Gamu sat with her knees bent, head in her hands and her elbows resting on her knees. We were before the river. “Rena, why?” She asked me, regretfully. I was sitting with my arms wrapped around my knees. I was still crying and shivering, I couldn’t get Sona out of my head: just when we had turned to leave, I had heard the chief’s command loud and clear and then the sickening slicing sound, followed by the horrific gasp of the villagers.“Rena, you don’t know how much trouble you got yourself into with the chief and Furah.” “Gamu, forget about me.” I told her. “Didn’t you see what they did to Sona? Didn’t you see how his mother was crying? How could they be so heartless?” “Do you know how much Rena meant to the chief and Furah? Do you know how long it took them to get that first and only child? You shouldn’t have mentioned her to them.” “I could ask you the same about Sona’s mother. Why are you sounding as if Sona’s life didn’t matter. “ “You don’t know a thing about Sona or his
When we got to the hut he went to the side and put me down on the bench and then stood before me with his hands on his waist. I looked up at him with a scowl. “I don’t even know where to start.” He said, biting his bottom lip like he always did. I didn’t say anything. “Okay, first of all, why did you just leave Kuja without me? I thought you were supposed to wait for me.” I didn’t say anything. “Did you remember your way back?” “No, I didn’t, I’m still lost there.” I said sarcastically. He smiled shortly. “Anyway, about the Princess, you spoke to her. I was so scared when you made a scene in front of her, but I should have trusted you. Because of everything you told her she said that she would ask her father to free my father and let him take refuge in their village. She said it wouldn’t be easy because the whole village could question that act, but she would try her best. Thank you, Genesis.” “There’s nothing to thank me for. It’s only human. If you claim you love somebody
"What are we going to do?" I asked him, the blood in my body still running a marathon. He looked back at me with so much concern. “It’s okay…” Yoké told me. “It’s just Uma.” How did he know? “Uma I’m this side.” Yoké called out. Uma appeared with a bucket in his hand. “You know this was the last thing I imagined seeing this morning after the beheading ceremony just took place.” “Rena was there.” Yoké told him. “Why did she even go?” Uma asked. “You shouldn’t have gone Rena.” “She’s with the royal family. It’s a must for all of them to attend.” “I would never attend that ceremony ever again. The last time I attended I was just a little boy. But what I saw, I can never forget. It’s traumatizing.” He was swinging his bucket as he was speaking. “Yoké, aren’t you going to draw water today?” “I don’t want to leave her here alone. She’s not in a good space right now.” “So… should I take your bucket, or you have water from yesterday?” “I have enough water. Just do me a
Yoké later ignited the fire and warmed his food for us and we ate. I told him that the food was delicious, and he was so happy to hear that. He started telling me that when we get married, he would be the one cooking for us since I do not know how to cook yet. He said he would then start teaching me how to cook. When we finished eating, he brought the water from the hut, and he washed the bowls while I rinsed them. When we were done, he put the bowls back inside. We then sat by the fire side by side and I laid my head on his shoulder. "Where do you want us to build our hut once we get married? We can build it anywhere you'd like." "I like it up here. Just us two, so far from everyone else." I told him. "Just us two? What about our little ones?" I started to laugh. "Which little ones?" "The ones which you and I will have. I want our first child to be a girl by the way. A beautiful baby girl with your hair." I tried to imagine a baby girl with Yoké's smile, his eyes, and my
"I don't blame her too." I said. "She has every right to be scared for her life. Look at poor Sona, his was just taken away from him just like that." "But I will try my best again to talk to her tomorrow at the well." Uma said. "Thank you." I responded. "Don't say thank you. Bring me the corn that Yoké owes me." "You'll never get it." Yoké told him. "Rena, do you see the man that you would like to marry one day? He doesn't even know how to return things he owes." "In brotherhood there is no owing." Yoké told him. "Anyway, you two are not even afraid to sit here like this after everything that happened. I told you two not to sit like this. You two are something else." Yoké got up and went inside his hut. "So, when are you going to confess your love to Gamu?" I teased him. "Never. I don't love her." Yoké came back with a flute and sat back down next to me. "I thought you would have changed your mind by now." "No way. I need someone that will love me more than an
We didn’t wake up at the crow of the rooster. When we heard it Yoké drew me closer to him. “Don’t mind that rooster.” He continued his sleep with his arms wrapped across my chest. I smiled and snuggled into his arms. After a little while I was woken by someone’s looming image over us. I opened my eyes, and it was Uma. He had his hands to his waist, and he was shaking his head. I smiled and attempted to sit up, that’s when Yoké woke up. “Are you forgetting that we go farm every morning at the cry of the cock.” Uma was asking Yoké. “Or was the cock not loud enough this morning?” Yoké laughed. “Rena, ignore him.” He laid back down on the sleeping mat with his arm covering his eyes. “So today you are not going?” I asked him. “He can’t not go. The last time he didn’t go too. We do not want the elders to start keeping their eyes on him.” “Rena come here.” Yoké drew out his hands. “And the last time you didn’t go because of Rena too. That day that Furah asked you to take ca
