Pandemic
The Xanders are gathering in Althea. It's not just to solve one case but there's a much bigger problem than that. Basta takes the lead to provide information that may change not only Earth but Malghavan as well forever.
"Why do we have to gather here again today? Just yesterday we solved a case," Vaz was surprised.
"I just got news from the gods. It turns out that there is a much bigger problem now on Earth. A pandemic is engulfing almost the entire region and so much sadness is now happening there. The disease originating from a virus called Andem-30 has already taken a toll. This disease causes the sufferer to suffer from an extraordinary fever accompanied by a sudden heart attack that can immediately lead to death if not immediately treated by a doctor. Many people on earth are currently suffering, abandoned families, employees who have lost their jobs, students who have lost school time, and many others. There will be so much going forward for us to do," Basta's story.
"Then what are we doing here? What do we need to do now?" Alvo asked excitedly.
"To be honest I don't even know where to start. I want to tell you first that from now on there is no Xander who refuses missions. Anyone should and must come down to help because we have no one else but each other. From now on we would probably complete missions even two to three a day," say Basta again.
"Okay. We won't know if we don't try, will we?" Dion tried to speak.
"Okay. For now there are three cases that we have to solve and all of them happened because of the pandemic. A young mother named Sari is 25 years old in India who lost her newborn baby due to this pandemic and she feels guilty because she feels that she caused the baby killed. The two are a 32-year-old female employee named Bela who is also a widow with two children who have recently been laid off from her job in Indonesia. The three are a 21-year-old student in Uzbekistan named Anvar who canceled college this year because their campus had to temporarily close," Basta's story tries to explain.
"So who's got to do what?" Ega asked.
"Hm, how about Vaz and Orfe go to India, then..." Basta tried to think.
"I think Alvo and I can go to Indonesia together," Dion gave an idea.
"Basta and I can go to Uzbekistan," Ega gave another opinion.
"Why don't you two go together? Usually you guys are inseparable?" Juno just idly asked Dion and Ega even though he probably already knew the real reason.
"Yeah that's fine. I think I can make a perfect combination with Alvo. He can talk well and I can lighten the mood with Urgos. Likewise with Ega and Basta," Dion said.
"Yeah fine then. I personally have no problem working with anyone. Whatever is best for Earth and Malghavan," Alvo said.
"Well then I think everything has been decided. We're leaving now, shall we?" Invite Basta as well as dissolve their meeting at that time.
Vaz looked at the smiling Orfe at the end of the room, "you know I'm doing this because Basta warned us not to refuse the mission?"
Orfe just smiled and nodded but still he was so happy to see Vaz want to go with him. A few steps past Orion, they came to a densely populated village in India. Many people were passing by and the merchants were also offering merchandise. It appears that a young woman named Sari is sitting in front of her house accompanied by an older woman, either her mother or her in-laws. There was a local flute player playing with a cobra which honestly horrified Orfe but they felt it was an opportunity to mingle.
Strange gazes of course accompanied the movement of Vaz and Orfe who came from nowhere carrying trumpets and keyboards. But as the flute continued to play, they were able to just enter following the existing melody. The music became livelier and the locals, almost all wearing masks, began to dance casually. Until the noise disturbed Sari's hearing, who was initially sad too. She stood up and danced with the locals, some of whom must have been her neighbours. Little by little Sari smiled happily and slowly wiped her tears.
Until the music finished, Vaz and Orfe reasoned that they wanted to ask for a drink at Sari's house and the old woman who turned out to be her mother got it for them. Sari was already smiling even though there was a deep longing in her eyes.
"You are a wonderful mother," praise Vaz right then and there.
"Yeah, that's true. I'm not sure what's happened to you lately but I believe him leaving can make you happy someday," Orfe said with his trademark boxy smile.
Sari looked at the two of them even though she was surprised but she felt relieved too.
"Do you think he wouldn't be mad that I made him lose his life?" asked Sari.
"No, no one is mad at you. It's God who thanks you for bringing back his beloved so quickly," says Vaz again.
"I'm grateful that it's like that. Whoever you are, I'm very grateful," said Sari in the end.
"We should be the ones to thank for being given a drink," Vaz and Orfe smiled goodbye.
Orfe took Vaz's hand affectionately, "I didn't think it was over so soon?"
"That's right. I can go back to lying down in Malghavan," Vaz said casually but also uncomfortable because he was held together.
"Why don't you come with me to my mom's house first? I want to make sure she's all right," invite Orfe suddenly ventured.
"No. I'll just go home," Vaz of course refused.
"Owh come on. I beg you. She's your mother too, right? You don't have to show yourself. Just a peek," Orfe said finally.
"You don't intend to see your mother?" asked Vaz again.
"Hm yes but also no. I just want to watch her from a distance," Orfe explained.
"You're lucky to have a living mother, but instead you chose not to see her. You'll regret it later, Orfe," Vaz reminded.
"Yeah someday I'll definitely see her but not for now. But now that I think about it you never told me about your mother either. What was she like?" Orfe asked not knowing himself.
A simple question that managed to make a Vaz pause and stare back at his memories as a child. His eyes began to mist and his lips began to tremble. Vaz missed his late mother very much. Emotions he never showed to anyone else.