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.
4 days until Rena and Abu’s marriage 6 days until Yoké and the princess’ marriage That night I went home with Furah. We didn’t sneak back. We walked across like it was day time. I was so scared someone would see us but she didn’t care. She was so upset with me. The next morning she didn’t even respond when I greeted her. Even Gamu noticed.She didn’t teach me anything on our way to the river or even when we got there. She basically just accompanied me. And when we were returning we met Yoké and Uma on the way. They both greeted her but she didn’t respond. I tried so hard not to catch Yoké’s eyes, although I could feel him staring at me until we passed them.After we got to the hut Furah went into her chamber and stayed there. I spent a while sitting in the main chamber and just waiting for her to come out. Then I remembered that she had said that she was no longer part of the uprising. That meant that I had to go on my own now. It’s okay, I was not going to stop this uprising no matt
Gamu and I made our way through the group. When we managed to get through, I saw that there was no one in the middle. Instead there was a space in the middle and then there was another group of people on the other side. I realized that the group division was for the people that wanted to leave and the people that were still supporting the uprising. The people that were supporting the uprising were the ones closest to the entrance. Gamu went to stand in that crowd of people by the entrance.“…that’s why we won’t succeed.” Someone finished making his point from the other group.“Can I talk, please.” I asked.The people from the other group kept talking over my voice. Each person giving reasons why we’d fail without Furah.“Can you please listen?” I asked again a little louder. The people in the other group still wouldn’t even look at me“Attention, attention.” Uma called out.They preferred his firm commanding voice and to my surprise they settled down.“Do you remember the first day you
3 days until Abu and Rena’s marriage 5 days until Yoké and the princess’ marriage When I woke up at the crow of the cock and stepped into the main chamber only Gamu was there. She was busy removing the spider webs at the corner of the walls of the hut. When she saw me she stopped and looked at me.“Where’s Furah?” I asked her after we both greeted each other.“I went to wake her up but found that she was already awake.” Gamu replied. “She said I should leave her for a while and I don’t know why.”I frowned. “Okay…”She came close to me and whispered. “I think there’s something wrong with her. She seems really disturbed. Since yesterday she’s been acting so strange.”I sighed heavily and didn’t respond.“Didn’t you notice?”“No.” I replied.“Watch her closely today.” Gamu told me.“I’m going to wait for her outside the hut.” I told Gamu. “If she asks, tell her I’m right here by the entrance.”I stepped outside. It was very windy and dull outside. The wind was blowing the sand into the
“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