"Mayanka."

He opened his eyes, showing that he's listening.

"Where did you come from?" You slowed your words, hoping that he can understand.

He better do, you've been giving him English lessons for months. You don't want your efforts to be all for nothing.

If you're not mistaken, it's almost been a year since you were brutally taken by Mayanka. Times fly when you're suffering.

Mayanka let out a hum as he let his newly built, outdoor rope hammock swing side to side. He made you lie on his chest, using him as a bed.

"Not... not real place."

You raised an eyebrow, did he really mean that or were his words lost in translation.

"Place name Vuzinia."

"Vuzinia? Where is that?" He gulped and patted your back.

"...woman is king. They teach man everything, also teach about outside place— world. Vuzinia is island far from here, I run away." Your ears perked up at the last part. He 'ran away'... did he mean escape?

"How many people are living in Vuzinia?"

"One... many one hundred, but not— ah! Estimate, ten thousand. Not many people compared to... to other place. Because Vuzinia is not real...place. It is real but not..." His hand did circular motions in the air, trying to find the appropriate words.

"...see like real— Ah! Recognized, recognized!"

"An unofficial country? Sounds more like a really successful cult to me..."

"I know... I know many things. Vuzinia very very modern. But no have in English. Vuzinia have different language, not recognize by outside people. Vuzinia people cannot learn other recognize language... but I know Vuzinia language almost same to Allughat Alearabia." The foreign phrase rolled out of his tongue so smoothly. You had the feeling that you heard that before.

"Huh? What's that?"

"Allughat means language. Alearabia... is language name. Vuzinia language is almost same to Allughat Alearabia— Alearabia language, but different. Woman change many... many..." He snapped his fingers again.

"Words! Yes, many words different. Alearabia is recognize, Vuzinian, Vuzinia language is not recognize."

"Alearabia... Alearabia... Algerian? Albanian? What language is he referring to?"

"How did you know about 'Alearabia'?"

"We learn in school. Vuzinian and Alearabia..." you rubbed your chin in contemplation. Maybe if you see the alphabets of Alearabia, it would give you an idea.

"Can you write down 'Allughat Alearabia' in the sand?" He nodded before extending his hand down to the ground.

Your eyes followed every line he made with his index finger, some particles of sand were stuck on his skin.

"Allughat Alearabia." He lifted his limb up for you to see what he has written.

You squinted and tilted your head to the side.

"ARABIC?" You covered your mouth with a hand.

"How 'modern' are you?" You looked at him.

"...We have metal information box."

"What is that called in Arabic— I mean, Alearabia?"

"Alhasub. Only Alearabia and Vuzinian information inside, alhasub can... 'give words' to other people alhasub. Can 'talk far' in alhasub also."

"Shit! They have computer AND wireless connection!?"

You took some time to collect what you have learned from him today.

-Mayanka was a citizen from an unrecognized and unofficial country called 'Vuzinia'. You assume the flag with a depiction of an angry snake's head is the national flag.

-Speaks and write Arabic and bastardized Arabic called 'Vuzinian'.

-Vuzinia is ruled by matriarchy... no wonder he knows a lot about women's biology— but for some reason, does not know about consent. Or was men in Vuzinia treated like women in patriarchy? Reversed roles? But if that is true, why would he still rape you repeatedly? Was it because he wanted to be 'feel like a woman in Vuzinia' for once?

-Population of Vuzinia is relatively small, only ten thousand people. When was it established? How did Vuzinia came into existance?

-From what Mayanka described, Vuzinia has the technology to send emails, make remote calls and search up information within local area. Mayanka knew that Vuzinia wasn't internationally registered, why did he run away and live like caveman instead of... getting help from human rights activists and organisations? He has the internet!

-He escaped Vuzinia... How? How did he manage to bring so many things with him such as the foam mattress and pillow?

-He said, 'Woman is King'. Is Mayanka trying to say that it's ran by monarchy or was it just to make it easier for him to express what he's trying to say? Wait! Then he must have known that patriarchy is prevalent outside Vuzinia!

You have never told him that the 'King' is the most powerful position. All you ever taught was the King and the Queen are the most influential positions in a monarch-led government.

-His older brother, Meyanna is favoured. Why? They're both men. Maybe one is better looking than the other? He did say that his mother called Meyanna 'cute' and Mayanka 'ugly'.

Despite having all these information, you still can't piece Mayanka together. His intentions, thoughts, actions and behavior cannot make sense to you no matter which angle you look at.

While you're deep in thought, Mayanka blew a strand of his hair off his face. He gently ran his fingers through your (textured/curly/coiled/straight) (h/c) hair.

He turned his head to the side to stare at the picturesque sunset until the sky becomes dark enough for the clouds to become invisible.

"Wha— hey..." He picked you up and sat upright. Mayanka swung his legs over the ledge of his hammock.

"Relax here. Don't go swim." You watch him get up, leaving you to sway a bit in the suspended net of ropes.

Mayanka gathered his hair in a bunch and tied it with a pink, velvety scrunchie he found in a luggage. It has an absurdly large and frilly ribbon attached to it. Oddly fitting for him.

"I go cook." He bent down to kiss your forehead before walking away.

When he has his back turned against you, you gagged and wiped your forehead.

"What now?" You raised an eyebrow when he paused his steps. Mayanka looked up above him.

"Go in." He pointed at the cabin.

"Why?" You asked.

"Later rain." He replied.

"How do you know?"

CRASH!

A blinding beam of light zapped the ocean a few miles away.

You shrieked and covered your ears, pathetically curling yourself up into a shivering bundle of fear.

Mayanka crossed his arms while walking towards you.

You're too busy fighting your own mind and memories to realize that he carried you in his beefy arms.

"(Y/n), (y/n)." He mumbled, shaking his head in disapproval.

His plump lips brushed against the crown of your head as he hurriedly head back into the wooden cabin.