by Zara Zenia
It had been elaborately decorated with balloons, streamers, and a vast selection of food prepared by local chefs in the community. My eyes filled with tears as I was greeted with handshakes, back slaps, and hugs from my fellow people of Cardalph. I was grateful for my aunt who gave me sound advice to follow my heart and try to create a world in which everyone could coexist.
At some point in the afternoon, I was handed a microphone and asked to speak on behalf of all the Cardalphians. “My dearest friends, neighbors and family. Thank you for giving me a second chance to prove my worthiness to be your leader. I promise from this day forward to never fail you again. My life’s purpose is to make sure everyone feels safe and loved. It is with great pride that I can now say our war with the Daklins has ended after a number of years. Peace shall pass over us from this day forward. Please enjoy all the food and drink today. Dance to the music and get carried away in the conversations and laughter around you. Today is the day in history that we can say we were freed from the chains of war that bound us. No more shall we have to look over our shoulders. We have conquered the galaxy without further bloodshed, and I am honored to be your ruler.” I held up a glass in a celebratory toasting gesture, and everyone cheered.
Later that evening as the parties were wrapping up and only a few stragglers were still dancing around, Cindy and I found a quiet spot on a bench by the pond. We were absorbing all the outside time we could get before we had to go inside to keep warm.
“I’m so proud of you. If I hadn’t given you a second chance, we wouldn’t be sitting here together. You proved to this planet what a great leader you can be, and you proved to my heart that you’re worth sticking around for.”
“Thank you, Cindy, that means more to me than you’ll ever know. I love you and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, making the world a better place.” I smiled and kissed her. She tasted like strawberry pie and I wanted to remember that forever.
Chapter 16
Cindy
My hands were shaking as I dialed the numbers to my parents’ home in central Illinois. It was probably around Thanksgiving there now. I pictured the leaves falling off the trees and children jumping into fresh piles at first raked up and then scattered to the wind all over the yard.
I wished I could have a turkey and some dressing, but knew that if I went back home, there would be no family to celebrate with. I always had to spend excruciating holidays alone, curled up under a blanket with daytime TV roaring in the background. If I wanted a turkey and dressing, or to even to bang out the entirety of the holidays here on Cardalph, I knew Togtulir would jump to make it happen for me. He was so sweet and every day I spent here with him I knew was a gift and blessing.
“Hello,” my mother answered on the third ring.
“Hi mom, it’s me, Cindy.”
“Oh, hello, Cindy,” my mother’s voice was flat and she sounded even farther away than the actual distance that stood between us.
“Uh, how are you and Dad?” I eased my way into the conversation with some small talk first.
“We’re fine.” Silence on the other end. No pursuit of engagement was going to happen when it came to my mother. My heart hurt every time I thought about how unloved I had been for my whole life. My parents hadn’t intended to get pregnant with me.
I was the “accident” child; the one who they never planned on having. Therefore, they never cared about what happened to me. I was their biggest regret in life, and they made sure I knew it every opportunity they got.
“That’s great,” I tried to speak cheerily into the phone but she was such a buzzkill, I had trouble keeping my voice straight and not be shrill with sorrow. “Well, I just wanted to let you guys know that I’ve found love here on the island with Togtulir. I’m going to give this one a shot and stay here with him. He has a good job and can’t leave. Not to mention I loved the balmy weather. Especially now that winter is knocking on the door.”
“Mm-hmm,” my mother coughed into the phone and I decided I was done trying with her.
“Well, I’m going to go now, I just wanted to let you know what my plans were if you ever wanted to contact me. I’ll try to keep in touch ok?” Even though I was sprouting lies upon lies, I still felt as if I were getting closure with my parents by giving them one last phone call.
“Ok, well good luck, Cindy.” My mother hung up the phone before I got a chance to say anything further.
“Goodbye,” I murmured to the air and hit the end button on my phone. Next up, it was time to call Melinda and give her the same story.
“Hey, Mel, it’s me.” I grinned because I did enjoy talking to my sister, although I hated that she never really looked out for me as her little sister growing up or even into adulthood.
“Hey, Cindy!” Melinda sounded genuinely excited to hear from me.
“Hey, Mel. I’m still out here on the island. I’m having a really great time with Togtulir. Uh, I think I might stay out here permanently. I think he may be the one.” I nibbled on my bottom lip and waited for her reaction, not that I cared either way what she thought. She had been unwilling to help me, so I was partly grateful at how the fate cards played in my favor.
“That’s great, Cindy. I’m really happy for you. I wish I hadn’t shunned you like I had before. Things are rough here. I feel like I have no escape and I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I guess the saying is true hindsight is 20/20.” Her voice sounded regretful.
“Yeah, Well listen. I’ll keep in touch okay? I’ll try to call you every now and then. I hope you guys have a really nice holiday season.” I hung up just as abruptly as my mother had done to me. I felt a fleeting flash of guilt over saying goodbye to my sister that way, but as far as she thought, I’d be calling her next week.
In my mind, I loved Melinda, but knew in my heart I had no intention of keeping in touch or going back to earth for that matter. I was ready to make Cardalph my permanent home, and shove my past to the back of my memory forever. My family had made me feel like an outcast my entire life, and any remorse I felt about cutting them out of my life was short-lived.
