A Bride's Story

Chapter 18: Strangers

As Khiva basked in the gentle afternoon sun, three riders approached the outskirts of the town on their sturdy horses. Their arrival did not go unnoticed by a young child who was engrossed in tending to a playful foal nearby.

"Hey, kid," Baimat called out, his voice carrying a tinge of urgency. "Can you point us in the direction of the Ayhan family? We're looking for a girl named Amira who recently became their bride."

The child, with innocence in his eyes, pointed towards the direction of the Eihon residence. "It's over there," he replied, his voice tinged with curiosity.

The riders continued along the empty streets, observing the tranquil surroundings. The men, likely busy toiling in the fields, were absent, while the women sought solace within the confines of their homes.

Joruk, the youngest among the cousins, caught sight of a tantalizing apricot tree, its branches stretching over the wall and into the street. Unable to resist, he plucked a fruit from the tree and took a bite, only to find it unripe and sour.

"Hmm, not quite ripe yet," Joruk remarked, his disappointment evident.

Baitmat, his cousin, frowned disapprovingly. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

Joruk shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, come on! It's practically communal property on this side of the wall!"

Baitmat caught the tossed apricot in his hand but promptly dropped it onto the street. "We shouldn't be filching things."

Joruk defended himself, his voice filled with youthful defiance. "It's just a small indulgence, Baitmat. Besides, anything within reach is fair game."

"Hey, Azel, you have one too!" Joruk exclaimed with a mischievous grin, his playful nature evident in his voice. He swiftly tossed an apricot towards his other cousin, Azel, expecting a lighthearted exchange.

However, Azel's reaction was far from what Joruk anticipated. Catching the apricot with a firm grip, Azel examined it briefly before hurling it back towards Joruk's face with unexpected force. The fruit smacked Joruk's cheek, eliciting a yelp of surprise and a whine of protest.

Rubbing his stinging cheek, Joruk pouted. Meanwhile, Azel remained silent, his expression unreadable as he continued riding ahead, leaving the momentary disruption behind them.

"I'm so bored," Joruk exclaimed after riding for a while. His youthful energy seemed to wane as the journey stretched on. "Azel, your dad said it would only take four or five days, but it's taken way longer than that! I'm so done with riding. I could really go for some mutton right now. You know, fresh from the oven, piled high on a plate, sizzling hot fat... and some fragrant fried rice on the side. That would hit the spot."

Baimat, the older and more reserved of the group, chimed in with a dose of reality. "Don't expect too much, Joruk. We're uninvited guests, remember? We can't expect a lavish feast upon arrival."

Joruk's disappointment was palpable as he let out a sigh. Baimat's words brought him back to the reality of their situation. "Yeah, you're right. Let's see if we can mooch a meal from someone before we sit down to talk."

Baimat cast a stern glance at Joruk. "Just keep quiet and stay patient. We're almost there."

Azel's eyes fell upon a small girl outside the Eihon residence. She wore a brightly colored dress, her hair neatly braided and adorned with a scarf. Engrossed in her task of collecting water from the well, she looked up in slight nervousness as the three adult men arrived on horseback.

Noticing the girl's apprehension, Joruk took the initiative and dismounted from his horse. He approached her with a friendly smile. "Hey there, kiddo. We came to talk to your folks. Are there any adults around?"

Tileke, the girl, stared at the men for a moment before a mixture of curiosity and concern crossed her face. Without hesitation, she turned and dashed inside, calling out for her mother. Joruk, Baimat, and Azel waited patiently outside, their anticipation mingled with a hint of unease.

As they stood there in silence, Joruk's voice broke through the stillness. "If Amira is pregnant, there will be hell to pay." His words hung in the air, met with a somber silence from his cousins, who understood the potential consequences of such a revelation.