by Sieni A. M.
“Sera, you called at two in the morning thinking you had hives when they were clearly just mosquito bites.”
“I know what mosquito bites look like! I am, after all, a nurse. I had hives because I’m allergic to milk.” She stuck her tongue out at him before turning to the group, smiling cheerily. “Right, what should we do to celebrate?”
Uncle Solo spoke up then. “You are all invited to join us for family lunch. I believe Alana mentioned a popular Chinese place once or twice in her emails.”
Sera eyed Alana mischievously before agreeing.
***
The Red Dragon was a popular destination for FNU students, situated within walking distance from the university. It was the kind of place that wasn’t too expensive for allowance-strapped students, and the proportions were huge for said students’ bottomless stomachs.
Soon after the group arrived, graduates and families alike piled in with similar plans. Tables donned with white tablecloths, plastic floral centerpieces, and red paper lanterns hanging low from the ceiling were there in all of their Made in China glory to greet them. Pop music filled the airways as Alana’s group was led to a circular table that easily fit their party of nine. The aroma of steamed pork dumplings and stir fried noodles made Alana’s stomach grumble. After placing their order of BBQ duck, sweet and sour chicken with orange peel, beef strips in oyster sauce, chow mein, lemon pork, ginger shrimp, grilled spicy fish with bamboo shoots, spring rolls, combination fried rice, sticky white rice, and won ton soup, the group settled on drinks.
“I don’t think we ordered enough food,” David deadpanned, taking a sip from his straw.
“So tell us what your plans are now that you’re ready to go out and conquer the world,” Perlita asked, turning to Sera and Manu.
“Well, I’m returning to the Solomons to work this scholarship off, pay back my fees,” Sera explained. “God knows that’ll probably take years, and then I will really be free!”
“That’s wonderful, Sera. Very honorable of you to give back to your community,” Perlita said with a smile. “When you get the chance you must come visit us in Samoa.”
“Absolutely! I definitely intend to visit my girl here,” she said, nudging Alana. “I don’t think I can go on too long without our detox sessions.”
“Detox sessions?” Malia asked, her ears pricking up at the mention of something related to a day spa.
Manu groaned. “Their laughing sessions, Malia. You know, what we call being a soso? They have bouts of this on a daily basis.”
Alana grinned when her sister snickered and rolled her eyes.
“Well, as a mental health specialist now, I can honestly say that it is perfectly good for your health and well-being—mentally, socially, and all of the other allies,” Sera said, expressing amusement in her eyes.
“I have no doubt you two have had your fix for the next two millennia,” Manu added, sipping his coke and placing it down on the coaster. “As for me, I’ll be heading back to Samoa to work at the National Hospital. I'll be in the ER where all the action is.” He rubbed his hands in anticipation.
“I’m glad I won’t have to say goodbye to you at least,” Alana said sincerely. Manu grinned in return and he reached out to squeeze her hand.
While Alana looked forward to her new career, she was aware that fast changes were approaching: Sera moving back home and she and Manu returning to Samoa after many years. Now that she had graduated and was equipped with the right skills, she was going to work at Samoa’s National Hospital for at least three years to pay off her scholarship bond. It was a dream that was finally coming true but one that was bittersweet. Returning home meant she would be moving back to live with her mother and brother in the house she grew up in. While Alana looked forward to being surrounded by the familiar, she was also wary of the fact that her family dynamic had changed drastically.
The group sat, sipped their drinks, and chatted some more about the university until the food arrived. After the meal, her family piled into taxis.
“We’ll see you at the airport tomorrow, Alana. Don’t be late!” Perlita called out as they took off down the street to their motel.
Sera, Manu, and Alana returned to the dorms to pack up their belongings and spend what little time they had together before departing the next day.
***
“Four years for you and I can’t believe you’re only going back with one suitcase,” Alana huffed as she and Sera struggled to stuff and close one of her many bags.
