Lava spotted Arak and came running over. "I didn't know you'd come today!"
"I wanted to surprise you. You cunning old man, you got Dr. Vira before me."
Lava laughed. "I didn't know he was a doctor."
Professor Arak looked surprised. He looked at Vira and asked, "You didn't tell him?"
Vira grinned sheepishly. "I thought he wouldn't hire me if he knew. Professor Arak, you don't have to call me 'Doctor.' To you, I will always be Vira."
Professor Arak gritted his teeth, "Lava you lucky devil! I will steal him away from you if you as much as doze off!"
Lava laughed, "Fat chance of that happening. He is the future of this island."
Just then, Mina appeared. "Daddy! Did you see the play? Did you like it?"
Vira felt as if lightning had struck him. This snob was the daughter of a man he respected so much? How was it possible? He felt newfound respect for Prof. Arak. If she took after her mother, then double respect for Prof. Arak, who had survived this long without killing either of them.
"Indeed, Mina, you were great."
"Lava, how is my daughter at school?"
"She makes life fun for those around her," Lava answered truthfully.
Vira snorted before he could contain himself, which he quickly tried to disguise as a cough.
Mina gave him a cold stare.
Before Mina could open her mouth, Vira said, "Professor Arak, it looks like it's going to pour. Do you have a place to stay? You can stay at my place."
Vira wasn't sure if the teacher's hostel allowed other people to stay.
Mina looked disgusted. "As if my father ever would. He is leaving on the next boat."
Vira looked at Arak. "It would not be wise to go in this weather."
Lava pitched in. "I agree with Vira. Storms on an island are harsher than in the city. The seas will be rough. Stay with me. Let's relive the old times."
Arak nodded. "Sounds good. I'll sleep over then."
Mina looked dismayed. Her father and Lava both went with what the bumpkin suggested.
Vira checked his watch. "I will be leaving. I need to spend the evening at Uncle Karn's place."
Akat and Kenta excused themselves as well.
"Ah, doctors, could I have your numbers, please? In case you want my help with anything, let me know. I would also love it if you could visit my school sometime and motivate the children."
They nodded. "Just send us the invite. It would be a pleasure to drop by."
They exchanged numbers and left.
Mina stood quietly as they waved their goodbyes. "Who are they, Daddy? I haven't seen them before."
"They are colleagues of Dr. Vira's."
""Dr. Vira?"
Prof. Arak gave her a blank look. Ah, Vira hadn't told anyone at school. His daughter probably didn't know either. Well, if that is what Vira wanted, he wouldn't interfere.
Vira was a bit eccentric that way. His publications weren't in his name, he never flaunted his degrees, and he never looked down on others.
"Doctor friends of Maw Vira," he said.
Mina giggled. "For a second, you had me shocked. I don't think there has been a doctorate from Mann."
Prof. Arak frowned. "Did you not learn anything here? You will stay here another year."
Lava hastily interfered, "That might be a bit harsh, Arak.
"This daughter of mine can never become a full-fledged teacher if she has such useless bias."
"She is learning.."
Prof. Arak scoffed. "Learning what, exactly?"
He turned to Mina. "You are from Marina and you don't even have a master's degree. Is it right to assume all Mariners don't study beyond graduation? By that logic, all who hold a master's degree or a doctorate should be from Mann or a neighboring country, right?"
Mina glared at him. Why did he get so mad at her?
Prof. Arak looked at the sky and told Lava, "It is starting to look bad. We should leave."
He turned to Mina. "Go back to your room. I'll catch up with you before I leave."
She waved him bye before disappearing. She didn't like the rains much.
Her mind went back to what her father had said. He was right. Just like she judged the people of Mann, they would be judging Marina because of people like her and Roma.
How did that Vira get close enough to her father to exchange numbers? Gosh, she hoped her father wasn't gullible enough to give him a job at his school. Her father was a softie that way. She would definitely stand between him and his decision if it came to that.
Vira spotted Laika. "Looks like it's going to rain heavily."
Laika nodded. "It's best that we go to our place only. If it pours, we can all sleep there. School may be off tomorrow at this rate."
Vira nodded. "I can't spot Saka."
"Saka went up ahead. I've borrowed Dad's car. We'll wait for Roma?"
Vira replied, "Let's do one thing. You four come by car. I need to go home quickly; I left Saka's gift at my place. I'll get it and meet you at your place."
Laika nodded.
Vira drove at high speed, dropping by his place for the gift.
He collected it and went straight to Uncle Karn's place.
There was no one around. Saka wasn't there yet. Maybe he stopped elsewhere. Uncle Karn did say Saka always went to see his mom on his birthdays. Saka and Uncle Karn must have gone for that. He kept his present on the table and shut the door.
He sat outside the shrine, waiting for Saka, who he knew would take the stairs.
A man with a helmet came and stood next to Vira.
He removed his helmet. He had a lean build, looking almost like a leopard. His hair, a dense black with silver streaks here and there, and his golden eyes made him look formidable.
"Mr. Vira, I presume." He said. His voice sounded lazy, quite amicable.
Vira stood up, surprised about having a guest, "Indeed. Do I know you?"