" Sorry " said Aarav meekly realizing his mistake.
" you think a small sorry will be enough for your rudeness you Bart !!" shouted Hari angrily.
Seeing Hari's seemingly easy going attitude take a sudden 180 degree turn, Indu and the brother sister duo were shocked. Aarav started to tremble.
seeing the trembling Aarav, Hari grimaced " I will only forgive you, if you call me brother in law "
" what !! " Adya was taken back, Trembling Aarav looked at Hari and than Adya as if determining something.
Adya after seeing her brothers little actions, she shouted " you brat are you really considering it "
Indu who was watching this from the side felt left out and ignored. so she coughed drawing the trio's attention.
" Cough! cough!.. "
Hearing, the artificial cough made by Indu, Adya who was glaring at her brother returned to her calm usual self and kept her head down in embarrassment. as the room quietened Adya looked at Indu with apologetic gaze and said " Hari has a weird sense of humor, don't take his words seriously, about those two Rice potion .... "
As Adya was about to mention about Rice potion again Indu interrupted her again and said " if you mention about the potion again I will think that you don't consider me as a true friend. "
" no .. I do consider you as a true friend but those thing are too expansive .. " before Adya could say some thing which would make the atmosphere in the room awkward she was interrupted again, but this time by Hari.
" Adya this things may be expensive to you but for Ms Indu Raman it is just like handing out few lose changes, I am regretting not having asked few more Rice potion earlier and youu.... .. . " Just as Hari was planning to shamelessly request few more Rice potions he was interrupted by Adya's cold gaze.
Hari was so shameless that he wouldn't mind calling Indu Ancestor for few more rice potion, If you want to be a mercenary being shameless is the top most required skill. then why did he stop talking just by a mere glare from Adya. it's because he has seen that glare before in the alternate life when he decide to be a mercenary, later Adya did come around but it took lot off work on Hari's part.
" wh.. what I was trying to ask Ms Indu was about her friends and family discount, I want to buy few more Rice potion... " then Hari hurriedly corrected his words.
Indu had already noticed the exchange between Adya and Hari, she some how found it funny and said " since you are one of my best friends little brother I will give you Sunmarts VIP discount, that is 90,000 Federation credits for a Rice Potion. "
" so almost 30% discount, then I would like to order 3 Rice potion and the Floral patterned Indigo colored dress wore by the mannequin at the entrance. " said Hari.
" you mean the Navy Blue Floral printed white strapless dress " corrected Indu.
" yes, that one " replied Hari.
" good Choice, the dress would cost 29,990 Federal credits after discount adding the 3 Rice potion It will be 300,000 federation credits how would you like to pay, cash or credit card ?" asked Indu as she messaged Liya through her smart watch.
" neither, you except Energy stones right. " said Hari as he took out 3 Mana stones and offered them to Indu.
" Better " said Indu with a rather surprised look as she accepted the Mana stones. Adya also watched Hari with a rather surprised look.
" can't a boy buy a opposite sex dress without getting a few judgmental looks " Hari feigned ignorance.
" It's not that... forget it " Adya tried to explain, but looking back at her experience with Hari she chose to keep quit.
Its not the Dress they were surprised because they thought he was buying it for his sister, but the mana stones that Hari took out. Lets just say you have a friend who is a penny pincher and never reaches for the tab when you eat out together and suddenly you find his/her brother/sister spending exorbitant amount of money as if there is a gold mine in there house backyard, yes that's what Indu and Adya were experiencing right now.
Soon Liya came in with 3 Rice potion and the dress, after placing them on the table she excused herself. seeing the well packed dress placed on the table Aarav clenched his fist and seriously said " when I become a Magic knight, I will buy you a similar Dress sister "
" If you buy it then I will wear it. " said Adya while holding the clenched fist of her brother. seeing the love between the brother and sister, Indu and Hari felt a little of emotional. Hari even felt shameful for buying a dress for his wife but not his sister. but the thought of buying another dress for his elder sister never crossed his mind.
After few minutes the trio exited the Sunmart bidding Indu a goodbye. On there way from Sunmart to their home it was a awkward silence since Adya cannot ask Hari not to follow them as their homes are in the same neighborhood and Hari could not talk anything cause he had so much to talk, because for the brother sister duo Hari was a stranger whom they meet just few hours ago but to Hari they were a part of his family with how he shared along history.
Soon they reached a 13 story apartment building, this was Adya and Aarav's home. the trio stopped at the building Entrance without knowing how to say goodbye, but Aarav suddenly came in front of Hari and said " would you help me train Basic Training Technique "
Basic Training Technique is taught in school from 7th grade according to the federation regulation but some genius locate their star naturally before reaching seventh grade like Aarav. Federation does not ban learning Basic Training Technique outside of school so, Genius like Aarav will be taught by someone in the family, if rich and privileged they can heir a private tutor.
