Into the Life of Hadji
(Using image of first season Hadji)
It was a cool spring evening on the Quest compound. It
was Hadji Singh's 27th birthday, and everyone had come in for
the occasion. Jonny and Jessie Quest had come in from
California, where Jessie was pursuing several majors in the
sciences at UCLA. Jonny, in his constant search for
adventure, had joined the army reserves, but couldn't pursue
it full-time, as their new son Benny (Benton the second)
needed lots of attention.
Race still worked with Benton on the compound, and Hadji
was a graduate assistant in philosophy and science at
Rockport College.
"Hey dad! What's holding up the cake?" shouted Jonny,
just like when he was a kid.
"Some things never change." quipped Race.
Jessie rapped Jonny on the head.
"He'll never grow up-- fine example for our son."
Jonny grinned his lopsided grin.
"Hey-- I'll always young at heart."
Everyone burst out laughing. At that time, Mrs. Evans
came out with Hadji's birthday cake.
In the light of the candles on the cake, it was evident
how handsome Hadji had become. His finely chisled features
were delicately shadowed as his full lips pursed to blow out
the candles.
Jessie playfully gave Hadji a seductive look.
"Ooo! With a pucker like that, it's no wonder all the
girls at school are chasing you!"
"Are you kidding?" Hadji will be a virgin forever!"
quipped Jonny.
"Do the two of you mind? Hadji might want to make his
wish in peace." scolded Benton.
"It is okay, Dr. Quest. Some people don't see the value
of chastity and the mental disciplines when one is consumed
by the pleasures of the physical world."
Jonny rolled his eyes.
"He gotcha there, Jonny!" laughed Race. "Now let's all
let him blow out his candles in peace."
Hadji blew out the candles, but his breath had so much
power that some icing hit Jonny in the face.
Everyone snickered.
"Karma has a way of rewarding those who mock her
wisdoms." joked Hadji, with a completely straight face.
"Yeah, whatever." snorted Jonny.
"I've got an idea," started Jessie. "Why don't we
continue this humorous conversation later and eat this cake
before icing lands on all of us."
"Good idea." agreed Benton.
After cake and other refreshments, Jonny put Benny to
bed, and all regrouped around the fireplace for some evening
conversation.
Hadji had a faraway look in his eye, which caught
everyone's attention.
"Hadj-- Earth to Hadji-- are you with us?" asked Jonny.
"Yes Jonny. I am right here."
"Hadji, what's wrong?" asked Jessie.
"Nothing is wrong. What makes you think--"
"You just seem so distant, that's all." interrupted
Jessie.
"All is well. Thank you for your concern, but if all of
you don't mind, I will take my leave of you for the evening."
Hadji started out the door for a walk in the moonlight.
"Well, I think I'll head off for bed as well." said
Benton.
"I'm with you, doc." agreed Race.
All but Jessie headed up the steps for their rooms.
Jessie saw Hadji standing alone out on the deck, arms folded,
with his back to her. She decided to join him.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Did everyone retire already?" asked Hadji.
"Yeah, 'cept me-- it's a bit too early for me yet.
Hadji-- I know something is wrong. We've been friends too
long, pal-- you can't fool me. Did Jonny's little joke get
to you?"
Hadji's piercing brown eyes flashed as he turned to
Jessie.
"Yes, I am afraid it did. I am not angry with him, but
I am hurt, and I don't know why."
"Hadji, you have been alone most of your life. The only
two women you had the slightest interest in betrayed you, and
you haven't had much experience with women beyond them.
Don't torture yourself-- it's not your fault. You won't be
alone forever."
"No, I am just a bad judge of character. I can tell you
so much about science, computers, and metaphysics, but the
simplest things about relationships totally allude me. I see
so many faces on campus, and no one interests me. The girls
in my classes-- I do not know why they signed up. Ninety-
five percent of those in my classes do not complete their
assignments, nor do they participate in discussion. They
look at me with empty eyes and blank expressions on their
faces."
"You don't get it, do you? Jonny always said you were
dense about these things."
"What things?"
