Feeling Home

When I woke up the next day, Karthik wasn't in his bed. I went inside the shared bathroom at the corner of the room and was surprised to see that there were in fact things for me to use alongside his. I brushed my teeth, freshened up, and wore what was hung in my almost empty closet; a t-shirt and jeans. Afterward, I walked towards the cafe. I hadn't familiarized myself with the place but I reached my destination somehow with the limited knowledge from watching the show.

It was almost empty except for Ivan who was frying a sausage judging by the sizzling sounds emitted by the pan. I walked up to the kitchen with a small smile.

"Good morning, Ivan" I chirped.

"And to you, m'lady" Ivan bowed a little with a wide smile after noticing me.

"Can you tell me where are the others?" I asked leaning against the counter to peer at the cooking sausages and an omelet on another.

"Not up yet, I think," he shrugged while cracking an egg and pouring it into the now-empty pan.

"Oh," I hummed, "What can I help you with?"

"No help required. I'm almost done" he said turning to me with pride.

Just like I imagined him to be. The posture straight and rigid, not even bending a little.

"Ivan, do you know where is Karthik?" I asked suddenly remembering my ex-classmate.

"His duty is in the ticket counter today," he said tossing the pancake.

"Okay, I'm gonna go see him," I waved at him walking away.

"Make sure to come for breakfast" Ivan waved back.

I walked out of the cafe but only then realized how to go to the ticket counter. I groaned internally but followed my intuition by walking past the grand posters of dinosaurs. My eyes followed their huge structure with a gasp, I leaned towards the writings under it and read all about it. I had never been to a dinosaur museum before so it was really fun reading and witnessing all of that. I adored everything I could set my eyes on and finally, I caught sight of Karthik. He was pilling up something on the counter, it had the shape of dinosaurs, so maybe tickets?

"Hey, Karthik" I skipped towards him with a smile.

He turned and looked at me to give me a fake smile then went off to work.

I can recognize a fake smile when I see one but why was he giving one to me?

"When I woke up, you weren't there," I said.

"Oh, sorry, I had some work to do," he said still not looking at me and didn't seem sorry at all.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. That was really awkward. Did I do something wrong? Not that I could remember off. I knew he was hiding something just by looking at his avoiding face, there all were but I didn't ask anything about that to him now.

I wished I knew what it was.

I just silently walked away from him.

We had breakfast together and it was fun. I had never had a diet like that before with just bread, sausages, eggs, and juice. Indians' diet was completely different and was a little extravagant compared to this but I could adapt easily so no worries. Everyone was eating with a fork and knife, even Koda. I thought him being from the stone age would not know how to use it but he somehow knows how to though it's a little messy. I had never eaten with a fork and knife but I knew what to do with it and all the etiquettes from watching YouTube, but still had a problem using it. My eyes traveled to look at Karthik who seemed as if he was enjoying himself, he has a huge appetite, I know, and was gracefully eating with the utensils. Of course, he would know, his family was very rich, unlike mine which was middle class.

After breakfast, everyone went to do their assigned works while I didn't know what to do. When asked Ms. Morgan, she immediately assigned me with Ivan in the kitchen after getting a positive reply from me that I was alright. She asked me to learn how things are and stuff for now and I did. It wasn't much just basic cooking stuff; frying, chopping, doughing, and serving. After the museum opened in the morning, people rushed into the cafe every time. There were only a few people just around 20 or so. Tyler and Chase took care of the museum travel guiding stuff while Shelby, Riley, and Ivan handled the kitchen and Ms. Morgan was all over the place, checking on us or sometimes goes to the lab, which I learned actually does exist.

The whole day I tried to coax the reason why I was there out of the rangers but in vain. There were close calls but nope, they were deliberately trying to keep it hidden from me. But the more they hide the more curious I became.

I really wanted to know the reason why I was here also why the portraits of greek gods were hung. Karthik stayed away from me the whole day, trying his best to avoid me. After all the things I did for him and this was how he was paying me back. We spend like a month on the island together, alone but he doesn't even talk to me anymore. I started feeling left out the first day itself, I seriously thought we could rely on each other but he was hiding things from me not even giving a hint. I cursed at his behavior multiple times but that was the only thing I could do.

So, I decided to take other ways.

I watched a dancing Chase cooking while wearing a headset.

My victim.

I internally smirked and went towards him. Suddenly, he turned around to face me with his ladle raised in the air. But went back to his dance again, vibing with whatever music. The music was so loud that I could feel the vibration of the beats emitted from it.

"Dangerous~"

He hummed and swayed his hips. I never knew he was into Michale Jackson, I thought maybe metal music or rap but I was amused. I just smiled and decided to vibe along with him. I saw his eyes lighting up with excitement. He was grilling the meat for the burger. With a dramatic wave of his wrist, he pilled all of them on a plate with great precision and continued to vibe.