“Who were you talking to?” Togtulir walked into the bedroom and I jumped.
“You startled me,” I held my hand to my chest, but quickly recovered.
“I’m sorry,” he brushed my hair to the side in the gentle way that I swooned for.
“It was my family. I was more or less saying my goodbyes to them.”
His eyes looked sad for me, but I told him not to worry about it. He was all I needed and I made sure he understood that.
“Okay. Well as long as you are happy.” He trailed off as I kissed him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
He lowered me onto the bed and began kissing my inner thighs, pulling up my dress. I moaned softly, reveling in his sultry soft showers of kisses. “Oh, Togtulir,” I whispered and breathed onto his neck as he trailed his lips from my neck to my nipples to the top of my pussy. He paused to make me go wild, and it worked.
“More, more,” I cried out to him and arched my back as he put his head between my legs and sucked and kissed on my clit. His tongue worked like magic that brought me to intense levels of ecstasy. When I came, I pulled his head closer in between my legs and pulled his hair.
Making love to him in his true Cardalphian form was my favorite thing to do. I watched as his big, blue cock slipped into my wet pussy and he began to thrust, his balls tickling the outside of my pussy lips. We came together, panting in unison.
Later he got dressed. “Where are you off to?”
“I’m going for a short run,” he responded as he laced up his tennis shoes and smiled at me. I thought about how buff and fit he was compared to me. I was exhausted after the passionate sex we’d just had together, and felt like I could take a nap for five days.
I laid in bed for about half an hour, basking in the sunlight spilling into the room from the bright windows. I breathed in the scent of Togtulir from the sheets and on the pillows. I thought I
had found heaven, and I was never going to let it go.
I was startled when there was a knock on the bedroom door. “Just a minute!” I raced around frantically and gathered my clothes up from the pile they had made on the floor. I dressed in a fluster and rushed to open the door to find Togtulir’s Aunt Rosgular standing in front of me.
I busily brushed my hair back with my fingers and adjusted my t-shirt. I hoped my cheeks didn’t look too red and hot. “Hi, Rosgular, so nice to see you.” I walked out into the hallway, not feeling comfortable inviting her into the bedroom that might still smell like sweaty sex.
“Hello, Cindy.” Rosgular loved Togtulir ridiculous amounts; I had witnessed her protective aura when he was around. I felt as if she were trying to welcome me into their family, but I couldn’t help but notice that she was not adapting to me as well as I had hoped.
Even still, her relationship with Togtulir was unique, and he respected her immensely. It was my job to make sure I lived up to every ounce of expectation for wife material and support system for Togtulir that she had.
“Would you like something to drink? Tea or water?” I offered, as we walked down the stairs together. She was small and a little elderly, so I made sure to walk as slowly as possible, so Rosgular could keep pace.
“No, thank you, I’m fine. I’m actually here about the favor you’ve requested of me.”
I stopped with my foot mid-step on the stair. “Oh, right. Yes, I’d love to discuss that too.” I prayed in my heart that she would have an answer for me. There was one thing I felt I was missing here on Cardalph that needed the linked puzzle piece. I needed her help, and I hoped she wouldn’t shoot me down and tell me to get off my high horse. She appeared to be a poised woman, so I was hoping for the best.
“I think I have a solution for you on your request or at least a viable option.” Her eyes twinkled as we made eye contact. She had a mischievous grin and I thought maybe the challenge of what I’ve asked for could bring some spark and adventure into her life.
“I can’t wait to see what the options are.” Floating with elation, I hugged Rosgular. She might hold the eventual key to the maternal love I’d never felt before.
Chapter 17
Cindy
When we got downstairs, my stomach was swirling with anticipation. I was grateful that Rosgular was willing to not only accept me but also help me. Without the ability to bottle up my curiosity a second longer, I jumped right into the questions I had for her.
“So, can you make me like everyone else here?”
Aunt Rosgular had a diplomatic smile, ever the calm and soothing soul I was learning was her way to be. “My child, why do you not want to be yourself? Isn’t that the point of having a universe with unique types of people walking around on the different planets?”
I sighed, feeling a wave of melancholy. “I have never been comfortable being myself.” I looked down at my hands, trying to control myself not to give into a flood of tears.
Aunt Rosgular placed her bony, frail hand on my shoulder. “Why ever would you not feel comfortable in your own skin? There is only one you out there, my dear.” She pointed a finger at my head at this statement.
“I’ve never been accepted by anyone. Not even by the people who were supposed to love me— my family.” Slow droplets of tears rolled down my face, shaming me in front of a woman I barely knew, although I could feel her maternal energy.
She hugged me and let me weep silently for a moment or two before she told me to snap out of the little pity party I was in. I looked up at her with a pair of sad and pathetic eyes. “I feel so out of place when I am around the people of Cardalph. I want to fit in, blend in with them, and you. But most importantly I want to be like Togtulir. I know he loves me, but I think it would be better if he thought of me as one of his own kind. Will you please help me?”
