Later that night, the two black bears and human Ujurak were sleeping under the stars deep in the rainforest. Ujurak had bought a whole bag of dog kibble, reasoning that, however ill-advised it would be to feed the average bear any sort of human-processed food, Miki and Lusa were special cases.

"Now, what's our next plan of action?" A very full-fed Miki drowsily asked Ujurak, who was still in his human form.

Ujurak glanced up at the twinkling stars above, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Our next move will depend on Malik's decision. If he agrees to let Raja go, we will need to plan his release carefully to ensure his safety and successful integration back into the wild."

Lusa, her eyes shining with determination, spoke up. "I suggest we scout the surrounding area tomorrow to find an ideal location for Raja's release. Somewhere with abundant food sources and minimal human activity would give him the best chance at thriving on his own."

Miki, now fully awake and buzzing with excitement, added, "And we should gather as much information as we can about Raja's current living conditions and habits from Malik. The more we know, the better prepared we'll be to support him after his release."

Nodding in agreement, Ujurak outlined their plan for the following day. They would split up to cover more ground efficiently, with Lusa and Miki scouting around the edges of the forest and coast for good places to ease Raja into a free existence, while Ujurak would visit Mr. Malik's restaurant/cafe and see how close he was to reversing his decision about Raja.

Ujurak entered the heavily-spiced atmosphere of the establishment and almost died from the fumes.

Trying to stay composed despite his watering eyes and burning nostrils, Ujurak made his way to the counter where a bustling Malik was taking orders and managing the kitchen staff. As their eyes met, Ujurak could see a flicker of recognition in Malik's gaze before it was quickly masked by a professional smile.

"Good afternoon, my friend!" Malik greeted Ujurak cheerfully as he wiped his hands on his apron. "What brings you back to Kebabs n Curry so soon?"

Ujurak returned the smile, though inwardly he was steeling himself for the conversation ahead. "I couldn't resist the temptation of your delicious food again," he replied smoothly. "And I wanted to thank you for your generous offer last night. The meal was truly exceptional."

Malik beamed with pride at the compliment. "I'm delighted that you enjoyed it! You have a refined taste, my friend. Now, what can I get for you today? Another sampling of

our specialties, perhaps?"

Ujurak nodded appreciatively. "Your generosity knows no bounds, Malik. I would be honored to taste more of your renowned dishes," he replied with a smile.

As Ujurak savored the flavorful dishes that Malik brought out, he subtly steered the conversation towards Raja. He asked about the bear's routines and habits, showing great interest in the well-being of the beloved albino bear.

Malik, sensing Ujurak's genuine concern, opened up about his bond with Raja. "He's like a son to me," Malik confided, his eyes reflecting a mix of affection and sorrow. "But I know deep down that he belongs in the wild, where he can roam freely and be truly happy."

Encouraged by Malik's words, Ujurak seized the moment. "I believe Raja's happiness lies in his freedom, in being able to live as nature intended. If you were to consider releasing him back into the wild, I could—" he paused, searching for the right words. "I believe we could contact wildlife organizations, wildlife rehabilitators, who might give us the information we need to place Raja in, at the very least, a wildlife preserve. Or a park, where he's semi-monitored. The chances of him fully adapting to a wild existence are low, but—" here Ujurak paused in his speech as a waiter slipped a bowl of the most flammable curry under his nose. "Thank you," he said, smiling at the waiter, who gave a small smile and hurried off. Malik watched Ujurak, a shrewd look in his eyes. Ujurak, his mind alive with the possibilities of Raja's release, ate a spoonful without thinking. A moment later he was doubled over in agony. "Water!" He gasped. Malik calmly handed him a glass of water and Ujurak seized it, gulping it down in five seconds. He finally subsided against the table, then realized everyone in the restaurant was staring at him in wonderment. Except Malik, who now regarded him with something akin to dislike.

"You do not care for the level of spice in our prized dish, Mr. Singh?" He asked casually, then lowered his voice to a menacing whisper. "Or is that even your real name?"

Ujurak jerked and stared at Mr. Malik. "What…of course it is!"

Malik leaned back in his chair, smiling smugly. The rest of the restaurant patrons had gone back to their meals, thank goodness.

"I saw how your eyes watered as you walked into my precious dining room. No desi would ever balk at the smell of the finest food the gods delivered to mankind!" He blustered.

Ujurak closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. Opened them again.

"Sir. Mr. Malik, I, you don't understand. I was raised in a very Western environment. I was born here in Canada…."

"Canada?" Malik's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You mean to tell me that you have no knowledge of the ways of the East? No understanding of the intricacies of our culture and cuisine?"

Ujurak felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple as he struggled to come up with a convincing explanation. "I... I have always been distant from my roots, but I yearn to reconnect with them now. That's why I came here, to learn more about the traditions and flavors that define your culture."

Malik studied Ujurak intently, his expression unreadable. "It is a noble pursuit, to seek out one's heritage and embrace it," he finally said, his tone softening slightly. "But be warned, Mr. Singh, the path you tread is not an easy one. Our ways are steeped in history and tradition, not easily understood by those who have strayed far from their origins."

Ujurak nodded solemnly, wondering if he should start wearing a turban. He already sported a beard worthy of a guru, but he didn't want to overdo it.

