HAZE

CHAPTER 6

VARIABLE WINDS

Amara struggled to chase the bus to wait for her. It was Tuesday morning, and she was supposed to travel home for her two-week holiday. Unfortunately, she'd overslept, and when she woke up, it was twenty minutes to the time her bus was scheduled to depart for Kiloris, her hometown. Taking a two-minute shower made her feel icky, but it was the best she could do. After putting on a flattering pair of blue jeans, she paired them with a grey t-shirt and comfortable sandals. The suitcases were a hassle to carry downstairs, but she did so and in no time hailed a cab to take her to the bus terminal. She was praying she wasn't too late, and as fate had it, the bus had not left. Her bags still had to be checked, and that took forever, making her have to chase after the bus, which she was certain could have left her without remorse if she hadn't run.

She finally sat down exhausted and slightly sweaty; as she caught her breath, she caught a familiar scent. She tried using her peripheral vision, but she was no expert at checking out. Eventually, she slowly turned her head to see who her seatmate was.

"Rick!" Amara found herself exclaiming, whether it was from excitement or embarrassment, she didn't know.

"I didn't picture you as someone who doesn't keep time."

"Ouch! I didn't picture you as the kind who judges." Amara retaliated, and they both smiled.

"So, is your home time Kiloris or do you stop somewhere along the way?"

"I am a proud Kiloris girl. Born and raised."

"Tell me more about it,"

"Wait, you have never been there?"

"No, never have I. However, my dad recently relocated there, and this holiday I have to stay with him."

Amara noticed the cold resentment in his voice at that statement, but she didn't want to pry. He might have said they were friends now, but she was certain their level of friendship was not yet at the point of asking certain personal things. Boundaries were one of those things she always tried to ensure she maintained.

She told him how small of a town it was, from the streets as old as the pyramids at Giza. The wisest and elderly claim that it existed way before the Arabs started trading in the eastern seas. It had a church at the center that only a few frequented because most people weren't religious; unless it was during Easter, Christmas or someone had passed on, a mass had to be done to help them transit safely to the afterworld.

She told him about the beliefs of her people; the Kilori. They embraced civilization while holding on to their cultural beliefs. She explained how having twins in the village would mean blessings in the next harvest and how they treasured circumcision as a rite of passage and conducted the ceremony religiously. They still believed in counting seasons in reference to the moon despite checking the regular calendar. She went on talking for almost four hours with Rick interrupting her to ask questions about what he did not understand or what he was curious about.

It was time for the first stopover. Some passengers had to descend the bus and others to board. For the passengers who were still going on with the journey, it was time to take a break from sitting down and empty their bowels and grab a snack.

"What would you like to eat?" Rick asked

"Make a choice," Amara said

Rick noticed a restaurant across the street. It was open-air towards the road and an extension with tree cover for shade. The tables were set for two. The tables close to the road had flower vases, and on the dark tree cover side, there were candles on red tins. Creating an exotic - romantic ambiance. The restaurant's centerpiece was an all-Oakwood reception area with food paintings and women carrying food baskets on the wall. The wine collection on the bar would attract anyone who dares have a glimpse of it, even from afar. Just like it did Rick, he instantly pulled Amara from going to the petrol station's cafe bistro, and they walked to that restaurant.