DEMON SUPREME

After spending all day in the city and meeting several known people, Das returned back to Malabar Hill.

Das pulled his old Ambassador car into the driveway of the Frost family home. The engine groaned in protest before sputtering to a stop. Holding the supermarket bags filled with his purchases, he adjusted his grip and moved toward the house.

But just as he approached the gate, Das froze. Sitting on the edge of the stone steps of the house, Lily's sister Soya was staring at Das like an angry hawk. Her expression was dead serious. Her arms were crossed, and her foot tapped against the gate in rhythm with her irritation.

Das immediately knew he was in trouble. 

Big trouble.

Soya's sharp eyes narrowed as she spotted him. "Do you have any idea how long I've been sitting here, waiting for you?" she demanded, her voice a mix of fury and frustration.

Das shifted awkwardly, his smile apologetic. "Uh… not too long, I hope?"

"Since noon," she hissed. "I skipped college for you. FOR YOU. And what did you do? Roam the streets like some—some tourist!"

Das winced. "I… I was gathering supplies for the house!" He lifted the bags as evidence.

"Supplies?" Soya repeated with a dead stare. She snatched a bag from him, rifled through it, and pulled out a box of shampoo. "Shampoo?! Oh yes, clearly a critical item for survival! You couldn't have lived tomorrow without it, right?"

Das stammered, "I—I thought it was necessary!"

"And this?" She yanked out a pack of imported chocolates.

Das scratched his head. "Um… it was on sale?"

Soya threw the bag back at him and stood up, her anger intensifying. "Brother-in-law, if you're going to take my help, then you better take this seriously. I spent all day collecting job listings for you." She held up a stack of papers, waving them in his face. 

"Do you know how many white papers I've filled with options? No? Eighteen! Eighteen papers. All for you. And you spent your day buying chocolates and shampoo!"

Das hung his head, looking as pitiful as he could manage. "I'm sorry, Soya. I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll never make you wait again. How about this? Once I land a job, I'll treat you to a fancy meal. Deal?"

Soya squinted at him, her lips pursed in thought. Finally, she relented, albeit grudgingly. "Fine. But you better work your butt off tomorrow. No excuses. And no chocolates."

Das nodded enthusiastically, eager to escape her wrath.

Early Morning…

True to her word, Soya was up bright and early, practically dragging Das out of bed. Lily offered Das a sympathetic look as she prepared for her day at the textile factory.

"Don't let her scare you too much," Lily whispered with a smile.

"She already has," Das muttered, watching as Soya stuffed her papers into her bag like a soldier prepping for war.

Soon, Soya shoved Das into the passenger seat of his own Ambassador car. "You're not dropping my sister at work today," she declared firmly. "We're going straight to job hunting. No detours, no distractions."

With a helpless look, Das steered the old ambassador car into the busy city roads. Because of construction of the new metroline, the roads were more dirty and cramped. But Das skillfully escaped through traffic.

Their first stop was the Grand St. Louis Church, where a gardener position was available. They waited for half an hour before the Church Father arrived, his smile warm and inviting.

"So," the Father began, "what experience do you have, my son?"

Das smiled back. "Well, Father, I was just released from prison two days ago—"

The Father's smile vanished faster than a plate of food at a church potluck. He blinked, his face pale. "Prison…?"

"Yes," Das said earnestly, "but I'm really good at following instructions! Gardening should be a piece of cake!"

The Father stood up abruptly. "I, uh, think this position has just been filled. Thank you for coming. Please, leave."

Soya grabbed Das by the arm as they exited. Once outside, she whirled on him. "What on earth was that?!"

"What?" Das looked confused. "I was being honest!"

"Honest?!" Soya repeated, throwing her hands in the air. "From now on, don't talk! I'll do all the talking. Understand?"

Das sighed. "Fine, fine. But what if they ask me questions?"

"Whisper the answer to me first," Soya snapped. "I'll decide if it's safe for public consumption."

Das nodded his head like a chicken.

Their next stop was an old age home, where a caretaker was needed. Soya handled the introductions, sweet-talking the middle-aged woman in charge while Das stood silently behind her.

The woman smiled approvingly. "You seem like a responsible young man," she said, addressing Das. "Tell me, why do you want this job?"

Das leaned toward Soya, cupping his hand to her ear. "Should I tell her about prison?"

Soya's eyes widened in panic. "NO!" she hissed back.

Das straightened and smiled awkwardly. "Uh… I love helping people!"

The woman seemed satisfied and continued the tour, explaining the daily tasks.

Whenever the lady asked some random questions, Das whispered in secret to Soya.

But as the whispering between Das and Soya persisted, the lady's expression grew more suspicious.

Finally, she turned to face them, her arms crossed. "I don't think this is going to work," she said sternly. "This is a peaceful place, and I can already see the chaos you two would bring. This is an old age home, in your hands it might become a scenic spot for lovers. Please leave."

Soya felt ashamed and immediately dragged Das away with a shy face.

The pattern repeated at every stop: Soya's carefully prepared introductions, Das's awkward honesty, and a series of increasingly creative rejections.

By mid-afternoon, Soya was slumped in the passenger seat, her hair disheveled, her patience worn thin. "I've never been this humiliated in my life," she muttered.

Das, still cheerful, patted the steering wheel. "Don't worry, Soya. Failing is a stepping stone for success. And Tomorrow's a new day! "

"Tomorrow?!" she exploded. "It might take months like this. Ahhh… I am tired enough… I want food. Now. Take me to a restaurant, or I swear I'll—"

"Fine, fine!" Das interrupted, laughing. "Anything for my fearless job-hunting coach!"

They ended the day at a small roadside restaurant, ordering plates of steaming dosa and spicy chutney. As they ate, Soya's frustration began to melt away, replaced by reluctant laughter as Das recounted the day's disasters.

"Maybe I should start lying to get a job," Das muttered, earning a glare from Soya that quickly turned into a laugh.

"Well," Soya said between bites, "if nothing else, that will be our last attempt. Tomorrow, I will start gathering job information again. Don't worry, Brother-in-law."

Das raised his glass of water in mock toast.

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*Don't forget to add the book guys!