The Phugwak planet: A Journey To Another Possibility

by Ayman Ghalit

  With a surprised face, she turned, and said, “Kaiser!?”

  He couldn’t help but to shockingly drop his jaw after seeing her peculiar appearance. She was fat, and with unsightly pair of teeth? She undoubtedly disfigured her perfect imagery in his eyes. He then cleared his throat, and said, “First, I knew you know my name. Second, what the hell is this? What happened to you.”

  “Well, first, It’s none of your business. Second, what are you doing in here? You are definitely not invited. You were stalking me, aren’t you, creep. I better call up the cops.”

  “N-No. No need for this, little dove. What brought me in here is my love toward you. Have a seat, Alma. Let’s talk.”

  With a cringed face, she responded, “Gosh! Get away from me… sheesh, this is really frightened right now.”

  She left him largely alone, broken, defeated, and feeling humiliated and ashamed. He sat as he unintentionally grabbed the blood-cocktail and was about to dink from it. He put it down after letting out a long-disappointed sigh. He leant over on his hand as loud voices battled inside of his head. A voice says, “What the hell are you doing in here, you stupid loser? Do not be this desperate, for god’s sake. Look at you, how utterly creepy and pathetic. She doesn’t even fuckin care about your existence, leave at once.”

  Another says, “Patience, Kaiser… there is nothing to lose. Fuck them, we don’t care about their judgment and opinion, love need sacrifice. Just keep calm.”

  He closed his eyes trying to make a decision. Then, he felt the presence of someone approaching, he didn’t bother to look till he felt him setting next to him, saying, ‘I really hate weddings… don’t you?’ He opened his eyes to find it Alma, with her dubious unsightly look. He cracked a joyful smile, and replied, “You talking to me?”

  “Is there anyone else beside you in here?”

  “Well, not if it was ours,” he answered.

  “You are one stubborn man, aren’t you? It’s going to get you in deep trouble one day.”

  “It already did.”

  She grabbed the blood cocktail, after saying, “Are you going to drink this?”

  “It’s all yours, fair maiden, even my “bloo—!” I mean, my water that’s curse through my veins, are yours, dove.”

  “Romantic, and with nice spiel! You don’t have to be by the book, you know.” She said. Then, she took off the fake teeth before him, and drank the blood whole with one gulp. Feeling pain, she groaned, “Ouch! brain freeze. Sheesh, that is too cold.”

  He wondered as he pointed at her fake teeth that was being held by her hand, asking “What is this?”

  “This!? Don’t you have sisters? All girls wear this,” she answered as she wanted to wear it back, but he asked her not to do, swearing to her that she is more beautiful without it. And with a questioning look, she glanced him, hummed, and said, “You know what! you are right, enough with this pretentious fake look... so, tell me, Kais, how did you know I am in here? Am pretty sure you don’t now the bride, nor her groom.”

  “Wow! my name surly have its rhythm coming out from your mouth.”

  “Just answer. And please, cut out this nonsense.”

  “I overheard your friend telling you that in the morning.”

  “You were eavesdropping on us!?”

  “Eavesdropping!? I was next to you, don’t yo—”

  Kais got interrupted by the crowd’s applauding to the groom, who knelt, grabbed the hand of his betrothed, kissed it and placed a stony ring in her finger as she did the same. A moment of silent laid upon them after, Alma, who was staring toward the couples whom were smiling and locking each other’s hand, cracked a clear broken smile, sighed, and said, “You see that, Kais. That is a 17 years old pride. She didn’t suffer from loneliness, nor did she even wait. The shackles of solitude are too big for her wrists, and the ghost of spinster doesn’t know the road to her home… you wanna know why? …because she is beautiful. *the pride was ugly-faced and overweight, in Kais’s eyes* And here I am, 25 years old, and still waiting. Waiting for the cosmos to split asunder and drop a heavy miracle upon me. To be honest, that made me reach a deep piteous level in day-dreaming. I have fantasized once that my beloved knight, whom will free me from this forcible isolation, will arrive from the outer space! An alien, I wished for to come and take me by the hands. True, it sounds pathetic, but it is the truth. And do you know who dragged me down to this level? …It is you.”