“I prefer simplicity to your hoarding any day,” Sera responded as she sat on the case while Alana attempted to zip it shut. She couldn’t argue with that; she was sentimental and preferred to keep every little knickknack that had a memory attached to it—a coaster here, beaded necklace there. She was definitely going to have to pay an excess luggage fee. They had been roommates since her freshmen year, and while Alana’s treasures dominated the space, their room was mostly clean in a stockpile kind of way. She looked around and smiled. Two beds were pushed against the walls on opposite sides of the room. A large window with a view of the sports field divided the space in the middle. Beneath it sat a prominent desk that was home to their lap tops, photo frames, and text books. Rugby player posters were tacked along the wall where Sera’s bed was. Alana chuckled, silently remembering the day her best friend became a convert to the sport following a conspicuous meeting with some good-looking players from out of town at the Red Dragon.
A couple hard knocks came from the door followed by two third-year students entering the room. Tina and Priya, medical students who lived a couple doors down the hall, bounded in excitedly.
“Lookie here!” Tina spoke. “I never thought I’d see the day when this room would become so bare. I can actually see the mat,” she joked.
“Is there anything we can keep?” Priya asked, snooping around.
“I have a ton of hand creams and sprays on the bed,” Alana offered. “I know my bags will be overweight so they’re all yours.”
Priya made her way to the bed and plopped down on one end. “Hey, this stuff smells amazing!” she gushed, sniffing and sampling the tropical scents of the Mailelani product line.
“Okay, enough packing,” Sera rose and wiped her brow. “Let’s head down to Coco Squeeze. I’m in need of a mango and coconut smoothie,” she said, shuffling everyone out the door.
They headed down the narrow hallway that led to a staircase on the second floor. “So where’s Manu?” Tina asked innocently to no one in particular. “I thought your trio was inseparable.”
It was no secret that she thought the world of him and harbored a crush that went ignored for months. It wasn’t surprising that she or any girl with sense would be attracted to him. Manu was confident, intelligent, and a bowl of fun to have around. It also didn’t hurt that he was physically the epitome of a Pacific Island male: tall with broad shoulders, a gleaming white smile, and hair shaved close to his scalp.
“Oh, he’s probably packing up his life and will join us later,” Sera answered nonchalantly, winking at Alana. She shook her head in return and followed them down the stairs to the grassy area outside.
“Hey, there you are!” The girls turned to see Manu break away from his friends and jog across the grass towards them. “Coco for old times’ sake?” he asked when he reached them.
“We were thinking the exact same thing,” Alana smiled.
The blast of cool air from the café’s air-conditioning greeted them as soon as they stepped into the renovated space. It had been remodeled over the months with black and white tiles replacing linoleum flooring, brightly painted walls in lemony yellow, lush blue and sunset orange taking over the previous dull brown, and new steel tables and chairs that looked like they had been imported from an IKEA store. Alana reminisced over the countless Sunday evenings that were spent consuming copious amounts of caffeinated drinks while trying to cram in last minute study session for a test the following day.
“Oh no, don’t you start with that!” Sera fau
x groaned as the first beats of the Azonto song came blaring over the speakers. They were standing in line waiting to order when Manu broke away and began swaggering about, moving his arms to imitate the popular dance moves that took the radio station by storm months ago. Weren’t people sick of this song already? Several customers turned curious glances his way and chuckles followed. A group of freshmen girls giggled in his direction as he maneuvered around, oblivious to the attention he was attracting. Manu, in all his glory, did not even care. Confidence dripped off of him easily, and Alana couldn’t help the small stirrings of a smile before it erupted into laughter. He grabbed her hands to coerce her to join him.
“Nuh uh!” She laughed out loud, swatting his hand away.
“Come on,” Manu coaxed in his deep voice. “We’re graduates now! Leaving this place tomorrow. What do you got to lose?”
She smiled. Oh, what the heck, she thought. A little jiggle never hurt anyone. Manu beamed down at her as she let go and eased into a rhythm in tune with his movements. They imitated the popular dance until they broke down in laughter.
“I have to hand it to you, Lana. I didn’t know you’d be brave enough to make a spectacle of yourself,” Manu teased as they made their way to the front counter.
“Who said I was being a spectacle? I only joined in to make you look good,” she tossed back.