Aarav is defiantly not from a rich family so a private tutor is not an option for him and as for someone in his family to teach him, that's a total different story.
Aarav and Adya's mom passed away due to a sickness two years ago, not being able to come to terms with his wife's sudden death their father enlisted himself back into the military few weeks after the funeral, leaving the brother sister duo alone in each others care. as for Adya since her legs are paralyzed she cannot learn basic training technique or other basic training technique out there available for free. the technique that can be used by Adya are high level magic arts which can be considered as heirloom level treasure. there is now way she could gain access to them so, she is a normal mortal.
" Aarav, Hari is a Final year High school student, he has to prepare for his Magic Academy entrance exam. Don't cause trouble. " said Adya.
"Since you have a beautiful sister I can consider teaching, but I can't teach you for free " said Hari.
Hearing Hari agree, Aarav hurriedly said " I have been saving some money for a year now it is not much but it is not little , I will give to you "
" I don't need your money what I want is... " giving a long pause Hari mischievously smiled and said " for you to start calling me brother in law from now on wards."
Before Aarav can talk , Adya said " no need I have already asked a friend of mine to teach you, she is considered as genius in our university. "
When Hari heard Adya he asked " by any chance your genius friend is named Urvi."
seeing Hari guess correctly Adya choose to stay silent.
" I while take your silence as yes then, Little brother in law you consider whom do you want to be taught by a self proclaimed genius or a guy who has actually opened a Life star and reached perfection in Basic training method. " said Hari.
" no its not your sister, I have decide to use the money kept aside for the rice potion to hire a private tutor. even though they have not opened life star themselves they have many students who have opened life star under their guidance. " retorted Adya. as Aarav watched from side lines.
Seeing Adya not budge at all Hari decide to give in and said " fine I will teach you no conditions, but your sister must promise to make her special banana pie about which i have heard so much from my sister. "
Hearing Hari compromise Aarav looked at his sister with pleading eyes, seeing her brothers desperate and pleading eyes Adya also compromised and said " okay "
" great " shouted Aarav.
" Okay then, so when should we start " asked Hari.
" when will you be free " asked Adya.
" tomorrow I will go to the city hall to register myself I should be done by afternoon, afterward's I will be basically free " said Hari
" so you come here tomorrow afternoon at 3, third floor plat no. 303. Aarav will be free then. " said Adya
Hearing Adya, Hari looked at Aarav, who nodded back in conformation. then Hari signaled him to leave.
" see you tomorrow Hari, sister I will going ahead " said Aarav and ran into the apartment building.
Adya wanted to follow her brother but her path was blocked by Hari, seeing hari block her path Adya asked " what are you doing "
Hari did not answer her, he got down on one knee putting the most charming and sincere face he could muster up at that time, looking straight into her eyes he said " Adya Venket, will you go out on a date with me " as he put the bag containing the dress he brought in the sunmart on her lap.
" no " said Adya after a long pause, looking straight into Hari's eyes.
While saying this 'no' Adya felt like she is pushing away a important part of her life. she has been very tolerant with Hari for all his mischief today saying he is her best friends little brother, but she knew that in Hari's presence she felt a sense of completeness and belonging.
Even though he heard a know, he still did not give up and asked " why? "
" what will do after knowing why? asked Adya.
" I will change it " said Hari
" Some things you can't change Hari it is better for you to just except it as it is"
" will you believe me if I said there is nothing I can't change under or above the heaven " said Hari without a least bit of doubt in his eyes and asked " tell me why "
" its simple you have opened your life star but I am just a mortal. now we are people of two different world " said Adya, after a deep breath she continued " you are a dragon who will soar the sky reaching for the heaven and I am snake destined with die even before i was born. so tell me how will you change this"
" ha ha ha Just this, I thought you had someone else in your life, even though I know you don't ... you know, you just gave me a scare just now, even I lost my confidence with your deep and dark words. " said Hari with a hearty laugh.
Hari got up from his knee and asked " If I solved this problem will you go out with then. "
" How are you going to change this, even Demi god level Magic knights and wizards can't escape times graspe. "asked Adya with a puzzled expression, " unless your are thinking about self harm"
" Do you take me for a coward, how can I let you live your life with the burden of ruining my future. How about this lets make a bet if I solve your concern, you will go out with me " said Hari enthusiastically.
" what if you don't ? "
" If i can't then I will be a good friend to you. okay " asked Hari
" okay I am fine with it, but just don't do anything stupid or else .." warned Adya and said " take this dress back with you."
" relax I may come out as arrogant, foolish some time even childish, let me tell you I have other qualities as well ..... as for the Dress keep it safe for me till tomorrow, if I can't change your mind I will take it with me. " said Hari.