CHAPTER-7

"Mommy.."

I looked back. There stood my little kookie holding a young plant flower with soil on his palms And his clothes were covered with dirt.

"Ori ori....." I said happily.

I smiled at him. He walked towards me and held his hands in front of me.

"This is for you mommy. beautiful and soft like you." Orenzo said to me with affection. I looked at a little beautiful flower.

"Aww!! Thank you so much, my baby. This is so sweet of you and this little flower is so cute and gorgeous just like my kookie." I said cooing him and caressing his cheeks.

"We will plant this Lil flowering plant in a nearby garden," I said to him.

'What will I do with this flower? Why should I snatch its life? Flowers always look good in bloom.'

As if he understood my point, he gave me a cute smile and nodded. Suddenly his smile faded.

"You are eight minutes late, I was waiting for you for so long." He said pouting.

"Oh! I'm sorry baby. Mommy is sorry this time forgive me." I said holding my ears.

He pressed his lips tightly and pretended to think about it. This little devil is more mature than his age but I love him. I also pouted innocently, blinking my eyes.

"It's ok...next time momma would be punished." He said smiling.

"Yessss honey....now c'mon let's meet others."

We headed towards my other munchkins who were playing with the soil and plants beside the garden area.

"Hey.....my shining stars! Look who is here." I chirped, grabbing their attention.

"Moon angel........" They all shrieked.

"Who will give me a bear hug now?" I asked them, spreading my arms wide.

They all ran to me and jumped on me hugging the life out of me making me fall with them.

I laughed out loud with them.

I love kids.....who don't? They are life..are blessings from GOD. They are God themselves.

"Moon... I thou.ght...you nott come for me." My cute three years old Adam said in his childish voice.

"Why my teddy bear, I had to come. Can I live without meeting you munchkins every weekend? Your love always brings me here. You all are my favourite. My little stars....I love you all." I said every word from my heart which was true. They are my solace in this country who bring a smile on my face just by their sweet little talks and smiling cute faces.

"I wuv you....we love you too..." Adam and all the other kids said smiling. I smiled back. My babies!

"Now would you guys stand up... she is already tired and covered with dirty soil, all thanks to you, so let her breath now." orenzo said to them like a big brother.

He is not big but his personality is strong and intimidating which usually works on other kids. Being six years old, he is well matured and listens to the things and understands them carefully. He can be self-critical. He doesn't talk much to others only when needed and tries to learn & observe things and people. He is only close to me and shares everything with me. Although it takes a lot from my side to pursue him in the beginning and at last he opened up to me. Once he called me momma by mistake. After that I allowed him to call me 'momma' whenever he wanted. Sometimes he calls me the moon or with other names in front of other kids as he doesn't want anyone to call me momma. possessive much. I sometimes get surprised by his talks and thoughts.

He was abandoned by his parents god knows for what reason two years before in the foster house. He didn't talk to anyone in the early few days, but eventually, he did. maybe he was devastated and startled by his parents' sudden disappearance. No one knows the reason as he was found standing outside the gates of the orphanage.

'Lil angels house' orphanage was newly established a few months ago, before my arrival here. It comes under one of the foster care institutions in New york. Some of the children were transferred here after its completion. Currently, around 15 children are here containing the age from 1year to 14 years old. One of them is 16 years old  Peter, who is studying in local public school, and also volunteered for taking care of them being their elder.

These kids don't deserve this kind of fate, abandoned by parents for whatever reasons. But some of them were dead and some were poor enough to not take care of them.

Every kid is special on this earth. I call them shining stars. Indeed they are, lightening the world with their innocent smiles and in return, they started calling me moon angel.

"Where are our gifts?" One of them asked me.

They all stood up and stared at me with hopeful puppy eyes. I also stood up and brushed off the soil from my clothes.

I opened my handbag and pulled the big packet of chocolate candies. Opening it, I distributed the candies to everyone. They all looked so happy and content and started munching their candies.

"Oyee....where is my return gift, hmm?" I asked pouting. 'There is a saying, be a kid with the kids.'

One by one they all kissed me. How sweet!

I smiled at them.

"And here I thought you won't come today." Someone said beside me.

I turned to her side and smiled. I side hugged her and took Rose (1-year-old baby girl) from her arms whom she was holding before.

"Sorry Martha ma, I am a little late but I also got your favourite KitKat." I chuckled and winked at her.

"Ah! You girl, stop bribing me and you don't need to apologise. I know your condition and busy schedule." She replied smiling.

Martha is the caretaker of these children. She and her husband Anthony volunteered for this job including other staff. They don't have their kids. Her husband does private jobs as well.

She is so sweet and like a mother figure to me. She told me to call her Martha but as she is older so it's against my values to call her by name. That's why I call her Martha ma.

