Amasa

Chapter Twenty Four- Dimming lights

The interaction between Menhe and Bule was so fascinating to watch. I observed their subtle movements around each other, making deliberate gestures to accidentally touch. Menhe handed Bule nuts as she ground the shells softly. It was an unnecessary task, Bule's productivity would probably be more effective if Menhe did not delay her by slowly adding more nuts and bumping her hand every time.

Menhe was happy to do anything in her presence, engulfed by her radiance and soft spoken nature as she told him village stories, he gaped and he remained quiet, nodding in agreement to every word she stuttered, fixed on her to fully absorb everything she did. It reminded me of Toga and Chioneko when I was young.

"Amasa, would you like to join us... I am no good at crushing nut shells."

Bule's attempt to have me join them was quite innocent yet funny. I did not know how to do any form of work properly, and the last time I tried, I wasted so much produce. She wouldn't know anyway.

"I'm alright, I'll just rest here... the warmth of the sun is nice."

Menhe stopped to look at me in concern. It had been a couple of days in the Shintu tribe and the village had changed heart, I was given a cold shoulder by everyone except Bule and Menhe after my interaction with King Narufu. I was not too sure why this had come to be, however what rattled me the most is the fact that the woman who had birthed me had not even made an attempt to reconnect or even have a short passive conversation with me.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Menhe, don't worry. Enjoy yourselves with your hard labor, besides, getting in between you two would make me feel like a pigeon trying to sleep in a chicken coup."

Bule giggled and so did I.

"My Princess, you can't live like this forever... If I had known of the reception you'd get from the Shintu, I'd have never taken part in bringing you here."

"Stop lying Menhe, you would.."

Bule softly interjected as she punched Menhe's abdomen and he falsified considerable pain.

"Ahh Bule!"

"Of course you would have, for me!"

Bule spoke as she sulked. I laughed. Menhe smiled.

"I would have done the same thing to experience a small segment of the love you two share, I no longer hold anything against you Menhe, It won't change my situation either way..."

Menhe's smile dimmed.

"I asked Runesu to come and see you."

Menhe randomly said changing the topic.

"Why did you do that! You should have asked me first!"

"We knew what your answer would be Amasa, but you cannot only talk to us for the rest of your life , you need a community."

Bule softly replied.

"She got what she wanted, I do not see the need for her to continue her pretentious interactions with me, unless what? There's a mistake and I am from the Nimbe tribe and I have to be kidnapped again?'

"Your joke isn't funny..."

Runesu answered from behind. I turned my head to see her standing behind me.

"Of course you would know right? Since you know all that is right and wrong for me."

"Amasa stop projecting your anger towards the wrong person, I just did what I had to do!"

"I am not projecting anything! I am angry at you Runesu. Own the reality that my anger is directed at you for a reason. Take ownership of that and stop  making assumptions for me all the time! I know what I feel and I am definitely angry at you!"