PART TWENTY-NINE Cont’d:
Beside the startling waters:
Reinah turned to the next sheet, on the bound parched pages that she had been reading. It was a collection of fables and tales, that the handicapped boy’s father had given her. She loved to read quite often. And had somewhat taught herself to do that, when she was very little. Her mother Debeh had read to her. And then together they had spelled and pronounced each word. Since she left the palace, she had not been able to read. Apart from the obvious fact that she had not taken any parchments with her. (Resources of which the prince had a mountain. And she was always welcome to help herself.) There was the fact of her unspoken quest for truth and survival.
The princess carefully arranged the shrunken pages and closed the parchment. Placing it on her side, she swung her leg over the low ledge of the sturdy tree branch. It was a nicely elevated and quiet spot. Aside from the dashing squirrels and chirping birds. The branch hung low enough for her to climb off and on. She looked down at the wooded but cleared area beneath. And the small flowing stream nearby. The boy was playing by the stream and seemed absorbed in whatever he was doing. His father always dropped him off there some mornings, if he so desired. And she had met him one of those mornings, as he was unfortunately being attacked. His father could not thank her enough, for rescuing his helpless son. He had always had misgivings about the boy being there alone. But he realized his son loved it, and it made him happy.
After showing her the picture of the queen to whom he was convinced, that she bore an uncanny and haunting resemblance. He asked her to keep the photograph. It might help her to dream bigger and reach higher, he reasoned. On that thought, Reinah grabbed the wooden frame, in which the queen’s photograph had been encased. She had set it beside her, right next to the parchment. She stared at the picture again, like she had done several times since receiving it. She could not really tell how much she looked like the woman in the picture. But she felt familiar to her. It felt like she knew her somehow. Even though she did not think that she did.
The boy was saying something to her it appeared. The distance between them, caused him to raise his voice. And the winds usual fragmentation of their words, did not help. He must have been shouting for some time.
“What did you say Mepi?” Shouted the princess, as she now dangled both legs from the branch. She was looking down to inspect, for a potentially less cluttered and safe landing spot. Having found it, she jumped down. Dusting dried leaves from her dress, she walked over to where the boy was assembling wet pebbles.
“I did not hear what you said.” Repeated Reinah, as she steadied her rapid breathing. The jump had slightly knocked the wind out of her.
“I just asked if you would be going to the Festival/Fair.” The boy spoke. Turning briefly from the structure he had been building.
“I don’t think so.” Was the girl's uncertain reply.
“Why not? I think it will be a lot of fun.” Announced the boy excitedly. “Everyone will be there.” He finished.
“That may be the reason, why I should not go.” Reinah felt reminded of her mission.
“Don’t you want to see anybody?” The boy was concerned for his friend.
“No not really.”
“You can come with father and I. It will be safe.” He was not giving up easily.
The princess started to ponder the possibility. Carefully weighing the pros and cons of wandering around in full glare of the province. She also began to think about her family, when she heard a sudden rustling sound deep in the woods. Apparently the boy had heard it too. As he startled, looked up to her and asked nervously; “What was that?”
“I don’t know.” Replied the princess cautiously. As both children, turned their attention towards the source of the sound.
Of reservations and reunions:
“I am glad you were able to secure your usual sale spot at the Festival/Fair this year.” Keta addressed her sister Dirata with a smile. Both women were working carefully, to place flowered plants in a water filled basin sitting on the floor. The market woman smiled back in agreement. First because she was happy to be spending some time with her younger sister. It had been a long time since, they both had this much time to themselves. The occupation of both family and work, had proven too difficult to navigate in recent years. And then secondly, she was happy because their cousin was here also. And he had wanted so much to see her sister.
“I am just as glad also. It had almost proved to be a feat to get the usual and coveted stall. But thankfully, everything worked out fine. Just in time for the Festival/Fair.” The market woman agreed with her sister. Then immediately changed the subject.
“You do know our cousin is in town for a few days.”
“Oh he is, isn’t he? What brings him to these parts?” Keta was curious.
“Some customary and legal issues that had to do with some property belonging to his grandmother.”
“Oh yes,” the younger woman exclaimed in recollection. “I had heard something along those lines from our brother. What a pity too. His grandmother was such a great woman.”
“Yes she was indeed.” The market woman found herself in agreement with her sister again. “Oh, one more thing before I forget. Our cousin wants to meet with your husband’s nephew, while he is out here. The boy is okay, isn’t he?”
