The Chief

Kalama

Couple of days after the incident at work, I’m back at my apartment. Everyone wants to know what happened, why I have been unconscious for almost three days. The doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with me.

Sitting in my small living room, on my nearly new couch with my leg propped up with cushions on the small table, I was enjoying the sunshine that comes in. 

It warms up the whole place. Remy sat next to me, holding my hand and watching some series about a group of nerd friends and their blond, sexy neighbor. 

The windows were open so the fresh forest air could come in. I love my apartment just for its location, on the edge of The Soulless Forest.

I never understood why it’s called The Soulless Forest. To me, it wasn’t soulless; it was always full of life. Every morning I could hear the birds sing, and sometimes if I was lucky, I could see squirrels scurrying to a tree. 

My apartment is not the newest one on the block, but it was my home. It Is where I feel more comfortable being me. I could dance and make a fool out of myself without judgement from my family. 

Especially my mom, because I’m supposed to be the next chief. “Kalama you need to stop being silly. You will lead our clan someday.” She would say whenever she saw me having fun and just being  Kalama.

I glanced over at the flowers mom brought with her. She even brought me my favorite, a bouquet of lavender flowers. I was thinking back to what Joyce told me about how she found me in the backroom at work, when she came to visit me at the hospital.

“Kalama, thank god you are okay.” She hugged me lightly to not cause me much pain, as I winced when I tried to sit up. “You gave me quite a scare, you know that?” Sitting on the chair next to my bed, she let out a sigh of relief.

She looked nervous, plucking imaginary lint from her pants, she started. “I heard an ear-shattering scream coming from the backroom. But the weirdest thing about it, it sounded nothing like your voice.” 

She scooted a little closer and motioned for me to get closer to her. “The scream sounded like a little girl screaming.” Her voice hushed and she had a brooding look on her face.

Then she told me how she ran to the backroom to see what happened and who was screaming. Opening the door, she found me lying on the floor unconscious, and the Phoenix painting next to me. She was about to tell me something else, but the doctor came in and she left. 

Now I know why my throat felt raw and still does a bit. I was the one screaming, but it wasn’t my voice she heard. How is it possible she heard the little girl, and I saw the little girl? Maybe my voice came out that shrill. That is why Joyce thought she heard a little girl. 

Feeling a light pressure on my hand, I came out of my thoughts and saw Remy looking at me with round eyes and shifting in his seat. “What is wrong, Kalama?” Adjusting myself on the couch. “Nothing, Remy, why?” My voice came out tense, my jaw clenching. “You're trembling.” Remy stated matter-of-factly.

I didn’t even notice that I was trembling. I was so engulfed in what Joyce had told me and trying to comprehend what happened to me.

In an attempt to take his attention off of me, I said “Hmm, I’m smelling Granny’s famous chicken pot pie. Could you go check if it's ready and bring me some? I’m starving.” And gave him my most dazzling smile.

Giving me a kiss on my forehead, he stood up to go in the kitchen to check on the food for me, just as my mom came in with a bowl of chicken pot pie. 

My mouth began to water as the smell hit me, the scent of roasted chicken and veggies. Just like granny, mom used roasted chicken. I saw the golden flaky crust that I know will melt in my mouth. 

Reaching for the bowl I hear my mom. “Remy could you excuse us for a moment? I need to talk to Kalama.” She settled herself on the other side of me on the couch. Turning off the TV, Remy walked to the kitchen and left mom and me alone.

Looking at me, mom took a lock of my hair and put it behind my ear, and affectionately caressed my hair, the same as when I was a little girl. Just for a moment I let my walls down and put my head on her shoulder. 

Hoping that we wouldn’t have to argue about the chief next in line. 

Holding me to her, she tells me about our family and where we came from. The story of our family, I know it by heart. I like to hear the story; it reminds me of Granny. Ever since we were little kids, she would tell us all about it. 

How we are descendants of the great chief Akash, the greatest that ever lived. 

Mom grabs my chin with one hand and softly lifts my head so she can look me in the eyes. “Kalama, it is your birthright to be the next chief. I don’t know why you are set against it, but you need to accept it.” Giving me a big hug, she stood up and walked back to the kitchen.

Taking a bite of my food, now almost cold, I hear Remy’s voice getting louder as he is coming back into the living room. He was answering my mom about the problems my mom had with her computer at the office.

Setting my now cold chicken pot pie aside, I turn to face Remy on the other side of the couch. He was looking at me with those piercing blue eyes of his, studying me. With tears filling my eyes, I shook my head; I knew what he was going to ask. 

Still playing with my fingers and without looking at me, he asked me why I didn't want to tell him what happened.  At that moment, I couldn’t tell him what took place in the backroom at work. How can I tell him I touched a painting with flames and they burned me, without him thinking I was losing my mind?

“Remy, I know you,  mom and everyone are worried and wondering what happened to me at work. But I can’t tell you. Not because I don’t want to, but I really don’t know what happened.”  I said exasperated and threw my hands up in the air. And almost hitting him in the face.

With my hands back on my legs “One moment I was unboxing the paintings and the art pieces in the back and then all went black. I woke up in a bed in the hospital. I just know what Joyce has told me and I’m sure she told all of you too.” My voice goes up with every sentence I say.

He leans over and grabs me by my hands from out of my lap and gently tug me, so I’ll tumble head first over into his lap. There he holds me in his arms for a moment. 

I could hear him inhale the scent of my hair. He then took my head in his hands and looked at me with the same expression he had at the coffeehouse. With the slightest nod of my head, I gave him permission.

“I care about you, Kalama. More than I want to admit. I was not only worried, but scared to lose you.” He said as he stroked my cheek with the pad of his thumbs. 

I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as he was slowly closing the gap between us. I don’t know if I’m ready for this. No, there’s no way I could let him. But my body and mind were asking me to let him. 

Before I could react, he pressed his lips on mine and I had no choice but to give in to their softness. It was the perfect moment, and I didn’t want it to end. My arms instantly wrapped around his neck and I deepened the kiss. 

Suddenly, I came to my senses, and with my hand on his chest, I pushed him gently. I was afraid. There was no way I could risk our friendship for this. I could see the hurt in his eyes. But also saw his determination.

“Remy, I can not do this. I don’t want to jeopardize losing you. I’m sorry.” And for the first time after the fire incident, I cried. Letting it all out. He pulled me and held me against his chest, trying to comfort me as the tears kept streaming down my face.

The frustration of the chief issue with mom, my mixed feelings for Remy and not knowing what is going to happen.

One thing I know for sure is that I will find out who that little girl is and why I got burned without burning.