This place and the people here became close to my heart for the last few months. I sat on the side of the garden with all the kids and put little Rose on my lap.

"So what did my stars do this week?" I asked them all while cooing and playing with my baby girl who was giggling.

They started talking about their routines including games, paintings, having new clothes and toys from some donors and new teaching methods and all the other activities. I listened to them carefully. Their every talk reflects Innocence.

Soon the time came for my leave. I bid them bye. They all asked me to come soon, obviously with loads of gifts.

As my Orenzo is turning seven next week, I have to buy a special gift for him. I know about his likes, dislikes and hobbies.

I walked towards my apartment which is only ten minutes away and my phone rang. It was Amy

I furrowed my brows and picked up.

"Babes! You remember our tomorrow's date right? So what's the difference is we're gonna roam around on my scooter this time." she chirped.

"It's the time we embrace two-wheelers to flaunt our asses around...yeah... baby." she shrieked again. I put the phone out of my ear.

What has gotten into her?

Always exciting....

If she was an Indian, she would be singing this song...

'Aj main upar, aasman neeche....'

(Today I'm on top and the sky is below me)

I shook my head smiling on my joke and said,

"Yes my panda, I but why ty?" I asked her. I forgot tomorrow date. but I didn't dare to tell her.

"Ohh yeah! It will be fun, we will go to the museum and win the biggest red teddy bear from the crane machine then return. We will make him sit in between us on scooty. It will be freaking fun riding three of us...." she told me.

Hain!! It will make us only freaking cartoons wandering here and there.

Sometimes I want to give her 'sense of humour' controlling pills. This girl!

"Have mercy on me. I don't want to be a living cartoon sample." I replied to her helplessly.

"What.....you better be ready by tomorrow evening. I will pick you up. bye." Saying this she hung up.

I huffed and headed towards my apartment which is situated on the 3rd floor in an old building. I could only afford this. Moreover, I won't be living here for life, so it's fine for me.

Next day was Sunday, so I decided to buy a gift for my young boy as I won't get enough time to do this for the next coming days. So after having coffee without a proper breakfast I got ready. Amy would come by evening so I had enough time to do that.

I went to a nearby Toy store and looked for a particular bday gift. I was looking at the wide range of kids products, wear and other stuff when my eyes caught the 'pro-grade kids digital camera'.

Yes!! It would be a perfect gift for my Ori as he loves technology.

I was about to grab it from the shelf when a particularly high pitched voice stopped me.

"Nooo...this is mine." I startled and looked at my side to see who was screaming. She was a Little girl who was breathing heavily with hands on her hip. I have seen her somewhere!

I was trying to remember when she looked at me with a cute angry look and then smiled widely after three seconds.

"Sobbery angel....."..she screamed again getting the attention of some visitors.

I sheepishly looked around and smiled awkwardly. Ahhh..this was the same cute girl I met a few months ago.

"Hey baby, how are you?" I asked her, smiling.

"Very good..... I am shopping here so I am very happy....but I'm not able to grab that camera which you were going to touch...I want the pink one....can you help me?" she asked me politely.

Smiling, I took that camera and gave it to her. She beamed and started jumping. I picked another one of blue colour for my baby boy.

"I see, finally you have got what you wanted." Another sweet voice came in our ears. We both looked and saw a beautiful young woman. And yes...she was her mother.

"Hey dear, we meet again. I apologize for the last time as I couldn't get the time to introduce myself. I am Athena Wilson and this, my little monster is Anna wilson." She said and put her hand forward to shake.

"Hey, I am Mani Verma..and before you take it wrong it's M-A-N-I not 'money' and it's nice to meet you again. You daughter is really sweet and lovely." I said politely and shook her hand.

She laughed and said, "Only if you knew. By the way, it's pleasurable to meet you again dear! more like meeting you at some random shopping place again like last time...under the same condition."

We both chuckled then went for the payment at the cash counter. I asked them to wrap my purchase in some gorgeous gift wrap and then pay for it in cash.

Seeing Athena, the cash collecting girl's eyes widened and she hurriedly took the card from her hand then swiped it a few seconds and returned with a nervous smile.

What's going on!

I looked at Athena but she didn't have any odd facial expressions as it is normal for her to get behaved like this by them.

I shrugged. What to me!

We were talking while going out of the shop with Anna trailing beside me with a happy face. From time to time she was giving me cute smiles.

"I think she is fond of you, even last time she talked non stop about you to all our family and maids that how you saved her, by calling you her sobbery angel." Athena told me while chuckling. I looked at Anna, she was pouting and puckering her lower lip and I smiled. How cute...