“Is that so?” he asked with a smug look.
Before she could reply Manu picked her up, hoisted her over his shoulder fireman style, and began to place his order.
Chapter 2
The farewells the following day left Alana feeling emotionally drained. After saying goodbye to her dorm friends, she piled into a taxi with Sera, Manu, and his mother and headed to the airport to meet her family for their flight to Samoa.
“All set?” David asked, approaching and helping load up the cart.
“Don’t you two forget to text me as soon as you land.” Sera sniffed as they made their way to the departure lounge. “And I want to hear all about your new exciting lives, so we have to Skype weekly.”
Alana hugged her friend goodbye for the sixth time that day. “I won’t forget you, Sera. I’m counting down the days until we meet up again. Plus, I’m looking forward to taking you around and introducing you to all the village rugby players.” She winked.
The flight to Samoa was short and turbulent-free, much to Alana’s relief, and once they landed and cleared immigration and customs, the group was warmly welcomed by eager family members, including Manu’s numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. The patriarch of his family promptly invited everyone to to’onai to celebrate the achievements of the two graduates.
Manu’s father was a short and muscular man with peppered black and white hair. “My son is so smart. He is a doctor now,” he announced proudly to everyone standing around. “He will take care of our families so no one will ever get sick again!” He slung an arm around Manu as they made their way to the car park.
The delectable spread that awaited them at Manu’s house made Alana’s craving for Samoan food intensify. Her stomach grumbled in agreement as her eyes roved and appreciated the banquet table laden with all the mouthwatering delights she missed from home. Suckling pig, talo, fa’i, luau, fresh fish in chilled coconut cream and cucumbers, chicken soup, curry with laupele leaves, mutton and pumpkin soup, octopus and fried fish with watercress were only some of the enticing dishes adorning the large dining room table. While young cousins carried fans to swat away the flies that threatened to land and take their fill, others dashed to and fro preparing sugary cold drinks, carrying and setting down heavy glass plates, and folding silverware in white paper napkins. The delicious aroma hit her nose when Alana grabbed a fan to help keep the flies away.
Both families gathered in the main house and feasted hungrily together, the sounds of slurping soup accompanied by grunts of approval filling the humid air. Remembering the promise she made to her best friend, Alana wiped her greasy hands on a napkin and typed out a text to Sera.
Hey, S! Letting you know we landed safe and sound. We are @ Manu’s for lunch. Amazing food! You are missing out big time. Xoxo
Two minutes later a response came.
Thanks for that, A! I expect to have the same treatment when I arrive there, too! Miss you. Xoxo
When the last remnants of koko Samoa were drained and people began to drift off to sleep, Alana’s family bid their farewells and left for home. The Cross Island Road to her house was a windy one, and the onslaught of dusk forced David to switch on the headlights of the vehicle. Her family home was atop a mountain, cool both at day and night from the valley’s breeze, and indistinguishable from the main road because it was concealed in tropical bush. To reach it, one had to turn off the tar seal onto a bumpy dirt road that seemed to get bumpier and bumpier as the rainy season pummeled away layers of soil and rock. Wild shrub grew effortlessly, creating an eerie effect that looked like spindly fingers reaching out to grip you. The result at night was even spookier, and to this day caused Alana to roll up the windows and lock all the doors when she drove alone.
She loved her childhood home. Built by her father’s carpenter hands, it was painted ivory for as long as she could remember and had a wrap-around porch with balcony doors that opened to each room which allowed warm light to stream in throughout the day. Her mother’s lush garden of tiger orchids, birds of paradise, ginger flowers, vibrant gardenia, and flaming teuila grew in clusters around the edge of their land which dipped into a valley of tropical flora that included a looming banyan tree that rose and shadowed part of the house. A small fale Samoa stood atop the only flat surface of grass available and was home to the family’s four wild mutts.
