‘You have to go back home tomorrow, Bill.’ It was then that she looked up and our eyes met.
‘So soon?’ I cried in a hoarse whisper. ‘I’ve hardly seen anything!’
We looked at each other. A lump came up in my throat. I could see a tear forming in each of her eyes. One began to trickle slowly down her cheek.
‘The elders think it best, Bill.’
‘Why?’
‘Because…..because…. not only are you getting too attached to me but….I’m getting very fond of you too.’ She managed a weak smile and brushed away the tears from her face.
I looked at her in surprise. I hadn’t realised. There was no doubt in my mind that I had grown to love her in the short space of five days, but I had not dared to hope she would feel the same for me.
‘I don’t want to go back to Earth, Michu. Oh, Michu, I shall miss you so much!’
‘And don’t you think I will miss you too, Bill?’
‘What can we do?’
‘Nothing, you will have to go, that’s all. We cannot disobey a request from the elders. It has never happened before.’
I must have looked dejected because she gave me a sympathetic look and a smile and squeezed my hand gently. I held her hand tightly, but as I did so she withdrew it quickly.
‘You’ll come to visit me on Earth.’ It was a statement, not a question.
‘Who knows? I would have to get permission from the el…..’
‘…..elders, I know!’ I said crossly.
She looked hurt. ‘Bill, we respect the elders of Similaria. They act in the best interests of the community. Everything here works in harmony. Do you understand?’
I nodded. ‘Yes, I understand, but………’
‘No ‘buts’. That is the decision and we have to abide by it.’
‘But you will come, no?’ I persisted. ‘If you don’t, I will come back to Mars.’
‘You can only come if a bubble is provided,’ she said.
‘And that will depend on the elders, right?’
‘Yes.’ She smiled. ‘But we will see each other again, I have no doubt. Anyway, you will only have to think of me and I will know, and I will see your face.’
‘You know how to do that but what about me? How will I contact you?’
‘You can learn how to do too,’ she said softly.
‘How?’
‘Go inside. Meditate! Imagine my face. If I am thinking of you, then in time you will see me clearly and even talk to me.’
I was skeptical but at least it cheered me up a bit.
‘No photo?’ I pleaded.
‘No photo. I’m sorry, it’s not allowed.’
I decided then that I would meditate every morning when I got back home.
‘The class has finished,’ Michu said and got to her feet. I followed her to the middle of the library. She accessed the Uninet and browsed through a few websites. We revisited the Sonam Tourist Authority website again and watched an interesting documentary film about the effects of tourism on the wildlife of the planet. I saw countless fascinating animals and their habits. I saw small animals being born and I was reminded of what Michu had told me, that animals there were sexless.
Michu and I sat together for a long time. It was good to be near her and I wondered when would be the next time.
Before leaving the library, we watched BBC news. England and India were playing the final Test Match at the Oval. England had won the toss and had decided to bat first. We had lost some early wickets but Pietersen was batting brilliantly and was about to reach his century. To think, I would be seeing it live on television tomorrow!