Chapter Two

Twaza stood up and blew the horn.  Twaza had summoned the family to the meeting grounds, an acre of land at the center of their homestead that was a roofless hut with the family emblem bejeweled on the walls.  

Kesa fixed her eyes on Tali who was seated on a three-legged stool with her fourth on her lap. The crowd fell silent, their full attention on Twaza.  

“Word has come from the healer. Chien-Zia has accepted our offering and has blessed us.” 

The gathered erupted in celebration. Tali’s head snapped to Kesa who smiled sweetly in response, relishing when Tali’s eyes narrowed as surprise turned to ire. Mali was the first one to rush over and grab Kesa’s hands. Her face was an expression of pure joy. “Bless Chien-Zia who has received your offering.” she cried as she kissed her older sister’s forehead. She looked towards the eldest sister who remained stoically seated. “Tali, we must prepare a celebration.”  

Kesa took Mali’s hands in her own, rubbing them affectionately. “I will leave it to you.” 

“It is a blessing indeed,” Tali finally spoke up, “Allow me to offer my midwife to accompany my sister until birth.” She lifted the child on her lap. “This one has finished weaning, we are no longer in need of her duties.” 

Kesa and Twaza exchanged looks. 

Twaza held up a hand. “Thank you for your generous offer but we have already assigned one to my wife. She is known to be the best, and we would not dare insult her by sending her away.” 

Later that day, after everyone had gone and they had closed the gates to the homestead to deter any more visitors. Kesa was woken up by Twaza’s soft kiss. She sat up from where she had been lying on the grass under the elm tree.  

“Why didn’t you ask Sila to prepare a mat for you?” Twaza asked as he handed her a gourd filled with white porridge. Kesa almost gagged at the strong smell of fish oil.  

“I like the smell of the soil. It soothes my nausea.”  

Twaza lifted her chin tilting her head towards the setting sun. He looked into her eyes. “You can barely see it anymore,” he said, referring to the purple hue in her otherwise dark brown eyes. She let out a sigh of relief, that concoction Sila had made to conceal the hue left her eyes feeling dry all the time. Kesa smiled at her husband; glad she had not taken Sila’s advice to hide the truth from him.  

“Did I do the right thing?” She asked. As he picked the fallen leaves and twigs entangled in her mane of black locks.  

“It’s a little too late,” he said with a gentle smile.  

“I know but I keep wondering why it did this. What is it planning?” 

“Jah-Pia has always been a wise and benevolent deity 

“It’s also never been one to be rebellious or go against Rah-Chieng.” 

Twaza took her in his arms and held her. “It’s only for a little while. After this, we will finally be able to have what we’ve always wanted.” 

Kesa spotted Sila watching them from the kitchen hut. Sila gestured for Kesa to eat. Kesa braced herself before taking a sip of porridge.