Alana entered the house and inhaled the familiar scent of wood, freshly cut ginger, and tropical flowers that never ceased to be in abundance in her house. Pillows with elei patterns were thrown over the old brown leather couches, and book shelves were lined against the wall, cramped with everything from the classics to religion; philosophy to fantasy. Interspersed amongst them were photographs of Alana and her family. Alana blowing out candles when she turned nine; a wedding photo of her mother and father; Perlita with her parents on the porch of their home in Maine; Malia and her fiancé beaming at their engagement party; David standing proudly next to their father holding his graduation diploma. The largest portrait was of her father in his late fifties. He looked serenely at the camera, shoulders straight, a gleam in his eyes. A lei of white tuberose hung around the wooden frame with small tea light candles surrounding it. Alana gazed at his face, and she felt that familiar dull pain again in her heart. She heard that one never got used to it, that even though life went on and the conversations shifted over time, the pain was always lodged somewhere deep, never completely gone, until something made it resurface.
“It’s not the same without him,” Malia spoke softly behind her. “He would be so proud of you, Lana. Can you imagine how his voice would have bellowed and drowned out everyone else’s when you went up on that stage? He would have made you steal the show.”
Alana’s throat tightened at the image her sister created. Wiping away the moisture from her eyes, she turned and grasped her sister’s left hand where her engagement ring sparkled. “I want to hear all about this Kane guy and how you brainwashed him to marry you,” she said changing the subject.
Malia met her fiancé on a flight from Samoa to New Zealand. While she was heading there to attend a course for her teaching position, he was on his way home to Wellington. When her mother called to tell her the news, Alana was amazed what a few hours of non-stop communication resulted in. Not that her sister had any problem running her mouth, and since the poor guy was stuck sitting next to her the entire time, he didn’t really have a choice. However, she was convinced that these random meetings and happily-ever-afters only occurred on the big screen or in the romance novels she frequently read. Nevertheless, Alana was happy for her sister.
Malia beamed. “I can’t wait for you to meet him
, Lana. He’s arriving a week before the wedding so there’ll be plenty of time to hang out. Of course, you’ll be busy with the wedding planning, but that’ll be fun, won’t it? He’s so charming and easy to like. David liked him immediately. Did I tell you the time he came to Samoa to meet everyone and David took him out fishing? He spewed his guts out from being seasick but came home with a twenty pounder,” she rattled on.
“Auuu, there she goes again gushing about her fiancé. Non-stop Kane this, Kane that, Kane so’o, kiga kaliga,” Sala, their long-time house girl joked from the hallway.
Alana chuckled quietly at the way she pronounced his name in her thick Samoan accent. Gane.
She rushed forward and pulled Alana into a hug. “Alana! My darling girl! You are finally home. At last I have someone to make desserts for since missy over here has gone on her wedding diet,” she said, frowning in Malia’s direction.
Sala ran the family home impeccably, ensuring the floors were spotless, shelves dusted, and hot meals provided. Far from the twenty-year-old girl Alana’s parents had hired, Sala was now in her fifties. She had silver lining her hair and the smoothest skin Alana ever felt. She looked to her fondly as a doting aunt.
“Sala, I’m so happy to see you!” she grasped onto her ample figure. “How are you? How’s the family?”
“Oh, you know. We’re surviving and thriving. My diabetes is making things difficult but now that you are back, I have a full-time nurse to take care of me, heh?”
“Oh, Sala, you have to stop eating all those sweets you make.”
“Eh, I know, I know. So everyone tells me.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I made some kopai earlier today. Want to try some?” she offered with a smile. A delicious dessert made of flour dumplings smothered in sweet cocoa sauce sounded tempting, and Sala, being the connoisseur chef that she was, made the best.
Alana smiled at her invitation. “You know I do.”
Later that evening as the family settled into bed, Alana eyed her old room, which was modestly decorated in white. The familiar musty smell hit her as she took in the pictures she hung up years ago of dream locations she wanted to visit around the world. She wished one day to climb the Machu Picchu site in Peru; swim near the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand; explore the Antelope Canyon in Arizona; sail over the Ganges River; walk upon Uganda’s red soil; hike near Moraine Lake in Canada. She had yet to visit a single destination. Perusing scraps of paper tacked neatly around them—quotes she found inspiring once upon a time—she squinted her eyes and read her handwriting.