The Wizards of Xitt

Beyond the Horizon

CHAPTER FOUR

Beyond the Horizon

As a beautiful dawn broke through the sky and timid dews spread across the earth Kaila stirred from his bed but made no effort to stand. He laid back for another half hour or so, trying to understand things that had become clear yesterday, but which were no more clear. It was like the night had somehow befuddled his brain. He tried to remember all what had happened the previous day. Surprisingly, the first thing that came to his mind was in the shape of a woman; Ivy.

It was somewhat weird and a little alarming. He loved Malena so much, and he knew she loved him. He was even prepared to pledge his future to her. Yet, he would not miss a chance to flirt with little Ivy. If it was true that he had given all his heart to Malena, which heart was he still using to process whatever he felt for Ivy. Well, someone once said that love had a fraternal twin, and that humans had both.

Kaila got up and pulled open his window. He did not even remember to change into nightwear before falling asleep. He strolled to the living room. Everything was just as he had left them. The television was still on, and so was the light, despite the fact that enough sunlight was pouring in from the open window.

He tried the door and it gave way. Apparently, it was not locked the previous night, or Kaheola had left very early. But even he knew that the latter reason was not the case. Kaheola would never leave home that early, or more correctly, would never part from his bed that early. He often woke after seven, rushed a bath, then dressed and eat breakfast simultaneously. In fact, he often completed his dressing in the car or at the lobby of his workplace.

Kaila sighed, he ought to have called Malena by now. Probably, she might have cooled to a point of friendliness. He walked over to the telephone on the low table.

“How was your night Kyle, you gotta see this.” It was Malena’s very animated voice on the other end of the line. She did not sound sulky, worried, or even bitter. There was no tincture of the previous night’s anger.

“Where are you?” Kaila asked in a tone that suggested, a pint of jealousy was creeping into his heart.

“What do you mean? My room of course.” Malena replied. “Dear, the clue suggested a beach. It is by the beach that all elements but one briefly meet, all elements except fire.” It sounded reasonable. Earth water and air often come together briefly during high tide at the beach. “I wish we could see right now.”

“So why can’t we see?” Kaila asked, slightly annoyed at something he could not quite place. Then, it dawned on him, Malena’s mother. “That witch!” He snorted in a whisper but not into the mouthpiece.

“You know I’m in the Organizing Committee.”

“Oh,” It clicked. The Unveiling of the Huna chip by Professor Marvin Pretzel, the self-acclaimed professor of everything. His recent theories were still generating great ripples and bubbles in the scientific landscape.

“I thought you guys had a meeting around nine today?” Malena asked without much certainty.

“Which guys?” Kaila returned a question in surprise.

“Are you not supposed to be in the Logistics Sub-Committee?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Kaila drawled. How would he not forget? He had merely joined up to please Malena, and some other reasons he did not want to think of at the moment.

“Are you still aware that the Unveiling is tonight?”

“Couldn’t forget it-” Kaila said, but he knew that Malena did not believe him.

“Jacque said he sent you a mail about the meeting.”

“My laptop is dead. I’ll check out the mail when I’ve powered it.”

“Just be quick about it. I think he said nine.”

“Okay-”

“Alright then.”

“Leena?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you.” Kaila breathed into the mouthpiece.

Malena hesitated, then said in a very pleasant voice. “You know I’ll always love you.”

“Bye then.”

There was a crackling sound on the other end before the line went dead.

Kaila considered the last few lines of their conversation. He wondered if there was any possibility that those line would change in the next few year.

He rolled up his eyes and tried to focus on any thought, which might be unfortunate enough to wander into his heart. Unfortunately, all the thoughts seemed to have been forewarned to steer clear.

Kaila rose and searched his backpack for the laptop adaptor. The backpack had spent the night in the sitting room. Kaila did not have the opportunity or willingness to take it inside the previous day. He found the adaptor, connected it to a socket, and then to the laptop.

Kaheola wandered in just as the laptop began a brief booting. He was munching an apple and was so drained by sleep that he looked almost pale. Kaila had not even bothered to check on him the previous night. He knew that the only thing that could seal Kaheola inside the house in the evening was sleep. And the young man was so terrific at sleeping. In fact, Kaheola could be undressed while he was asleep and he will still not wake up. Fortunately for him though, in recent times, his system had gotten used to waking at seven a. m. no matter how late he slept. If not, the young man would have still been in the unemployment market. Because in Honolulu, majority of the good jobs for first-degree holders required early risers. Before seven, there is almost nothing that could rouse Kaheola from bed.

