Ronald was idling away in Triges. He was staying at Kaizermagus. First he went to Serena beach – the largest beach in Anglesland, running a length of twelve kilometer. It's the top tourist place in Kaizermagus city. He also went to Ann Park near the beach. He was sad because he could not take bath in the beach, as it was prohibited by government for it was very dangerous. But he liked the salty air and the company of around twenty thousand people. Among them he was searching for one face. Andrew's. But that was unavailable there. It was a humongous task to walk from this side to the other side and look into everyone's face – at least each male's face. He thought that people must be thinking that this man must be searching for his lost friend here. It was disappointing that some had their faces covered by caps. He could not go and uncover their faces and lo, find Andrew there. In some cases he waited before them until they revealed their faces. In a few cases he woke them up from their slumbers to ask where the alcohol bar was. And in few cases he childishly blew their caps and ran away. Hoping against hope he imagined Andrew holidaying on the beach with his family. But he found no one looking like Andrew after three days' long search. He had not given thought how he should respond if Ashok was found. He made a mental note that he would spend a weekend there on the beach again before leaving Triges. He was an inhabitant of hilly area. He hardly got any chance to spend time around any sea beach. So he spent three days on the beach.
On each of three days he would wake up very early in the morning. Then would go for jogging to the beach, for Derreck's apartment was just near the beach. It took him twenty minutes to reach there in the morning. He would walk on the beach almost from this end to that end till ten o' clock. Then he would return and was careful of the faces on the road. Reaching back apartment he would take a shower and eat something, and then would go back to the beach taking Derreck's Bullet. He would park the vehicle at a parking lot nearby. Then paying for parking he would walk amid people at the beach. Then would return late at night. He would take his lunch and dinner on the beach – from any hotel there. Derreck was getting worried about his diet and health. As he did not find Andrew on the beach he covered all the tourist places in Kaizermagus and nearby places like: a village named Neiljack famous for its churches; then San Thomas Cathedral Basilica; then Abbot Valley – a monument built to pay homage to local poets, etc. On his seventh day he returned home very early and watched some soap opera on television until Derreck returned carrying cooked noodles and soup from a nearby hotel. He asked Ronald, "Any progress?"
Ronald was tired of answering "No"s. So he said, "Today I went to the poets' shrine – Abbot Valley." Then he narrated how he felt serene there near the shrine.
Derreck said, "You are a poet yourself. Why do not you go to some poets' gatherings?"
Ronald smiled and said, "I should try some poems."
Then Derreck unpacked the noodles on two bowls and poured soup in two cups for both. They ate and talked about how they spent their days and what were tomorrow's plans.
Derreck said, "By far there is almost no progress from my side."
"Ok, but try and be quick," said Ronald. "Because I plan on going back on 15th of this month…"
"Why 15th?"
"For, I see no hope of finding my scholarly friend around Kaizermagus. Well till 15th I will keep looking for him. Then on 15th there will be a gathering of poets from the corners of Anglesland. I will witness it, and then I will go away. Arrange a ticket for me on 16th for Gabel."
Derreck said, "Why Gabel?"
"Well, I am covering all the tourist places of South Anglesland in a hurry in a hope of finding the man in question."
"Ok, your ticket can be taken care of. Let me, I will arrange it now. Otherwise I will forget it; I am a very forgetful man."
"No, I do not think like that."
Derreck called some travel agent and booked a seat for Ronald on 16th of January. Then he sat near Ronald and got a bunch of photos out of his shirt pocket. There was one bald man with green eyes; there was another heavily bearded man; there was a smart man – clean shaven and wearing a pair of goggles; and then there were several other men in the photos. But there was something strikingly similar about those men – as if they were all brothers or relatives.
Ronald asked curiously and of course with little irritation, "Who are all these people?"
He was irritated because he did not want to know anything about Derreck's personal business. Perhaps Derreck was also looking for these people.
"Have a close look," Derreck chuckled.
Ronald observed the photos while sipping from his cup of soup. Then he was astonished. They were all the photos of one man – Andrew.
Derreck said with a glint of pride, "Just photoshoped. It will be helpful for you. I did it myself."
