Chapter 4

So You Stayed

Ajay was left at the dinner table with only a tray of crab rangoon to keep him occupied. He hasn't been in the country for a day and he's already found himself in an unfortunate situation. He went from a peaceful bus ride into Kyrat, looking forward to fulfilling his mother's wish to encountering a madman with some hipster haircut. Ajay still couldn't get over the way he murdered that soldier before taking a selfie with him like it was no big deal.

Ajay got up from the chair and took a look around the mansion. It was beautifully decorated and had a very tranquil atmosphere, except when the occasion shrieks of torture from downstairs caught Ajay's ear. It certainly didn't feel so homey then.

"What kind of place is that guy running?" Ajay muttered.

Ajay was pondering whether or not he should stay. Pagan said he'll be back and don't move. Ajay wandered over to the balcony where he further contemplated. The sound of blazing rifles from afar flustered the young man, causing him to lean towards staying put. Who knows what kind of trouble he could run into out there. Ajay ran his hand through his dark hair and exhaled deeply. You wouldn't survive fifteen minutes without something pouncing on you, ready to tear your face off. Ajay looked over his shoulder when he heard Darpan's screams. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the dreadful noise. Or someone capturing you and doing who knows what to you.

He walked away from the balcony and went back to his chair. Despite the judgments he made about Pagan Min, Ajay felt that he was better off staying on the man's good side than getting put to death for not following a simple request. After all, he did say he knew his mother. Maybe he would know where Lakshmana was. Ajay pulled out his mother's note and read it. He smiled fondly while thinking of the memories he had of her.

He placed the note back into his coat pocket and waited at the dinner table for Pagan to return. After a while, he heard footsteps coming from around the corner. He looked over to the source of the sound and saw that it was Pagan without his pink blazer.

"Oh, fan-bloody-tastic! You, sir, are a gentleman," Pagan said happily. "I sincerely apologize. We saw terrorist in the area and yah-ta-yah. The crab rangoon, right? It's-," Darpan's cries interrupted the King, "fabulous. Well come."

Ajay held onto his mother's ashes and grabbed a bite before going.

After Pagan retrieved his blazer, him and Ajay boarded the helicopter outside the compound. Ajay had no idea where they were going next, but he didn't ask. He sat there beside the king without a word to be said. What, no bag over my head this go round? Ajay joked to himself. Pagan peered over at the silent son of Ishwari. He smiled at him, leaving Ajay uncertain about how to react. He returned a small grin, avoiding eye contact with the odd man. He just looked down at his mother's urn. I'm only doing this for you mom and then I'm out this place.

Pagan took note of Ajay's discomforted and tried to make the boy feel more content. " I'm glad you and Ishwari came back. It's sad that she couldn't be here in person, but she'll always be with us in spirit," he said thoughtfully. The small grin grew into a full smile on Ajay's face. "Anywhere special you would like me to take you? I can give you a grand tour if you would like and afterward we can go tear some shit up."

Ajay pulled out the note and unfolded it. He handed his mother's last words to Pagan Min. Pagan read the piece of paper, hearing every word spoken from Ishwari's voice.

Ajay my son,

I have but one last wish

Take me back to Lakshmana.

I Love you and will always be with you.

- Mom

Pagan folded the note and gave it back to Ajay. He held back the overwhelming rush of grief and calmly uttered, "To Lakshmana we'll go."

The helicopter flew over to the Royal Palace after Pagan gave the order to the pilot. Ajay saw a car chase below on the road. A grenade went off and the explosion of a red pickup followed after. Cheers erupted from the Golden Path members as Pagan scowled at the noise.

"Those bloody fucking terrorists," he mumbled. "They fail to realize who the real enemy is. I'm glad you won't get mix up with all those monkeys down there."

Ajay frowned a bit. He almost sounded like Ishwari when she didn't want him getting involved with criminals back at home. He and a couple of thieves were robbing a store. The clerk was shot and Ajay ended up turning himself in. He wasn't charged when he gave the name of the man who pulled the trigger. That day still haunted him and he couldn't shake off the guilt that clung to him. He begged his mother for forgiveness, but she was too upset. Ajay swore he wouldn't disappoint the one person who had faith in him, the one who believed he was better than what his past actions illustrated. Now that she was gone, he made it his objective to continue turning his life around for the better.

The two stepped off the helicopter when it landed on the grounds of the Royal Palace. On the walk to their destination, Ajay felt a little confused about where the king was actually taking him.

"Uh, Pagan, is that Lakshmana?" Ajay asked, gesturing towards the small structure up ahead.

Pagan nodded and looked back at the young man. "I can see that it's time to brief you on your family's history." Pagan sighed and continued to speak. "That is your half-sister's shrine. Your mother and I had a child and that is where she rests today. Your father, Mohan, he was a cunt. He whored your mother out. He sent her to spy on me. Unfortunately for him, we fell in love and that led him murdering your sister."

They were by the door of the Lakshmana's shrine. Ajay was taken aback by what Pagan had told him. His father, the man his mother never spoke of, killed his little sister. He then realized why she never did.

"I'm sorry for what happened," Ajay said apologetically.

"No need to apologize, boy. Go on, do what you came here to do." Pagan half-heartedly smiled, nodding towards the red door.

Ajay entered the peaceful tomb of his half sister. Across from where he stood hung a portrait of the innocent baby girl. Ajay stepped towards the urn that dated was 1988 - 1989. He placed his mother's urn beside Lakshmana's and stood there, in silence.

Outside, Pagan Min was waiting for Ajay. He was leaning against the helicopter with his arms crossed.

"Great, you've e gotten that all out your system," Pagan said upon seeing Ajay coming towards him. "Now we can finally shoot some damn guns."

Ajay grinned, climbing aboard the helicopter ready to set off on his adventure with the King of Kyrat.

Cue the music and fin! Ha, just kidding. Chapter 5 will be here soon! Thank you for reading. I really appreciate it :)