“Good morning Garry.” Kaila greeted. His minor uncle was not one of those people who was down with their traditional names. Only people like Aunties Puanani and Charlotte could still call him Kaheola without getting any angry retort.

“Yea Kyle. Ani bodi see mi?”

“Na,” groped Kaila. His eyes had returned to his Apple Mac. “Ai slip tu mach yestanait.”

Kaheola crossed over to the window. Kaila followed his Uncle with his eyes. He found Ivy doing her usual passing ritual. She was regarding number Twenty Four Tenth Avenue with a longing that was not hidden. The young girl was moving again when Kaheola commented.

Kaila did not hear Kaheola’s comment. He was trying to think of one good excuse to stray outside. Maybe, he could exchange a greeting or two with Ivy. He knew the girl would pass again in the next fifteen minutes or thereabout.

“That girl is getting sizzling hot!” Kaheola whispered in a noisy manner. Kaila turned his eyes from Ivy and found Kaheola watching him.

Kaheola shook his head. A sinister smile crept onto his lips. Kaila could see that his beady eyes were puffy and a shade darker. His face was still pale and his smile was like a circus clown’s. Kaila wondered why someone who had just woken from sleep would look thus. If anything, Kaheola should look refreshed and renewed. Well, they say excess of everything is bad, even sleep too.

“If you asked me, I would say, as long as Malena doesn’t know.” Kaheola said shrugging.

“She is way too...”

“Who cares if she’ll be eighteen in the next Century?” Kaheola interjected. “When a girl is that hot and needs your attention. You give it to her. You think the Judges or even members of the grand jury would not take off their foggy glasses to give that girl better appraisal?” He continued. His eyes jerked to the wall clock. There was a faint trace of alarm on his face as he inched towards the inner door.

At the edge of the door, he stopped.

Kaila’s eyes had followed him all the way, waiting for more.

“Wake up man. Don’t let those Prudes who call themselves law makers, or law givers, bully you into living like the pre-historic Neanderthals. This is the Twenty First Century.” With that, Kaheola left, closing the door behind himself.

Kaila smiled; he had heard many versions of this same sermon from Kaheola too many. For people like Kaheola, life was nothing other than a short adventure of crude fun. It ought to be experienced in absolutism. Things like law breaking, jail time, or even death were just bits of the side effects that made the fun worthwhile. Yet, in his twenty-eight years of life, Kaheola had managed to keep some safe distance from his so-called side effects of fun making. His only brush up with a law that was not so friendly was some years ago. He had been nabbed for starting a fight in a bar; he had still been released without charges.

After navigating his way to his inbox in the Apple Mac, Kaila found the supposed mail from Jacque. It confirmed Malena’s claims that he had a meeting at nine O’clock. There were also other mails. One was from his pen pal in Egypt. Another from a mystery girl who professed to be in love with him, but which he had not yet got round to replying. There was a surprised mail from Howa Wears informing him that his order would be ready later that day. The only problem was, he did not order anything. It seemed Malena was trying to dress him up for the unveiling, it would not be the first time. Especially, when she wanted to make sure he had no reason to say no.

Kaila replied the messages he deemed merited replies and logged off. His mind then preceded him to the Kitchen, just before his stomach began to grumble.

A huge pile of dirty dishes were among his welcome party when Kaila arrived at the kitchen some moments later. There were dirty pots on the gas cooker, and dirty tea sets on the long refrigerator. Every other occupant of the large kitchen was so much in need of arrangement or cleansing that Kaila shuddered to think of it. If only Mama Martha could stray into the Kitchen at the moment. She would rain down curses on both he and Kaheola for allowing her beloved kitchen degenerate thus.

In mama’s time, who are you to leave even an apple stalk on the sink? The place was like an administrative office to her and she often made sure the place was close to being sterile. Kaila turned to the low table and long cushion chair. Mama could always be found there knitting a yarn or reading a newspaper from behind her telescopic glasses. As it was, Kaheola’s sweat shirt patronized the chair, and a plate of food he may have eaten three days ago, balanced on the table.