When we got to the turn which leads back to the huts, she did not take it. I didn’t ask her. I continued following behind her. She was not saying anything, not even looking back. “Gamu…” She did not respond. Did not even stop walking. “The way to the huts is the other way. Where are we going?” “To the river. She said before you come you must first bath.” "Did you bring my things?” I asked her. She looked back at me and rolled her eyes. I didn’t ask her anything after that. When we got to the river I bathed and changed into the same clothes I wore yesterday as it turned out, she didn’t bring anything for me. After that we went to the well and she filled two buckets with water, picked them up in each hand and then started to leave. She left the other bucket, and I knew what that meant. I’ve never taken water from the well before, but I’ve watched them draw water countless times, so I had an idea. I used the handle and released the bucket into the well and watched it as
We sat around the wooden table eating the delicious vegetables that Gamu had made. As we ate in awkward silence I was only thinking of one thing: Furah’s last words. Each time I looked across the table toward her I was sure that maybe I had misunderstood her. She did not look like the person I was with in that chamber. She did not look like the person that told me what she had just said to me. The chief on the other hand wore an unshakable frown that I knew oh-so-well. I would always wonder how one person could hate me so much that he refused to speak whenever I was around but today, I finally understood his hate. He hated me for trying to take his daughter’s place in their life. He hated me for sleeping in his daughter’s chamber and wearing her clothes. Perhaps I brought back the memories of his beloved daughter each day. Being called by her name each day… I understood his anger, it was pain. I suddenly remembered that Yoké had asked me to come back to him. He had to know what Fura
Brian looked back at me sadly. “Ma’am I’m really sorry.” He replied. “I can’t do that. We’ve received strict orders from your father to return with you. The whole country is awaiting your return.” “Please.” I begged him. “I’m sorry ma’am.” I turned to Malcomore. “I’m begging you.” “The boss is in front, I have no right to do anything I’m not ordered.” “I need him, I’m carrying his child.” “I’m sorry ma’am.” He told me. “If it were up to me I would let you stay since you are pregnant and maybe keep supplying you with proper food, water and clothes every week but it’s not up to me-“ “Malcomore do you want to walk all the way back to Duran?” Nathan asked him. “No sir.” “Then shut the hell up.” Nathan said. “She’s my fiancée. Not some village girlfriend.” “Forgive me sir.” Malcomore responded. “She’s still my fiancée.” Nathan replied. “We’ll fix it when we get home. She’ll remember everything soon again when she sees a doctor.” “How do you fix pregnancy?” Brian mumbled under
“You have to go with them. I'll go to Kuja village. Gamu is right.” “No. What are you saying, Yoké?" I shook my head at him” “We will both run to Kuja village then.” “Please stay safe. I’m leaving now.” Gamu said quickly. “Bye Rena…” She turned to leave hastily. “Gamu.” Yoké called her. She turned back again. “Thank you.” He told her. “Just forgive me for what I’ve done and take care of this baby. Although I still can’t believe you two.” “We will.” Yoké said turning to me. “Bye Rena.” Gamu said. “Bye, friend.” I replied. She gave me a small smile, turned and left us. “We will take care of this child. You'll leave with the Durans.” Yoké told me. “If you go to Kuja village you won’t be able to hide your pregnancy for too long. Soon they will start noticing and might suspect us. I don’t want to put our baby in danger.” “Baby?” Francis asked me. “Genesis are you pregnant?” I looked up at him and he was holding a camera towards us with one hand and the other hand holding his u
“How could you do this to us, Gamu?” I asked slapping my hands over my mouth as soon as I saw the people she was with. “I’m so sorry Rena..." Gamu told me. She was trembling with fear and shaking her head. Her hair and clothes were damp and her feet were covered in mud. “You’re sorry?” Yoké asked her angrily stepping out of the hut leaving me at the door. “I’m so sorry but I really had to do this.” Gamu told Yoké.I looked over at the Durans. They were standing with umbrellas and watching me. They were four. It was the same three people that had come the last time plus one more. The new man was a tall brunette and was wearing a black suit. He looked so superior compared to the others. For a second I thought it was my father but he was too young to be my father. He looked in his late 20's. When he saw me his eyes Popped.“Genesis?” The man said taking a step forward towards me. “Genesis Leticia Roseburg…” I looked back at Gamu. “Why did you bring them here, Gamu?"“Because you have