"If I am not wrong, you don't look native here, are you from some Asian country?" Athena asked me curiously.

"Yes I am from India, living here for some purpose, after that, I will go back," I replied not detailing about myself and she even didn't ask further just nodded. I accompanied her to the parking area nearby where her driver with some fancy car was waiting.

Hmm, she is wealthy.

We approached him, he quickly took the shopping bags from her hand and put them inside the backseat and then stood a little away from us.

"Let's meet up next weekend maybe for coffee to get to know each other if you are comfortable. I like you and Anna too like you. She would like to meet you again...right baby?" She asked me then her daughter about confirming our next meeting.

"Yes!!! Sobbry angel, we will meet again...." she said with puppy eyes.

Who wants to deny her having such a cute gesture!

I smiled at her then looked at Athena, but my smile flattered as I noticed something was flashing on her face. Within seconds, my blood froze when I realised she was getting targeted by some red laser on her head.

Someone is going to shoot her!!!

It was circling from one position to another with rapid speed on her head and face like the shooter was determining the exact point. I widened my eyes and with shaky hands, I pushed her down with little Anna that was then when we heard the window glass breaking sound...

After that, more gunshots and other voices were heard by me which made my whole body shook. A cold shiver ran down my spine thinking about what was happening around. My ears were beeping with the gunshots. I couldn't hear anything.

Soon my tears started running down my cheeks. My breathing quickened as me and Athena whose condition was not indifferent than I held Anna tightly in between us saving her from any outer exposure.

"Mam, you guys have to get inside the car as I have already called the main kingdom alliance. They will be coming here anytime soon. Get princess inside first please... the king is also informed." I heard someone say in apprehension.

As I looked at him he was the driver with......gun in his hand. What in the world.....

With tears streaming down, I was staring at him and gun with opened mouth. What is he? driver or what? He was looking around with alertness.

"Hurry hurry, we need to get in please.."

My attention turned to Athena who was panting beside me with Anna in her arms. Anna's face was displaying pure horror, she was about to cry.

With great efforts we stood up, my legs were numb but I still managed to walk around and opened the window from the other side. We hurriedly put Anna inside first then Amy gestured to me to get inside but I was too frightened to think about anything.

"Yes, King....yeah... I have it under control. I only got to locate one sniper...but he was quick enough to escape...alright. we will be here only." we heard her driver again. He was still looking around probably trying to find potential danger.

"Wha.....what was that.....you...you were going to be shot ....why..who are they....what's going on...." I couldn't speak more as I was shocked to the core. I have never encountered such a dangerous situation in my life.

Athena looked at her daughter then at me. She licked her lips before closing her eyes tightly for once. After opening them she took a deep breath and start talking,

"Mani, dear... I'm so sorry ..you have to face such a perilous encounter..it was my...."

Before she could complete her sentence, we heard the screeching voice of some vehicle's tyres a few steps away from us on the sideline of the parking area. We looked there as Some men got off the sleek black car. They were hurriedly coming in our way.

When I looked at them carefully, all three of them wore classic black suits, looking intimidating and dashing with perfect bodies in shape. They came near to us, the middle one was in more hurry when he came close to us that's when I recognised him with wide-open eyes.

Tristan!!

He was looking tense but composed with his figure.

As soon as he reached us, he hugged Athena who was looking relieved by the sight of him.

"Athy, you ok....so..... have you hurt anywhere and where is Anna?" he asked with worry.

"Tanny uncle...." Anna got out of the car and ran towards him. He caught her before she jumped on him.

"Hey, honey-bee....shhh...your tanny is here. Everything is ok...you fine, right?" He asked her while looking at Athena. Anna nodded. That's when he looked at my way and within seconds his eyes fluttered with surprise as if he recognised me.

I was not a good sight to see then. With a tear-stained face, trembling body and blank mind I was standing there listening to their conversation. He put Anna down and asked me in a serious tone,

"Money, what are you doing here and why.....you look like you just cried."

I pressed my lips hard because I didn't want to cry again. what did I have to say or do, I couldn't decipher. What is going on?

Wait.....if Tristen is here, where is Al...

My thoughts came to a halt when again for the second time I heard the screeching sound of tyres of not only one but two cars. I looked at that side. Two more black cars were coming in our way with high speed, nearing us they stopped and all the windows opened at the same time with a 'thump' sound. From the first car, four men got off with the guns in their hands. My eyes widened by the mere sight of guns again.

From the second black limousine car, two men got off. You can imagine their dominating aura from far. One of them was wearing something like a velvet kinda shrug over his jacket, different from the rest of them. He started walking toward us with others trailing behind him.

When they came near, my stomach dropped by his sight. Noooooo.....no...way....pls don't let him be him.....pls God.....

