Collided

Chapter 3

Dr. Adler tried to reason with the Sultan once more. "If I could travel to the city and collaborate with other doctors, we could have more resources and knowledge to find a solution together," he proposed.

But the Sultan shook his head firmly. "Out of the question. We need you here, Adler. People are in fear, and they need you now more than ever. We can't afford to have our only virologist wander off on an expedition that may not yield results."

Dr. Adler took a deep breath and shifted his focus. "Sultan, there are other communities like ours in need as well. There may be mutations already underway for this virus. I need more samples of other sick people to gain a comprehensive understanding of Cilomina. But I believe the fear we feel now is the beginning of wisdom."

The Sultan looked puzzled. "What updates do we have about what is really going on here?"

"The leading theory is that our livestock feed on the same crops that are infected, making us susceptible to contracting the virus," Dr. Adler explained.

"But I thought viruses could not spread from plants to humans," the Sultan said, confusion written across his face.

"You're right, sir. There is no scientific explanation for it. As far as I know, a plant virus can't bind to a human cell receptor. Viruses are typically host-specific, making it practically impossible for a plant virus to infect humans," Dr. Adler confirmed.

"It makes sense, but at the same time, it doesn't," the Sultan mused, deep in thought about the enigma they were facing. The more they understood, the more complex the situation seemed to become. They both shared a moment of contemplation, searching for answers to the mysteries of Cilomina.

Just then, Alyssa came walking toward her father. She paid her respects to the Sultan and informed him that the council had just arrived and wanted to see them.

"I guess it's about this same issue we're discussing," the Sultan pointed out.

"I'm fed up. I don't know what to do or expect, but I assure you..."

"Don't assure anything. We need more than your assurance. Everyone will die someday, but we're dying like chickens right now. It would take more than magic to convince them or me that there is any hope. The whole world is suffering, and nobody knows what to do."

Dr. Adler bit his lip, knowing that mere words wouldn't be enough to ease the Sultan's concerns. The weight of the village's predicament and the council's demands weighed heavily on him, and he longed for a breakthrough.

"Alyssa, I will meet you here when we finish," Dr. Adler said, trying to focus on the immediate task at hand.

She nodded and gave his hand a light squeeze, understanding the immense pressure he was facing.

"We should go. It's best not to keep the council waiting," he said.

As Alyssa watched her father and the Sultan walk away, worry clouded her mind. She couldn't bear seeing him in such distress. She was immensely proud of him and the importance of his work, but she had often cautioned him about the toll it was taking on him. His dedication was admirable, but she feared it might drive him to the brink of exhaustion.

The weight of the village's predicament and the council's constant demands seemed to have taken a toll on him. Everything that had been happening lately was affecting him negatively, and she wished she could do more to support him. She observed the physical toll it had taken on him – the lost weight, the wrinkles on his forehead, and the dark circles under his eyes from sleepless nights spent in his lab.

With each passing day, Alyssa felt the burden of responsibility for their people's well-being grows heavier. The relentless search for a cure was a race against time, and she knew her father's heart was heavy with the weight of it all.

She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her. She hoped that her father's sacrifices would soon pay off, and they would find a cure for the pandemic. She prayed for a breakthrough that would ease the suffering in Barawa and bring back the sense of hope and security they once knew.

Dr. Adler's heart sank as he approached the council members. Their worrisome looks and demanding expressions only added to his growing unrest. They wasted no time expressing their dissatisfaction and making threats of consequences if he didn't deliver the results they sought. The pressure was immense, and he could feel the weight of the village's hopes and fears resting squarely on his shoulders.

An hour passed, and Alyssa remained patiently waiting for her father's return. Lost in thought, she glanced at the position of the sun, trying to estimate the time. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her, and she turned to see her father standing behind her. She hadn't noticed him come out of the meeting.

"Father, you scared me! How did it go with the council? I hope they weren't too hard on you like last time," Alyssa said with concern in her voice.

Alyssa knew how difficult the council could be, especially when they were anxious and desperate for results. She had heard their harsh words directed at her father during their previous meetings, and it had hurt her to see them treat him with such disrespect.

Her father's dedication to finding a cure for the virus was commendable, but he had been facing immense pressure and scrutiny from the council. He had sacrificed his well-being, barely eating or sleeping, and yet they seemed unappreciative of his efforts.

"They are treating you unfairly, Father, as if you are the cause of Barawa's predicament," Alyssa said, her voice tinged with frustration.

"I do not wish to talk about them. Having to deal with them makes me sick to my stomach," Dr. Adler replied, his teeth clenched in anger and exhaustion.

Changing the topic, Alyssa suggested they go home. Both tired and hungry, they agreed to harvest some durra and dates on their way back and have a comforting dinner together.

As dusk settled, they returned home, and Dr. Adler felt grateful to have such a loving and hardworking daughter. He watched as Alyssa dragged a heavy sack of durra and dates to a corner in the kitchen. He had wanted her to harvest only a few, knowing how much work it was and how it could strain her back, but she insisted on doing more to save herself from daily trips to the farm.

After carefully placing the sack next to a pile of harvested corn, Alyssa proceeded to prepare dinner, and they both ate in silence. As Dr. Adler began to clear his plates, Alyssa stopped him, insisting that she would take care of it. He appreciated her gesture and retired to his lab as usual.

As she sat peacefully in her armchair, memories of her late mother flooded her mind, filling the house with the echoes of the past. Her mother had succumbed to Cilomina, and sometimes, Alyssa wished she could join her too, just as she knew her father did. However, she quickly pushed those thoughts aside and focused on caring for her father and cherishing their time together.

All the grievances and conflicts she had with her mother seemed insignificant now. Her mother's absence left a void that could never be filled. Alyssa often found herself intentionally recalling her mother's appearance, voice, and presence to keep her memory alive.

With a heavy heart, she reached for her favorite book from the shelf. It held a special connection to her mother, as they both had read it numerous times together. As Alyssa immersed herself in the familiar pages, she felt a profound connection to her mother's spirit and found solace in the memories they shared through the book.

"In Sickness and in Health" was the title of the book, a fictional story set during the Spanish flu, when a devastating pandemic almost wiped out an entire community. The focus was on a young man who lost his beloved wife during the outbreak. In hindsight, he regretted how their relationship had been filled with constant conflict and emotional abuse. His wife, a gentle and quiet soul, suffered from emotional hurt and occasionally lashed out disrespectfully. Now the man in the story wished he had cherished their time together, showing more love and patience. He saw all those times they fought as vanity. He wished he had not traded a lifetime of peace for a lifetime of strife and majoring in minor things that would soon pass away.