Ronald regretted for he felt irritation a few seconds ago. Now he felt gratitude for Derreck's handy work. He said, "Thanks bro, it will be really helpful."
"If I am not of help in fetching this man to you, I thought, I can at least contribute in this way. A friendly way."
"I am glad you did this for me. For everything."
Derreck smiled and said, "It is my pleasure."
The next day Ronald woke up late and got ready for his next target: the state planetarium. He went to Kaizermagus Central Railway station. Got a ticket for Cutetown Railway Station. When he reached there, got off the train. Went to the most modern planetarium of Anglesland. It houses a fully computerized projector that depicts the heaven on a hemispherical dome. He was there just in time. Grabbed a ticket of an hour long programme on astronomy. Near the planetarium's the Walter Science and Technology Museum. It took him almost two hours to finish. Then he went out. Then took a cab to Saint Cloud Church. It was built nearly a century ago. It's one of the most frequented churches of Kaizermagus. Then he went Captown – today's last attraction. It's famous for its shore churches built in seventh century. It's one of the most visited weekend gateways. It's a major historical and heritage site. This UNESCO heritage site was the second capital of the Kaizers of Kaizermagus. It's an ancient historic town and was a bustling seaport during seventh century AD.
Next day he took a day off from all tourist places journeying. He just slept all day. Surfed net. For any trace of Andrew on it. Or any news. No. He could not find anything. Either Andrew is dead or if alive then he is very cautious: thought Ronald for the umpteenth time. He searched through many social medias: Facebook, Twitter, etc. Andrew was not anywhere.
Derreck said, "What a man? He does not use Facebook. He is an ancient man then."
Ronald said, "He was a researcher of ancient people himself. It is a possibility. He could have learned to live without using internet. And for an intellectual of his category internet may be a distraction."
He then promised himself if he failed finding Andrew here and in next two places, then he would devote his one month to those books which, according to him, Andrew could be reading. Meaning books related to ancient tribes, tribal culture, worship of mother goddess, matriarchy and other important historical and anthropological books. He concluded that it was the only suitable way to think like Andrew. He was trying to think like Andrew. Because he wanted to be the one to catch him. It was not for the credit's sake. No childishness. No pride even. It had become his aim. A driving force. Well an aim is a positive thing. Not an obsession for sure. He knew he could control it. But for Veronica it had become an obsession. It started with pride. He pitied for the little girl. He was willing to find Andrew and help her had become his aim. Well aim provides you with some detachment: he thought.
Then he backed some fresh breads and watched some pop music videos while eating them. He knew others must be working very hard. Very very hard. Madly at work. At least Sebastian. As if his live was at the stake. They would have shot him point blank seeing him baking and watching television. But he knew better. A little relaxation in a tensed moment's always important. In these relaxed golden moments creative thought process's mustered. He always cherished such golden moments. He knew he would come up with some idea. Somehow he would come up with an idea. He was feeling very relaxed and happy. Then he folded himself on the sofa and watched some more songs. After ten minutes he felt drowsy. Then he saw a few visions in his dream. He found himself studying books. Everything was blurry. He could not perfectly see any of the books' names. There were people around him, sitting and walking. He could not recognize those people. He was inside a library. Other people were also reading. Their noses deep into their respective books. He was looking at the pages of the books, then at some readers' faces.
He then woke up. He questioned himself why he was dreaming of reading in a library? It's perhaps because he had promised himself to read books on matriarchy in the Angleslandian subcontinent. Perhaps so: he concluded. Then I should go to some library around Kaizermagus at first. – Yes, tomorrow, I must go. – Hey, but, tomorrow I have to go to the poets' corner – Ok, I will dove-tail the two things into my schedule.
Derreck informed him that Kaizermagus Central Library opened at eight o' clock in the morning. Ronald woke up early and went to Central Library. The central library was a body of the Kaizermagus Central University; but anyone can enter the library. He searched on the library catalogue in the computer. He was searching mainly for "matriarchy," "matriarchial society," ""Andrew Long", etc. He found a handful of books on these topics. He went to the racks smelling strongly of old books and naphthalene tablets and fetched those books. When he was issuing those books from the elderly lady librarian she winked at him. There was a name plate before her. On it her name was written: Elizabeth T. Walker. While issuing the books she said without ado, "Do you know, you are the third man to read these books…"
"Why no one else read these books?!" Ronald was stunned.
