Chapter 15

Kai stood outside his apartment. He wondered what he should do. Apologizing was this tough? No wonder he never tried it before. Inhaling, he rang the bell.

Max opened it. His mouth formed a perfect "Oh!"

Kai looked at all the occupants and said, hurriedly, "Look, I am sorry for what happened. Specially you, Tyson. Next time I'll behave better."

Tyson pinched himself. Hilary's mouth sagged open. Mariah shot a surprised look at Mariam. Max gave a slight smile. Ray's eyes lit up. "Promise?" Kai looked confused but agreed. Ray smiled around hugely and said, "Do you know he just promised that he would go on another blind date?"

Kai could have slapped himself for his mistake. Why did he have to add that 'next time' to his apology. "I didn't mean that."

"Oh you did," Tyson declared.

-At Dinner.

"Even though the real reason for your presence was different but I hope you guys realize that we still have to decide about our marriage," Mariah said, leaning on Ray's shoulder.

"Crap, I forgot you people were going to get married," said Tyson, tossing food into his mouth at a scary pace.

Dizzy said, faking pride, "That's my Tyson."

"But seriously guys, we have to figure out something," said Hilary in a decided tone. "We have to figure out something," mimicked Tyson in a high pitched voice. Hilary threw her fork at him.

"How about New Year?" asked Mariam quietly. "You know, new year-new life."

"Why that's wonderful!" exclaimed Mariah. "In fact, I'll name my next creation that."

"What about place?" asked Max. Ray answered, "We don't want anything overboard. The local church would do."

"Aww, that'll be no fun," said Tyson.

Mariah cut him across, "Tyson, you can decide where ever you want for your own marriage. Right now, I agree with Ray."

"As for the dresses," smiled Hilary, "you guys don't need to worry about them. We'll do the shopping."

"Then, invitations!" said Kenny in a bright voice. "I'll make a list," said Dizzy almost simultaneously. Kenny sighed, "You mean I will. Ray, who do you wanna invite?"

"The White Tigers," said Mariah and Ray together. Looking at each other they gave a we-know-each-other-so-well look.

"Emily," said Kenny and Mariam corrected, "All Starz." Kenny's blushing didn't go exactly unnoticed.

"Blitz Men," said Kai.

Tyson was quick to retort, "Someone's communicative today." Kai stuck out his tongue at him. Tyson's jaw dropped two floors low. Wow! Kai was being major-creepy. Maybe he was drunk. "Anyway," continued Tyson dragging his eyes away from Kai, "the Cyber people."

"Majestics," said Hilary. Mariam said, "Saint Shields."

"Raul and Julia," said Ray. "And Romero," added Kai. Instantly he wished that his every sentence would not cause the horrified and surprised looks on his teammates' faces. "The way they behave it is as if I never talk," thought Kai.

"Brooklyn, Garland, Ming Ming, etc." Needless to say the list was endless and soon Kenny's fingers were aching from typing.

-That Night, Kai's bedroom.

(All utterances are thoughts)

Kai rubbed his aching head. As his mind cleared and replayed the events of the day he felt like going to Tyson and asking his to give him a kick. How could I have talked like that to a girl? A stranger? I am not supposed to show emotion. What if she goes and tells everyone?

I have to revert to my original self. To show emotion was insufferable. It was weakness. Then why did Diana seem so strong so happy? She isn't a closed up shell, still she is better off than me.

Kai smiled a little as he remembered her quizzical eyes, wide smile and carefree conversation. What a dunce! I wonder if she has a boyfriend. Kai looked surprised at himself. Now where did that come from? I am not interested in her or for that matter anyone else. I wonder why I can't let go of my miserable life. Tala, Bryan and Ian were ok. They were leading happy content lives. Tala was a cyborg scientist. He had married last year. A beautiful, platinum blonde Russian woman. Bryan was psychologist. It was only some months since his marriage with his red head writer sweetheart. Ian was not squirty anymore. He wasn't married but had a girlfriend (s). He owned a posh hotel in Las Vegas. And Spencer? Spencer was single but happy, being a marine biologist he was free from the darkness that Kai wanted to evade.

Bah! Its only me that's strange. I had better not- and how did she know that my name is Hiwatari? There, he was back to Diana. Then to his miserable, pathetic, life. He needed a sanctua-

Kai heavy lids won the battle against his unsettled mind and off he drifted to sleep.

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