"Breathe in… breathe out!" Mikal suddenly guided the group into a calming exercise.
"I know how anxious you all have become, judging by the arguments ever since we got lost. But my grandparents taught me this relaxation therapy—it'll help calm your minds and keep us hopeful on this journey."
Everyone closed their eyes, holding their fingers as Mikal led the therapy sessions, sensing the pressure weighing on them.
"We must stay hopeful. Hope deferred makes the heart sick," he added firmly.
They shared a brief snack, then resumed cycling.
"Looks like we're not being trailed after all! Am I still the leader?" Nick asked, glancing back.
"Nick, that's not a phase," Elizabeth replied firmly. "A phase is a new stage, in my opinion. You must keep leading us toward hope. After that, we'll rotate leadership."
"The network's still down—how hopeful can we be? I'm just curious about this journey," Nick muttered, cycling at the front.
"What about the maps? Any hopeful directions?" John asked.
"Let me check," Tiffy said, scrutinizing the map. "It's still pretty vague. No detailed routes. Even with spells, I doubt much would change."
"Unnecessary fuss. But we have to look forward, not backward. Being at the front means vulnerability. The good part? Leadership rotates, so everyone gets a turn. You'll see how it feels to be a leader in the middle of a crisis," Nick said, a hint of challenge in his voice.
"Are you implying my leadership is wrong? Feels like we're straining here," Tiffy snapped.
"What I'm saying is, shut up. I'd rather stay alone on the rooftop than share a room with a quarrelsome woman."
"So I'm not allowed to hesitate or complain under your dictatorship?"
"You only have the right to stay silent. Anything you say will be used against you in a court of law—I'm the dictator here."
"That sounds like an arrest. Wish it were more romantic."
"My mom taught me to never disrespect women or hit them. But you're stubborn as the gale. I wish you'd just be quiet while we figure this out."
"Your mom taught you well. How I wish respect was more romantic, and you'd love me unconditionally."
"Respect is earned, and it's mutual. If you keep disrespecting me, how do you expect respect back? I might end up despising you... or divorcing you. You know that, by law."
"I know the law well. But you're mine whether you like it or not. Seems you've been bewitched by your allies to fall into traps. I love you, Nick, you know that."
"Love, trust, respect—all earned. If you keep running your mouth, I swear I'll divorce you. Try me."
"Okay, I hear you. I'm sorry for the disrespect. But if we divorce, who'll you end up with?"
"That's none of your business! You cheated on me with campus guys, aborted their pregnancies—you're a whore, Tiffy."
"A whore? Yes, I cheated and aborted, but I never chose them. And you? Jenny's baby looks like you, despite everyone denying it."
"Billy's not mine! Unlike you, I'm faithful. Looks deceive, but a woman who fears the Lord deserves praise. You're the hypocrite."
"So now I'm a hypocritical whore! That'll ruin my reputation. I was raised in a faith-based family—we all backslide. But that doesn't define us. I'm changed, Nick. The new has come."
"Your 'new' doesn't show here. You keep disrespecting my leadership."
"It's anxiety and constructive criticism. It's normal to question a leader in crisis. Remember the story of the leader crossing the desert forty days and nights? The people criticized him, saying, 'You'd rather have left us enslaved back there rather than let us die here!' Anxiety is natural."
"And it's normal for a leader to get angry. That leader got angry too. To calm my anger, not through therapies, you just have to shut your mouth."
"You're right, he got angry with God and his people. But as Mikal said, hope deferred makes the heart sick. I wish your mom taught you true respect, especially to women. There are many forms of abuse—you know that. I haven't abused you, only criticized. I might be a hypocritical whore, but at least I confessed openly. Let me be quiet now, but the truth will come out—remember the Elizabeth pizza saga?"
"And you still brag about poisoning Sally and Elizabeth.Female respect!, Respect yourself first! Poisoning is revenge and illegal for your case study. You abused me mentally with your promiscuity. If you want pity for your mistakes, fine—here they are. But don't take revenge on my allies without my consent! I can handle my mistakes, even if I'm mentally ill. I may have amnesia, but I'm mature enough."
"Fine, I give up. No revenge. You didn't take revenge on the guys I slept with anyway. I get it now. Nick, I'm not forcing this relationship. If you want a divorce, file it. I know you're hurt by my drunken cheating. Please forgive me. The cost of being a drunk celebrity."
"We're separated. Don't talk to me until I decide about the divorce later on. I'll find those cheating guys, if there's hope around here."
"They're gangsters terrorizing the neighborhood. We'll get them arrested if you want revenge."
"Sleeping with thugs?"
"You first broke my virginity. Those thugs made me drunk. Against my will. Drunkenness causes mental incapacity. What about you? Can drunkenness make you cheat?"
"No… no way! I can't cheat drunk!"
"You're hesitating. It's okay. Even if I find out, no revenge. I'll quietly distance myself while you think."
"That's best," Nick said, sighing. "Sorry for my crazy wife. Personal issues. We've agreed to silence for the rest of the mission until we get home."
A brief silence fell before Elizabeth muttered, "We'll talk if Nick feels bothered by his 'wife'—or whoever she is. A traitor mom, maybe. After all, she aborted kids in her cheating saga."
Tiffy interrupted sharply, "Elizabeth! Stay out of my personal issues if you want peace. I won't harm you since Nick's on your side. But spiritually speaking, if you sow discord and you reap discord. Don't think taking advantage will make you a happy wife."
"Brainwashed false teachings," Elizabeth shot back.
"Maybe you're right, but I know for sure is what goes around comes around. You'll reap what you sow."
"I'm not taking advantage. Nick deserves respect and love. We all know your cruel high school antics. That proverb has come full circle. Remember how you tried to poison me and Sally back then? Still, I love Nick. He inspired me, as I did him."
"I may be shameless about my past. But I've shared food with you all, even on bad terms. I'll keep doing that, even if we divorce. You can flirt with Nick—he's a free man now. I won't feel bad or seek revenge. I'm changed. I've contributed to this mission, yet you judge me cruelly," Tiffy said, tears welling.
"Tiffy, are you crying?" Mikal noticed.
"Enough nonsense," he said. "Tiffy rescued us. Without her, we wouldn't be this far. Look, there's an oasis ahead! Let's relax and find hope."
Lama added, "Mikal's right. We've been heated with hopeless arguments, almost ending in divorce talks. The therapies didn't help, only made things worse. Now, let's be silent and relax at the oasis."
The group cycled briefly and stopped by the oasis. They drank water, washed, wiped dirt off their clothes—thanks to Tiffy's brushes—and rested under the cool shade of coconut trees.