Elizabeth said, "Your question is wrong. You should have asked who the two others are."
"Ok. Let me correct myself. Who are the two others who have read these books?"
"Now you came to the right ground," and she winked again and continued saying. "One is I and the other is a friend of mine – Andrew Long."
Ronald thought that he was inside his dream or may be it was a case of hallucination. As he was thinking a lot about Andrew, it may have happened that he misheard what Elizabeth said. He said to Elizabeth, "Can you please repeat the other man's name?"
"Why, Andrew Long," she said.
Ronald's Adam's apple bobbed. But he was glad that Elizabeth was not looking at him. He said, "Who is this Andrew Long? Do you know him?"
"Yes, I met him decades earlier. He was just a young chap then, just of my age – only five years younger than I. I will retire after two years. He must be fifty or more by now."
"Please, tell me something more about Andrew. I have read his one thesis from a friend of mine. My friend collects unique and old precious books and writings. I have found that thesis while browsing his library. His thesis was on matriarchy. I presume, this man, Andrew must be an ardent enthusiast in matriarchies and tribal lifestyle. Can you tell me something more about him? I want to meet this man. I am also researching on tribal matriarchies."
Elizabeth said, "No, you can not meet him."
Ronald asked, "Why?"
"Because, I do not know where he is?"
"Oh!"
"Hmm. He is alive or not I even do not know."
"Why so?"
Elizabeth said, "No one knows his whereabouts."
"So sad."
Elizabeth recorded all the books Ronald issued for viewing now.
Ronald asked, "So, Andrew was a scholar of this very university?"
"Hmm, a bright one."
"So he must be spending so much time in this very library?"
"Hmm," said Elizabeth pointing toward a chair under a fan and around the corner. "Over there."
Ronald said, "Thanks." Then he went to sit on the chair where Andrew used to sit. All the chairs near Andrew's chair were all new. But perhaps purposefully Elizabeth had not altered Andrew's chair. Perhaps Elizabeth had a crush on Andrew. Perhaps she did not like the idea of replacing his chair and desk. True love, cute love: thought Ronald. Then he studied the chair and the desk before it. Both were old and rickety ones. He sat on the chair. It slightly creaked. Then he put the books on the desk and studied the desk. There were several names engraved on it. There was a "Roy", a "Sylvia", even a "Santa" engraved there along with of course an "Andrew". Ronald wondered whether it was the Andrew in question or some other one. Then he observed the legs of the desk. He was feeling lucky already. A lady figure Ronald had seen on a history book was engraved on one of the four legs of the desk. Wow! Perhaps Andrew had drawn it for inspiration. Ronald had not expected such a hint. He said to himself: Why have not I come to this library from the very beginning? Why I was wondering around like a dog? He studied the other legs. There was nothing significant to look at. Then he opened and read one book. He had also brought a notebook with him. He was noting down what he felt was important. After three hours he found that he had finished the bulky first book. Then he went out for a little stroll. While strolling he googled the names of other books on internet. He did not find any link. He was sure that he had finished almost all the sources available on internet on the topic of matriarchy. Then these books which he was reading now were very rare books. He put his mobile phone inside his pocket and took a cup of tea from a nearby tea stall. After the tea he felt refreshed and went inside the library again. He started the second book. It was less bulky than the first one. It took him only an hour to finish this one. He was not reading the books relaxedly and leisurely this time. He was just skimming through pages; skipping paragraphs. That was why he was able to finish books so quick. He looked at his wrist watch. It was just midday. He promised himself that he would finish half of the next bulky book named "Ancient Matriarchy in Angleslandian Subcontinent", and then he would go on to a nearby hotel. Now he came out to search a good hotel. He planned he would locate a good hotel now, and then would go to it after finishing half of the third book. He crossed many good hotels. He stood before a Chinese restaurant. Then he returned back to the library and set bolt upright on the chair and started reading the third book.