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chapter eighteen. banish.
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The moment Maleia stepped into her pod, the aura was soaked with rage.
Daggers bled into Maleia's skin as the taunting eyes of her mother pierced deep into her figure. Staring at her like she was disgustingly rotten food.
Maleia felt prickles cover her skin.
Hypothetical prickles that stung so bad it actually made her wince in pain.
Ao'nung and Tsireya sat up in their mats, blankets covering their body as they watched the horror scene unform in front of their two blue eyes.
Tonowari didn't have a piece to say.
It was like his mouth had been taped shut as his lips pinched together.
"What have I told you about that boy?"
Ronal ruptured the agonising silence.
Maleia was quick to wrap her arms around herself, missing the comfort of Lo'ak's reassuring arms around her waist.
"Mama, he is not what you think..." Maleia said, loud enough for her mother to hear, but quietly to barely make out the words.
Ronal couldn't help but scoff. The woman could keep a grudge, and she definitely had one against the Sully family. If it wasn't for little Tuk, she'd happily turn them away.
"He is all I think. Someone who isn't good enough for you, my future Tsahìk."
Those last words made Maleia's blood start to bubble.
She didn't want to be known as that.
Her mother was supposed to see her as her daughter, someone to care and love. Instead, she sees her as some legacy to take over her rightful place as Tsahìk.
"I do not want to be that!" Maleia shouted.
A sharp intake was heard as Maleia instantly regretted her own stupid words.
Ronal's daggers turned into long knives. Slow and painful when entering her skin.
"Is this how you think now? You don't want to be Tsahìk after being around that ignorant demon..." Ronal questioned her.
Maleia closed her eyes and breathed.
From the beginning, Maleia knew being Tsahìk wasn't right for her. She loved the ocean. She wanted to be swimming next to the animals and crafting useful items.
Being Tsahìk was too much responsibility when all she wanted to be was free.
Free to swim without feeling burdened or rushed, free to be on that rock where she sang soft tunes and weaved jewellery.
Free to be herself.
"I have always thought that, Mama," Maleia replied before looking to Tsireya.
Tsireya was perfect for Tsahìk, and she would love to take on the role.
"You don't know what you're giving away! And I will not allow it! Maleia, you are going to be Tsahìk," Ronal announced.
The words pinched at her brain.
A headache was starting to form at Ronal not listening to her desperate pleas.
"And you are no longer allowed to see that Lo'ak boy..."
That was what made Maleia start sobbing.
"Ronal, you cannot do that," Tonowari finally spoke up as he stood behind his daughter, placing a rough hand onto her shoulder.
"I can and I will. He is a distraction. Filling her mind with such things!" Ronal shouted.
Tonowari sighed before Ao'nung stood up and took Maleia into his arms, giving her a hug that was much needed.
He didn't like showing affection, but Maleia would always be his soft spot.
Ao'nung sat down with her.
Ronal and Tonowari left to have a walk around Awa'atlu to talk things out.
"I do not understand..." Maleia cried.
Tsireya curled her eyebrows inwards as she rubbed her hand on Maleia's back.
"She will come around, sister," Tsireya said in her soft voice, making her claim sound so believable, when it wasn't.
And whilst this argument was happening, Lo'ak was standing behind the tent. He heard everything: the shouting, the crying, the banishment from him.
He walked back to his tent with his head hung low and facing his feet.
"What is it, baby brother?" Neteyam asked.
Lo'ak didn't respond and walked straight towards his mat, resting his head down and thinking about everything.
Neteyam sighed when Lo'ak ignored him. But, he wasn't going to give up. Lo'ak is his brother and he doesn't want him to be upset over anything, "Lo'ak. Answer me."
Lo'ak lifted his head and looked at Neteyam, "You will not understand."
Neteyam tutted before crouching down towards Lo'ak and placed his hand onto his head, "Explain to me."
Lo'ak sat up and closed his eyes. He didnt want to tell his brother about this, but Neteyam was always helpful and he needed his advice right now.
"You know Maleia, I... kind oflike her. And I, well, her parents don't agree," Lo'ak explained to Neteyam.
Neteyam only nodded his head.
He smiled when hearing that his brother had a crush on somebody.
"Maleia likes you too right?" He asked.
Lo'ak shrugged his shoulders. How was he supposed to know? For all he knew, Maleia could just think of him as a friend.
Or just a student she teaches her ways.
"I don't know." Lo'ak stated blankly.
Neteyam smiled at his younger brother, "Tell her, brother. She has to know."
Lo'ak nodded his head but then remembered that her mother just banished them from seeing each other.
"Yeah, easier said than done, bro," Lo'ak said before putting his head back down onto the mat, wanting to be left alone.
Easier said than done.
Whilst Lo'ak went to sleep with heavy thoughts that night, Maleia snuck out and swam towards her peaceful rock. The same rock she connected with Lo'ak on.
She braided some parts of her hair and tied in some seashells she collected, wanting something to do than drown in her sorrow.
The world looked so peaceful.
The slight glow from the plants under the sea and the stars shining bright. So different from what she felt inside.
How could she not see Lo'ak.
With him in her world now, she couldn't imagine it any other way.
