Chapter 80

[ 1,017 words ]

Arabella Toussaint

“Aria,” Mr. Kane called me from behind the counter.

“Yes, sir?”

He handed me a tray of fresh bread, “The shelves look better these days. Thank you,” He nodded toward the display section.

Wow. He complimented me. Toby would be jealous.

I smiled to myself as I carefully took the tray from him.

He must have noticed because he immediately grunted, “Don’t let it get to your head.”

I laughed quietly.

Toby’s shift was already over, and I was supposed to lock the bakery tonight. The weekend was about to start, and I couldn’t wait to continue Maya Hunt.

That was what Tessa had named it. Toby and Talia truly felt like gifts sent to me by the Moon Goddess.

“Aria! Stop smiling and put those loaves on the top shelf. And don’t forget to rotate yesterday’s bread to the front.”

Mr. Kane had already gone back to barking orders in the same screechy voice. Tony hated it. He always joked that Mr. Kane’s voice could scare the bread into rising.

“Got it, Mr. Kane!” I gave him a playful salute and hurried off. But then I heard him mutter, “You’re finally becoming useful around here.”

Ah! That tiny bit of praise made my whole day.

***

“Have you ever considered that you decoded the message wrong?” I looked up from the small piece of Saffron colored chit in my hands.

Toby had just returned with the paper cups of tea. He handed one to Tessa before offering the other to me.

I took it from his hand with a tired sigh, “I don’t think so,” he said beside me on the curb, “We’ve been playing these code games our whole lives,” I said quietly, “Maya and I used to leave each other messages all the time.”

Toby still didn’t seem convinced, “So you’re saying you’ve never made a mistake?”

I shook my head with a frown, “No.”

“Neither has she?”

I kept sipping my tea without giving him an answer. Tessa leaned closer, “What if we are missing something? Like there must be one or two letters that got mixed up.”

I looked between the two of them, not knowing what to say. Another day had ended in disappointment, and I hadn’t even considered what I’d do if I never found my best friend. It had gotten dark, and we needed to get home now.

Toby took the paper from my hand and tapped on it, “Forget Angela for one day, Aria,” he finally raised his eyes to look at me, “Tomorrow we will search every place whose name matches these numbers.”

Tessa was already nodding her head, agreeing with her brother, “He is right. Tomorrow we’ll consider other letters too. You won’t believe how people name their businesses nowadays.”

I slowly nodded.

Toby threw his arm around me, “Don’t worry, Aria. We’ll find your friend soon. Don’t worry.”

“Yes,” Tessa also tried to force some excitement into her voice, “We won’t let you give up.”

Both the siblings were crazy. Every chance they got, they’d squeeze me between them.

“Stop ganging up on me!” I glared at both of them, but they were not ready to listen.

Brats!

***

The next morning, all three of us walked through the city together. Every few minutes, Toby and Tessa stopped to compare the code with another signboard.

“Hey, Aria! Let’s see this one.”

“No.”

“Not this one.”

“Uh-huh. Nope.”

Hours passed, and my feet ached—still nothing.

Maybe I should give up. I thought to myself.

Tessa was forcing me to walk ahead, and I wanted to stop. I didn’t want to do it anymore.

“Toby,” I wanted to ask him to take us for coffee, “Toby?” I looked around, searching for him, “Where is he?” I asked Tessa.

“Toby?” Tessa also called his name. We both turned around and found him standing several yards behind us. He wasn’t moving and was staring upward.

“What is he doing?” Tessa said irritably, “My legs are already killing me.”

I started waving a hand in front of him, “Toby! Come on.” He wasn’t even looking at us and stood there as if he were deaf.

I grabbed Tessa’s hand and marched over to him to give him an earful.

“Toby. Let’s go,” I shook him a little, but he raised his finger and murmured, “What if… the last letter isn’t an A?” He was pointing to a signboard.

“My brother has lost his senses,” Tessa murmured near my ear.

Confused, I followed his gaze, and my heart skipped a beat, “What if… it’s an S?” Toby spoke again. My eyes landed on a wooden sign hanging above a cozy little café.

ANGELS

Underneath, in small letters, was a tagline.

Where devils and chipmunks are welcome.

I stood there staring at it.

Angels. Not Angela. And then chipmunks.

Goddess. Why hadn’t I thought of that?

Trying to control my speeding heartbeat, I started walking. Without realizing that I was leaving Toby and Tessa behind me.

“Aria!” Tessa called after me, but I barely heard. My eyes remained fixed on the café’s wooden door.

Please. Let this be it.

I made a silent prayer and pushed open the door. A cheerful bell rang overhead. The café was buzzing with laughter and conversation.

“Table five!” A familiar voice called out, “And whoever burned the toast today owes me a new breakfast!” The young woman stood with her back toward me, clapping her hands to get the waiters’ attention.

I thought my heart might stop. My vision blurred due to the tears that suddenly welled in my eyes.

I couldn’t speak and started walking toward her. I reached out and placed my trembling hand on her shoulder.

She turned around, and the smile on her face vanished when she saw me with wide eyes, where disbelief was evident.

“Ara!” She whispered.

That was all I needed. A sob escaped me as she pulled me into a fierce hug

“You… came… Chipmunk…” I smiled through my tears when her shaky voice reached my ears. After three weeks away from the palace, I had finally found my way home.

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