Page 103 of Malliko
I sighed contentedly as I leaned back against Malliko's chest. "I could stay here forever," I murmured.
Malliko's arms wrapped around me in response, and he kissed the top of my head. "Me too," he agreed quietly.
We were sitting on top of the building. Together we had brought up an air mattress, blankets, pillows, and drinks. Taking in the view of the twinkling city lights, we leaned our heads back and watched how the stars shone brightly in the night sky.
The sound of a distant siren echoed in the night air and broke the bubble we tried so hard to cling to. Sirens meant trouble and we were in deep trouble. The cultural committee had rejected our application. Malliko had appealed, but it could take years to get an answer and the chance of turning their decision from a no to a yes was miniscule.
When he told me that we weren’t allowed to be together, I had sworn in Spanish and cried for days.
Malliko was as frustrated as me. I knew he had been talking to his mom, his captain, and any other contacts that he had at the Federation. Seeing him do everything he could to find a way to be with me, meant the world but none of them held the kind of influence to sway the decision of the cultural committee.
After my initial devastation, I’d been determined to cherish every moment with Malliko and had decided that I wouldn’t grieve and fall apart until he was leaving Earth and me. My emotional breakdown was drawing closer day by day, but right now I was soaking up every kiss, cuddle and hug I could get. Wedidn’t have much choice but to try to forget about the inevitable split between us and focus on the time we had left.
Malliko spoke in a gentle, reverent tone. "I guess looking at the stars was different for you before I came into your life.”
“Yes, they used to be nothing but twinkling jewels scattered across the sky. Now, I look up and wonder how many planets look like ours and if not, how they’re different.” Turning to face him, I asked. “Did you know that there are people who think the position of the stars at their time of birth will determine events in their life?”
“Do you believe that?” he asked me.
“No. But…” I reached up to cup his face. "Sometimes I feel like we were meant to find each other and that it wasn’t a coincidence that brought you to me."
“You sound like a Scilm right now. They are all about destiny and love.” He was playing with my hair as I sat in my own thoughts.
“What’s going through your mind?” he asked me and kissed my neck.
“It blows my mind that I’ve been out there. Space isn’t something normal people get to experience. I’m officially an astronaut now and nobody knows.
“You haven’t seen much yet.”
“I wish the committee would have allowed us to be together. The thought of us visiting other planets together excited me. I’m still struck by seeing that Clattonom. Did I tell you they reminded me of a talking seal? Now, I’m wondering what other fascinating aliens are out there.”
“I think it was that talking seal who crushed our chance of being together and I don’t know if I can ever forgive them for sabotaging us like that.”
Not knowing what to say to that, I stayed quiet.
Playing with my hair, Malliko sighed. “I would love to tell you that all aliens are wonderful but sadly that’s not the case. There are many planets where I don’t wish to take you. Some because, you would be too emotionally disheartened to see the poor quality of their living conditions, and others because the culture is harmful in the worst way.”
“You mean dangerous?”
“Yes. The Malbreeans may resemble us in looks, but they aren’t kind or altruistic. They are warmongers who exploit and raid other planets. Many times, the Federation has tried to reason with them, and they are incredibly gifted at making others believe that they want to change. Yet they never do. And then there are the Noxins. They aren’t quite as bad as the Malbreeans, but my advice would be to never trust a Noxin. They are selfish and often rude.”
“Are the Noxins members of the Federation?”
“Yes, but currently they are dealing with sanctions because they cooperated with the Malbreeans.”
“All of that seems so far away from us,” I said and played with the hairs on his arm. “Dealing with the atrocities that take place here on Earth is a lot to take in. I don’t know how your mind hasn’t exploded from dealing with so many different planets and cultures.”
“Fair point. Maybe it’s good thing that you don’t have to take on the Universe with me?” His tone turned sad and serious. “Maybe erasing your memory and letting you live peacefully here on Earth is the kind thing to do. I’ve never known anything else, but the chaos of the Universe makes Earth seem like a sanctuary.”
The sadness in his tone made me turn my head and look into Malliko’s eyes. “Never doubt that if it was up to me, I would come with you. I’ve told you that everything is better when we’re together.”
We said nothing for a long moment as we continued stargazing.
“That story you heard about human females. That we bind ourselves to the males we sleep with. I’ve been thinking about that, and I think I may know what the rumor is referring to. There’s a thing called the love hormone. Did you know that?”
“No.”
“When a woman sleeps with a partner, hormones are released in her brain to make her like him. I once read that it’s nature’s way to help women adapt when they are placed in a forced relationship. Maybe you can look into that in your research when you document the marriages that aren’t founded on love. I’m happy to help you search for any documentation on the subject.”