  “Me!?”

  “You men, and your unrealistic beauty standers which stormed every corner in this planet, the television need eye candies that doesn’t hurt your poor eyes, advertising posters, magazines, and the news anchors, they must be stunningly pretty! Even the top and powerful female-jobs are somehow occupied only by beautiful women! Even when they want to make the Phugwaks feel sympathetic toward the poor and the needy orphans, they always post images of cute adorable little children! what about the ugly ones, no? All these made men in here search for the beautiful and the perfect. The ugly will never even be considered as an option for them. Why? thou might ask …it is ego, Kais. They must fill it, and the only women who will fill their vacant distorted desire, is the beautiful one, regardless of her intelligent or attitude, just to make them feel good about them self. Just so they can feel different and special. Even in fantasy and fairy tales, the protagonist-female must be beautiful and fair, and the only place for the hideous are to be the evil antagonist one. There is a tale called ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will you be ever consider reading or watching its movie if the beast were to be an ugly woman when the curse is lifted? *sighing* Look, I am not man-hating woman, but this is the truth, Kaiser. We live in a planet that is entrenched with hypocrisy, lies, injustice, and inequality.”

  “What about me? I adore you, Alma. I truly do. Let’s face this damned planet together. I will never deceive nor will I lie to you. I will knock your door, and I’ll you take by the hand. And trust me on this, Alma. You will find me different than everyone in here.”

  She looked him in the eyes, cracked a smile, and said, “To be honest, I truly enjoyed talking to you in the morning, and was so pleased to see you here. But they lied to me a lot, they mocked me a lot, and they bullied me a lot. Therefore, I managed to easily distinguish the honest from the deceiver from first sight. But strangely, I find you honest! and I do sense something odd about you, I don’t know what is it, but there is definitely something odd.”

  “Just accept my offer. And I swear, I will take you to different worlds and realm that you had never imagined.”

  She chuckled, and said “Different worlds! You don’t have to use this way to ask me, though, it is nice, warm, and you are the first one to say that to me in person… but please, just be yourself, no need for that.”

  “Accept me, and you shall see.”

  Alma wanted to respond, but got interrupted by a group of girls led by a fat and unsightly one *in the eyes of Kais* She then rudely pointing at Kaiser, let out a disrespectfully ridiculing cackle, and with an arrogant voice tone, she said, “Is this you harvest, Alma!”

  “This is none of your business. Get lost.”

  “It is obviously clear that this is not your body. Only a fool would fall for such pseudo crap. And my, my, someone already fell!” She said, making her friends disparagingly giggling after that.

  Angrily gritting on teeth, Alma repeated, “Get gone, already.”

  “Hmm!? who is this hideous of yours? You really fit for each other. As they say; birds of feather flock together.”

  “Cut it out,” said Kais. “Leave us be.”

  “You don’t command me, ape.”

  “Just move, woman.”

  “Such gruesome view really hurts my eyes,” she said after rolling up her eyes. “We are leaving anyway. But before I do, I want to show you something.” She pulled out a soft, small, dark-green box and opened it for Alma to see a ring that contain a stone the size of bean.

  “What am I supposed to do?” she replied.

  “My wedd
ing will be after two months. You know, it is going to be cold in the winter, your presence will provide suitable heat for me… you better come.”

  After that, they left while giggling and laughing. Kais looked at Alma, who was looking hard at them while still gritting on teeth, and said “Wow! That was random!”

  She turned toward him, and said “Really! you stood there taking all the insults without saying anything?”

  His tongue stuttered, and said “Umm!? Am… am not good with mockery.”

  “I really hate that girl… I really hate her.”

  “Who was she?”

  “Alex Mueller, I truly despite her existence.”

  “Why was she so obnoxious toward you?”

  “I was stuck with her from elementary to high school because of the alphabetical arrangement. God! how much I really hated my name because of her. She always bullied, mocked, and laughed at me to a point that made me really consider suicide. I don’t know why is she like this, but I really hope that the land split open and devour her and her worthless friends.”

