"Hey Cami!! How long are you going to stay holed up in there?" My best friend Crystal hollered from the other end of the isle, dangling two management books in her hands.
I generally visit the Malcium National Central Library every other weekend because this library has a vast coverage of collections. Well, it's obvious since it's the largest library in the whole continent of Khamundrun.
Most people come here for the research but I come here for the relaxing feeling this library provides, the research included.
I'm one of the top five lawyers of my law firm and I like to keep myself well updated in all matters and this library, though very old, is the greatest information bank.
If anyone wants to do extensive research technology is not the answer MNC Library is. I'm going to get an award next week for my exceptional performance in a tough case, so I was planning to prepare my speech while sitting in a cubicle.
Another reason I loved this particular library was for its floor length paintings of geographic areas, creatures, historical figures etc.
My eyes roamed through a painting of king Aynaar before focusing on the blonde standing beside it.
"Heya Cristi! I thought you'll be coming after another hour later."
"Camille, an hour has already passed. Come let's have lunch. Aren't you hungry?" Cristal asked me with her usual beaming smile.
"Starving." I returned the favor with my own happy smile.
I met Crystal almost eleven years ago when I was seventeen and still living with my parents and brothers.
She's a human and the most understanding and positive person I've met so far in my life. Despite the fact that my parents hated that I, a werewolf, hangs around with a human. But we were inseperable friends from the bigenning.
In today's world werewolves and humans have evolved themselves to live together in harmony.
We respect each other's boundaries and don't jump to cut each other's throat. Well, only when there is a cut-throat competition for education and job opportunities.
We have law and order that binds us along with rules that prohibit us from discriminating against each other openly on the basis of our genes.
Although in earlier times, werewolves were the supreme power but during the course of years humans got to know our weak spots and developed special arms and forces for combat that led to The World War I and II. After all the destruction, Civil Rule was finally established between both the species.
Like our species, I am a heavy non-vegetarian food lover and Cristi is a vegan which is not so common since World War II because after the war humans also started adopting werewolf lifestyle, their diet and language included. But while we stayed together, we also adopted each other's habits and tastes. After years of time spent with Cristi, I also started enjoying vegan food.
I lived alone but, my love for food is unparalleled therefore I started learnig how to cook and soon it became one of my talent.
Though we have enigas, the most popular robot cooks of today's time, I enjoyed cooking my food myself, trying different recipes and cuisines, experimenting with them and adding my personal touch to every dish.
In the beginning, I had to do all the work myself because I couldn't afford the hi-tech technology on my own. Renting a flat and paying the bills took a toll on me, even if the University fees and books were taken care off by my scholarships.
So I cooked and cleaned and did most of my work on my own. However, living like that gave me pleasure and a sense of independence. This helped me to be more productive with my time.
I also developed a talent for cooking which was one of the good things that was a consequence of my decisions.
Currently we were sitting in our favorite Yuanise (Chinese) vegan café, just across the street.
"Cami, I know we planned for the outing tomorrow but I really have to postpone it to some other time. Fahir (father) had called earlier for an urgent family meeting and after that we'll be going to the Sun Temple to pray for the lord's blessings", Cristal said while stuffing a big peace of roasted potato in her mouth, while smearing the orange colored mayonnaise on the sides of her lips.
The mention of family brought a slight pang in my heart but ignoring that I asked, "Is everything alright? How is Modre (mother) now?" My worry was evident in my question.
Though in the modern world, a relationship between a werewolf and human is very common, but my parents being the most orthodox people in the whole world hated the idea of this development. They still believed that werewolves are a superior breed and should not have anything to do with the likes of lowly humans. Cristi's parents were the exact opposite of my parents in this matter.
My family was cold and rigid, while Cristi's were friendly and loving. Her modre, Marisa was like a second mom to me and loved me like her own daughter.
After the Corona Virus breakout two years ago many humans suffered with health issues.
Since werewolf blood is resistant against many viruses, the werewolf community was not that greatly affected but human community was not so lucky. Corona Virus caused huge amount of human deaths and severe damage to internal organs of humans.
Marisa caught the corona virus and had to suffer a lot, her kidneys being affected the most. That period was and still is a dark time for humans. A lot of them got physically weaker and still couldn't completely recover. Corona virus was deadly because it transmitted rapidly and affected the major internal organs of humans.
"Oh Modre is doing well fortunately and the doctors are very optimistic about the second surgery. I don't exactly know why Fahir called for the meeting but I'm hoping it's not something serious."
I sighed in relief after hearing modre's well-being. I haven't talked to my modre since the past nine years. The last time was on my wedding day. Even the thought of that night brought shiver down my spine.
"I'll be coming to see Marisa soon", I said while eating a cherry tomato from my spinach and tomato pasta.
"She'll be glad to see you", she said without skipping a beat.
Her natural expression morphed into a more intrigued one. And I knew something is going on in that little head of hers.
"What did you think about that date with my cousin? Give him a chance, Cami. He's a neurosurgeon, smart, good looking, only few years older than you." She said while wiggling her brows.
"It can be a good match Cami. Till when are you going to stay alone? Or are you worried because he's a human?"
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1. Khamundrun : The name of the continent where the theme is set.
2. Werewolves : A wolf shifter being given the blessings of Moon Goddess.
3. Enigas : Robot cooks that only need the input ingredients to make a dish.
4. Yuanise food : Food from an area situated inside the continent of Khamundrun, like a city.
5. Fahir : Father in the language Khamudri
6. Modre : Mother in Khamudri
7. Khamudri : Native language of the werewolves.
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So, guys this was the first chapter. What are your thoughts?
What do you think of Cami and Cristi?
Do you think Cami will go on that date?
And what's your favorite cuisine?
Yours,
Ver.