"But, to go back to the original topic, I fear you're overlooking one small but very important detail. Raja is a sloth bear, and he is born to survive in a tropical environment. He was born in India, unlike you."

Ujurak's heart sank at Malik's words, realizing the immense challenge they faced in releasing Raja back into the wild. The stark reality of Raja's natural habitat being thousands of miles away hit him like a ton of bricks. How could they possibly orchestrate a successful reintegration when the bear belonged to a completely different ecosystem?

Malik must have seen the distress in Ujurak's eyes because he leaned forward, his tone softening. "I understand your intentions and your desire to help Raja, Mr. Singh. But releasing him into an unfamiliar environment would be a death sentence for the poor creature. Sloth bears are ill-equipped to survive in the harsh Canadian wilderness."

Ujurak felt a surge of frustration and helplessness wash over him. He had been so focused on the emotional aspect of returning Raja to his natural state that he had overlooked the fundamental biological differences that made such a transition nearly impossible.

So no matter how much that magic talismans, Ujurak's pathetic attempts to be a normal human being, and Miki and Lusa's help could accomplish, there was still the problem of the proper biome to address. A thousand thoughts sped through his brain, and he felt like giving up there and then. He felt like yelling at whoever had tasked him with this impossible quest. He had been humiliated in front of a crowd of people and nearly had his mask ripped off by the shrewd Mr. Malik. He heaved a sigh. Perhaps, before he did anything else, it was time to talk to Raja in bear form, and see what he said.

Ujurak looked up to tell Malik he was leaving, only to find his host had left the table. Looking around, he noted that most of the patrons had left as well. Only a few waiters milled around, clearing tables and bringing dishes back to the kitchen. A surly man in a blue turban nudged him and spoke. "Time to close for the morning, Sir."

As Ujurak prepared to leave, Malik materialized in front of him again, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel.

"I am so sorry to have left you, an emergency in the kitchen, you see." Malik made eye contact with the man who'd just spoken to Ujurak and jerked his head towards the staff room. The waiter nodded and disappeared. "We close at noon and reopen at 3, when the dinner crowd starts getting hungry."

"Ah, I see," said Ujurak, who nodded. "I'll take my leave then."

And then, everything went black.

When he opened his eyes, he was tied up with smelly ropes and lying in the broom closet. He looked up to see Mr. Malik standing over him, arms crossed.

"Glad to see you are awake, "Mr. Singh." He said this with a sneer, and Ujurak realized things had gone from bad to worse. "If you are who you said you were, you would have grown up with and loved every single one of the dishes you were served today. Instead, you barely choked down anything without a wince or a pained expression on your face."

Ujurak swallowed and shook his head. "Mr. Malik, sir, you don't understand…those expressions, you misread them, they were looks of the utmost enjoyment…"

Malik's eyes narrowed at Ujurak's feeble attempt to explain away his aversion to the spicy cuisine. He crouched down in front of Ujurak, the shadows dancing across his face making him look more menacing than ever.

"Do not try to deceive me, Mr. Singh," Malik growled, his voice dripping with contempt. "I have spent my life perfecting the art of spice, and I can see through your lies like glass. Who sent you here? What is your true purpose?"

Ujurak's mind raced as he struggled to come up with a plausible explanation. The ropes binding him cut into his skin, a stark reminder of his precarious situation. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he finally spoke, his voice coming out in a hoarse whisper.

"I am just a man trying to do what is right," Ujurak began, meeting Malik's intense gaze head-on. "I have no ill intentions towards you or your establishment. I—"

Malik broke in. "What is Arshdeep Singh's wife's name?"

Ujurak knew it had to happen. Of course they had started their acquaintance on the premise that Malik knew Ujurak's supposed uncle. The boy licked his lips. "Um…..which one?"

"What do you mean WHICH ONE? This is Canada, not Punjab, you only get one wife!" Malik suddenly raised his voice to jet decibels.

Ujurak's heart raced as he tried to come up with a convincing answer. He could feel the weight of Malik's suspicion bearing down on him, threatening to crush any hope of escape.

Gathering his courage, Ujurak met Malik's furious gaze with a determined look in his eyes. "Her name is... Priya," he said, hoping that the name sounded authentic enough.

But the expression on Malik's face did not soften at the mention of the name. Instead, his eyes narrowed further, and his lips curled into a snarl. "You lie!" he spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Ujurak's heart sank as he realized that his attempt to deceive Malik had failed. He was running out of options, trapped in a situation that seemed increasingly dire with each passing moment.

Malik took a step closer, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over Ujurak. "I have ways of dealing with liars in my establishment," he said ominously, reaching for a gleaming knife tucked into his belt. "And you, Mr. Singh, are about to learn the consequences of crossing me."

As Malik advanced on him with the knife glinting in the dim light of the broom closet, Ujurak's mind raced for a way out of this predicament. He knew he had only one shot at escaping this dangerous situation, and he needed to act fast.

Before Malik could make a move, there was a sudden commotion outside the closet. The door burst open, revealing Raja standing tall and fierce, his fur bristling as he let out a menacing growl. The sloth bear had followed Ujurak's scent and sensed his distress, coming to his rescue in the most unexpected manner.