Wakeyo’s Confession

25th April, 2017

The next morning, after breakfast, Aviel decides to try and get in contact with one of her superiors from the IDF, who currently serves as Major-General of the 100th Bethlehem Tank Brigade in Southern Command.

Without support from the Knesset, this was by far Aviel’s current (and perhaps only) possible ally, and without allies, she could not hope to re-emerge on the political stage with her own political party.

As her abba once said: “Do not overly depend on your backer, but rely on him nonetheless to get into power against an established and more powerful opponent.”

And so, she secured a meeting with him in her usual coffee place, the Frothing Cup now reopen for business after renovations cleared all signs of damage to the place. There were, however, fewer customers in the shop as compared to before – primarily the regulars still visiting.

As the doorbell rang, the café’s proprietress, Dikla went out to embrace Aviel as she entered, surprising the young woman. With Aviel's height, Dikla's head could only reach her chest.

“Oh, Aviel, it’s so good to see you’re alright,” Said Dikla, “I feared the worst when your head knocked so hard against the counter.”

“I’m alright, no internal injury,” Said Aviel, “It’s good to be back.”

“Come on, take a seat. I’ll treat you to your favourite coffee, on the house for today,” Dikla beckoned.

“Actually, I’m here to meet someone, a colleague of mine,” Said Aviel.

“Over here, Aviel,” Said a baritone, thickly accented voice, “Come, take a seat.”

The contact in question was a brown-skinned man named Ismael el-Salehi, formerly from Libya. Having escaped Muammar Gaddafi's rule over fifteen years prior, he was a refugee in Israel having escaped persecution.

Working his way up through the IDF’s ranks, he held his current rank through unswerving determination and a desire to carve his own name on the political stage. His steely eyes and calculating expression reflect that.

“Good to see you again, Commander Ismael,” Said Aviel, “Or should I say Major-General now?”

“I’d prefer you use my current rank, but it’s good to see you as well, Captain Aviel,” Said Ismael, shaking her hand, “Especially considering the uncertainty sweeping throughout Israel.”

“What’s the status of the opposition?” Asked Aviel.

“Chaotic to the point of redundancy,” Said Ismael, “The Makid party has a solid grip on power, with their leader Harrell Lyons as Prime Minister, but he has yet to truly get a firm grip on his new position; the whole Knesset’s in chaos over people trying to fill vacant seats.”

Harrell Lyons, that name again. The more Aviel heard it, the more inclined she was to believe in his involvement in this whole fiasco.

“Furthermore, though we’ve more prospective politicians campaigning, they’re too few and without proper support,” Said Ismael, “All little mice in the face of the big cat that’s now the dominant party by virtue of having the most intact leadership compared to all others. The Likud Party’s pretty much finished at this point; no point trying to build them back up.”

“And the IDF?” Asked Aviel.

“I’d like to contribute my support, but politics isn’t to be taken lightly,” Said Ismael, “I know you trained under your father for politics, but believe me when I say it’s much worse than before; I can’t have you doing this half-heartedly.”

Aviel then sighs at this, and said, “I just want to find out the reason behind the explosion at the Knesset; I want to find out who orchestrated it, and why.”

Ismael nods at your words as you continue, your voice a soft whisper, “I think I won’t get much help in the Knesset for that, or from the police; I have to play the game, if it means I will find the truth.”

Ismael nods with a thoughtful nod, and then proceeds to extend a hand.

“Then I look forward to our continued cooperation,” Said Ismael.

“Same here,” Said Aviel, “Shall we talk more about what to prepare for my upcoming campaign?”

“By all means,” Said Ismael with a smile.

An hour later, Aviel exited the Frothing Cup after a very fruitful discussion with Ismael and paying Dikla for the cup of coffee – a generous 15 percent tip for the kind lady.

Thankfully, I have his support now, Thought Aviel, Now to find more people to include in my party; I hope they can be trustworthy. Speaking of which…

Aviel took out her phone and opened the Affection Multiplier App, though before that, she saw a message from Wakeyo.