Some rain clouds began to gather in Kaila’s mind, he missed mama so much. The very last cord between the Kawikas, broken so cruelly by the cold pincers of death.

Of course, most of the family had lived in number Twenty Four Tenth Avenue during mama’s days. Even Aunty Charlotte who was married and given the other family house in Bethany usually retreated to Tenth Avenue on every major holiday. She usually came with Uncle Jeff and little Jack.

Kaila sighed, Christmas was approaching. It used to be his favourite time of the year. Due to the very important addition of Uncle Jeff to the family. The man was everything a boy wanted in an Uncle and more. He was always full of smiles and fun, and very playful. You just could not help being grateful that there were people like Uncle Jeff in your life.

In truth, most of Kaila’s album was occupied by the happy images of Uncle Jeff in varying poises and locations. Some were with him, and some without, only very few featured Kaheola, who was not as much, a fan of Uncle Jeff. And that was because, what Uncle Jeff classified as fun did not appeal to Kaheola. Everything, except the skiing on the recently named Mount Kaneka. Kaheola would not miss that for all the women in Honolulu. And it was because of this singular activity that Kaheola often tended to miss Uncle Jeff. Thus, anticipating his coming as much as Kaila did every Christmas.

There was usually no dull moment with Uncle Jeff. It was either he was acting out with him and Jack, or he was teasing everyone else in the house to their amusement. Even the comic books Uncle Jeff brought along, had a way of being more enjoyable than the ones Kaheola usually brought from College. In fact, Uncle Jeff was Kaila’s most favourite person in the world. And he would never squander an opportunity to spend a day or two in Bethany if Uncle Jeff was around.

Kaila had even wished he knew his father, and that his father was a lot like Uncle Jeff. But Keoni Maentel had bowed so easily to death, forgetting that he had just begotten a son who would have great need of him.

Kaila was not the only Kawika who found Uncle Jeff irresistible. Aunty Charlotte was possessed with happiness, all thanks to her handsome husband. Kaila swore, there was no woman happier than Aunty Charlotte. In fact, he had come to an erroneous assumption that the Richards was the happiest marriage on earth. Not until, he had witnessed a very hot quarrel over what could be classified as nothing.

But at least Aunty Charlotte was happy most of the time, that was all that mattered. Rules are still rules, though they account for only about ninety eight percent of cases. There is always a one or two percent of the cases termed ‘the exception’.

Mama Martha was also to a large part, often grateful to have Uncle Jeff as a son-in-law. If not for anything, for all the smiles and tears of joy Uncle Jeff alone could make of her tired relief. Although no one argued the fact that what gave mama Martha more joy were her glorious grandchildren, and Kaila happened to be one of them.

Well, every one of the Kawikas had their own natural charms and charisma. Together, they usually injected lots of bliss into the wintry white Christmas at a frisky Dalmatian building on Tenth Avenue. And truthfully, this bliss had been conspicuously missing during the last half a dozen or so Christmas. Ever since Mama Martha left them without saying goodbye.

It had been just like the dream he had that night. Mama had left him in the kitchen with a kiss on his temple. She had made him toast bread to eat with scramble egg. Then she had left through the kitchen’s other door, promising, she would not be going far, she would be around the turn.

She was very beautiful in her favourite deep pink trousers suit, with floral design and a black band about the edges. Her hair was loose and flapping elegantly against the morning wind. Her feet were adorned by light pink mules, fitted with golden braces that reflected the power of the morning sun. And surprisingly, she had nothing in her hands, not even her favourite wool-encased long purse.

Kaila had woken when mama had disappeared beyond the horizon. The tall pines may have swayed and waved their goodbyes, and perhaps, she may have answered them.

Inside mama’s room, Kaila had switched on the wooden cone-topped bedside lamp. The lamp often reminded him of the hat used by some oriental farmers to seek mercy of the sun. He had found mama smiling up at him from beneath her thick paisley duvet bedcover. She was adorned in the flowery nightdress she favoured above all other. But there was definitely something missing from her. Hardly would anyone enter mama’s room without prising her from the numb hands of sleep, to either full consciousness or cause her to turn over. That night, mama did none of these, she was obviously gone beyond the duny horizon of this life.

Kaila’s heart and eyes had began to cloud. If only he had not gotten angry with mama before going to bed. They would have said a proper goodbye, maybe hug one last time. He could have watched that stupid cowboy movie mama had insisted on watching instead of fussing over a useless Television Series he could always rent later.