“I believe he is.” Keta seemed suddenly distracted by something on the wall. “We have not seen him for quite some time now. You know how funny these youth can be. But I am quite certain he is fine. I can always get word out to him, to let him know. That should not be a problem.”
“Good. I was beginning to worry about him now. You know there was an incident here….”
“Did you make this? It is absolutely intriguing as it is beautiful.” The younger woman started to move towards the object of her attention. Dirata turned around, to see what her sister was talking about. All the while, suspecting what it was likely to be. “Oh, I should have known. You have seen my very captivating arrangement and piece. Done by no other, but Reinah herself.” Announced Dirata proudly.
“Reinah?” Her sister seemed lost in what she was admiring and in the unfamiliar name.
“Yes Reinah. I was just going to tell you about her….” Started the market woman.
Say yes to a new dress:
“Phew! I need to get a new dress for the Festival/Fair. None of my old ones will do.” Manipa exhaled loudly as she complained.
“I think I might need to do the same too.” Envila joined in with her friend. Then on second thoughts, partially retracted her statement. “I might have something nice. Especially for the third day, which happens to be the most festive.”
“My mother said she might have some clothes for me. I hope they will be suitable for the Festival/Fair.” Added Slaia. Naturally feeling the need to input the topic at hand.
“Noooo….” Manipa shouted and then started laughing. “I don’t mean something my mother finds somewhere, or any ‘hand-me-downs’ for that matter. I need something new. Something pretty and eye-catching. I suspect that this will be a very special Festival/Fair.”
“The dresses my mother gets for me are nice.” Defended Slaia, feeling inadequate and sounding embarrassed.
“Not for me, they are not.” Manipa retorted with a sneer. “There are a lot of new boys and men in town these days. I have to be prepared and especially so. And besides, those hand-me-downs may work for you. But not necessarily for me.” She finished, dismissing Slaia by turning her back to her.
That one slumped back on the elevated door landing on which she had been sitting. Folding her hands across her chest and nursing a pout on her face. The three girls were assembled at Envila’s house. Envila, was fixing manipa’s hair. Her mother worked as a hairdresser and she often helped her out. She had learned a lot about hair in the process.
“Well if the dress I think I will be wearing, does not work out. Then it means I will have to get something else like you Manipa.” Envila felt uncomfortable with the awkward silence that hung in the air after Manipa’s mocking outburst.
“Trust me,” started Manipa again. “This Festival/Fair, is not one in which you would like to show up looking dowdy.” She warned, rolling her eyes.
“I don’t look dowdy,” shrieked Slaia, from where she was sitting.
“I really do not care if you do.” Manipa shot back annoyed. “I am just trying to say, that I heard there will be a lot of new comers and acts present at the Festival/Fair this year.” She shook her head in exaggerated disgust.
“A lot of new comers. Sounds like fun.” Envila added excitedly.
“Hear this.” Manipa instructed with seriousness. “It is also likely, that the royal family might roll by. I am not very sure. But I overheard my father discussing it with his friend the other day. They said that this would be the biggest Fair so far.”
“The royal family will stop by? Oh wow.” Envila was besides herself. She did not realize, that she was now unconsciously pulling on Manipa’s hair. “That means prince Amil will be in attendance. Yoo hoo!” She lifted both hands in jubilation. An action which drew an expression of relief from Manipa.
“And what if he is?” Manipa asked, simultaneously massaging her scalp. “It is not like you would get to meet him. He does not even know you exist. You and the rest of us. So stay calm.” She finished cynically.
“Yes, But I still get to see him close enough. At least if we get there on time and get a good spot.” Envila defended, her joy still unquenched.
“I think I might need a new dress after all.” Slaia suddenly perked up and chipped in. “I have always dreamed of meeting the prince.” She finished, her voice distant.
“And who says you will be meeting the prince?” Manipa spat at her in exasperation. "You wish. Well join the rest of us in wishful thinking. And please do not bother getting a new dress. It keeps the competition fewer.”
“Why do you have to be so mean?” Cried Slaia. “Just leave me alone.”
“I sure will,” started Manipa laughing. At the same time, attempting to retrieve her hair from Envila’s distracted clutch again. “You and your dowdy hand-me downs,” she laughed even harder.
However, she was suddenly interrupted by Envila’s loud proclamation:
“Prince Amil, prince Amil. Oh prince Amil….”
Both of her friends turned towards her immediately. Only to behold a lost and dreamy face lifted upwards. They could only stare at her in silence. One with disgust and the other with a growing plan on her mind.
.