18. Cups and Craquelure

"Mira", Kris whispered.

Mira opened her eyes with much effort.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded, but she felt dizzy and strangely tired.

Kris heaved Mira against his chest and walked swiftly to the car. He secured her in the passenger seat with the seatbelt on and ran to the driver's seat. Mira stirred feverishly. Kris was sweating profusely, and he reached out to wipe his own forehead. He looked for the nearest hospital and found one just five minutes away.

The doctor examined Mira and declared that it's a case of shock, and the possibility of trauma is strong, at least for a while. He gave her drip for an hour and finally they could go home with prescriptions for medicines in case of anxiety attacks or nervous breakdowns, and multivitamins.

Kris helped Mira back into the car, and found his way back behind the wheels. Mira was conscious now.

"Kris, what really happened? How did you save me?"

"Hmm. I dived to push you down, so we missed the bullet. It was actually an airgun, but from close range it could have hurt you badly. Whoever that was, we need to be on alert. They've been tailing us at the cafe too. Pama had told me this morning. I should have been careful."

Mira could feel Kris's anxiety; she reached out to hold his hand. Then she quietly fell into another slumber while squeezing the hand tightly. Kris sighed.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Hey Pama, did you see Kris's message? The blue car?" Leibniz screamed from the other end of the phone call.

"Jeez.. Calm down, you. Yes, I did."

"What do you think? Who's that?"

"Not sure. Kris seemed to be knowing something but he didn't reveal much."

"Could it be JS?"

"Do you think he'd have that kind of time right now? It's someone else. I'm quite positive."

"Why don't we go help Kris? They might need additional security."

"He's a god, for Christ's sake. He'll figure it out."

"Okay," Leibniz replied in a dejected voice and disconnected the call.

"So, no clue about the assailant?" Nietz asked, moving his gaze up from his book for the first time in the past hour.

"No clue whatsoever." Leibniz frowned.

"Hmm. Text Kris if he noticed the number of the car. We could give it a try."

"All right." After a pause, Leibniz exclaimed. "HEY! Kris just sent this." He flashed the mobile screen in front of Nietz's eyes. He grabbed the phone, shocked.

"This woman!"

They looked at each other, their faces heavy with concern and exasperation.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After texting Leibniz and Pama, Kris stood near the railings thinking. He bit his own lower lip as worry munched away his sense of calm. Why would she come here and why him? What does he have to do with her? She definitely had an ulterior motive. Only time will tell, but how can he protect Mira until then. He picked up his phone and dialled Sive's number.

"Hey," he heard a groggy, sleep voice on the other side.

"I need Gunny."

"What?"

"You heard me right. Someone's targeting us. Mira in particular. We need help."

"Okay, you got it."

The phone beeped as the call ended. Kris sighed deeply.

As he walked back to the room, Mira opened her eyes and extended her open arms towards him like a baby. He smiled as he walked into the much needed embrace. He hugged her while slipping into bed next to her. She snuggled closer to rest her head on his chest. He smoothed her hair, putting her to sleep. She smiled as she fell asleep.

--------------------

When Mira got up next morning, Kris wasn't around. She walked downstairs to find him cooking in the kitchen. A young boy of around 15 was sitting at the kitchen counter and gobbling down the pancakes he was frying. His eyes caught Mira staring at them.

"Hey, you're up. Come. I need you to meet someone."

Mira meekly and obediently walked to him.

"Meet Guna, Sive's son. Gunny, this is Mira."

Mira stared at the kid with her mouth agape. Sive's son? How old is Sive??

Kris laughed, seeing her reaction. Gunny grinned.

"Dad doesn't look old enough to have a kid like me, no? Well, let's say, they had me very young. That's why."

"I'm.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Mira apologised.

"Oh, no. I'm fine. It happens all the time, you know. But please feel comfortable to call me Gunny. I'll be intruding upon your privacy for a while."

"No problem, please make yourself at home." Mira rubbed her neck in embarrassment.

"Gunny will be with you at all times when I'm not. It's his gap year and he was staying out of school and at home, anyways. So we thought it'd be a change of environment for him and some added protection for us."

Mira couldn't understand how a little boy could save her from any danger but she decided to keep shut about it. She simply nodded in acquiescence.

" Now sit down, I'll make you some pancakes too. "

" Oh no, I need to get freshened up first. " Mira got up and walked to her room.

"So, it's Helen, you are saying?" Gunny raised his eyebrows, continuing the conversation from before Mira's entry.

"That's what I think. We need to be careful. She's pretty dangerous."

"But it's so irritating. She has a knack of hunting outside her territory. This should be reported to the International Deus Association."

"She's not technically a deity, so the association can't do much. We probably should consult the Greco-Roman Council for Heavenly and Mythical Affairs."

"Right. Shall I work on that angle, then? I'll be in the room. Give me a call when your girl is about to leave for work. I'll tag along."

"I can't thank you enough, Gunny." Kris reached out to hold his hand.

"No problem, buddy. I'm the god of removing obstacles for a reason, you know. Rest assured. Everything will be fine."

Gunny got up and jogged to his room at this.

Kris rubbed his forehead and looked at the distance ahead of him. Outside the window, two peering eyes gaped through a pair of binoculars. The brilliant blue reflected in Kris's eyes. It's the car! Kris dashed outside in a moment but the car hurried in a flash.

"Damn, you!" Kris cursed under his breath.