When I sneaked back to my own bed I couldn’t believe what had happened between us. I couldn’t believe it at all. I couldn’t believe that Yoké and I actually went that far. I couldn’t sleep again that night. It felt like a dream I would’ve never known how to dream. This was huge, if anyone found out about this, they wouldn’t even spare us a second.When we made our way up the hill I saw Yoké and Uma standing at the well. They were not drawing water, they were just standing there and talking with their buckets on the ground.I hoped that Yoké didn’t tell Uma what had happened between us last night. I felt so embarressed, almost as if everyone that looked at me could read the shameful thing I did.“Rena. How are you today?” Uma asked me beaming at me. He looked almost as if he would hug me out of happiness. Did Yoké tell him?“I’m okay.” I said.“You good?” Yoké asked me, he couldn’t look at me too.I nodded. “You?”“I’m fine.”Uma looked at us. “What’s wrong with you two today? Did you f
Furah woke up the same time that Gamu and I were about to leave."Rena..." She called me."Yes."She hooked her arm into mine and took me out of the hut. Gamu followed. We stood a little distance away from the hut."You know the question you asked me that day?" Furah said.I tried to think. "What question?""About Rena... the one I refused to answer..."I looked at Gamu and she was looking back to me. I nodded at Furah."Today I dreamed of my daughter for the first time in a while. You were there in the dream too and you two were talking. I was standing at a distance and watching you. I couldn't hear what it was that you two were talking about. And that's all I saw in the dream.""Okay...""Then I thought, what could you two be talking about? You've never met each other. Then I remembered you asking me about her. So I decided that I will tell you everything about my Rena that you want to know."I nodded happily. "Yes, then please tell me Furah, who caught Rena at the men's side of the
Later on Furah and I went to Ana's hut. After Faurah's greeting they all sat down. I noticed that the two girls that we had seen at the well were also here. I knew that it had to be Uma or Yoké that convinced them to join. "I thought about how we can try to win over the elders." Ana said once everyone settled down. "Tell us." We heard clapping of a child on the other side of the curtain. Everyone became agitated. Ana got up and went to the entrance. After a short muffled conversation with the person, she let him in. It was Chiko. A little child. "What is it?" Ana asked him. "The Chief is calling for Yoké to come to the hut." He said. "Why?" Yoké frowned. "I don't know." Chiko replied. "He said you must come at once." Yoké got up and passed me. Chiko followed behind him and they left the hut. I looked at Uma and Uma shook his head once, I got the message. He was telling me not to worry about that. "Ana, you were saying?" Furah asked her. "The best way we can win over an eld
As I was telling Yoké about everything that the elder had told me about Gamu, he sat with his hand supporting his chin and his foot tapping vigorously. He didn’t say a word throughout the story. He didn’t ask anything. Just listened and continued to tap his foot.When I finished, he shook his head.“I doubt that Rena went to meet a guy at the river. I don’t believe that part. But whatever reason she had, I know that Gamu reported Rena only because she was jealous of Rena. Uma was in love with Rena and Gamu knew it very well.”I sighed heavily.Yoké looked very uneasy. “Do you know what happened to Uma after Rena’s death, do you know how thin he became? If you saw him you wouldn’t recognize him. He refused to eat anything Genesis. He ate nothing, for 8 days!”“Keep your voice down, Yoké. Someone might here us.”“All he did was cry. I almost lost my brother. The only person I had. And it’s all that Gamu’s fault.” Yoké looked enraged. “That girl deserves to be reported too! I’ll go to the
When it was night time I didn’t go sleep. I stayed by the table. And after they all started snoring loudly I sneaked out to Gamu’s chamber.I woke her up.“Yoké managed to convince Uma to see you and talk to you. But it can only happen now because you two can’t have such a conversation at the well.”She was so excited. She even washed her face even though we were supposed to be careful.We sneaked all the way into the forest. She started giggling.“When last did I do this?” She asked.I didn’t respond.“When last did you do this?” She asked me nudging me and giving me a knowing look.I shrugged. “The last time you warned me.”She laughed. As if I had said something so funny. “I’m so sorry.”“It’s okay.” I said. I couldn’t smile with her no matter how hard I tried. But the darkness was working in my favor because she couldn’t really see my face.“Where are we going anyway?” She asked me hooking her hand into mine.I felt like throwing her off me. I tensed up and tried my best not to rea
5 days until Rena and Abu's marriage7 days until Yoké and the princess' marriage.After the river. Furah and I went to the meeting. In the morning Gamu greeted me only. She didn't look at me strangely or anything. I didn't know whether she was upset with me or not. She didn't give me any signs.At the meeting I was surprised to see Uma there. His sister Ema was sitting between him and Yoké. She was talking to the both of them and laughing about something. They were both smiling and nodding their heads. The other people there were also talking amongst each other. I wanted the three of them to keep smiling like that, I didn't want to interrupt them so I just stood in front and acted like I was examining something on my thumb."Rena needs your attention." Furah called out and everyone stopped talking and shifted to look at me properly."Uh..." I fidgeted with my fingers for a while and then looked up at Uma. "I want to say that I appreciate everyone here today. We keep growing in number
At night I went to see Yoké. He was already there by the tree waiting for me when I crossed the yard. As soon as I got to him he started to kiss me. We kissed for a while and then he cupped my cheeks and brought his nose to mine. We shared a warm smile. He then swerved his nose against mine."Why do you always do that?" I asked him.He smiled and put his arm around me and we started walking. "I just enjoy doing it to you. Also because I know you'll smile when I do it.""Hm..." I blushed. "Well, I like it.""By the way we shouldn't go this way because your people are camping there." "So they are really here?" I asked as we took another turn. "Yes, I was the one interpreting for them when they came to the chief's hut. They said they'll stay for 7 days.""Didn't they recognize you?" "Ofcause they did!" Yoké laughed. "They wanted to beat me up in front of the chief. It's good that the chief couldn't understand a word they were saying. But I told them that I had no idea where you were. A
“What in the world is going on here? Is this what you two do?”I couldn’t answer I just shook my head.“Rena, I’m asking you!”“No.” I said shaking my head.“Am I blind?”I shook my head.“And you Yoké… I just knew it!” Furah said shaking her head in disbelieve.“It is not how it seems.” Yoké told her.Furah scoffed. “It doesn’t seem like anything. It’s as clear as day.”“We’re so sorry.” Yoké said putting his hands together in an apology.“I always knew it.” She said. “Ever since the first time you joined the uprising I started suspecting you. I knew that Rena knew you since long ago because you were the one interpreting for her and also because I once asked you to look after her for a whole night when her people came to the village. So for her not to remember your name at the meeting! I found that very strange. Plus that whole play you three performed at one of the meetings… I was just not sure which guy she was involved with between you and Uma. That’s why I kept quiet and observed.
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