  “Wow!! Calm down, dove. Don’t care about her, she doesn’t deserve your concern.”

  “You saw that ring? She wanted me to envy her, that’s how low she is.”

  “Don’t care about her, Alma. Let’s change this disquieting subject.”

  She paused a mute for a moment, then said, “Yea, you’re right. Screw them …hmm? Kais, you didn’t tell me where are you from? And pardon my tongue, but, what job do you have, and, don’t get me wrong, but… do you have money?”

  Kais smilingly sniffed the air, and said “I smell greed.”

  “Didn’t you say that you will knock my door and take me by the hand to other realms and world.”

  “I did, indeed.”

  “Then, I have the right to know your financial situation.”

  Kais, who confoundingly paused for a moment as he tried to arrange and search for a proper answer, said, “I am from Narbiz ...umm, I came here searching for work. I live near Marwan’s cup... And about my financial situation, care not, my beloved. Because I shall cover you, from head to toe, with stones.”

  The laughter Alma tried so hard to curb down, took over her as she burst out laughing till she teared up in front of Kais who found himself in an awkward situation. And after wiping her tears with a napkin, she said, “Pardon me, but I didn’t laugh like this in ages.”

  “Why is the laughter? I meant what I said.”

  “It is the scorning fate, Kais. I mean, I dreamt about that charming knight who will approach me while riding a white horse and take me with him… then, you came.”

  “Oh, C’MON! I truly feel offended right now.”

  “No, no. It’s not you whom I was laughing at, by god I swear. It is the stupid dreams that I had. And frankly, your words are way too nice. Not well placed, though. But nice. You might read or saw lots of romantic movies with happily-ever-after endings and thought that this is how it works. Though, it’s nice, but words like this really forcing me to question your honesty, just be yourself.... Cover me with stones!” she chuckled.

  “I swear to you, I will do that. And by the way, I am the alien from the outer space!”

  Alma couldn’t help but to cover her mouth by her feminine hand, laughing again. And with expressionless face, he said, “Oh, here we go again.”

  She stopped laughing after moments, and added, “At least you are funny. Substantial merit, you got there.”

  Smilingly, he replied, “I am really pleased to see you smile, dove. And am really glad to be the reason.”

  “Thank you, but… let us talk about reality for a second, how are you going to provide the slightest need if you don’t work or have money!?”

  “Don’t worry about this.”

  While still smiling, she asked “No, give me a reason. One reason that will make me accept you as my husband, regardless of your current condition.”

  He thought about telling her his truth, but found it not the right time, nor the right place for that, so he adjusted himself, looked her in the eyes, and answered, “I shall give you the reason… I love you.”

  Swiftly, the smile faded from her face, and with a cute worrisome look, she replied, “Just look around you, and try to descend to the reality for a second. That word is not enough to face this damned world. Every one can say it.”

  “But not everyone means it. I do love you… and why are you giving the future such large amount of negative concern? Just be optimistic, and let’s venture through it, because am sure the morrow will be indeed joyful.”

  “But it is the reality. Things are too shady in the Emp-!”

  Alma’s hand was in the chair’s armrest next to Kais, who outstretched his hand to lay it upon hers to calm her, but before he touches it, she swiftly pulled it, and said, “Nay! Lover boy, not before you knock my door.”

  “That’s mean you accept me!”

  “No, I didn’t decide, yet. But I might follow the saying ‘A bird in hand is better than ten in the tree.”

  “O, c’mon! I have feelings too. Don’t say things like this for god’s sake, this is a total turn-off for me.”

  “I am kidding, alright… but this is not a proper place to respond to your offer, Kaiser.”

  A high-pitched microphone-adjusting noise disrupted them when the Groom took the mic and began welcoming and thanking the gests. And while Alma was smilingly staring at her, Kais took the liberty to glance and enjoy her unsurpassed beauty, saying to himself:

  “A remedy she is, for whomever in pain

  A salvation, for those chained with bane”

  When she felt him prying on her, she turned to meet his eyes which he swiftly averted. Awkwardness she felt after, and hesitatingly said, “Kais… may I pose a question?”

