!. "Dhruv case may be a bit different" my mother argued to which I completely agree as he can be useful in his own way,you can never tell what the hell is going on in his mind and well Ritesh....A 13 year old who managed to crack engineering exam is now a jobless part time mechanic.And if you think about it,Nanya who used to be one of the hottest of our school and dreamed of becoming a singer and had skills too is now working as a waitress.....sorry Dhruv if I have not so decent dreams tonight but that maid dress was really something. "That girl used to dream a lot,who knows she might could have even made it!"my mother said while smiling, "Yes who knows?" she might could have made it or not,Ishana might would have been studying in some top notch college,maybe Rovan would have still turned out helpful as he is or maybe not?,Dhruv would have definitely made it out there somehow and Ritesh...he would have been somewhere we could not have even imagined.all these may,If,should have,could have are something which just can''t be answered can they? After cleaning the dishes we went to near the study table where fathers photo was kept,said our prayers after which my mother kissed my forehead and told me to have a nice sleep, "Tomorrow is a big day!". that night I went to bed all tired as it was a tiring day,there were some surprises some both sore and bitter and some well hard to explain.At first I thought I would not be able to even sleep.What could have been our future if not for that war,would shirina still feel same way,would we had even met if not for this war,not that it matters.Mother would be ala alone once I would be gone,those places I went by today,wil they be rebuild just the way they were or how we remembered them?, God knows when but my eyes closed and I was asleep,when I woke up it was 5 in the morning, 6 Feb,the day I leave my house for the Army.
(Just like the chapter authors note is also long so you can skip if you like!) Author''s note-I didn''t posted anything for days as when I wrote the chapter,I was thinking of writing when he was already in the army going straight for those strange power sand stuff but then a thought came about what one may feel when leaving ones house and tada here is your chapter!,plus my adblock doesn''t seem to be working as whenever I click on post or save as draft a new window open while everything thing i have written vanishes......that is something very painful!