Wakeyo: Hey Aviel, I’ve something I want to say to you tonight, after dinner. Mind meeting me in my room?

Aviel simply smiled, and typed her reply.

Aviel: Sure thing, see you tonight.

And then she opened the Affection Multiplier, and checked on Ismael’s stats.

Ismael el-Salehi

Affection score: 50 (+10)

Love Score: 5

Lust Score: 3

And Aviel lets out a sigh.

“Bloody hell, this is just terrifying,” Aviel muttered, “Oh well, better get myself ready for tonight.”

Adapting to her new home, she finds it further from the Frothing Cup than her old one, and by the time she reached back, the sun was setting in the distance in its golden red brilliance, its light casting an amber sheen on the carefully manicured bushes and trees of Wakeyo’s residence.

“Welcome back, Aviel,” Said Usenko, “How did your meeting go?”

“Very good, all things considered,” Said Aviel, “Still got a long way to go, but it’s a start, at least.”

Usenko smiled, and said, “That’s nice to hear; come on, Wakeyo’s already got dinner prepared.”

Dinner, as always, was a delicious affair, and Aviel was never disappointed at Wakeyo’s culinary prowess, a pleasant smile on her face with every bite. Yet Wakeyo seemed strangely reserved today, barely talking throughout dinner, even when washing the dishes.

And that night, Aviel anxiously awaited Wakeyo’s arrival in his bedroom – a Spartan room with minimal décor, polished and cleaned to a bright sheen. His own bed was a similar king-sized one, like Aviel’s, with whitewashed linen the kind hotels offer to their guests.

The mattress was plush and soft, as if inviting Aviel to partake in its all-encompassing embrace. Unable to sit still, Aviel instead lay down and rested her fatigued back. She placed a hand over her chest, and found her own heart beating rapidly.

Oh my God, I’m so anxious, Thought Aviel, I’ve… I’ve never felt like this before in my whole life. Is this what it means to feel love?

Aviel remembered all the details clearly: Of Wakeyo’s supple, chiselled body with rippling muscles, his soft, inviting lips, his beautiful eyes and face, the sweat on his skin giving his form a glistening sheen the envy of many less well-endowed men…

And Aviel blushed at the thought of it all.

But Wakeyo’s just so handsome… Aviel thought.

Then, Wakeyo entered, dressed in only a T-shirt and a pair of boxers. His toned, tantalising legs were powerful and long, able to carry him over long distances – a direct result of his years of military training.

“Hey Aviel,” Said Wakeyo.

“Hey…” Aviel muttered.

All of a sudden, an awkward silence enveloped the two, and Wakeyo could only move to sit down next to Aviel without so much as a word.

An eternity passed as either of them tried to muster any form of words, anything to break the heavy silence permeating the room.

“So… you wanted to tell me something, Wakeyo?” Asked Aviel.

“I… yes,” Said Wakeyo, his face colouring, “I, well…”

Wakeyo awkwardly harrumphed, before saying, “Do you remember the first time we met? In the IDF?”

“How could I forget?” Said Aviel, “You were literally my platoon sergeant in basic training.”

“Ah, those were harsh times, but fun times,” Said Wakeyo, “I remember you fumbling too many times with your rifle and misfiring them to the shock of your fellow recruits.”

“Oh, come on,” Said Aviel, “That was years ago; I can fire and maintain a rifle now.”

“It was quite the steep learning curve,” Said Wakeyo, “I remember calling you out multiple times and making you stay behind for longer. You’ve never hesitated to look out for your squadmates, even if you never got their thanks for it.”

Wakeyo suddenly puts his hand on yours, and he looks at you with different eyes – those of a love-struck man.

“But when we became friends, when we started meeting with each other, I think that’s when I began to fall for you,” Said Wakeyo, “Aviel, you are a beautiful and kind-hearted woman, and your outer and inner beauty are what charmed me to you.”

Then Wakeyo grasped both of your hands in his, and inching closer, his lips touched yours.

And you felt something awake within you.