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.