But my little prayer was not heard by God as I could easily get the close view of him. 

ALPHA KING more like Royal king.

I stood there like a statue watching him heading to our side. 

......He has a connection with some mafia too.

.........Never get caught my eyes.

............Mafiaaaa.

Ohh God....save me.....i..i...What should I do......run...yes...run...

But...how......it will grab more attention. I'm doomed!

On the way, he took off his velvet shrug and handed over to his man at the right side and then came to our more like Athena way. His face was stiff as a rock with an amount of worry in eyes and furrowed brows. I tried to cover my face with some hair strands and with my scarf around the neck so that he couldn't recognize me. I was sinking into unconsciousness.

What is going on with my life? What was less trouble earlier, another one came too?

I have to get out of there as soon as possible.

"Either it's your fault or mine, having been told by me many times but you never listened. Who would be responsible if something happened to Anna or...you?" Alpha king said, gritting his teeth.

What! Is he her husband or what? He is blaming her for what?

'Shut Up.. don't get involved in their matter. get out of here.' IS said.

"More like yours, stating the reason for this attack is very well known to you and others," Athena answered with equal fury. Both of them started an intense staring contest, all others were silent, his men were stiff like someone gave a human body forcefully in a rock wall.

"D, isn't it more important and relieving that they are well safe. We should get out of here as soon as possible." Tristen broke their staring contest.

"Indeed," he answered, his face was void of any emotion. "If any of those bastards get caught by my hands, then their intestines are mine." He spat dangerously but lowly.

"Uncle Ree.." Anna hugged his long legs.

"Where were you? We were so scared, sobbry angel was badly crying.." she peeked at me.

"She still is...."

Fishhhhh.........

Alpha king bowed down to her level and patted her face after kissing her forehead.

"Everything is alright princess, you all are safe". He said softly. He looked at Athena, Tristen and then at the driver.

Please don't look at me. Please don't look at me. ple....

I was chanting in my mind but finally, he looked directly at me and furrowed his brows. I chewed my lips and tried to look at anything but him. Now what! He will sputter some ridiculous words to me.

He came near to me and stood three steps away. He tilted his head, trying to look at me properly. But I was looking at my shoes.

When did I wash them last time? 

"Miss....you are?" He asked calmly.

How long can you hide, girl? Let's face him. You didn't do anything that you have to be afraid of him. yes! Be calm, look at him with confidence like you don't know him and don't listen to his rubbish. He won't attack you in front of kids.

I took a deep breath and raised my head, looking at him with a blank look. He blinked and within seconds, his facial expressions turned from polite to extreme anger. He curled his upper lips and was about to say something but Athena's driver beat him to it,

"King, she is the one who saved madam Wilson and princess Anna from the gunshot." He said with little courtesy. He didn't even look at his side but kept his eyes on me. I swear, something flashed in his eyes like surprise or rage, I didn't know.

His angry eyes! He was looking at me like I was the one who was going to shoot her, but then he inclined his head and a cruel smirk appeared on his face.

I bit my lip hard and swallowed.

Stop staring at me.

"Tristen, get Athena and Anna inside the car." He said curtly. I looked at Athena anxiously. I gave her 'don't leave me' look with my eyes.

"What are you doing....."

He interrupted her in middle by saying,

"Need to show my special gratitude to your saviour as she saved two precious lives." He said in a polite tone but I knew it was fake.

"But she is......"

"I said, NOW. I will be back. GO." he said forcefully to her.

"I will wait in the car then..." Athena said pursing her lips while nodding my side as if telling me not to worry, he won't eat you. Only if she could see through him.

Please don't leave, please!

But the next thing I knew they were already heading towards the car. I was looking at their backs hopelessly.

He came close to me while I took a step back, but within seconds he caged me in between the car side bonnet and his hard body.

I leaned back a little as he came too close. What's his problem?

"My little warning, more like an ultimatum, must have fallen on deaf ears, Little dove.......blatant negligence of my warning."

His voice alone was enough to choke me. With difficulty, I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

I scanned my surroundings. No one was around except Athena's driver but he was also standing a little far and staring ahead. He took a menacing step closer and loomed over me, his eyes glimmered dangerously. He raised his hand. I widened my eyes. noo...

Losing the scarf around my neck, he pulled it down.

Bloody Anaconda!

Wrapping my thick strand of hairs around his finger, he pulled it little harshly. I winced as he smugly whispered, "Was trying to escape from my eyes, little vermin? so I couldn't even get the doubt of your existence here."

I was in a vulnerable condition and my empty stomach did not help much as my body started trembling due to fear and low blood pressure. He must be happy to see me like this.

"Tell me vermin, was it you?" He asked again, looking intensely at me.

What....