Touch the Sky

• Science fiction

								
“Tell me, how do you see your future?” As our professor in our first psychology class asked this question, everyone in the room was eager to answer his not-so-interesting topic, which I presumed had never been connected to our subject this morning, “How do you envision yourself as a successful psychologist in the near future?” he went on, but I remained quiet.

I had been scribbling enough words on my paper in case he decided to call my name, but just as I was about to come up with a fair answer, he tore the paper from me subtly. Bending his brows, he silently walked away from me, holding the paper that was just in my bare hands a while ago.

“Yes, Ms. Samantha? Would you care to say something in my class?”

I sighed. He was the most terrifying professor I have ever encountered, but what interest would he have in thus snatching a mere paper out of my hands? He started reading the half-effaced letters on my paper and as his eyes swiftly finished reading its scrambled words, he laughed. “You’re already in college, but you still envision your future treating such unparalleled craziness?”


I was too much taken up with his words, but I was neither shocked nor impressed. Everyone knows how pathetic he is as a professor, “You’re out of your mind, Ms. Samantha,” and I really could do no less than ask a question: why is he my father?

☁

“Oh, darling! It has been a year! I am glad you visited us!”

It was my grandmother’s high-pitched voice that I first heard when I entered our house. I gently leant forward to my mother and kissed her cheeks even if she did not see me and greeted me back. I looked at her. Her eyes were so enthralled by the television’s radiation that as I set my eyes upon our vintage television, it was her usual favorite Barbie Doll channel. No voice, just the mere actions and facial expressions of the characters that she has been imitating, and unfortunately, I am her toy.

I slid my backpack onto the couch and stepped into our kitchen slowly. My grandmother was hugging a five-eight-foot-tall man dressed in a simple white top with long sleeves tucked in and slacks. I mediated the scene, and when her gaze fell on me, she hugged and kissed me. It was only then that I noticed the man in his full glory; he was wearing full-sized spectacles and looked like a tall, trim man. I neither smiled nor greeted him “as the most facile of tongues may make a slip now and then.”

“Dear Samantha! Meet Jackson, the grandson of one of my greatest friends!”

The man smiled at me, “Hi, Sam!” He happily ventured. My grandmother’s eyes tore me away as I was about to bound out of the dining room.

“Hi!” said I, with a good imitation of enthusiasm.

“At long last, my precious Amber will have her first friend!”

I gave a timid smile as I sipped some water. My grandmother proceeded to tell him stories about our family, even inviting me to sit next to Jackson, but I refused. She then went on to tell him about my experience as a Psychology student and how I was able to stand up to my father’s presence.

“I’ll be cleaning your room, Amber. Please entertain your guest, okay?”

I was intently looking at the guy drinking his coffee when he lifted his head and gazed at me. He removed his spectacles and smiled.

What was that? A prop?

“I’m not who you think I am. I’m only 21, to be precise.”

For a brief minute the laughter was deafening and I struggled to find the right words to describe myself, but I’m at a loss for words right now.

“Are you a psychologist?” was the first thing that came out of my mouth.

“Why?” he asked gently, “Because I can read your mind?” He chuckled again, “You must be fully informed that being a psychologist does not grant you supernatural skills to read people’s minds.” His eyes squinted as he laughed again.

Lunatic. What a philosopher. I said to myself.

“I’m not a philosopher. I’m a scientist,” he asserts.

My heart began to race and I was enraged that he had just uttered exactly what I was thinking!

“What the—?”

“Oh no, don’t shout Samantha.” He even knew what I was about to do next!

He smiled genuinely and looked into my eyes as he stood up from the couch and walked towards me. He started chanting things I could not even hear properly.

“Calm. Breathe, Samantha. “

And I just did exactly what he told me to.

“I’m a scientist. I know you’re a bit shocked, but you are not crazy. In fact, I could even lend a helping hand in your situation.”

I rolled my eyes. He was just playing with me. Such instances can happen as usual. No one can ever read someone’s mind.

“But I read what was on your mind just now, Sam,” he whistled as he moved away from me.

Is this to say that he knows what I was thinking about a few moments ago?

“You have cluttered thoughts. I don’t know what specific thoughts you had a while ago. Except for the fact that you’re describing me with quite a few impressive adjectives.”

His shy and meek demeanor has recently evolved to one of zeal and jerkiness.

“Why are you so judgmental? I’m still in my teenage phase, that’s why.”

“Stop reading my mind!”

He laughed once again and raised his hands in defeat.

My mother arrived with her doll and inquired as to what was going on. “Nothing, Mom,” I said, inhaling deeply and smiling at her. “We’re just playing with some toys.”

“Do you mind if I join?”

“Of course, Mom, once you’ve rested.”

“All right, I’m going to sleep today so that you, this man, and I may play together,” she said happily as she walked away.

“You love her so much, huh?”

“She’s my mother, but it’s none of your concern.”

“You take psychology for her, right? I know some people say it’s a bit impossible but do know that it will always be worth the try. “

My world seemed to halt for a while as I looked at him who was wearing a genuine smile. He was the first one who said that it was possible for my mom to be healed.

“With a touch of science, of course,” he shyly said again. “I can help you, Sam. I’m always one call away.”

He handed me a card, “If you’re interested in seeing my world, you can pay me a visit. Any time.
We went out of the dining room. He started bidding goodbye to my grandmother and mom, but before he stepped his foot out of our house, he looked back at me and said, “You have grown so well, Samy.”

And as he flashed a fine smile on his face, I was suddenly reminded of my childhood days and this one boy who called me Samy as his nickname for me.

“Jack,” I muttered between my teeth.








I was completely hypnotized for the entire week. I was evaluating if it was worth a shot while holding Jack's card. I'm reluctant, but there's no hurt in trying–or at least, I hope there won't be any harm in trying. Yes, I first met him when we were both kids. He has grown up so well and fine, but who knows what's on his mind? Based on his lethal smiles and actions, he could be a psycho. Yup, it is so. It must be so.

So here I am at Jack's house right now. His house has a simple and minimalist exterior. Most of its color is beige in tone. It's like the classic Barbie Show themed house, but even cooler.

								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes