The Life Of Normal-Taro

Initially, Thankappan flinched as he heard the name Crimson Robber. However, it didn't take him more than a second to revert back into his usual expression. But the thing is, for a seasoned veteran like Lonappan, that lone second is enough to understand almost half of the stuff going through a person's mind. And Lonappan could see the sudden internal conflict that Thankappan had.

"What happened? Cat got your tongue?" Lonappan asked as he patted the small cat's head.

"Ha, it's not that. It's just—who the hell is that guy, even?" Thankappan asked, as if he wasn't aware of it already. However, both of them knew that wasn't the case.

"Mind the pronoun. And didn't you get it from the name? They are a robber." Lonappan replied.

"Why are they named Crimson then?" Thankappan asked.

"Well, that's because they hail from the Crimson planet, don't you think?" Lonappan shifted the question back to Thankappan.

"Why ask me? You are the one who's supposed to know about this shit, right?" Thankappan scoffed.

"Yea, I know. I just wanted to check your general knowledge." Lonappan shrugged once he conceded defeat to Thankappan's statement. He simply wanted to connect the dots and bring the conversation into a full circle, but with Thankappan in such a fiery form, he felt like he didn't have a chance… or so he thought initially.

However, just like how he felt the pressure from his senior, Thankappan felt the pressure as well, even though his reason is totally different.

"Is that so?" Thankappan chuckled. "Anyway, I don't know about anyone named the Crimson Robber. Are you done then? I gotta tend to this kitty cat." Thankappan spoke as he slowly stroked the cat's head.

"Few days ago, the Crimson Robber was seen around this area. You sure you haven't seen them?" Lonappan asked as Thankappan was getting ready to head back to the house.

"Nope. Not that I remember anything from any day other than today." Thankappan shook his head.

"I see. Then what about in Kunnamkulam? Have you met them there?" Lonappan asked.

"I really don't know if I've met up such a person. But if I have, as I said before, I won't be remembering the person." Thankappan replied. "So, if you don't have any other question, I'm gonna head back." He spoke as he slowly walked back.

"Yea, see you later then!" Lonappan waved goodbye as Thankappan slowly moved away from him.

Although Lonappan had an idea before, he could say it with certainty now. Thankappan knows the Crimson Robber and is deliberately hiding it from him for unknown reasons. It didn't seem like he was gonna crack anytime soon. But he knew of a person who would.

#

"Yo! How are you today?" Lonappan asked as he waved hello.

M'Baku sighed. "Why in the world are you here?" He asked.

"Whoa! That sounds kinda rude. I'm your caretaker as well, you know? And why are you angry with me? Did I do something wrong?" Lonappan asked.

"Well, you didn't do anything—yet. I'm simply concerned about what you're gonna do later." He spoke with horror clear in his face.

"Hmm, why do you make it sound like I'm some despicable villain or something? I don't understand." Lonappan shrugged.

"Ha, it's just that whenever I get in something that involves you, it doesn't really seem to work out that well for me." M'Baku replied.

"Really? I didn't know." Lonappan sounded apologetic as he said that.

"Nah, it's fine. So, I'mma ask this to you yet again. Why are you here?" He asked.

"Meh, I just felt like coming here." Lonappan replied.

"Liar." M'Baku scoffed.

"Huh?"

"I said you're a little liar!" M'Baku spoke a little more louder this time around.

"M'Baku! Don't forget your cover in situations like this. I mean, it's fucking hellish to flash people because they happen to see a talking dog. I just don't wanna do that." Lonappan warned.

"That's fine and all, but why does it feel like you are avoiding something?" M'Baku asked, keeping his voice to the minimum this time around.

"Avoiding what?" Lonappan looked confused, as if he had no idea about what M'Baku was talking about.

"I said you are lying about certain things. Why aren't you mentioning anything about it, huh? Did the cat bite YOUR tongue, huh?" M'Baku asked, with a knowing smile on his face.

Lonappan sighed. "You heard, huh?" He mumbled.

"We caninos have an amazing sense of hearing. Even the mumbling shit you did just now; I heard that clearly as well." M'Baku replied.