“I’m sorry.” It was all Kaila could managed before the tears broke what little restraint kept them from their rightful course. The tears gave his cheeks the impression of being drowned. However, it glistened a little against the borrowed light of the sun, piercing through the kitchen shutters.

Mama’s lips had seemed to twinkle a little, and had seemed to expand a while. Kaila just could not bring himself to believe he would not be seeing that face again. He had ran back to his room.

Apparently, he was wrong because he had never stopped seeing mama’s face within the confines of the house. She was often either smiling at him or speaking without words. Even now, he could see her by the microwave retrieving her toast. She often loved her bread well toasted, deep brown. Then she was gliding to the coffee pot, and pouring out the freshly brewed coffee into her favourite light aquamarine soup mug.

Kaila could smell it now. That strong flavor of ground ginger, which mama loved adding to her coffee while brewing. The very flavor that usually haunted his early morning sleep. Not that Kaheola would let him sleep anyway; they had both shared a room back then. They were ‘growing men’ then not ‘boys’ as Kaheola would not hesitate reminding a stubborn Aunty Puanani. Kaheola often made so much fuss when Aunty Puanani came to wake him that it was just as good as coming to wake them both. Being the wiser, Kaila often did most of his own apportioned work before going to sleep, especially during the holidays. His main aim was to stay in bed as long as he liked the following day. Trust Mama Martha, to make it worth his while. She would bring a mug of that strongly flavored coffee to him on the bed, pull up a seat and talk about this or that. Who moved into or out of the area, her own youthful days; all the ingredients that would make up either fresh or stale gossip.

Kaila had often been wide-awake, though pretended to be asleep when the doorknob turned. Mama Martha usually announced her entrance by placing a very sweet kiss on his forehead, then pull up a chair beside the bed. She would wink her craggy eyebrow when Kaila pretended to be just stirring from a very long and restful sleep.   

Everyone was aware that Kaila was mama’s favourite, Kaheola being mama’s last-born had not been too please. Which last-born would be pleased that someone else was getting over seventy percent of his mother’s attention. But Kaheola’s minor resentment did not stop him from making a joke out of the situation. “Mama’s pet!” He often threw at Kaila. “Mama’s doll,” he would say when some of the other kids in the area were around. In fact, to Kaila’s annoyance, ‘Dolly’ had come to replace his name in College, even Aunty Puanani got used to it at one point.

For Kaila though, it did not matter. Those early mornings spent with mama when everyone else was working either outside or inside the house was worth looking forward to. And he would not hesitate to finish up his apportioned work late in the night just to earn that glorious hour or so. With a hot tea or coffee rousing his dry throat, as it trickled down his gut. Adding different shades of colour to his face and brightening him up for the day. They were the happiest moments of his life, and in mama, he saw a mother and father he had never met.

Kaila stirred as the unkempt kitchen came back into view. Six years had slouched past since mama went beyond the horizon. And in truth, life had never been the same in number Twenty Four, Tenth Avenue. There had been no living in the house since then, no Christmas or Christmas Parties, not even a mountain skiing with Uncle Jeff.

Letting out a very heavy sigh that would have set a huge ship to sail, Kaila walked up to the coffee pot. He poured himself a cup of hot coffee. The Electric Coffee Pot was one of Uncle Jeff’s numerous gifts to Mama Martha. It had both a timer and a clock, and could be preset to start up at any particular time. The Kawikas had unanimously agreed to set the start up time for two a. m. and six a. m. to ensure that coffee was always ready when anyone woke.

Kaila chanced a glance at the silver-rimmed wall clock and swore. He knew he could never make it to the meeting before it started, but he had to attend all the same. He wanted tonight to succeed as much as anyone else.

Kaila covered the distance between the coffee pot and the door in a few rare strides. Within a second, he was through the door and out of the kitchen.

Later that morning Kaila eased an ash Hyundai Centauri round the glassy Physics and Astronomy Open House. He came to a halt just beside the double-doored entrance, enjoying the car’s momentary sigh. He alighted with practiced ease, and his eyes darted towards the dome roof. Two years ago, that was where he took his first gaze into the Heavens. The school’s Star Gazing Party had turned out to be one of the most exciting events he had been to in the school. And not just for any fortunate or unfortunate happening, but for the Star Gazing itself. He had come to understand that the stars were not just placed in the heavens at random. The scarred guide had painstakingly explain that bit.

