CHAPTER 22

ZARIA

 

 

Thomas stared at me like I had just told him I wanted to become a goat farmer on the moon. His mouth opened and closed twice before he finally leaned back in his chair and laughed, a loud belly laugh that shook the table and made the cups rattle slightly.

 

“You?” he said between laughs. “University for this kind of work? It no good. Just all too much book and no food to eat. Aiya, you funny girl.”

 

“I’m serious,” I said quickly, feeling my face heat up. “I was. Before everything happened. I read books, watched videos and I even practiced pressure points on myself.”

 

What sort of Renzo's wife would I be if I didn't learn a few ways to defend myself? It was all useless in the end anyway.

 

Mama Li’s eyes softened as she looked at me, like she was trying to see all the years she had missed layered over my face.

 

“You see?” she said to Thomas, nodding slowly. “Life still pullher back to what she meant to do.”

 

Thomas wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Okay, okay,” he said, holding up his palms.

 

“Uncle teach you for free,” he continued, thumping his chest lightly. “Real skill. From source.”

 

I say there, stunned. “That’s… more than I ever expected.”

 

Thomas smiled again. “Then you eat,” he said, pointing at my bowl. “Baby hungry. And don’t cry first thing in morning. Bad luck.”

 

“I’m not crying,” I muttered.

 

Mama Li pushed her chair back and stood up, smoothing the front of her blouse. “You go with him today,” she said decisively.

 

I froze. “Go… where?”

 

Thomas pointed at himself. “With me?”

 

“Yes,” Mama Li said. “You ask for teaching, no? He show you small. Let you see.”

 

Thomas scratched his head. “Today?”

 

“Today,” she repeated.

 

I hesitated, my hand unconsciously drifting toward my stomach. “Is it safe?” I asked quietly. “I mean… with people around. I don’t want anyone noticing.”

 

Mama Li made a dismissive sound and walked toward me, reaching for the chair behind me where a thick, oversized jacket was hanging. She lifted it and draped it over my shoulders without ceremony, pulling it forward and zipping it up until it almost swallowed my neck and chin.

 

“Look,” she said, tugging the hoodie up and then down again, adjusting it until I looked more like a bundled scarecrow than a pregnant woman. “Who see anything? Baby hidden. You just look fat.”

 

“Mama Li,” I protested weakly.

 

Thomas burst out laughing again. “She right,” he said. “You look like sack of rice.”

 

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “That’s comforting.”

 

Mama Li patted my cheek. “You go see world small. Staying inside all day make head weak.”

 

She turned to Thomas. “You bring her back before dark.”

 

“Yes, boss,” he said, mockingly bowing.

 

___________

 

An hour later, I found myself standing outside staring at what Thomas proudly called his truck, which looked like it had survived at least three wars, two floods, and one bad marriage.

 

The paint was chipped beyond recognition, the side mirror on the passenger side was cracked and held in place with tape, and when Thomas turned the key, it coughed like a dying old lady.

 

“You sure this thing won’t fall apart?” I asked, gripping the door handle.

 

Thomas patted the hood affectionately. “She old but loyal. Like me.”

 

“That doesn’t reassure me.”

 

I climbed in carefully, holding my jacket closed as the seat creaked under my weight. The truck jerked forward almost immediately, and I grabbed the dashboard on instinct.

 

“Easy!” I yelped. “I’m pregnant, not firewood.”

 

Thomas laughed so hard he had to slow down. “Relax. Road bumpy, not dangerous.”

 

The countryside opened up as we drove. Fields stretched wide on either side, green and uneven, dotted with small houses and people working slowly, waving sometimes when they saw Thomas pass.

 

The air felt different, cleaner, and despite my self safety rules, I leaned closer to the window, watching chickens scatter and children run barefoot across dusty paths.

 

“This is… nice,” I admitted.

 

Thomas glanced at me briefly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You city girl forget quiet life.”

 

“I didn’t forget,” I said softly. “I just… never had it.”

 

The truck hit a pothole and bounced violently, and I shrieked, clutching my stomach.

 

Thomas slammed the brakes. “You okay?”

 

“I think the baby just learned how to jump,” I said breathlessly.

 

He frowned, then nodded seriously. “Strong baby.”

 

We continued, slower this time, though every rattle made me tense. Still, I couldn’t deny the warmth creeping into my chest as we drove past rice paddies and narrow bridges.

 

After a while, Thomas pointed ahead. “There. That’s my place.”

 

I squinted, seeing a modest house come into view, simple and sturdy, with a small porch out front. Did he really drive from here down to Mama Li's house?

 

Wow. The commitment was… massive.

 

As we got closer, I noticed a figure standing there, waving. Their arms swung high over their head enthusiastically.

 

Thomas leaned out the window and shouted, “Oi! I’m back!”

 

Feeling an urge, I lifted my hand and waved too, all caught up in his excitement. His voice was just full of life and oddly contagious. I had to try it for myself.

 

The figure waved harder.

 

There was something about the shape of their body. It tugged at my memory, forcing me to remember something unpleasant. And as the truck got closer, my smile dropped.

 

No shit.

 

My hand slowly dropped to my lap.

 

The man on the porch stepped forward with a smile so wide and familiar.

 

Oh, come on!

 

Wang.

 

The same Wang from the airport. The same handsome and polite stranger who had helped me with my luggage.

 

My stomach twisted as I remembered how I'd snapped at him. “What are the fucking odds,” I muttered under my breath, grimacing.

 

Thomas noticed immediately. “You know him?”

 

I swallowed. “We… met. Briefly.”