NATIA & The Invisible Island of Sawaiki

Legacy

She hadn’t even unpacked her luggage from the camping trip. She quickly put the dirty clothes in the hamper. ‘ The fewer the choices left, the more the time saved.’ She thought. She didn’t really care about what she wore. But, some of her favorite comfy clothes were now in the hamper. She will have to make do with the rest. She wondered if she had enough undergarments left.

’slippers, hiking boots, towels,...’she ticked off each item on her mental list while packing. What else? She looked around to see if she had missed something. She even took two formal looking dresses, just in case. Satisfied with herself, she went to have a quick shower and do other morning rituals.

When she got out of the bathroom, there was a steaming cup of coffee awaiting her on the study table, black without sugar, just how she liked it in the morning. She thanked grandpa in her mind. She was still tired and sleepy and was badly in need of some caffeine. There was a note with the coffee: ’Your brother is getting impatient.’ She shook her head and took a sip of coffee. She really didn’t take much time to get ready. The coffee finally managed to awake her fully and lift her spirits.

Grandpa and grandma preferred tea anytime of the day. While her mother, who used to stay up late for her research, needed more caffeine in the morning and drank coffee. Natia got the habit from her. Grandpa disapproved of it though. He was of the opinion that a youngster like her should be fresh and energetic after a goodnight's sleep, not by injecting a lot of caffeine into their system.

She took her backpack and turned to leave and accidentally knocked a book from the table. Encyclopedia of insects. It was the current book she was reading. It was from her mother’s collection. Her mother was more interested in insects at the time of her death, even though she was a marine biologist. She was conducting some experiments. Something went wrong and her lab caught fire. She died in the fire.

It reminded her of the journals grandpa gave her. Those that were not destroyed in the fire. Grandpa said her mother would have wanted her to have it. That it contains things she needs to know. Natia didn’t think much of it then. Her mother always wanted her to follow in her steps. To take part in her research with her when she gets older.

Natia sometimes felt these researches were some kind of family legacy. Grandma did her own research, even though she didn’t have much of a formal education. And mom once mentioned she got interested in the subject due to her mother. They always discussed their work; their theories and findings and such. Natia never took part in those discussions. She knew they expected her to follow that path. But, she never found that spark of interest which would motivate you to explore the subject more. Which was why she hadn’t taken a keen interest in reading her mother’s journals. But, just before she went for camping, she found out that not all of them were journals. Some were her mother’s diaries. Some grandma’s. It did awaken her curiosity. Why did grandpa give her those diaries?

It then dawned on her that when he said it contained things she needed to know, he might not have meant the research. Could it be that it contains things her mother and grandmother couldn’t tell her when they were alive? She didn’t have time to read it then. And when she asked about it at the time of camping, grandpa said she must read it as early as possible. He said he didn’t push it, because she was mourning her mother’s death and the diaries contain some things she would find hard to take in. He didn’t want to make things harder for her.

She then wondered what it could be and thought about all the possibilities. ‘were they some royal heirs in China? No, no. That was not something that would make things hard for her and also, being a descendent of the royal family could hardly mean anything in a communist republic. Were they revolutionaries against the communist government in China and seeking asylum in the U.S? Is grandpa still wanted by the Chinese government?

But, it was only grandma and mom’s diaries she needed to read. So, it must be related to them only. That means it must have started with grandma and passed on to mom. Is it something related to their genetic condition?

Was grandma a North Korean refugee? She had heard about human experiments in North Korea. Was grandma a victim and she somehow escaped to China and met grandpa? And whatever experiments were done on her resulted in her condition and was passed on to her mother. Hmm... it seems like a possible theory. But why would it make things any harder for her? She knew all about her genetic condition. Unless, they were still being hunted by the North Korean government. They want to destroy all the evidence of their human experiments to avoid global criticism.. Oh no!! NOT THAT, NOT THAT.. What else could it be then ?

Was grandma a Chinese spy? And mother followed her steps? It was possible. All their research discussions could actually be some spy work gatherings. Even the only guy mom was in a relationship with was a Russian, that is, from another communist nation, an obvious enemy of the U.S. Was it a joint operation by Russia and China? Mother’s death...Was it really an accident? Or was it that she was compromised and the FBI killed her? Are they now being watched by the FBI? To know about their involvement?’

She stopped her thoughts at that. These wild speculations were only raising her anxiety. It’s better she read the diary when she gets back home and knows about its contents then. She had made a mental note to do it at the earliest. But, now she has to go again.

She wondered if she should take a few with her to read it on the trip, but then decided against it. If it was something as important as to change her life, then she should read it in a calm surrounding, when she gets back home. It didn’t cause her any trouble not knowing until now. So, it could wait. She can endure the curiosity for a few more days. Don’t think about it during the trip. Just enjoy the trip, come back and then she could worry about whatever was in the diaries . She nodded to herself.

She took the Encyclopedia of insects with her though. What if she was bored during the trip? Usually, trips with papa were never boring. But, this time it was not just them and she didn’t know much about the others. Actually, she didn’t even know who all would be there. Was it just her, papa, Alexandr, Sofia and their step-mother, Vera? Or is papa’s sister Natasha’s family coming too? Both her paternal grandmother and grandfather were long dead. She should have asked Aleksandr or papa about it. She thought while descending the stairs.

“Is that it?!” Aleksandr asked, pointing to her backpack. He seemed surprised that she only had a little luggage. A large backpack and a small convertible bag.

“Yeah. Is there something specific I should bring on the trip? Dresses for some special occasions or activities, something like that?”

“No. It will be just visiting some tourist spots, hiking, some water sports and all that. I was just.. Never mind.” He stood up ready to leave. Then he paused like he was thinking about something; then opened his mouth but closed it without saying anything. Natia watched with curiosity. He wanted to ask something but was having a hard time actually doing it.

Aleksandr at last sighed and turned to her. “Did you at least take your medications?”

“Medications?” Now she was confused.

“You seemed to have anxiety problems earlier.”

“Oh that. It’s not that bad. I never had a panic attack or anything.”

Aleksandr opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and shook his head.

“Shall we go then?”

“Okay.” But she now caught him glancing at her arms and legs. He wanted to ask her about the skin problem but was restraining himself.

“It’s a genetic condition. It also doesn’t have any medication. I am currently not on any medication.” She offered.

“I didn’t ask.”

“Just saying.”

“Whatever. I just don’t want to run more errands again. It would be on my shoulders if anything happened.”

Natia didn’t say anything to that. Papa falling sick must have given him more responsibilities. Responsibilities that he is not used to.

“Here.” Grandpa came from the kitchen with a packet in his hand.

Natia was wondering where he had gone.

There was a disposable lunch box with sandwiches in the packet.

“We don’t have time to eat.” Aleksander was really impatient.

“Yeah. That’s why I packed them. You can eat it on the way to the airport.”

“That’s not necessary. We will have food on the plane.”

“But, it will take time to get on the plane, right?”

“No. It is a private flight charter. And we will-”

“Thank you grandpa.” Natia interrupted her brother. He glared at her and she scowled at him in return. What’s wrong with him?! Can’t he just accept it without making a fuss? Grandpa took some effort to make it.

She went forward and took the packet from grandpa. Then hugged him.

“Don’t forget to take your medicine.”

He chuckled and hugged her back. “You take care of yourself and have a nice trip. I will be fine.”

“Are you done? We are late.”

Natia groaned and turned to leave.