In the dry and windy November night, Antares, the brightest star in the Scorpius Constellation according to the guide had stood out beautifully. The guide had gone ahead to explain that the star exerted most of the influences associated with Scorpius. Kaila had moved the silver Telescope from one field of view to the next. The guide had dutifully indicated other stars like Graffias, Sargas, Dschubba, Jabba, and so forth.

From childhood, Kaila had never really taken to all those balderdash of Astrology. That is, being able to predict a person’s most likely daily moods, fortunes and misfortunes through stargazing and deducing from analyzing the synastry of the stars involved. Astrology was not a favourite of Kaila’s. It was too full of assumptions like the sea was full of water, more the reason why he disliked it. Oftentimes, it was a complete contradiction when compared to the relative behavior of the individual under the influence of the constellation. It was never absolute in anything, just like the history he was majoring in. Dependent always on such variables as sources, environmental factors, standards and so on.

Professor Alana had thought them that they should always remember to calculate errors for these variables before ascertaining any historical fact. According to him, the most important of these was the ‘Error of Sources’. He held that fear, bias and a natural tendency of the human mind to overstate or understate event, could lead to falsifying a true historical event. Thus, it is only by calculating for such errors does one get something close to the true historical event.

But Astrology was quite different from History in that it depended solely on the alignment of the heavenly bodies throughout the year. Kaila sighed; perhaps, the Heavens did build some meaning as well as mysteries into the stars.

Kaila exchanged greetings with two giggling first year girls who had made it a point of duty to greet him anywhere they met him. He passed them and decided to put some paces into his strides.

By the time Kaila reached the room where the meeting was taking place, the meeting had long started. Jacque Fillong was informing the gathered students about the firm he had contacted to arrange the public address system, projector and other necessary equipment. Jacque Fillong was a handsome boy with peaceful blue eyes. He was an averagely built French–born Hawai’ian boy who chaired the Logistic Sub-Committee of the Unveiling. And it was just as deserved, the boy knew loads about stage lighting, sound mixing and management, amongst other things delegated to the Committee.

The meeting was soon distracted by the somewhat noisy arrival of Jessica Rutherford. Jessica was a third year girl who loved to show off her beautiful skin. She had chosen a lilac chiffon that did a very poor job of being called clothe. Even Jacque lost the thread of his speech as his eyes followed Jessica to one of the empty seats at the back. Jessica sat about two rows from the rest of the Sub-Committee, and no one knew why.

Jacque cleared his throat noisily to retrieve the attention of everyone. A girl to the right of Kaila hissed maliciously, Kaila turned to see the flaming face of Patricia Bosqworth. Being from the same class, Kaila suspected that the petit girl hated or even loathed Jessica. He turned instinctively to see Pate Eiderfield fidgeting on his seat. He was just turning his attention from the direction in which Jessica sat. Kaila smiled; no wonder Patricia’s face was such a hot cauldron. She and Pate were supposed to be dating, though it seemed Pate had often preferred he was dating Jessica.

“...We meet at HiSAM around three pm. The unveiling is billed to start by seven...” Fillong’s voice trailed onto the loud ringing of Jessica’s phone. It was one particular lousy type of modern rock music, the type called ‘metal’.

“Sorry,” Jessica mumbled, and then rushed out of the room to answer the call.

Kaila found both annoyance and lustful appraisal etched between Jacque’s brows as his attention turned back to them. He hurriedly gave them other instructions, and what he considered vital information. They will also be controlling the Hologram-like bath that will hold the Huna chip when it is being unveiled. Jacque was calling for suggestions on how best to unveil the Huna chip when Jessica walked back in.

“Would there be room for us to change? Some of us live quite far from the Capitol building.” It was Patricia’s high-pitched shrill rather than speech. The girl was bent on bringing everyone’s attention and longing to her rather petit frame. She was of African-American descent, but her opalescent eyes and golden skin made it barely believable.

Patricia’s ploy worked for a brief period because everyone cast surreptitious glances at her, and did not return them to Jessica. Yet, when Jessica dragged out her chair noisily to sit down, everyone got excuses to slip livid attentions backwards.