"Hadj, most of those in your classes are young girls who
took the class because they are infatuated with you. They
have a crush on you."
"The sad thing is, all the women I see are like that.
Blank faces with empty eyes-- I look at them, and I see no
depth. I do not like to judge, and some may even consider it
cold-- but this has been my experience since I started
school. Their words are thoughtless ramblings-- without
meaning. There is this one girl in class-- all the men think
she is so attractive-- I fail to see what they find in her.
She is so thin-- no proportion to her at all, with
artificially blond hair, and every day she comes to school
dressed in a questionable manner..."
"Questionable?"
"She wears cut-off tops that are very revealing, and
very short skirts. She sits up front and looks at me funny,
and tries every way she can to get me to look at her legs."
Jessie made a face.
"Just her way of trying to get you to notice her."
"It will not change her grade..."
"No! No! No! Hadji, she wants your body!"
Hadji's mouth dropped in shock.
Jessie rolled her eyes and sighed.
She then grabbed Hadji's arm and pushed him up the steps
to his room. She turned on the light, and pushed him in
front of a full length mirror.
"Ok, stop thinking metaphysical, and try to think like a
common egotistical male."
Hadji was clueless.
"Ok-- where to start." started Jessie, combing her
fingers through her hair and looking up at the ceiling.
"Lessee-- you are about 6'1", correct?"
"Yes."
"About 180 pounds?"
"Last time I checked."
"Lose the shirt."
"What?"
"Lose the shirt!" commanded Jessie.
Hadji unbuttoned his black button-down and layed it on a
chair.
Jessie started squeezing his arms.
"Just as I thought. Flex your arms."
"Jessie--"
"Just do it!"
Hadji reluctantly flexed his arms in body builder
fashion.
"You're no Arnold Schwartzenegger, but you definitely
have a nice physique. Probably got those lean muscles from
all those years of practicing yoga."
Hadji grinned slightly and reached for his shirt.
"That's what women see. Granted, they don't see you
shirtless, but they do see a very sexy guy. Lord help you if
you quit wearing your turban."
"Why?"
"Women looove long hair."
"Oh."
"Well, I'm off to bed. Gotta go before Jonny misses me.
Night!"
"Good night, Jessie. And--"
Jessie regarded him for a moment.
"Thank you."
"No prob, Hadj. Just being a friend." she smiled,
putting her hand on his shoulder. "You're going to make some
lucky lady very happy one day."
With that, Jessie closed the door, leaving Hadji alone
with his thoughts.
Weeks went by, and Hadji was well into the spring
semester, with things unchanged. Jessie and Jonny decided to
stick around since it was decided that Jessie would take some
badly needed time off from her studies. However, unknown to
Hadji, things were about to change.
It was another typical day, and the last class of the
day was about to come to an end. The classroom was very hot
with summer-like heat, and everyone, including Hadji, was
sweating. The sweat gave Hadji's dark skin a sheen, which
made him even more alluring to his starstruck students. He
was relieved when the final bell rang.
As soon as the room emptied, he peeled off his button-
down, and did a rare thing-- threw off his turban. He threw
his head back, and his sweat-drenched hair flew through the
air-- completely free of its bonds. Hadji turned around to
notice that the room was not completely empty. In the very
back row was one girl, with her nose in her text book.
"Ahem."
The girl bolted up.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear the bell-- oh, geez, and
you wanted your space! I'm so sorry..."
Hadji rushed over to her. Sweat was glistening on his
dark body, and his hair was dripping with perspiration.
"It is okay-- do not panic."
Their eyes connected, and a wave of excitement washed
over Hadji has he realized who she was-- the girl, the
dancer-- he had envisioned seven years earlier. He also
didn't realize that he had his hand on her cheek.
She looked down smiling and blushed. The girl was
twenty-five, and petite. She was 5', with shoulder-length,
brown curly hair, and beautiful brown eyes. She had full
lips, and a round face with a pug nose. She had a classic
baby face, accented by the fact that she was slightly plump--
about 140 pounds. But this didn't change the fact that she
was very attractive, in an unconventional sort of way--
especially to Hadji.
