A Bride's Story

Chapter 58: Family Patterns

Tileke observed in awe as the four Eihon women gathered around the bed, each carefully laying cloth onto the soft surface. The air was thick with anticipation as they worked together, their movements purposeful and coordinated.

"Grandmother, what about these?" Seleke inquired, seeking guidance from the elder matriarch.

"Nah, not the ones over there," Balkirsh replied with a dismissive wave. "Come over here."

"All these here," Sanira interjected, adding more cloth to the growing collection on the bed.

"Be careful," Balkirsh cautioned, her voice tinged with concern. "Don't let the cloth snag."

With each piece of cloth brought into the room by Seleke and Amira, Tileke's excitement grew. Each fabric was adorned with intricate patterns, meticulously embroidered with skill and care.

"Tileke," her mother called out, beckoning her daughter to join them. "Amira hasn't seen these before either, right, Amira?"

"Nope," Amira confirmed, her eyes alight with curiosity and anticipation.

"Well, now," Balkirsh exclaimed, her voice filled with pride and satisfaction. "Look what we have here."

Tileke gasped in wonder as she beheld the beautiful silk patterns spread before her. Flowers, squares, suns, and animals danced across the fabric in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, each design more mesmerizing than the last.

"Wow!" Tileke exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. "These are all ours?!"

"That's right," Sanira confirmed with a warm smile. "This cloth was brought by your great grandmother when she got married. It bears the pattern of her parents' family." Sanira pointed to a square surrounded by smaller circles and triangles, its intricate design captivating Tileke's imagination. "Ours is a more detailed shape," she added, her voice tinged with pride and reverence for their family's rich heritage.

Tileke's eyes widened in awe as she surveyed the vast array of intricate patterns laid out before her. Each piece seemed to tell a story, woven with threads of tradition and history. She couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and admiration for her great-grandmother, who sat beside her with a serene smile.

"Great-grandmother," Tileke began tentatively, breaking the silence that enveloped them like a comforting blanket, "you sewed all of these, didn't you?"

"I did," Balkirsh replied.

Tileke felt a lump form in her throat as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of her great-grandmother's talent and dedication. "Did you memorize all of them?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I know them by heart."

A sense of wonder washed over Tileke as she gazed at Balkirsh in newfound admiration. To possess such a profound connection to her craft was a gift beyond measure.

"You too, grandmother?" Tileke turned to her own grandmother, Sanira, who stood nearby, her presence a comforting presence amidst the sea of fabric.

Sanira smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners with affection. "Yes, my dear. Almost all of them," she replied softly, her voice carrying the weight of countless memories and experiences.

Her great-grandmother's reassuring touch on her shoulder brought a sense of calm amidst the flurry of thoughts in Tileke's mind. "Well, you don't need to learn them all at once," Balkirsh said gently. "You'll master them in time."

Tileke nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. She trusted in the wisdom of her elders and embraced the journey ahead, knowing that with patience and perseverance, she would come to know the patterns like the back of her hand.

As the evening wore on, the women shared stories of their female relatives, each tale woven with threads of pride and nostalgia. They spoke of Shelviga, whose talent was cut short by illness, and Suniak, whose skill with a needle was unmatched from a young age.

"And do you remember this?" Seleke interrupted, holding up a piece of red silk adorned with delicate white flowers. "It's the swaddling cloth I was given when you were born, Tileke. You were wrapped in this so often when you were small."

Tileke examined the fabric, feeling a pang of regret for not remembering such a significant piece of her own history. "I can't recall," she admitted sheepishly.

Seleke chuckled, a warm smile tugging at her lips. "You were just a baby, after all. It's no wonder."

Amira chimed in with her own recollection. "I do recall mine," she said with a hint of amusement. "When I was born, I used to look at the sheep from a saddlebag."

The other women gasped in surprise, intrigued by the peculiar memory. "A saddlebag?" Sanira exclaimed. "What on earth were you doing in there?"

Amira shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "I don't know! Maybe I was brought along as they were grazing."

The women laughed, the lighthearted moment serving as a reminder of the rich tapestry of experiences that bound them together as a family. And as they continued to marvel at the intricate designs before them, Tileke couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the bonds that transcended generations, weaving their stories into the fabric of their shared history.