A New Beginning (Intersex)

Chapter 5: A Sweet Night

Zera was laying down when she saw Raze come back. Seeing her about to hop in, Zera clenched her fingers holding her part of the quilt. She had a fraction of hope that Raze who had been treating her well wouldn't be like those men who only wanted her body.

Zera's hopes were answered when she saw Raze lay down and look at her. Raze still seemed lethargic from the nap in the tub. Looking at her with unfocused eyes she spoke the most beautiful words Zera had ever heard.

"I know you said we could try for children. However I don't think bringing children into this world without a parents love is a responsible thing to do. So I'd like for us to get better acquainted with each other before we move to that point. I apologise if that's not what you want, but I just don't feel comfortable doing it with a person I've only known a day".

Zera quickly responded "Not at all. I also had the hope that we could get to know each other better first. I'm thankful you didn't push me when I wasn't ready. Thank you Raze. This means more then you could ever imagine".

Listening to Zera's response, Raze wasn't surprised. If you've grown up under the stigma of your mother's profession. Looked at like nothing more than a place for men to vent their lust, and women to vent their dissatisfaction. It could easily be inferred that you'd hope for a person to treat you with some semblance of respect. Not just trampling on your dignity like the rest.

Raze was happy to be the person who treated Zera with respect. She grew up in a modern society, taught modern ethics. She was the best candidate to show empathy towards someone who has only ever felt malice. Raze just smiled at Zera and bid her a good night's rest.

Seeing that Raze had already closed her eyes. Zera laid flat, looking at the darkness in front of her. Her tears silently falling down the corners of her eyes, running into her hairline, where they disappeared. Raze will never know how grateful she is for the words she was told this night. She however will cherish it forever. Her eyes grew heavy, and slowly she entered her slumber. She knew she would be accompanied by a wonderful dream.

The morning reared it's imposing tendrils with the crowing of roosters and the shining light of the rising sun. Raze woke up and looked beside her. It seems Zera had already gotten up. She quickly stood up and made the bed. Quickly washing away the sleepiness, she walked out of the room and saw the smoke billowing from the kitchen. Knowing that Zera was cooking breakfast she walked over to see if Zera needed any help.

Walking into the kitchen she saw a bright and well rested Zera. She asked her

"Good sleep?"

"Perfect. It couldn't have been better", Zera replied contentedly.

Raze was happy to see it. She knew that she should live by the old adage "Happy wife, Happy life". The ancients wouldn't deceive her. Raze saw that she was about sine, so she helped carry the dishes to the table.

After the meal was finished. Raze still took on the duty of dishwashing. She asked Zera "What needs to be done today?"

"Today will be quite exhausting, but we need to plough the fields. Especially yours. They haven't been worked for a while and they're full of weeds and rocks". Zera replied cautiously.

Raze didn't care, she'd done this kind of work when she was young. Although it was a little tiring, but she didn't think there would be much land to till, so she replied confidently.

"Not a problem. Just leave the hard labour to me. We'll be able to get this done in no time".

Sometimes Raze wishes she could just shut her ignorant mouth. It isn't the first time that it has led to unforeseen consequences. Looking at the flowing fields she wondered which small area was hers. Even if Zera said that her father left a lot of land, she just assumed she meant fifty or so squared meters. Staring at the half a hectare worth of fields she just wanted to go back and slap herself. This land is only slightly less than a football field. How is she supposed to plough this? Also isn't her grandfather supposed to be the village chief? How has he allowed so much land to go unused? She ended up asking Zera about her doubts. Zera replied saying.

"Your land had tenants last year. However, their son made some money working in the town and moved them over there, leaving the land untended".

At least Raze had the answer. Thinking that it made little use to procrastinate. She picked up the hoe and began tilling the soil. Piling up the roots and stones that littered the fields. Zera saw how fast Raze was clearing the fields and she was aghast. Time after time she is speechless at the monster that is her new husband. Most people wouldn't be able to move half as fast as her, and even if they could they would be sweating and gasping for breath in minutes. Raze didn't seem to have this drawback. She kept going. Hours passed and her swing was as stable and strong as the first time. Zera watched as the fields became cleaner and clearer and estimated how many seeds she'd need for such a huge amount of land.

By lunch the field had been three quarters finished. Zera was planting wheat in these fields this time. They had missed the best time to plant rice. She didn't mind, doing the match the rice in her field was enough to pay the tax for all of these fields. Although they wouldn't be left with much themselves, but they'd make a decent profit off of the wheat harvest, and they'd be able to set up the fields for rice farming before the next planting season.

Zera couldn't help being excited. However knowing that Raze had been doing an enormous amount of work, she quickly jogged over and handed her some water and asked her to sit down and rest her body for a while.

Raze felt she was running out of energy so she hastily agreed. The cool breeze swept past her, helping her to reduce the heat she had been feeling while working under the merciless sun.