"And you are?" asked Hadji.
"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Singh-- my name is Miana. Miana
Scolari."
"Hadji."
"Pardon?"
"Please call me Hadji."
Miana smiled.
"Alright Mr., I mean, Hadji."
"You know, I think I remember seeing your name in my
grade book. It stood out because it was one of the few names
with exceptionally high marks." complimented Hadji.
"I try..."
Miana put her book down, and just noticed fully Hadji's
current state. Her eyes opened wide.
Hadji looked down at himself.
"Oh, please forgive me..."
"No! That's ok. I know it's hot. And forgive my saying
so-- I know you probably find my classmates a bore, but I do
agree with them on one issue."
"And that is?"
"You are sooo cute! Oh, God! I can't believe..." she
panicked, putting her head in her hands.
Hadji took her hands and was smiling a giant smile.
"It is ok. It is nice to be noticed by someone with a
mind-- it is a pleasant change. Let us leave here-- I am in
the mood for a snowcone, and I would appreciate the honor of
your company."
"I would be delighted."
Miana grabbed her books, and Hadji grabbed his shirt and
threw it on (unbuttoned), and wrapped his turban around his
waste like a belt. He put his arm around Miana, and they
walked out of the classroom laughing and thoroughly enjoying
themselves and each other.
Other groups of gaggling girls that were lingering in
the hallway started gaping when they saw Hadji emerge from
the classroom with his shirt wide open and his hair down.
Just then, Jonny and Jessie, who had come to meet Hadji
after class, were walking down the hall. They saw him with
Miana, and in his current state of "undress", and were
shocked.
"Hadji? Is that you?" squealed Jessie, breaking Hadji's
reverie.
Jonny's eyes grew wide when he saw Miana. "My God, it's
the dancer!" he thought.
Miana's eyes grew wide and she started to run away.
"Miana! Wait! Please..." begged Hadji loudly with his
arm outstretched.
"Hold that thought!" shouted Jonny.
He started chasing after Miana, and quickly caught up
with her. He quickly picked her up and started running with
her.
"What the..."
"I'm Jonny Quest-- Hadji's best friend. And you are
just what he needs!"
He arrived and set her down next to Hadji. Both looked
at each other and at the Quest couple in total shock.
"I can't believe you did that!" scolded Jessie.
"I can," said Hadji. "Thank you."
Miana looked up at Hadji and smiled. "Yes, thank you."
Hadji took Miana with him back to the Quest compound.
All were shocked but happily surprised to see the state in
which Hadji returned-- and with female companionship.
"Hadji-- welcome back! And who is your friend?"
inquired Benton.
"Dr. Quest, this is my girlfriend Miana. Miana, this is
Dr. Benton Quest, Race Bannon, and you have met Jessie and
Jonny."
Bandit was barking at their feet.
"And how could we forget Bandit."
"Girlfriend?" asked Jessie.
Miana looked at the towering figure of Hadji standing
next to her.
"Yes, girlfriend." smiled Miana.
Hadji looked down at her and stroked her face.
"Hadji, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Yes, Dr. Quest. Please excuse me."
Hadji followed Benton into the next room.
"Hadji, I don't want to rain on your parade, but I must
ask you something."
"Yes, Dr. Quest?"
"Where did you meet her?"
"In class-- she is a student."
"Did you leave class looking as you do?"
"Yes I did. Is there a problem?"
"There could be, Hadji. There are rules concerning
conduct between teaching staff and students in their classes.
If you were seen with her, especially looking as you do, it
could cause you problems-- maybe even your position-- and
jeopardize your academic and professional career. I don't
mean to scare or criticize you, but it someone complains..."
"I understand, sir."
Benton put his hand on Hadji's shoulder. "It's only
because I care."
"I know, sir. Thank you."
Sure enough, the next day, Hadji was called into the
office of the dean. He was reprimanded, but not removed from
his position. He was cautioned not to overtly display his
affections for Miana publicly, and to judge her academics
with no favoritism.
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