“Ah, thanks,” he said raising his eyebrows.
“Is Gudama Indian too? He sort of looks like one,” she asked curious to find more details about him.
“Only my sister met him and she said although he has an otherworldly presence, he does have some resemblance to our people.”
“Wow that is so awesome!” Layla said with her fists clenched together by her chest.
“Layla, if you meet him please give him my message of my brother’s actions.”
“You can count on me,” she said confidently.
Layla offered her hand, which Rohan stood up and accepted, feeling better about giving her the email. After shaking hands, Layla left toward the exit. She opened the door, turned and winked in trust at Rohan before closing.
He sat in silence, listening to the fainting footsteps of Layla and the “ding” sound of the elevator.
With a slow deep breath, he let out some anxiety.
“Forgive me brother.”
Hacking
Overjoyed, Layla skipped down the hall and left the building smiling like a little girl with candy. Outside, she noticed Dennis was sitting by a wishing fountain with his hand on his forehead.
“What’s on your mind?” she asked.
“Oh hey, nothing just stuff,” Dennis said startled.
“Well, you know what they say. When times get rough, make a wish!” she said immersed in joy.
Layla took out a coin, turned around and tossed it behind her shoulder into the water. She smiled, giggled, gave Dennis a thumb up and skipped away. Dennis was dumbstruck.
Rapidly, she made her way through the crowds of New York. Every cell vibrated as she could hardly contain herself. Neurons fired away as she contemplated her message to Gudama. She began walking across the street only to be shocked back to reality by the honk of a truck. Layla froze in her steps with hands up as the massive vehicle zipped by inches in front of her. Terrified, she closed her eyes and centered herself realizing she nearly could have been run over. Being so emerged in her quest, Layla was absent minded of her surroundings and promised to stay focused. Once she calmed down, her zeal sparked a big smile once more and she continued on her way with wide arm swings.
Layla repeated several mentally typed sentences to herself on the subway. Onlookers on the train found her irritating as she kept at it the whole ride.
Finally, she thought of an appropriate email message that satisfied her.
“Yes that’s it, oh my God somebody pinch me! Ouch!” Layla exclaimed.
“You said pinch you,” a punky college kid replied, making a kissing gesture.
Layla smacked him on the side of his head, knocking off his hat. Thankfully for that, Layla returned to reality just in time to hear the announcement of her stop.
“Perfect,” she said smiling confidently.
Inside at Oliver’s Organic Paradise, Layla went up to the juice bar.
“Layla, long time no see,” said a tall blonde man.
“Why hello Oliver, you’re looking spectacular!”
Oliver’s eyebrows rose as he was in the normal employee uniform sporting a messy hair due.
“Thanks, what’ll it be?”
“Hit me up with your banana berry blast with some spirulina and chlorella, oh and with some wheat grass too!”
“You got it boss, sounds like somebodies happy, what’s the good news?” he asked.
“Oh, that’s just it exactly. I’ve got the greatest story of news history!”
“Really, what is it?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see Ollie, but I’ll give ya a hint, it’s out of this world,” Layla said winking.
Oliver thought about it for a second.
“No way,” he said.
“Way,” Layla said walking away with a big smirk on her face.
“You’re amazing Layla, berry blast coming right up!” he said impressed by her efforts.
A server quickly brought Layla her drink.
With a sip of her antioxidant powerhouse, Layla wrote down the words for her email, exciting the environment around her. Drawing out her phone, Layla quickly typed away the letters which created her message. Upon completion, she gazed at the screen with her head raised in satisfaction.
Gosh, I haven’t seen that look since she finished her triathlon, thought Oliver who noticed her.
With the push of a button, Layla’s email to Gudama was sent. She finished her drink, got up, and waved goodbye to Oliver, radiating joy in her aura.
On the bus ride home, Layla stared out of the window dreaming of mystical fantasy.
Home was her sanctuary. She slipped into more comfortable clothing – her favorite pajamas given by her grandma. Her growth spurted early, developing her tall strong physique during high school. She happily prepared for herself a very veggie healthy hearty dinner filled with quinoa, nuts, vegetables, and healing herbs.
Treating herself with dark chocolate was a no brainer she earned it even if it was Monday. She ate some date treats topped with coconut shreds in addition to a fruity smoothie, tickling her sweet tooth. After satiated, Layla reclined on her couch and watched a comedy show. At the end, Layla thought about Gudama.
It’s been a couple hours, she thought tapping her fingers together. She contemplated checking her email, debating with herself if it was too early. Soon enough she had succumb to her urge.
Hopping on her seat, Layla logged into her email account eagerly anticipating a response, but found nothing. Layla let out a displeased grunt. She figured he must be busy and it was way too early to expect a reply. With that in mind, she treated herself to some herbal tea and relaxed on her couch. Pondering the possibilities, Layla was euphoric with delight. She slightly opened her bedroom window and sat in a lotus position. Entering a deep meditation, she felt a force like no other. Thoughts, worries, news, due dates, these all drifted away in her newly enlightened state. A pin drop could be heard that night which couldn’t have been better for her. The sky became darker, colorful swirls filled the way as she entered a lucid world of endless imagination, her head lightly falling on her gentle cotton silk pillow.