Jacque Fillong lost the reply he was about to make, not until Sarah Ximena, another of the three girls in the Sub-Committee stood up. The effect was instant; every eye revolved to Sarah in seconds, including Patricia’s which was purposefully not looking at Jessica. Kaila noticed a quick transformation in Patricia’s features. It was no longer livid and seemingly hot, but warm with some degree of admiration.

Sarah was by far taller and more beautiful than Jessica. However, her quietness of attitude and voice made sure she blended into any environment, though not completely. Probably owing to the fact that she was unavailable, many boys purposefully looked away from her. Her unavailability though, did not bother on the fact that she was seeing someone, Kaila knew of none. Yet, every time one saw Sarah, one saw the neon signs boldly etched against her forehead. She just did not know how to exude any kind of green light, or offer any kind of encouragement.

Sarah shot a disapproving glance at Jessica as she began to speak in a manner that made every word distinct and every syllable stressed. “Jessica, we would really appreciate it if you do not distract us further...”

“Oh I’m sorry.” Jessica threw impatiently in a soothing though somewhat childish voice. She was flustered and embarrassed.

Kaila caught Patricia beaming at Sarah, as the other girl whispered into Jacque Fillong’s ears. Kaila immediately remembered that Sarah was next to Jacque, the Secretary or something. He had not attended a quarter of the meetings since the Committee was constituted two months ago.

Jacque straightened after Sarah took her seat. His expression was stern and though Kaila did not hear what Sarah had said, he knew it included a reproof. “Yeah Patricia, there’s a room, though I don’t have the keys yet.” He confided again in Sarah through a close whisper. When he raised his head again, he seemed relaxed. “Well, that is everything- see you guys at Capitol building by three.”

A few people shuffled quickly to their feet and shook hands with Kaila and each other. Kaila realized that the reason why he and these people were now hurrying out of the room was the bad leadership style of Jacque. He delegated work verbally, but often ended up doing the work himself. And he did not see anyone’s idea as being better than his. So Kaila, like most of the eleven people in the committee had decided to glide along with Fillong to wherever. If the guy crashed, they pull aside, if he does not, they partake in the glory. But Kaila doubted he would have been anymore committed had Fillong truly wanted to be followed.

Outside the Physics and Astronomy open room. It was easy to find his Hyundai Centauri, but there was a problem. Jessica had parked her red CRV in such a way that it was impossible for Kaila to move his car out of the lot. He went purple in the face. The fact that he had not yet made the Headline for the ‘Gossipers’ Dailies’ or roused good scandal, had been the fact that he had kept well clear of people like Jessica Rutherford. Apparently, not anymore, and part of his mind told him that Jessica parked the car intentionally.

Kaila was not unaware of the fact that he was top on many girl’s list. But he could not hide the fact that many of them liked him better because he had stuck for so long with Malena. Kaila could not also deny the fact that he was good looking, and could command the wills of many women.

Jessica was one of those women who seemed to have been magnetized by Kaila’s enigmatic features. In fact, she had made Kaila a prime target of all her flirtations, though she had little chance or space. She had never missed a chance to flirt with Kaila. Unlike most of the other guys she flirted with for a definite period of time. Kaila’s had no season, apparently, no end in sight. Kaila was already suspecting that conquest often quelled her interest in people. More the reason he thought she had not yet managed to get attached.

Kaila dashed inside and found Jessica being cornered by one of the Logistics Sub-Committee boys; Glen, in the near deserted hallway. Jessica was backing him, so he cleared his throat to get her attention.

She turned and beamed with something close to joy. Her incandescent brown eyes seemed to sparkle against the light orange of her skin.

Kaila found his voice congealed, his vocal cords seemed to have been temporarily immobilized. He managed a feeble “can I see you Jessica” that was not audible even to his own ears. He repeated himself more loudly, and when he got a disapproving gaze from Glen, he added “when you are through- I’ll wait right here.”

“Oh come on,” Jessica beamed. Kaila suspected she already knew why he wanted to see her. “Glen was just going. See you around G.”

Glen did not say anything as he turned to hobble down the empty hallway. The boy seemed glad for one thing though, there were no watching eyes. However, that did not stop Glen’s head from dropping below his shoulder as he walked away.

Jessica sighed pleasantly. She took Kaila’s hand in her own and led the way. Kaila too was glad there were no watching eyes, if not, he knew the news would have perfused the school before sundown.

