Alexander and Mila wandered through the reminiscence of the French Huguenots who once inhabited that region. The Huguenot emigrants were resilient people of faith who, to survive the religious intolerance of the old continent, moved their Calvinism to that earthly paradise found as a sign of divine providence. Once there, they sought a way to survive in harmony with the place and people without forgetting their own customs. In this way, they birthed a delightful fusion of cultures and faith.
They arrived at Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, an oasis from the city, a Garden of Eden with room for introspection and restoration of the soul, as Alexander and Mila recognized with every step they took.
“What a lovely day, Alexander, thank you!” Mila said as she stepped over a high rock and a bright green lizard slid out of her way. She smiled, feeling free, welcoming the breeze carrying the sweet scent of plants in bloom. She walked, touching leaves with her finger tips along the way, allowing their properties to disseminate in her mind.
Alexander hiked behind her, studying her. There was so much joy reflected in her face every time she touched the plants. The same he had seen and deleted from the recordings of her testing run in the forest. There was something happening to her, but he wouldn’t ask about it. He was done intruding upon her life. He watched her caressing the plants along the path with the same delight of an extrovert meeting people at a cocktail party. From time to time, she nodded as if she had received an unexpected detail, an interesting piece of information from the plant, then she would beam as if telling the plant that its secret was safe with her.
“Are you up for a challenge?” Mila asked, turning to him.
“What kind?” He stood next to her, contemplating the vast landscape.
“A botanical challenge.” She grinned, signaling with a wave of her had to the flowers around them.
“I like it,” Alexander answered, appreciating her willingness to share her joy with him. “What are the specifications?”
“Look, these are Haemanthus of the Amaryllidaceae family, native to this area. Most have these dense clusters of red flowers and broad leaves grouped at the base, you see? There are many variations in shape and color. Let’s see who finds more variations, from here to the top.”
“How do you want me to catalogue my findings? I could make any number up at the top,” he chuckled.
“Funny, Dr. Lyashenko. Use your handy smartphone’s camera. Anyway, I don’t think you are the cheating type.” Mila wrinkled her nose and narrowed her eyes measuring him. She tapped her foot a few times and crossed her arms. “I know, you like being challenged.”
“Botany isn’t one of my strengths, but let’s see what I can find.” Alexander smiled, pleased to see Mila’s decision to let him into her inner world, into a part of her being that apparently made her happy.
Mila continued climbing the mountain, and collecting sparks of information from each shrub, ericoid, and tree she found along her way. She had been so immersed and content with the walk that she didn’t consider what it meant to let Alexander in on her botanical understanding. Mila hadn’t told a living soul about how plants were able to communicate with her, sparking energy inside of her. And how the knowledge was stored in her mind. But how far was she willing to disclose this sacred friendship? As marvelous as it was being moved by Time, understanding the flora seemed to Mila a spiritual relationship, nourishing her soul.
“Well, do you want to see my collection?” Alexander asked, sitting on a large rock overlooking the peaceful vineyards below.
“Yes, of course! How many did you find?” Mila sat next to him, waiting curiously as he opened his photo gallery.
“Look; I found about twenty-five kinds.” He beamed, looking at Mila with a pleased expression. “Here, you can see yourself.” He handed her his phone.
“Very well! You have about twenty-five more to discover next time.” Mila grinned, pushing him gently with her shoulder. She viewed each photo unable to hide her pleasure. “You have so many beautiful shots. Lovely white, pink, yellow, and bluish Amaryllidaceae! Look; this yellow one is a great anti-inflammatory perfect for sprains.” Mila conceded just enough to test Alexander’s reaction, although she had more to say, like some of those flowers could be used to ease childbirth pains and some rheumatic fever.
“Are you interested in homeopathic medicine?” Alexander asked—though what he really wanted to say was: is that what you learn when you touch the plant? “You could share your knowledge in Pharma-NorTech. There is an excellent line of homeopathic products…” Alexander looked away, regretting the comment.
“Yeah, I know. Like the sedatives on the non-harmful side I’ve been given.” She stared at a cape rockjumper hopping from rock to rock. “And the experimental hallucinogenic, like the one I ingested on the testing day. I know what plants they are, by the way. I know where they come from as well.”
Alexander studied Mila’s expression, wondering if she was recovering her memory.
“I also know that it could be used in psychological warfare. I suppose Masae is trying to create a new and improved product and provide it to armies around the world.” Mila got quiet, considering whether to tell Alexander about the Soul’s Vine’s effect on her. It had shaken her memory walls. Fragments of her life were scattered across her mind like debris after demolition.
Right then, Alexander decided to tell Mila the truth as he knew it. She most certainly would leave him, yet he couldn’t continue seeing the person he loved, scraping here and there for remnants of her life. He couldn’t leave her in obscurity, trapped in Masae’s lie.