Springing out of bed, Layla forgot how she fell asleep as she slept like baby Buddha. It was every insomniac’s dream. Layla flew onto her chair as if a wrestler had chucked her. She checked her email with her body crouched close to the screen. Her eyes grew bigger in anticipation, yet still nothing. Recovering, Layla laughingly brushed it off, telling herself she was being too impatient and needed to occupy her time with something productive.
She jumped on her bed and began writing a draft for her article, immersing herself completely into the limitless world of writer imagination. Three days had passed. Layla logged onto her email again. She franticly searched for the golden response, filtering out other unwanted or otherwise unimportant messages. Although there were emails to make the normal person content, there was still no reply from her outer space correspondence. It saddened her this time the zeal had lessened as she wondered what could have happened. Layla resent her original email, thinking perhaps it was lost in cyberspace. Regaining her smile, she sent duplicate emails making sure it would be seen. She spun around her chair and made some finishing touches to her apartment. There was a knock on the door.
“Hi!” Layla greeted her mom.
“Hello darling,” her mother said with open arms.
They hugged and got settled in.
“My, my, your apartment is amazing!”
“Thank you, it’s not always this neat, but come in have a seat, dinners ready,” said Layla blushing.
“Did you do all this for me?” Layla’s mom said with her hands on her cheeks, “You shouldn’t have.”
“You’re my mother, I would be nowhere without you,” Layla said with a smile.
“Oh my precious little angel,” her mom said pinching Layla’s cheek.
Layla had prepared a healthy banquet. Most of the ingredients she used her mother never saw before and it was fun for Layla to exp
lain what everything was. Together, they enjoyed their meal.
“This quinoa is so good,” her mom commented.
“Thanks, the oregano and spices give it flavor. I like adding almonds and fresh herbs, it makes it tastier,” Layla said.
“Any man would love your cooking. Speaking of which, have you found anybody yet?”
“Oh mom stop, you know I’m busy with work,” Layla said smiling. “Did you see the news abo-?”
“Oh stop that Layla, you know I don’t watch trash TV,” her mom said with her disapproving gesture.
Layla laughed at her reaction.
“You’re not getting younger, and the city is full of wealthy successful men. What about Dennis?” her mom said.
Layla gestured shaking her head, she never did tell her about catching him cheating on her.
“Come now Layla, you’re independent, strong, and healthy why not find a good man?”
“It’s not really my priority right now mom.”
“Then what is, work? You push yourself too hard Layla, having a shoulder to lean on helps. Your father, bless his soul, never used to let me fall under depression. Whenever I needed him he was there, through the good times and bad times. He would have wanted the same for you dear.”
Layla was saddened thinking about her father.
“Oh Layla, don’t feel bad. Your father lived a good life, and he always took responsibility for his actions. What he did was his choice, it wasn’t your fault,” her mom said, placing her hand on Layla’s forearm.
Tears ran down Layla’s face as she sniffled a bit looking upwards. Layla’s mom got up and hugged her, it helped soothe the emotions.
“You deserve the best Layla. So, any dates lately?” her mom said sitting down again.
Layla smiled while shaking her head.
“Come now honey, you’re telling me there isn’t one guy on this planet whose good enough for you?”
“Well, there is this one guy,” Layla said.
“Really, who, what does he do?” her mom asked curiously.
“He just immigrated here, he likes helping people.”
“Yea, where’s he from?”
“Far away from around here,” Layla said with a smirk.
“Good, whoever at this point for me, so long as you’re happy and he treats you well,” replied her mom throwing her hands up.
With that they both smiled.
“Your aunt and I, we used to tease about you when you were little, you were so different from the other girls. You played by yourself doing all your weird things, and never did fit in with the other girls. We joked that the only guy you’d want to marry would have to be an alien,” she said bursting into laughter.
A big smile wiped across Layla’s face.
“Well, maybe I will,” she said fiddling with a fork.
Dinner was great for them. Afterwards, they sat on the couch and caught up with their lives, talking themselves to sleep. The next morning bright and early, Layla made a call.
“Hello?”
“Hi Henry, its Layla,” she said.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“Not much, what are you up to,” she asked?
“I’m on my way to work, what about you?”
“Same, listen, can you meet today?”
“Sure, stop by at one I’ll be on break.”
“Great, see you then,” Layla said happily.
Layla hung up and got ready.
“Who was that?” her mom asked.
“Henry, he’s a buddy from college.”
“Oh, is he the one y-”
“No, no mom, he’s just a friend,” a smiley Layla said.
“Ok, whatever you say,” replied her mom, winking.
Layla shook her head smiling and got dressed to impress. They both left together towards their destination, Layla walking her mom to the bus stop.
