Page 26 of What Makes an Alien a Dad?

Chapter 10

Maya

The sights, the smells, the sounds!

It was so exciting to be out.

The shopping center looked like a gigantic indoor market. Storefronts lined the wide aisles on either side under a high glass ceiling decorated with arches of flowers. Where the aisles crossed, plazas formed. They looked like small town squares, complete with water features and dining areas under gazebos.

“I love it here.” I grinned at the professor.

He didn’t smile back. Firmly holding my elbow, he maneuvered us between the groups of Voranians strolling by. Every now and then, people would stop to stare at us, but he ignored everyone. His lips pressed tightly, his eyes narrowed, he looked like a man on a mission, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

“Where should we go first?” I asked.

“Pajamas,” he bit out one word.

“A clothing store then?”

“Right.”

As much as I disliked crowds, I didn’t mind mingling with people after the long, boring months in the hospital. The poor professor, however, seemed extremely uncomfortable in his skin right now.

“Professor Kear Umhra Thormus!” a Voranian man shouted, rushing down the wide hall toward us.

The professor grunted softly, his fingers on my arm flexing.

The man grabbed his free hand into both of his. “I’m a huge fan of your work.”

“Thanks, but I’m not a movie star. I don’t have fans.”

“Oh yes, you do.” The man chuckled, shaking his head, as if he’d heard a joke. He then turned to me. “Madam Maya Gupta. It’s so nice to meet you in person. You are my hero.”

“I am?” I blinked, lost for words.

“My sister is on her third pregnancy. Another set of triplets!” he announced proudly. “She is so nervous. Her second pregnancy had some complications, she barely made it out alive. But she decided to go ahead with the third one, for a dear friend of hers. He’s been dying to become a father—”

The professor’s expression darkened. “What kind of complications?”

“Um...” The man rubbed his right horn awkwardly. “I’m not sure about the exact medical terms—”

“I’d like to see your sister as soon as possible,” the professor fired off. “In my clinic. Tell her to say I sent her when she comes to reception.”

The man looked stunned.

“Oh... Wow. Thanks... I really don’t know what to say...”

“Goodbye.” The professor steered me into the entrance of the closest store.

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