"Well, did you hear everything then? Absolutely everything?" Lonappan asked.

"Yup." M'Baku nodded his head.

"Then you know why I'm here, right?" Lonappan asked.

"See, I knew you wanted something from me. And yes, I do know what you want from me." M'Baku replied.

"What's it?" Lonappan asked to check whether both of them were thinking on the same wavelength,

"You want info on the Crimson Robber and his relation with Thankappan and the Holy Land in general, right?" M'Baku asked.

"I'm not kidding when I say this. Join MIB when you feel like it. I think you'll make a great addition to the team." Lonappan replied with an impressed look on his face.

"I'll think about it." M'Baku answered.

"So, what do you say?" Lonappan asked.

"No." The reply was instantaneous. M'Baku didn't even spend a second to reject Lonappan's request.

"But why though? We were going on the same wavelength and stuff. So, why?" He asked.

"Being on the same wavelength doesn't mean I have to help you or anything. I have no intention of doing so." M'Baku gave out a stern reply.

"But the MIB lunch is amazing!" Lonappan tried enticing him with a position in the MIB and food.

However, M'Baku wasn't impressed by this. He simply scoffed. "Nah, man! Kunjan makes amazing food as well. I just want that. I have no need for your catering food." He replied.

After the rejection, Lonappan's face looked down. "Can you tell the reason why at least?" He asked.

"Ah, well that's because of what I said before. I really like what Kunjan makes as well." M'Baku spoke.

"No. Not that! I'm asking you the reason for your rejection. Why won't you help me out on this?" Lonappan asked.

"Oh, that! I don't wanna risk my life, dude! I mean, I'm the one living here with those guys. I can't keep on betraying them every now and then, can I?" M'Baku asked.contemporary romance

"But-" Lonappan was about to say something, but M'Baku didn't even give the opportunity to do so.

"I know you are a big deal and terrifying to a few and all, but not for me. I feel like Thankappan will literally kill me if I snitch on them again. So, please just go." M'Baku pleaded.

"Okay, okay. I'll go. Take care, Mr M'Baku!" Lonappan bowed his head out of courtesy before heading out of the Holy Land. He took out his phone and dialed a number. "Oh, hey! We gotta meet. Soon." He spoke through the phone.

#

Evening that day. Lonappan was enjoying a bit of family time with his wife and son as they played ludo, a game that they haven't played for quite a while. Hell, game nights in itself is a rarity since Lonappan had been really busy these days. So, both the wife and son were extremely happy to see Lonappan present, which immediately made them suggest a game night.

Before ludo, they tried playing caroms, but Lonappan won in an unnatural manner, which made them quit it and focus on ludo instead. And in this, the son won the first match as the beginning of an unbeatable streak, which made him very happy. That in turn made both Lonappan and his wife pretty happy. So it was a real fun day in their household, before the doorbell rang.

Lonappan's wife planned on opening the door, but Lonappan stopped her from doing so and took it upon himself. Once he opened the door, he saw Ponnappan's smiling face.

"Uncle!" Lonappan's kid ran towards Ponnappan and hugged him tightly. Ponnappan was kinda like a frequent guest in Lonappan's household, so the kid knew him pretty well.

"How are you doing, kiddo?" Ponnappan lifted the kid and swung him around before safely placing him on the ground. He reached down to his pocket and took out something. "Hey, didn't you say you wanted the megamultiman 3600 key chain the next time I come home? Here you go." He smiled.

"Uncle! You remembered!" The kid didn't expect it, but it was a welcome surprise for him.

"Of course I did. After all, I'm your uncle!" The smile that was on his face ever since his arrival to Lonappan's house was still not wiped off his completely.

"Uncle, we're playing ludo right now. Do you wanna come in and play the game?" The kid asked.

"Hmm, I'll do that. But before that I need to have a private chat with your father. Will you wait until then, kiddo?" Ponnappan asked.

"Yup! I'll be waiting for you, uncle!" The kid ran away looking all happy with the key chain dangling in his hand.

Ponnappan kept the smile on his face until the kid left the place. When he did, the face went straight into serious mode. "So, what's the purpose of this meeting?" He asked.

#

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