Legacy Fragments

The First Tsaritsa pt. 4

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After the night of horrible news came the next day where the matchmaker was to announce the results from the doctor's visit with a ceremony by the village center while the bonfire was lit. Through her broken heart, it was completely Vivian's intent to still support her friend Eva when her good news was announced but those plans had to change. That morning she received a knock on her door from the matchmaker, while she had always been friendly and caring before, she now was cold, calloused, with a fury suppressed behind her aged eyes. She let Vivian know that it would be best for her own sake that if she had any shame or cared for anyone in the village that she did not attend the ceremony, regardless of how painful the decision might be, it was all for the best, she claimed.

The matchmaker wasn't wrong about that the decision would be painful but such pains would take on such a twisted life of their own the poor girl could never have expected. That ceremony was the announcement of all the young lads and maidens who have come of age, they celebrated Eva's soon-to-be new honor as she grows and learns following the elder's lead. She also acknowledged to noticeable stain in the whole event, which was Vivian's absence. Without her attending, the matchmaker announced the unfortunate news, that it's out of shame she doesn't even celebrate for those who have received good blessings. At the end of the announcement, she insisted that it would be best to do what is needed to be done, regardless the pain it may bring. The village chief had supported this decision, knowing how it may affect the people, but it was a matter of survival that they did not have the luxury to ignore for the pleasure of more company.

In Vivian's life, the change was initially subtle enough that she couldn't notice it right away, too far lost in her own grief and fear for her home. She trusted the doctor that however the conversation that he may have had with the matchmaker who would then talk to the chief about, there may be a chance that unwed, nothing more or worse would happen. She knew fully well that she normally would be sent away immediately, the night of the ceremony, sent into the snowdrifts without permission to ever return but she was still here, she's still home. This was the hope she clung to as she bore the burden knowing she was a shame, continued helping where she could, taking care of those who needed help and teaching the children.

In the initial time, people were pitiful, worried for Vivian and what would happen to her, sorrowful that not only had she lost her family but that she was to be lost as well. There was no denying her truth, their customs, and the cruelty of time.

Time was like a constant river over a stone, the erosion of the water on the stone's surface will make slow work that the mass it once had will dwindle down to the sand. The people's pity and love for Vivian was set in stone but that began to diminish. It started with the small things like helping Vivian with her contributions till the that stone got smaller and they no longer needed Vivian's help to take over her tasks. With other's tasks, they no longer accepted her assistance either insisting that they will do it on their own or claim they've asked someone else to come help. With more water over their stone hearts, they no longer hid that they had yet to find someone else for help but still insisted on refusing hers. Blindness nor denial could cloud Vivian's eyes from their ignorance of her, so she wasn't surprised when the night came and she had one last visit to her door from the matchmaker.

The knock came at about 9:30 into the night, when all the children had fallen asleep, adults find themselves by the fire and not another person can be found out on the streets. At this time, it made it for the best that no one else who might have their remaining sympathies could intervene, like Eva might have. She never blamed Vivian for not showing up, it didn't hurt any less but Vivian was like a sister to her, she wouldn't have the heart to ever abandon.