Taking up the moment I didn't waste any time.

"Chase, why am I here?" I asked through his headphones.

"Oh," his attention turned to me, "Well it's because we think yo-"

"Chase!" Shelby interrupted right on time, "Watch the grill!"

It was burning. The meat was half burned. Shelby stormed off to us and slowed down the fire then stood glaring at Chase with hands on her hips.

"Again?" she demanded.

"Sorry, Shelby" he scratched his nape apologetically, "I wasn't aware-"

"-of the grill?" she said literally burning holes into his head, "It's the 8th time you have been messing with the grill"

"Oh please don't tell Ms.Morgan," he pleaded by joining his two hands together.

"It was not his fault, Shelby" I intervened before Chase could be in danger, "I distracted him, really sorry" I bowed my head in apology.

"It's alright," Shelby relaxed immediately with a small smile, "He can just redo it. It's not like he hadn't done this before," she rolled her eyes at him, "But what were you talking about?"

"Um, I just uh asked him-"

"Don't tell me you asked him the same question you asked me a while ago" she raised her eyebrows.

"Uh, maybe?" I awkwardly smiled.

"Ananya, I told you we can't do anything about it," she pinched her eyebrows closing her eyes. She knew to how many people I'd asked this. She's caught me with Koda and Riley but toled me off the last minute, "We can't tell you. Our lips are sealed"

"Yep, you have to wait until Keeper returns," Chase said while placing raw meats into the grill which made a loud sizzling noise.

"What? Keeper is real too?" I was beyond surprised.

"Og course he is. Everything is real about us, Ananya" Shelby replied.

"Oh, then where did he go and when will he return?"

"We don't know about that," Shelby sighed while taking out plastic cups from the drawer, "Ms. Morgan won't tell us. She said he had particularly told us not to tell anything to you. So, nope. Really sorry"

"It's alright," I breathed finally deciding to give up, momentarily. I mean, I've got no chance against Ms. Morgan and Keeper. They would do anything to keep it a secret from what I've learned from watching their show. They are one of the strongest characters.

The rest of the day, I spend time reading books that I borrowed from Shelby. They were about dinosaurs and their history. I knew she was obsessed with dinosaurs and I guessed she would have lots of books about them; my guess was true. I drained myself on the books. I hardly went for tea in the evening because I was busy reading. One could already tell me that I am a nerd, because I am, and you know it. By the time Ivan called me for supper, I had finished reading two thick books about their origin and evolution. I returned them to Shelby afterward and she was quite excited about it.

"You like dinosaurs?" she asked squealing a little.

"Of course, I do," I said happily, "Who wouldn't like dinosaurs?"

"I have got a few more books with me," she explained while clutching the books to her chest giddily, "I never thought you would like all of these. We had wondered whether you were a good person or not. But seems like you are beyond that. You accepted us like a family, first day itself. You are really one of a kind"

"What do you mean?" I asked a little taken aback.

"You'll see," she winked, "Anyway, I'll give you the remaining books tomorrow. I think you will like them" she smiled warmly.

"Oh thank you, Shelby," I returned the gesture back.

"You are welcome," she tilted her head, "It's time to sleep. Good night!"

"Oh, sry. Good night to you too" I waved at her while walking away.

I had a warm feeling around her, that big sister vibe. Being the eldest in the family I was always the one to take care of people, not the other way around. I was taught to take care of my family and stand the ground even if I am hurt. But being with Shelby, her caring attitude made me so happy and content. It's the same with the other rangers too. They treat me like their small sister, almost like I had been here all along.

I guess I was feeling home somehow with rangers.

With all this in my mind, I abruptly opened the door to my room with a wide smile. Just when my eyes landed on Karthik who was sitting on the bed with a flower pot in his hand, I swore I saw the plant moving a little. Weird enough, there was this thin green mist hanging on the air above him. He looked terrig=fied at first then it was replaced by anger.

"Can't you knock?" he spat harshly.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to-" I apologized with my eyes on the floor.

I heard him muttering something under his breath but couldn't quite catch what it was. He then placed the pot back on the floor and started browsing on his phone without even giving me a glance.

Karthik was acting really weird. I know he was hiding something from me but what did he have to act weird every time I was around? On the island, there were no doors to knock before going in and he had zero problems with it but where did these come from? Out of nowhere? Also, he always wanted me in his vicinity but now he is not even pleased to meet me. What a bipolar jerk!

I really had an urge to kick him...but decided not to, consider the pros and cons. I wouldn't stand a chance against his muscles. I just heaved a big sigh and went to my bed.

If he wants ignorance, that is what exactly he will get.

Two can play the game, you know.