Balls

53

A couple of weeks went by before Mrs Jogh finally called them back for a covert meeting. Besides the Student Affairs head and Mr Evans, a detective and a lawyer was also present.

"We're going to conceal Nastia's identity and use her involvement and statement in a charge we're pressing against Prof Egorov. We expect to settle this outside court, though," the lawyer said to Nastia's relief.

"Thank you, thank you," she said, sobbing in relief.

The Student Affairs head also said her counterpart at Gosu University has been informed and will do the necessary to help Nastia transfer her credits to another university that is closer to her hometown.

"I would like to apologize again, Mrs Jogh. I did what I did, knowing it would cause harm to the fish and your entire research. I can't apologize enough," she wailed between hiccups.

"It's not easy getting away from Egorov's claws, I've been there. Even my husband wasn't able to say no, that's how we all ended up here. There, there," Mrs Jogh said.

"Please let me continue serving you at the lab. I won't take my allowance. I will even do shifts for each of you," she promised Ballqis, Aga, Micah and Iqball who were also seated in the meeting as they had to sign a few documents.

"That, on top of classes and 80 hours of community service you needed to do around campus? You're going to be left without hours to sleep," Mr Evans cautioned.

"I'll help you do community work," Aga said suddenly, shocking everyone.

"I'll help too," Molly said.

"We'll help too," Ballqis said upon Iqball's nod.

Nastia wailed, this time even louder.

"Alright, I'll chip in a couple of hours," Mirna said with a smile towards the Russian girl.

"Fine, me too," Micah sighed.

Mr Evans raised a brow.

"Not bad, Nastia. Your friends are all rooting for your redemption," Mr Evans remarked dryly.

"I will never do anything bad in my life ever again, I promise!" Nastia said as she reign her tears and sobs.

***

Mrs Jogh wanted to communicate with T7 almost daily, so much so the fish complained.

I am a fish, he carped. I don't feel like talking. I want to be just a fish today, he summed before keeping his thoughts to himself.

Ballqis didn't dare repeat all that, so while she scribbled exactly what he said, she only told Mrs Jogh that the fish said he wasn't up for a conversation that day.

The next time T7 refused to talk, Mirna repeated exactly what he said to Mrs Jogh.

Is it human to be so curious? Aren't you tired asking questions all the time? he questioned, his tone full of attitude. Mirna backed off when Mrs Jogh asked her to be more persuasive.

T7 told Iqball he was tired of answering Mrs Jogh's query.

I'm glad the fries can't talk like I do. In fact I'm glad for the rest of the fish that they can't communicate with humans. It was easy when it was just talking to you. I don't like these questions she kept asking.

Iqball sighed.

"What is it? What did he say? Did he like fatherhood? Are the babies suddenly able to talk to him like he's talking to you? What did he say?" Mrs Jogh asked Iqball.

Ballqis, who was doing the bulk of the chore because Mrs Jogh wanted Iqball to play messenger, sighed as well.

"What did he say?" asked Mrs Jogh who had turned towards Ballqis.