Primates with a Typewriter [Part 2]

Izel easily heard the sudden shift in Chima’s tone become quieter, subtly indicating something. Before Izel could form any response to the ominous statement, the shopkeep lightly hollered for Chima’s attention. The two walked to the shopkeep, holding an oblong suitcase of sorts. Chima gave his thanks, and the two exited the shop, returning to the bustling crowd. Izel glanced over to Chima, again lost in thought. Even though Izel isn’t on the same personal status as the others on the Team, his curiosity finally reached its peak, as Chima’s behavior is now an act of scientific inquiry.

“Are you sure you’re alright, man? You’ve been kinda funny lately.” Izel directly asked. “I mean, you’ve been pretty quiet since we saw those bodies at that last mission.” He questioned, connecting the subtle cues of what Chima could be locked within his mind.

For one long silent second, Chima simply looked at Izel with a blank gaze, casually, yet with hollow eyes. Izel just did the same with a contemplating expression, hoping for some type of productive answer.

“Well, to be completely honest. Those bodies just made me think of how short life is.” Chima spoke, the color returning to his eyes.

“How so?” Izel asked, unsatisfied with his answer.

“I suppose that I’ve been thinking about you youngins. You, Nevaeh, even Tenoch and Cash are still pretty young.” Chima remarked with a grin, as Izel grew more questions. “I’ve been thinking about when I was young and I met Carmen, and the, uh, fun we had.” He explained to end with a cheeky wink.

“Okay, sure, I’m sure those memories are pretty positive for you.” Izel commented, still unsatisfied with Chima's response.

“Oh, yeah, before her I was just barely surviving on my own. Years later, we’re still doing all we can to survive together.” Chima reflected, as he walked into the dense crowd for Izel to follow. “So that's why we have to live as best we can with people we take a fancy to. Hear what I’m saying?” He grew a proud grin.

“Yeah, I think that makes sense, everyone deserves that kind of life.” Izel agreed.

“How about yourself? I’m sure a good looking young man like you has a few fancy outlets.” Chima teased slightly, wondering about Izel’s personal engagements.

“Me?! No, I’ve hardly even had a girl as a friend. Let alone a ‘fancy outlet’.” Izel quickly announced.

“Hmm, struggling with the ladies I see.” Chima teased.

“No! It's just I’ve never really had the opportunity, is all.” Red faced, Izel defended as he walked with a mixture of postures.

“Oh, that can’t be true, I never went to any universities, but I know that there are plenty of ‘opportunities’. And I’ve seen how you talk to the ladies.” Chima grimaced, with another wink. “But I understand, and the best advice I can give young bucks is also the simplest to grasp. Just ask them to hang out. Don’t overthink, no need for mind games, no need to be extravagant. If ya like someone, and you're genuine with those feelings, they’ll like you back, just the same—Not always, keep in mind, but most of the time.” He proclaimed in earnest.

“Alright, alright I get it, hehe.” Izel giggled at Chima’s enthusiasm, even giving some thought to his words of advice. “Anyway, where to next?” Izel then asked.

“To a place that can never be swept under the rug.” Chima answered with a chipper vocals.

“And why is that?” Izel asked.

“Because it's already under the rug! Haha! It's literally underground!” Chima laughed out loud.

Izel laughed lightly with Chima as they approached the entrance to the underground market.

“Hey, I’ll catch up with you, I want to make a quick call beforehand, in case I lose a signal.” Izel explained, along with Chima providing him a thumbs up of approval.

“Okay, I can do this.” Izel exhaled in a prolonged sigh, in clear anticipation for the phone call. Slowly placing the phone to his ear, breathing stagnantly as he listened to the buzz of the phone, waiting for a response.

“Hey, Coatl.” Nevaeh answers his call.

“Oh, please don’t call me that, I get a painful ring in my head of Tenoch’s cackling and Cash’s endless snickering.” Izel pleaded with a justified whimper.

“Hm-hm, sure thing. So, what’s up?” Nevaeh giggled.

“Well, um, I was just wondering if you are free sometime today?”

“Free? Why are you wondering that?” Nevaeh questioned in a light tone.

“Well I uh—”

“Wait! Let me guess!” Izel fumbled his words, just for them to be cut short for Nevaeh to quickly interject.

“You’re asking me to hang out with you, because you don’t have any friends of your own to hang with.” Nevaeh announced her guess.

“Geez, a little harsh, don’t ya think?” Izel defended.

“It’s okay, I don’t have many friends either, but was my guess correct, right?” Nevaeh razzed.

“Well, not, 100% correct…” Izel stuttered at the somewhat accurate statement.

“Sounds like a passing grade to me, isn’t that right, professor?” Nevaeh teased.

“Alright then genius, why don’t you give me an answer to the first question.” Izel mocked with mild annoyance.

“Yeah, I’m free, I tend to relax on the weekends, take long baths, spoil myself with sweets, you know, girly kinda stuff.” Nevaeh casually chatted.

“I see, then if you're not too busy with that ‘girly stuff’, would you like to hang out sometime today?” Izel asked in one long breath.

“Sure.” Nevaeh answered, without hesitation.

“Really? Um, awesome, does 4:40 sound good for you?” Izel smiled.

“Sounds like a pretty calculated time, but that works, can we meet up at the Yax Pasaj Train station?” Nevaeh asked with a giggle.

“Sure! I’ll see ya then.” Izel agreed, ending the call with a bright beam. “Pheeww, I can’t believe Chima talked me into doing that without him even realizing it.” He sighed to himself, surprised that Chima was the one that sparked the idea within himself.

Satisfied with the unexpected call, Izel took a glance at the current time, realizing that he’ll be meeting Nevaeh relatively soon. Now quickly catching up with Chima, Izel promptly informed him and the two ready their way to finish their market shopping.