“Layla dear, it was so nice to see you,” her mom said holding Layla’s cheeks.
“You to mom, be safe.”
“I will, and you find yourself a good man. Next time I visit, I want to hear about your marriage plans,” her mom said pointing her finger.
Layla smiled, “Ok mom, I will.”
They hugged and her mother boarded the bus.
Layla strode strongly towards on her journey. She felt her phone buzz in her purse.
“Hello,” she said.
“Hey Layla, what’s the latest on your alien story?”
“Just give me a little more time Mark, I’m about to find this guy,” she said a little stressed.
“Ok, but we really need something soon, good luck.”
Layla hung up and checked her email again, empty. She let out a sigh and called a taxi. Layla got in and gave the driver the address. After arriving, she walked in the building with worry, her mind dwelling on contacting Gudama. Inside, she went up to the second floor and saw many cubicles with computer geeks toiling away endlessly in various assignments. Being a gorgeous girl, she inadvertently attracted everyone’s attention.
“Hello. May I help you?” a tall thin man asked.
“Yes, I’m here to see Henry,” Layla said.
The man gestured to follow him. She noticed one skinny guy with big glasses and dark mop top hair clicking away swiftly on a digital painting. Another was working on retouching a photo, while several others were on the phone providing computer services. A few others were making websites with complicated html code.
“Who’s the chick?” one worker whispered to the other. “It’s not every day a pretty woman arrives on site,” he continued.
“She said she’s looking for Henry, is she his girlfriend? Lucky little nerd,” said another.
The tall thin man led her to a small office in the back and knocked on the door.
“Henry, you have a visitor.”
Layla leaned over and waved with a big smile, her teeth glistening bright white.
“Layla what’s up, long time no see?” said Henry.
“I’m great, how are you, working hard?” asked Layla noticing his pale complexion, dull yellowish hair, and bony frame, not to mention his junk lunch.
“Yea, working hard alright,” Henry said letting out a sigh while rubbing the upper ridge of his nose.
“Aren’t we all, speaking of work, I was wondering if you could help me with something,” she asked smilingly with her hands folded behind her.
“It’s college all over again, what can I do for you?” he said with a chuckle.
Layla explained her failed attempts to contact someone and wanted Henry to track the location of the email.
“Who is this person?”
Layla paused, looking to her side. She commented on one of his robot models.
“Thanks,” he said not easily diverting his attention.
Layla let out a breath.
“Look, I’ve got the biggest story of my life and all I need is this interview, please Henry,” she said.
“Maybe he doesn’t want to talk.”
“No, he has to, my emails must’ve gone in his spam folder!” she stated with raised fists.
Henry was taken back.
“Who is this guy?”
Layla stalled, but finally let out a confessing sigh.
“Ok Henry, I’ll be honest with you. Did you see on the news of the space man?”
“Who hasn’t it?”
“I’ve got his email,” she said with a firm expression.
“What, are you joking? Where, and how?”
Layla stared at him with a serious look. Henry looked at her with surprise and doubt.
“Please Henry,” she said.
“That’s the most serious I’ve seen you, you aren’t kidding,” he said swallowing saliva. “Look…hacking is not my specialty. You’re going to have to ask Eric. He’s lazy and puts off work, but he’s good, otherwise we would have let him go long ago. Problem is, he’s the best and he knows it.
You’re going to have to convince him to do it. You can tell him I
sent you, but I can’t guarantee when he’ll find your guy,” Henry said.
“Where is he?” she said standing erect again with returned zest.
“Back at the main lab in room eight, good luck.”
“Thank you Henry, you’re the best!” Layla said hugging him. She started striding out, but stopped at the door and mischievously turned around.
“Don’t worry, I’m very persuasive,” she said seductively.
She winked and left. Henry was speechless. He took a deep breath to regain composure.
“Yes you are,” he said to himself.
Opening a few buttons on her shirt, Layla walked to the main room full of cubicles and made her way across to where room number eight was, receiving many looks from employees. She knocked on the door, no answer. Knocking again, she slowly opened the door slightly.
“Eric?”
Inside was a short pimple faced man with messy black hair.
“Who is it?” he said adjusting his glasses.
“Hi there, I’m Layla. Henry sent me over to get some help from you,” she said making eye contact.
“From me,” Eric stuttered in disbelief?
“Yeah, I need to find the location of an email address, can you do that for me sweetie?” she said in a soft affectionate tone while leaning over exposing more cleavage. She handed him the address. Butterflies flew around Eric’s stomach as his whole body started shaking.
“Ah-s-sure,” he said, sweat running down his head.
He searched for the location, stating that it was a remote IP address. After several minutes of mouse clicking Eric fiddled in his chair and let out a few sighs. Layla noticed his displeased look. She stood beside him and leaned over.
“Wow, that looks really complicated,” she said smiling with a keen interest.
“Oh yeah, it’s a lot of code,” he said a little taken back by her closer proximity.
“I don’t know how you do it, you must be really smart!” she said sincerely, smiling at him.
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