Shaffron

CHAPTER 13

"Come and sit by your sister"

Jerry wanted so much to join the other kids that were playing football with a locally made ball outside.

Jerry frowned.

"But Papa, this is the last league, without me, the team will lose." He grumbled standing firmly in front of his father.

His sister, Theresa, the ever daddy's girl, was always beside their father whenever he sat on the balcony of their little compound, ever ready to absorb whatever wisdom their father had to share.

Jerry, however, was a different case.

"It's the finals every day, it won't hurt to miss a day." She rolled her eyes at him.

He glared at her then dropped his sack of clothes at the impatient look his father casted him.

His buttocks still hurt from the last beating he got for staying out late. He definitely was not willing to go through that pain anytime soon.

Instead, he walked to them, avoiding the satisfactory look his annoying sister gave him. At twelve, he was three years older than her. Their father cleared his throat when Jerry took his sit beside his sister.

"In a land of mystery, where no one but one's self were to be trusted, there was a village," Jenasom, Jerry's father paused, looking from Theresa's eager eyes to Jerry's upset ones before turning to look to the skies; where just a single star shone. The side of his lips lifted and his face grew distant as if reminiscing fond memories.

"Festivals took place. They were organized by the guards from the king's palace. Every village in in the mystical land had its own market day on different days. The, market day of those at the east were always the best of them all. The best royal cooks made the meals, goats were slaughtered, nuts, cracked, and it was rumored that cowries were given as souvenirs. Each festival went in this order, settlement, dance, incantation and then finally the sacrifice. (this was because the gods had to be fed before any man.) then the wining and dining.

The head of the clan would go out hunting, seven days prior to the market day. Whatever his catch was is what would be used to sacrifice to the gods. If it appeases the gods, like it always does, there will be great feast and coming days would consist of abundant harvest throughout the land."

"What happens if it doesn't appease the gods?" Theresa asked.

Her father smiled ruefully at her. "It has never happened, but if that ever does happen, the wrath of the gods will descend on the whole clan."

Jenasom went on, telling them all about the festival, the ancient incantations and described the food with so much intensity that if Jerry had not known better, he'd say his father was present there.

By the time Jenasom turned his gaze away from the thousand stars now illuminating everywhere, Jerry had dozed off, his sack of clothes used as pillow. His youngest though, clapped at him with a broad smile and eager eyes.

*sigh*

Jerry sat on a rock, gazing longingly at the stars.

'People come and go, but the stars' shine till generations are no more.' Was what his father used to say.

He gazed at the same stars his father loved to watch with a heavy rock on his chest.

He wished he were more like his sister. He wished he listened to his father's stories and more than anything, he wished his father were still with him.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

Jerry tensed but relaxed almost immediately he recognized who the voice belonged to.

He shrugged, not sparing her a look.

He saw her sit beside him on the rock through his peripheral view then turned to face her completely.

He froze at the sight that greeted him.

Her red hair was let down and it cascaded around her shoulders. On her hair were blue flowers of a specie he couldn't recognize, arranged like a crown. They made her eye color even more intense. There was no sign of male up on her face but prettier at that.

The had on the bracelet from earlier but the leafy skirt was different, shorter and more exposing her milk thighs and toned legs.

"I told the others I wasn't comfortable without this on" she blushed, gesturing the brallet

Jerry could only nod. Iju called him earlier, telling him to leave Shaffron, or Ifi, as they called her to prepare for the festival.

He himself was given a new pair of grass skirt. The one from Ebuza was becoming itchy so he happily accepted.

He did not expect this much change in her with little to no artificiality.

It didn't matter though, Shaffron looked beautiful in whatever she had on.

"It's okay, keep the little modesty you have intact." He shrugged instead.

Shaffron glared at him.

"Of course I should've guessed that's the reward I would get for being concerned."

"I never asked for your concern."

"You didn't have to ask; your face says it all." She said and let out a huff when he did not answer her.

She turned to leave when he grabbed her arm and dragged her back on his lap.

Wide eyed, she stared at him prepared to scold him but before she could do anything, he closed the distance between them and his lips was on hers.

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