Agarthlians

Chapter 4- do you want my pudding?

“Hey sarkia we’re going out with uncle Levi’s family tonight.”

I nod my head at mom too distracted by my phone to say anything. I’ve found some crazy conspiracy theories about Agartha. Some people have said that aliens may live there. To me that sounds a bit bizarre, because aliens wouldn’t be able to survive on earth - or rather inside it.

There’s this other one that says there’s a sun in the middle of the mythical world. That sounds so unrealistic- but then again so does everything about Agartha.

“Sarkia,”

How can a sun be inside the earth? I don’t believe that but maybe a new world could exist and maybe the earth is hallow.

“Sarkia are you listening?”

Or maybe it’s not a new world but a country that’s never been discovered. The possibilities are immense.

“Sarkia!” My mom yells snapping me out of my thoughts. I hadn’t realised that she’d called me several times.

I turn my head slowly, looking at her. Her face is flushed and her eyebrows are raised. My mom can be pretty scary especially when she’s annoyed or angry.

“Sarkia sarsova! why where you ignoring me?” she demands.

“I’m sorry mother I was distracted by my phone.”

She raises one perfectly shaped eyebrow even higher and says:

“You teenagers these days, are so disrespectful, always on social media tapping away on your phones.”

“When your mother is talking to you, listen to her. Do you understand young lady?”

I nod my head and apologise

“Yes mother I understand.”

“Good, now wear something nice we’re going out for dinner tonight,” she smiles all traces of anger disappearing suddenly.

I nod like the good child she raised me to be and head to my room secretly hiding my phone under my armpit.

The restaurant is huge. Even though we go out to one of these places every Friday night, each fancy restaurant seems bigger and more luxurious than the other.

I can see my dad talking to uncle Levi both men roaring with laughter as they walk close side by side like best friends. My mother and aunt Rianna talk in hushed whispers long eveaning coats and high-heels at the centre of attention.

Vance is holding his iPad tapping away with his sticky hands as he chews on a chocolate bar. What a little brat I think to myself. I mean I love him and all but who brings an iPad out? It could get stolen or fall from his chubby hands and smash into tiny little pieces. He’s getting more and more spoilt each day. On his fifth birthday he counted all his gifts and started crying because he didn’t get fifty presents. Yes! he cried because there weren’t fifty wrapped gifts on a table in the living room. What’s wrong with him? Like I know he’s a child but he needs to stop. There’s kids younger than him who would be happy to even receive a pair of socks as a gift.

I glare at him as he sticks out a chocolaty tongue at me and carries on bragging to Rina about how many kills he got on fortnight. Yes he plays that game. You have to be 12 to play, but he’s only 8! I grab my phone and try to ignore the stares and awed-expressions. My family is rich. My dad is a successful businessman and my mom’s a nurse practitioner as well as head of a small company.

Uncle Levi is a surgeon but he also does some work exploring around the world with a group of scientists at our local university. His wife is a fashion designer and her brand has been expanding beyond the country. Looking at us you would see two powerful elite families and not just that but we are also blessed with good looks. I’m not trying to brag here but my parents do not look forty. Usually when I go out with my mom everyone asks, where are our parents. My mom just giggles and tells them she’s a mom of two. Honestly it’s kinda embarrassing but I cope. It’s not just her though my dad Went through lots of drama when he was at school. He didn’t have one but three girls crushing on him at once just because of his looks. He told us that having good looks isn’t always the best thing. He couldn’t be more right. My life at school isn’t exactly drama free either.

I glance at Zayden and wonder what he’s thinking about. Unlike the rest of his family who are all outgoing and sociable, he barely talks. He’s tall and dark with messy curly brown hair. He’s only a year older than me but he acts so grown up. Guess he matured quickly. Right now as I’m watching him from the corner of my eyes I can see that something has caught his attention on his phone. I decide to talk to him. After all this is a family outing and there’s no one else to talk to. I think boding with Zayden is a little overdue.

I walk towards him almost tripping on my heeled-boots. Zayden notices and looks at me strangely like I’m some sort of alien. Geez Has he never seen a girl almost trip before? I steady myself and take a step towards him.

“Hey Zayden, how’s it going?”

“How’s what going?” he answers quietly not really paying attention.

“I meant, how are you?”

“Not bad.” He answers simply.

“Well that’s good. So...another restaurant. I wonder what our parents will order for us this time. Maybe some more slimy uncooked fish,” I suggest.

A muscle in his jaw twitches as he almost smiles.

“I don’t know I’m happy with my food.”

“Ew really, I can’t believe you like raw fish.”

“Different people different preferences.”

“Whatever I’m going to be a vegetarian, meat makes me feel wierd,” I say making a face.

“Really? how about the times when you stuff your face with fried chiken or when you have three burgers when we order fast food?” he questions.

I turn red embarrassed. The guy knows me well. Of course he does.We’re literally always bribed by our parents to babysit our siblings when they go out. Our parents are besties and I probably see his face more than I see laiyla or Saemi. I’m not even joking. My family is either at his house or they are at ours. You would think that we are close, but no. The guy never talks to me. It’s always me who comes up with random things to talk about.

He smirks at me as I stutter on.

“Well that’s different, I was talking about raw meat not fried chicken or burgers.”

My mouth waters at the thought and suddenly my stomach rumbles.

Oh no please stop! Zayden can hear it too as he slowly turns towards me and raises an eyebrow before laughing out loud. That’s the first time I’ve seen him actually laugh. He either smirks, scowls or gives the tiniest of smiles.

“You must be really hungry,” he comments.

“Uh yeahh I skipped breakfast and lunch, I mutter embarrassed. Why won’t it stop! I plead in my head as it gives an even louder rumble.

Zayden laughs harder as my face turns beetroot.

“So hungry that your stomach won’t stop rumbling!” he cackles.

I fold my arms over my tummy and quickly walk towards mom. I sigh. finally we arrive at the restaurant. Why couldn’t we just drive right to the front instead of walking all the way.

I order a salad and a mini lavender and blueberry cheesecake. Biting into the creamy substance I feel content and joy. If desserts didn’t exist I don’t know what I’d do. I’m sitting in between Vance and Zayden. Two people who I don’t enjoy the company of. I can see Zayden eyeing me as I finish the last piece of my cheesecake.

“Is that enough for your hungry stomach?” he asks teasingly.

“Yes I’m very much full now, thanks for your concern,” I add sarcastically.

“Oh no I wasn’t concerned, I was going to asking if you wanted my pudding too.” He points to his untouched trifle.

That looks so good. I don’t think I can resist the beautiful cream filled pudding. I look at Zayden who’s playing with his hands still waiting for an answer. Is he really going to sacrifice his dessert, or is he joking?

“Sure I’ll have it we don’t want to waste good food right?”

He shoves his plate towards me unbothered.

I start digging in straight away. I catch mom looking at me in a wierd way. What? I’m just eating. Zayden’s not that bad I think to myself as I enjoy the delicious pudding.