  “Your wish is my command, little dove.”

  “You will certainly find it odd, but your glimpses toward me are somehow… new, and unfamiliar.”

  With fear branching up in his chest, he said, “Do ask.”

  She asked him a question that sprung out from the depth of a scattered and insecure souls, “Am I really beautiful?”

  The distinct beauty standards between them made him scruple for a bit, but he decided to follow his instinct and say what he honestly see and feel. He confidently looked her hazel eyes, smiled, and said, “By God, I swear. You are the most beautiful girl that my eyes have ever laid upon.”

  “Kais, don’t lie.”

  “By the one, who shaped you perfectly, I swear you are.”

  She bashfully blushed, smiled, and thanked him. Then, the lights of the hall lit full, revealing what looked like a small symphonic band with its maestro, who repeatedly nocked by his white stick the podium till he silenced the noisy crowd. After that, they started a music akin to waltz, making the couples spontaneously grab each other and dance. Kaiser always feel shy to dance, but Ateeqson’s quote rang hard in his head. And when he looked at her, she instantly knew what he was thinking. He summoned courage inside of him, and took her by the hand to join the dancers. Although he is not good at waltzes, but he managed to survive without blowing it up by grapping Alma’s left hand and placing the other on the piles of the fake-fat on her waist. She was joyfully smiling. Sometime, she looks him in the eyes, and some time, she looks at his feet and urge him to watch his step. He then glanced her squishy seductive reddish lips, and looked her in the eyes when she bit on her lips. He smiled, as she knew what he wanted. He closed his eyes, and leant toward her to take a kiss… but he got repelled by her forefinger, saying, “Not now, lover boy.”

  Disappointed he felt, and when the song stopped, the groom thanked the invitees and welcomed them to the buffet. Alma joyfully grabbed him by the hand and took him toward the buffet, urging, “Lets rush before they devour all the good food.”

  He followed her to the place which echoes with ringing spoons and knocking plates. “You really suck at waltz,” she said after grapping a plate.

  “It was not that bad.” />
  “You have to learn that next time.”

  “Next time! hmm? That’s promising. I will empress you, next time.”

  Not knowing what to do, he grabbed a silver plate, and looked at Alma who were too selective with the food. He filled his plate with kidney-slices and mixed flesh-leaves. She looked at him after that, and shockingly asked, “You are a vegan!?” Awkwardly he answered, “I enjoy this food.”

  “I tried so hard to be one, but I can’t resist meat.” She said after filling her plate with greenish balls, bred-like slices, and a scoopful of eyeballs covered with slimy yellowish sauce. She took a cup and filled it with cold blood serum. Kaiser, who is trying to hide his disgust, looked at this, and realized again that she is not a human, but again, he ignored that, saying, “A sacrifice is required.” He then filled his cup with serum just to keep low profile.

  They sat and ate alone far from the spot light. The uncooked meat for kais, was hard to chew, but it was consumable. And for the drink, he couldn’t dare to take a sip from it, though it was cold and clearly refreshing. She in the other hand, elegantly ate while clearly enjoying the food. She started to eat the eyes; round eyeballs that differ in sizes and pupil color. She said after eating one, “This is the most delicious fruit I have ever ate. It is really creepy, though. It looks like real eyeballs!”

  Feeling disgusted, he replied, “Yea, it is creepy.”

  She took an eye ball by her spoon, extended it toward Kais’s mouth, and said, “Try this, it’s really great.”

  Swallowing his saliva, he replied, “Am not hungry.”

  “It is fruit! you can eat it. Don’t worry, vegan”

  “Am really no—”

  “For me… c’mon eat it, Pleeeeeas.” She cutely urged.

  He looked at the sauce-soaked eye which was too close to his face, and said, “For you, I shall do.” And by his mouth, he took it from Alma’s golden spoon. He felt really disgusted while the eyeball twirl in his mouth. It was slightly firm and surprisingly sweet in taste, but the concept of the eye was what made him almost throw up. He chewed and cracked it open for it to seep out a staggeringly sweet juice that he had never tasted before. “Holy God! that is so sweet,” he astonishingly said.