Halfway through the door, Jessica tilted her face upwards as if she expected Kaila to swoop down and kiss her. When Kaila did not say or do anything she c****d an eye and whispered “yeah.”

“Oh, your car.” Kaila croaked.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know it was your car. ‘Got stuck, ‘tried reversing- and I was very late.” Jessica dropped her head as she tried to piece together the explanations. “So are you coming to the Unveiling alone?” She quickly changed the subject. Kaila had already guessed that half or almost all the explanations were false.

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh you’ve not asked yet?” Jessica’s eyes were sparkling when she raised them again to meet Kaila.  She did not need Kaila’s nod to know that she had struck a pot of gold.

Instinctively, it occurred to Kaila what she was thinking. He knew that even if he could he would never ask her to the Unveiling. But Jessica should have known better that even if he asked somebody or not. The fact that he was going out with Malena meant that they would be at the Unveiling together, whether he asked her or not.

“Well, I’ve not yet decided who I’m going with, though, so many people have already asked me.”

Thankfully, they were already out of the door and sighting the two cars prevented Kaila from making any reply. He gently extricated his hand from Jessica’s clutch and pretended to be searching for his car keys. Jessica however, did not stroll off to her car.

Kaila turned a wary glance at her.

“Can you help me turn it out. I’m not sure I’m up to the task of driving right now.” Jessica said feebly. She was holding out a collection of keys that had a furry squirrel doll attached to it.

Kaila collected the keys without a word and turned away a building staid expression. On his way to Jessica’s car Malena called. She told him that she just got off the phone with the people at Howa Wears. Apparently, they had been to number Twenty Four Tenth Avenue and had found no one. She had informed them that someone would come and pick it up later.

Jessica’s car was unusually cozy and very spacious. Kaila coveted it silently. If only his own parent had not made it utterly impossible for him to cash in on their life savings till he was a balding twenty-four, he would have thought of getting a car like it. Not that he was not grateful for the Centauri uncle Jeff bought him, but he truly liked big cars.

He started the car and inched it close to the huge pine tree growing in a stoned-in grassy area. Jessica did not actually come closer, she was still where Kaila had left her, beside his own car. She was appraising him behind the wheels of what should actually be her favorite car.

Jessica was one of those few people who had almost everything one wanted in life. Everything, except what only life itself can give. For instance, she would have loved to be a little taller. Kaila had noticed that from the wide array of high heel shoes she wore. She would also have liked to have a heart that was content in conquest. Her biggest problem however, was the fact that she had too much. As such, she also worried too much, especially, about the few things she did not have. But who cared about her natural flaws, Jessica was a person, people found difficult not to give second gazes, even without her noisy and fluffy attitude.

Kaila stepped out of the car and crossed over to Jessica. She was waiting with a grateful smile, and something else Kaila could not read. He handed her the keys and she closed her hand around them nervously. It seemed she was close to words, but Kaila was grateful no words came. Not even a thank you!

Kaila realized shockingly that he had expected Jessica to try and hug him goodbye, and he would accept it reluctantly. Maybe, the girl was as childish as he had just gotten to know. Her car was so full of teddies that Kaila had wondered momentarily if it was a toy shop.

He turned to his car warily and was a step farther when Jessica’s hiss of a speech reached him. “Can- you p-please drop me o-off- I’ll ask our d-driver to p-pick up the car l-later.”

Kaila wanted to ask her to repeat herself but there was no need. He had gotten the crux of her speech; she wanted him to drop her off. He considered the request for a moment or two and it seemed he was going to say no. Then, he beamed at her and exhaled “Hop in!” A part of his mind though kept telling he would live to rue the decision.

The interior of his car, Kaila was sure would not be as cozy and comfortable as Jessica’s CRV. But, be it playacting or true, Kaila was surprised when Jessica leaned back and a smile of contentment or appreciation crawled across her face.

“What air freshener is it, ‘smells like my dad’s.”

“That would be Purcelli.” Kaila boasted, pointing to a triangular cellophane material hanging from the rearview mirror. Kaila thought of an ad he had seen. How Purcelli had mesmerized a lady, he was not sure if that was the case here.

“I always think most men are alike.”

