Three Shells Paradise

Paradise Restored

Orla looked around and found Roff's freeway pod a few yards away.
She picked up Roff and mounted the pod. There was no other way to get to help and this was by far the fastest way. Yet it had a catch, only one commuter could get the ride. And Roff could not be sent in the pod alone.

When Roff came to his senses, he was told that his surgery was successful and he was also informed that his doctor had been successful in finding a cure for his ailing ugly face. If he was willing, he would start the treatment right away.

The procedure had earlier been unsuccessful; owing largely to its being conducted in make shift labs, lack of enough funding, lack of specialized doctors and time and also because it had to be undetected under the regime.
This time, the procedure was successful and the outcome was a near perfect Roff. The holes and tentacles still had left scars but the rest of the skin had been smoothened out. He looked more like himself and was extremely happy. He spent a whole ten minutes admiring his new or rather old face.

He then strutted towards Gina's home. He was such a show off. But nobody seemed to want to have anything with him. All he got was a meek thumbs up and then they all scattered away. A little perplexed, he demanded an explanation.When nobody gave him one, he left.

He went to meet Maula at the chamber.

Maula asked him how he ended up in the hospital, because nobody knew where he went, nobody could bring him to hospital as there was no other pod that was tagged along. So how did he end up the way he did and where he did?

Then it struck him, only Orla was there. He thought out aloud,  "I checked the pod for nearby pods/shells but no one else was there for miles together just before landing. Which means Orla brought me here all by herself. She would have to carry me then?"

Maula: Yes Dad, err Roff. That's exactly what my mom did for you. Carried you on her shoulders till you reached hospital. But, what I don't get is, how did a tranquilizer dart hit your spine? What were you doing?

Roff: What do you mean, didn't your mom tell you?

Maula: Nope. She didn't meet me.

Roff: Then what about the facial surgery? How is she involved? Huh?

Maula: She was researching it forever Roff. Any free time she had, when we were not moving, she was digging up as much on chemicals and DNA as possible. She wanted to give you a cure.

A doctor's arrival was announced. She had performed the surgery and commenced the treatment.
You are so lucky to have Orla as your wife Roff. You must have done something right by her.

Roff: What do you mean?

She looked confused.

Doc: What's wrong? Am I missing something here? She was constantly after me to find a cure. She spent countless hours in the old library, and many more in the makeshift labs that we built, experimenting on herself at times; spent a fortune in doing so and yet when the results are here she's nowhere to be found. I thought there weren't any causalities of the coup."

Maula: yeah, tell her Roff, she's asking you something.

Roff was simply left staring with his jaw hanging open.

Maula: What have you done Roff. Your wife gave you her pardon and so you are a free man; just don't do anything that will put my mother's sacrifices to shame. Now leave.
Roff was rather unceremoniously thrown out of the Chambers.

In marched a bunch of law makers and other enforcement personnel.

Roff was still shocked. What had he done? He had perhaps outdone himself this time. He knew he had lost Orla forever.