I shook my head and more tears fell that he couldn’t catch in time. “We’ll both stay out of it.”“Without you everyone will back out, I will do everything in my power to keep the group together. And they won’t even know that you are not with us because I will lead them on the cliff and I will speak in your place.”“Our baby will need her father too.”Yoké hugged me and began running his fingers through me hair. “Yes she does but she needs her mother more.”He tried to comfort me as I cried in his arms. “Don’t do this to me Yoké.”“If the uprising fails, just promise me that our child will always be safe and happy, that you will give her so much love to make up for mine.”“Stop saying things like this.”He loosened his hug but I did not want to let him go. I couldn’t even imagine my life without Yoké. How miserable would I be? What happiness would I reflect on to my child if my own source of happiness was to be taken away from me forever?He tried to loosen my arms gently and when he sa
Despite the grave trouble I knew I could get into if I was caught sneaking out again, I left the hut and walked to Yoké’s hut. I was trembling, not because of the cold but because of fear. The fear of telling Yoké about my pregnancy and the decision that I have made.When I got to his hut I entered without clapping. He was seated on his bed and painting with the little light from the oil lamp. When he saw me enter he looked up at me with a frown.“Genesis?”I nodded. I was still shaking in fear. He abandoned his wooden board on the bed and came towards me.“What’s wrong?” He asked me taking me into his arms.“I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him. Even hearing myself say it suddenly scared me.“What?” Yoké asked stepping away from me and looked at me.“I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him again.“How?”I couldn’t believe my ears. “What do you mean how?”“How do you even know?”“The witch doctor.”Yoké placed his hands on his head and just looked at me, he looked blown away, like he had just heard t
At night the lightning and thunder continued but the rain had stopped. Despite the grave trouble I knew I could get into if I was caught sneaking out again, I left the hut and walked to Yoké’s hut. I was trembling, not because of the cold but because of fear. The fear of telling Yoké about my pregnancy and the decision that I have made. When I got to his hut I entered without clapping. He was seated on his bed and painting with the little light from the oil lamp. When he saw me enter he looked up at me with a frown.“Genesis?”I nodded. I was still shaking in fear. He abandoned his wooden board on the bed and came towards me.“What’s wrong?” He asked me taking me into his arms.“I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him. Even hearing myself say it suddenly scared me.“What?” Yoké asked stepping away from me and looked at me.“I’m pregnant Yoké.” I told him again.“How?”I couldn’t believe my ears. “What do you mean how?”“How do you even know?”“The witch doctor.”Yoké placed his hands on his h
In the evening I couldn’t even eat the food in front of me. I just kept crying.“Why does this girl keep sobbing like this?” The chief asked Furah.Furah just shrugged.“Maybe she’ll miss this hut.” The chief chuckled. “Well, all good things come to an end.”I got up and left the table.“Where are you going?” Furah asked me.I didn’t respond just kept walking toward the exit.“Rena I asked you, where are you going?”I stopped and looked back at her.“I’m going to sit outside the hut.”“Why?”“Fresh air.”“Okay,” Furah said and then turned to Gamu. “Go sit with her. Make sure she stays close to the hut.”“So what’s this?” I asked her. “You are treating me like a prisoner…”“In fact I should have done this ever since you set foot in this hut.”The chief was just looking at us. He looked a little lost.I left the hut and sat on the bench outside. The other younger girls were playing with the rope. They kept laughing and screaming.“Rena what’s going on with you?” Gamu asked me. “Is everyt
The witch doctor had white drawings on her face, arms and legs. She looked cross for some reason, as if someone had angered her. She did not even get up to greet Furah like everyone else normally did whenever they saw her. Instead she remained seated and continued looked up at the ceiling after we entered her little hut. I looked up too but saw nothing, just straw. The hut did not look welcoming at all, there were carvings of faces which looked oh-so angry. Those carvings hung on the walls of the hut and some were on the floor against the walls. “We greet you.” Furah told the woman. The woman began nodding and didn’t stop. Furah and I exchanged looks. I frowned. Everything about this woman was so strange. “Sit down.” The woman told us, still nodding. I followed Furah closely and sat side by side with her in front of the witch doctor. We then continued watching the woman nod.“What is she doing?” I whispered to Furah. “Shh.” Furah told me quickly. The woman all of a sudden stoppe
“How long have I been an elder?” Elder Ke asked his grand-daughter, Tera.“Since before I was even born.” She scoffed. “About 40 years already.”“Exactly.” Elder Ke responded. “No one will have to act as the bait. I know exactly how to do it. Just tell me when and we’ll do it.”I was so happy. I felt like running to him and giving him a big hug! But obviously I couldn’t do that. Why did I even feel that way?People resumed their cheering, some whistled and some clapped. As everyone rejoiced my eyes caught Uma. He was looking at Gamu. People were still around her praising her. That look Uma had on his face was not of anger and detestation it was of approval and satisfaction. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I wanted to signal Yoké to see what I was seeing but he was too happy to notice.After a while everyone settled down again.“So exactly which laws are we changing?” Kaloy asked us.“The beheading law, of cause, the proposal law and is there any more that’s reasonable to change?” I asked t