“Of course, I will help you, dear. That was always my intention.” She gave me the warmest smile anyone has ever given me besides Togtulir. I was beginning to wonder how a species on a different planet could give me so much unconditional love even though I was not one of them.
“Here is what we can do for you. We have a technical department crew. They have stores in two different locations in the heart of downtown Cardalph. I will take you to one of them, so we can later surprise Togtulir. They will help fit you for a suit that will make you look like us.”
“Is it like a body suit? You mean like skin that will be blue like yours?” I pointed to her tiny blue-toned skin.
She nodded in agreement. “Yes, you will be fitted to where it will look like you are actually blue-skinned, even though it is something you wear, and can freely take on and off as you wish. It can make you feel more comfortable out in public.”
I stood up and crossed my arms over my chest. “That sounds perfect Aunt R. Do you mind if I call you Aunt R? I’ve heard Togtulir call you that. I have noticed how fond he is of you. I’m starting to see why.”
I took her hands in mine and she gave me a wink. “Come on, dear. Let’s go get you fitted as a Cardalphian.”
As I rode through the city streets of Cardalph with Aunt Rosgular, I thought the feel of the town was similar to a blend of New Orleans and New York City. There was a balance of old world as well as modern architecture. There were vendors on the street, calling out to people walking by. “Come! Take a minute of your day! See and buy my product!”
I heard eager sellers yell because of the open car window. I loved the sounds of the city, and it made me feel at home given that I was from Chicago. I was happy to be placed in an environment where there were some familiar things. I smiled as I watched a man trying to sell tourist t-shirts, pat a little boy on the head in a friendly manner. Everyone appeared so kind and relaxed here on Cardalph. I was excited to call it my new home.
The driver parked us in front of a swanky-looking upscale building in a posh portion of the city. We exited the car and walked into the lobby. It was cool and air conditioned, making it a refreshing to walk into the place as it was relatively warm outside. “We are going up this elevator,” Rosgular pointed to the right side of the lobby and I followed.
We went up to the fourteenth floor. When we walked out of the elevator we immediately walked out into what appeared to be a department store. I looked at Rosgular in confusion. “This way, dear,” she beckoned as she continued to lead the way.
“Oh, Rosgular!” A man who looked to be in his forties jogged up to us, planting two kisses on Rosgular’s cheeks. It was plain to see he adored her and knew her already. They hugged as I stood back from the greetings, waiting to be introduced.
Rosgular turned to face me. “Cindy, this is Monek. He is the most trusted person to fit people for blending on other planets.”
Monek bowed in front of me and caught me off guard. I wasn’t used to getting the royal treatment, especially in a fancy place like this. “Cindy, it is so good to formally meet you. I promise you, we will have you looking like a true Cardalphian in no time. Ms. Rosgular called me earlier, so we’ve been expecting you.”
“Thank you, I’m so honored you all are willing to welcome me in this way. I hope that Togtulir will be pleasantly surprised.” I shook Monek’s hand as he told me to come with him to another back room. He was slender and bald and had the most perfect posture. I became self-conscious around him, thinking that I must be slouching in comparison.
“Your shop is stunning. I am impressed.” He turned around and flashed me a huge smile at the compliment.
“Thank you. It has been in my family for three generations. It is now my turn and my time to run it. I hope my father would be proud.”
He gestured for me to stand in front of a long full-length mirror. I stood and stared at my reflection, with my boring pale human skin. I couldn’t wait to look like Togtulir. Monek measured my arms, legs, waist, chest and neck, as well as my head. “Since Rosgular called me in advance, I have been working on your suit through the night. I will head to the storage area for you to try it
on. Just wait here.”
I nodded and looked around. I walked over to the window and watched the city life below. Moments later, Monek returned. “I’m back.” I turned and he was holding a big brown box.
“Is my suit in there?” I pointed at the box and he nodded. I began to sweat in anticipation. I was so excited, I thought I would bounce right through the ceiling.
The suit was extremely tight, made to resemble real skin. It took me a few minutes to get into it, with the help of Monek. It went over my head so that only my hair, eyes, mouth and nose were still exposed. Once I was completely covered, he told me to turn around and check myself out in the mirror.
With my eyes closed and heart pounding, I turned around. I gasped and tears, yet again, filled my eyes. I couldn’t believe the person I was staring at in the mirror was actually me. Apart from my hair, I looked like a true Cardalphian native. “I can’t believe it. I look perfect. You just made my day.” I turned to give Monek a hug and he patted me on the back.
“Not at all, fine lady. Don’t worry about payment. Ms. Rosgular has taken care of the bill.”
I was moved beyond words by the amount of kindness flowing to me from all these people here, and from every angle. I was overwhelmed and felt indebted for life to these people who took me in and helped me fit in with them, even when they told me I was beautiful just being myself.
Looking like them was just the icing on the cake. I couldn’t stop staring at myself in the mirror but knew I needed to return home to Togtulir. I needed to hurry, so that he could see what I looked like and hopefully be as impressed as I was.
Once I returned from the room, even Rosgular’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Doesn’t she look amazing?” Monek beamed at Rosgular, obviously proud of his talented work.
