Shadowed Scales

Chapter 9: Yaksha's Mischief, Zotz's Passion

_CHAPTER NINE_

Yaksha's Mischief, Zotz's Passion

"What are you doing?" a sleepy voice made Sameer whipped his head around to meet a pair of amber eyes staring back into his carnelian ones. Talia had a few wrinkles at the corner of her eyes due to the lack of sleep.

"Shouldn't you be studying for you exams?"

"Life isn't always about studying, little brother," Talia retorted, patting his back. She peered over his shoulders to see what he was doing on the family's computer. It was full of temples, ancient drawings and faded symbols.

"No, I am not joining a cult," Sameer replied, his eyes resumed to computer screen. He smiled a little at the thought of his sister assuming things about him. They both care about each other yet they don't not know each other well enough.

"Hmm, they only do the interesting stuff once I left primary," Talia rolled her eyes, smiling. "You better do your best, brother dear. Don't want Baba and Mama to punish us like what I've heard."

Sameer gave his sister a glare. She never had to experienced certain expectations like he does despite her being the oldest. Talia never had to follow their parents' ideas and pathways from what he could tell. He assumed his parents does this to him only because he was their son.

In cobra culture, sons were to uphold the family name while the daughters were treasured and presented as precious jewels.

Once he was done, Sameer decided to go to bed. He paused at the single egg that was wrapped in a few blankets, keeping it warm. He slithered close to it, placing his head on top of the shell carefully.

"I hope you hatch out into a boy," he whispered, barely audible to his own ear canals. "That way, I don't have to face Mama and Baba alone."

Gently, he pressed the egg with a kiss before turning in for the night.

...

"...so, that's why the pyramids are still standing to this day," Sameer finished his presentation. His chosen topic was about how the pyramids were built and how they don't crumble over the centuries.

He brought a few photos from his vacation trip two years ago where they went on a tour to see the pyramids and crossed the longest river on a boat that was shaped like the old barge in ancient times.

Of course, only Arthur couldn't see the images since he was cocking his head to the side in confusion.

"That's very good, Sameer!" his teacher clapped, signalling the class to follow suit. But then that was short-lived when he began to rap the board to signal the class to be silent.

"We have a few more presenting tomorrow. That includes you Arthur," He regarded the bat, who only had a nervous smile. Sameer couldn't imagined how scary it must have been to be included despite not having all of the main senses.

Then again, Sameer sometimes wished he doesn't have to see all the class staring back at him when he presents. It made him feel uncomfortable to have many pair of eyes staring at him with high expectations.

He wondered how Talia handles all the pressures at secondary school without having her classmates asking about their parents?

When school was over, Sameer noticed Arthur hanging upside down on one of the thick tree branches. Curiously, he slithered over to see what the bat was up to. He was surprised to find him reading upside down.

Well, pointing one of his fingers on a dotted page of the book.

"Hey," Sameer called out, making the bat stiffed up from his hanging position. Seeing Arthur almost dropping his book, the Egyptian cobra lifted his head to catch the book before it could hit the ground.

"T-thank you," Arthur squeaked nervously. But then his cloudy blue eyes narrowed, something the cobra did not expect. "What do you want from me?"

That's not a good start he thought to himself. Nonetheless, he straightened himself up to face the bat's distrustful expression. "I saw you reading and was wondering what book you are reading?"

"...Why do you want to know? You want to have a scrap with me again?"

"No, no! I just want to know since I read books too. Well, about..."

"The library, isn't it? Well, you won't have to worry about me since I will never go there again."

"Arthur," Sameer began but the bat opened his mouth and then closed it. "I..."

"I hear my dad calling me. Just don't follow me back."

With that, Sameer was left alone as the Honduran white bat leaped down gracefully, putting on his shoes as he stumbled his way to an older bat who sports round glasses that enhanced his amber eyes.

The older bat, glanced at Sameer, had his brows furrowed while his mouth revealed a single tooth that was sharp enough to pierce his scales. He recalled tales back in kindergarten about Vampyrums but then again, Honduran white bats could fit the description with their leaf-shaped noses and pure white fur that resembled a ghost.

Sameer prayed that his father does not find out about this.

...

"So, about Arthur and Dr Kirk," his father continued, making Sameer fidget in his seat. He hated getting a one-on-one talk with his father. He wondered if his father knew how tired he was after school or just wanted to rest?

"Boy, are you listening?"

"Yes Baba," Sameer nodded, his body was coiled tighter than ever. He doesn't have the energy to give in his answer to his father. After all, it's better to obey and follow what parents want to avoid trouble, right?

"Now, I know the summer break is in a few months' time but it is better to plan ahead, correct?" Sameer felt his heart sinking to his stomach. He did NOT like where this conversation is going!

"Yes..."

"Instead of you lazing about like a Pythonidae and Boidae on a tree, I insist that you join a summer camp to build yourself as an upstanding cobra. Not only your brain but your body as well."

"My body is fine, Baba!" Sameer protested, clearly not wanting to cooperate since he wanted to be in his room. "I will have a lot of homework to complete during the break and I think-"

"And I think you should improve yourself by going to this camp," his father interrupted him. "You still have the chance to do your homework but all I want is you to be better. Do you want to make the same mistake again at the library?"

There was no room for argument now. Sameer just nodded glumly, his carnelian eyes closed to prevent tears from coming out.

God must really hate me if He punishes me like this!