“That would depend on the context...” Kaila mused and looked up preparing to slam the brakes. There was no need though, the group of four chattering boys had seen him coming and jumped off to the pavement. Afterwards, Kaila did not take his eyes off the winding and branching driveway again. Although, the school was not as busy as it used to be.

Outside the gate, Kaila had to wait for a while because the road was a little busy. He cast a backward glance, mainly to take in the huge stone slab that bore the logo of the University. The logo was a globe in whose middle was a torch and a book titled ‘MALAMALAMA’, meaning ‘Light of Knowledge’. Just below the lowest tip of the torch was a bold writing 1907. Actually, the school was founded as a Land Grant College under the terms of the Morill Act of 1862 for the benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. The school had however outgrown its primary goals and was presently a force to be reckoned with in the fields of Astronomy, Medicine, Marine Sciences, Linguistic, Law, Geophysics, Comparative Physiology, Hawai’ian, and Pacific Studies. Kaila did not need to look at the words written around the globe, it was also boldly written above the gate. ‘University of Hawai’i, Mānoa’. He turned a glance at Jessica, she was mouthing the motto, which was written both in Hawai’i and English. “Ma luna ale o nā, lāhui a pau ke ola ke kanaka.” “Above all Nations is Humanity.”

Jessica forced a smile at him and blinked seductively as Kaila found a space in the traffic and turned the car into the road. She finally finished milling the discussion that was at the mills of her lips for quite a while striking up a discussion about the Huna Chip. They discussed about the possible components of the Huna chips and it probable uses.

Kaila was surprised to realize how much Jessica knew about the Huna Chip. According to her, it was a product of the alleged dark technology first reported in Africa. The dark Technology was a technological procedure that differed so much from the norm. It conspicuously involved the inclusion of certain metamaterials to reduce the technological complexity of the intended device. They finished products were said to work more efficiently.

The Huna chip was supposedly made of a particular substance. A substance believed to have been of great interest to scientists and alchemist since the early days of science. Among the numerous properties attributed to this material was dimensional expansivity and cellular logetivity. Apparently, Professor Pretzel had found a way to manufacture a synthetic form of the substance. He had alloyed the substance to a metamaterial before incorporating it into the Huna chip. Jessica believed that if the Huna chip was incorporated into the processing units of Solar Probes. The solar probes would be able to discover any hidden world out there. She also believed that the Huna chip would also greatly expand the dimensions of a simple astronomical telescope.

Kaila was so impressed with Jessica that he kept sliding brief appreciative glances at her. At least Jessica was not only full of flirts and flips; she also had some sort of brains in her skull. He drove past Huuanu Avenue, which was supposed to be where Howa Wears was located. He headed for the paved paths of Dillingham Boulevard under directions from Jessica.

After negotiating all the necessary turns and bends, Kaila pulled up beside a tall black gate. Much of the visible house was draped in Celestial white grainy tiles.

Jessica was beaming at Kaila when he turned his attention to her. He expected her to have unlocked the door by now. “Thank you so very much.” She said through the smiles. “I owe you one.”

Kaila did not say anything. He was not sure his voice was still a loyal member of his body, it might betray him outright. Truth was, the short journey had completely changed his perception about Jessica. He felt the need to treat her with a little more respect and consideration.

Another car drove past and before Kaila knew what was happening. He saw a lock of hair floating towards him. Then, Jessica’s heavily painted lips took his lips in a passionate kiss. Kaila did not really kiss her back, he did not push her away either. He relaxed the hand that had shot forth to push off Jessica. Kaila knew he ought to push her off, but he did not. Slowly, Jessica coaxed and teased his mouth apart. And just as he was about to return the kiss with the same ferocious intensity, Jessica pulled apart.

She was looking slightly crestfallen, when she dragged her eyes upwards. The sparkles were still there and Kaila swore he could see a note of triumph scripted somewhere between her brows.

“Sorry.” Jessica mumbled weakly.

Kaila was too confounded for words and his face was expressionless.

Jessica sighed. “See you later.” She smiled again and alighted from the car.

Kaila sped off without waiting for anyone to answer Jessica’s bell at the huge black gate. He just did not understand what was going on anymore. He had come this close to returning Jessica’s kiss, something that would have been utterly impossible before today. He did not want to believe that the world was nothing other than a large playground. That a man could not even choose his own playmates, let alone, decide what he will play.