![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
Maite, on the other hand, was significantly more temperate. She didn\u2019t have an exam coming up or any big homework assignment due, but she planned to spend the next few days in her new research group and she wanted to make a good impression. At the very least, she didn\u2019t want to get on the wrong foot and on the bad side of her professor. Maite had heard that her professor, brilliant though she was, was also very demanding. Having done her graduate work in the United States, she expected long hours and even weekends, something that was almost antethema to the Basque way of life. In any case, Maite knew this was essentially a trial run and if she did not impress her professor, she\u2019d likely have to find a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belen and Joseba seemed to have no cares. They ate and drank with abandon, as if tomorrow would never come. They were also all over each other – the public displays of affection were almost uncomfortable for Maite. While Joseba had said that his grandfather was from the Basque Country, Maite couldn\u2019t help but wonder if his grandmother might have been Italian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At one point, Belen seemed to notice Maite\u2019s discomfort. She chuckled as she said \u201cWe\u2019re sorry. It\u2019s just been a little while since we last saw each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh?\u201d asked Maite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseba also chuckled as he dove in to give Belen a kiss on her neck. \u201cI had to go back to Mexico for a few months. My mother had surgery\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope she is ok!\u201d interjected Kepa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseba nodded. \u201cShe is fine, but for a while it wasn\u2019t clear she would be. My father needed some help around the business while my mother was recovering. But,\u201d he added with a sparkle in his eye as he looked at Belen, \u201cI\u2019m back!\u201d He grabbed Belen and pulled her tight against his body as she squealed in delight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was late when Kepa and Maite finally got back to their apartment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUgh,\u201d said Maite as she collapsed on the bed. \u201cThe morning is going to be here too soon. I feel like I could sleep for a week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa lay down next to her on his side, twirling the curls in her hair. \u201cI have an idea,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite looked at him. \u201cSeriously? I just told you I\u2019m dead tired. I don\u2019t have the energy for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa interrupted her with a \u201cShhh. That\u2019s not what I was thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite sat up, intrigued. \u201cWhat were you thinking then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat if we escaped to one of the bubbles for a little while? It would be like a vacation, except we wouldn\u2019t miss any time here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost of the bubbles seem to be a dystopian nightmare,\u201d exclaimed Maite. \u201cHow would that be relaxing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, they are that way because we keep searching out the zatiak. What if we just took a break and relaxed before the mission?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHuh.\u201d Maite just sat there, staring off into space. \u201cDid you just think of that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d replied Kepa. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about it for a while. The bubbles offer us endless possibilities to explore new places without much risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOk. I like it. But, how do we even find a bubble on demand? So far, we\u2019ve just accidentally bumped into one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa sat up excitedly. \u201cSo, I\u2019ve been playing around with my powers while you\u2019ve been at the uni. Up until now, we\u2019ve only been able to find bubbles when we crossed paths with one. But, I think we can find any of them across the world with our powers. Well, at least the ones near us. I think that, as our powers grow, we might be able to reach more and more, but that is just a guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA nice hypothesis,\u201d added Maite. \u201cIt\u2019s worth a shot. Where should we go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa\u2019s smile widened. \u201cWhat do you think about Paris?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n