ch 36- Warm welcome 3

Bala's POV-

What happened to Mirik? Why is he acting like this? Did he not like Givi from before? Only he can tell these answers. But I really don't want to know, she is one f the first friend I made when I came here. Even if he tells me to just leave her company, it might be impossible. Our group of five was in the cafeteria. We took our food trays and sat on an empty bench.

"Who was that guy? Why was he acting like that." Rabon asked munching his bread.

"Don't worry about that trash. He won't bother you anymore and if he does just call me, I will gladly help you." Kiara replied cracking her knuckles.

"You got him good Kiara. Good thing you hit him Or I would have beaten him." Rabon said while punching the air. We all started laughing at his comment. But there was one person who was not laughing, Givi.

"What happened Givi? Something bothering you?" I asked her.

"He has changed," she mumbled.

"What do you mean?" I asked again.

"If it was the old Mirik he would have beaten Rabon when he confronted him. He would not just talk it out. The whole class was afraid of him because of this. He would lash out at any and everybody. There was only one girl that could control him but after she disappeared suddenly he became even more ferocious. But he looks completely different now." Givi gave us an explanation.

"What was the girl's name?" Rabon asked.

"It was Risa," she said while looking at Risa who was drinking her water innocently.

"What for real?" Risa said with a shocked face.

"It might just be a coincidence. There are thousands of Risa in this world. And you don't look anything like her." Givi said.

The conversation soon died down as everyone started to focus more on their food. I also stopped thinking about all this stuff. This was Mirik's personal life, I didn't want to interfere in it. Everybody finished their food and started to leave the cafeteria. I was also about to leave when I saw Mirik sitting at the corner table all alone eating his food. It was weird seeing someone eating alone in such a big cafeteria. He really didn't have any friends.

"Her Mirik you alright?" I asked while sitting beside him.

"Yeah, man. All good. It just hurts a bit." He said while touching his chin. I pitied him but nothing came out of my mouth.

"Do you want to join our group?" I asked him. He remained quiet for some time and finally replied.

"No thanks," he replied without hesitation.

I left him alone because that was what he wanted. Even if I was his bigger brother I couldn't just force him to join us. He had just returned from the Kala. Even though Chief promised me that he wouldn't do any harm to Mirik, I didn't know what happened there. It would take some time for him to get out of that trauma. But when he finally finds a way I would be waiting for him, giving him a warm welcome.