A Collection of Thoughts

8) Makubuqu [My Grandchild] (Drabble)

*ranked #9 under Fiji 20 June 2021*

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“There are things that we do, that we have to do, even if we don’t want to.”

“Is this something that I have to do, then? Don’t I have a choice in this?”

Grandma watches me for a moment, sadness in her eyes.

“You always have a choice, makubuqu, always.”

I sigh, contemplate her words.

“Was this how it was like for you, with Tua?”

She turns away, the faint light of the flickering candle casting shadows across the fine wrinkles on her face. She’s gone now, to that place that only she can go. It’s a place that draws several emotions from her – expressive and bright across her features.

“I made my choice with your grandfather. Now it’s time that you made yours.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and try not to think too much of Edward, of his pale skin, blue eyes and forbidden kisses.

It’s time that I made mine. The thought echoes through me, ripping away at my university educated preconceptions until all that’s left is the me that first left the village all those years ago, young and terribly naive.

“What have you decided, makubuqu? What will you do?”

I look up and meet my grandmother’s warm brown eyes with tears in my own. My voice is shaking when I say, “I will, Pu. I will marry Viliame.”

She gives me a weak smile but there is still sorrow in her eyes. Her dark hand reaches, grasps mine and I am four years old again, orphaned, alone and lost. 

We don’t speak again.

Later, as we lay in the darkness of our one room home, I feel the tears rise but push them stubbornly back down.

I am not a victim of my circumstances, I tell myself. I am the master of my own destiny.

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*makubuqu: my grandchild

*Tua: Grandpa/Grandfather (an informal title) *Pu: Grandma/Grandmother (an informal title)

The translated words are Fijian.