Womanish Lady

Prologue:

   "Hmm? What did you say, Nali?"

"I know you heard me. I said I'll be moving by tonight, but today, I'm going to look at the little cottage I'll be staying in." Nali replied.

The sun was slowly rising in the Village of Harmony when Fuyaiyah and her older sister, Nali, conversed quietly in their room. Fuyaiyah would listen as Nali told her about how she wished to find a new house for herself and the one she loved to live happily - not too close to their beloved village, but not too far either.

"I'm a little sad that you'll be moving so soon, but I can't be surprised. You would talk of exploring often."

"Mmhm."

Fuyaiyah sighed and continued getting herself ready for her usual life as a village girl. "You're really wanting to leave, huh?"

"Aww," said Nali as she went by her little sister, who was in front of a body mirror. "Don't put it like that. I'm much familiar with this entire village, and seeing the protectors of the village go outside this area and come back lively and with many stories made me really want to see what's around here. Remember? I would try taking you to beautiful areas that I found, and Norkeito and his father would attempt to sneak us outside for a few hours?"

Norekeito is Nali's lover.

"Of course, Nali."

"Anyway, I knew not to daydream too often, but now that you've learned how to help mother around the house, and know your way around the village like I do, I'm confident that I can leave you and not worry."

"But you don't have to leave me. I can come with you. At least to see your cottage?"

Nali turned sheepish but also very happy.

"Not this time, Fuya. Norkeito's picking me up. It's the cottage we're buying to be together for a while before setting out to our first location. We're seeing the house, getting acquainted with the area around it, then will return to pack our essential items."

"Selfish." she said under her breath. Both of them laughed.

"How could you even say that? Every time I'd try going out alone with him, you'd somehow manage to come along - and I'd let you."

Nali could see her sister's face get brighter at the memories, then gradually get sad as she spoke. She helped pull her hair back.

"I'll send letters and postcards to you and mother, of course. You won't be able to see me, but that doesn't mean I'm gone."

Fuyaiyah was still sad, but perked up for the sake of her older sister leaving without negativity.

"It's okay - sorry for whining. Overall, I'm thrilled for you. The thought that you'll be leaving by tonight just sat with me for too long."

Nali turned happy again.

"Great! Okay. I'll make my last meal here. Norkeito should be here by then, and we'll see you off to school, and leave."

That's exactly what had happened. Nali prepared her family a carefully-made breakfast with extra desserts for the day. And the family was halfway done eating when Norekeito arrived and was held hostage until he also ate a plate of breakfast.

Then the three said goodbye to their mother - Norekeito got along so well with their mother, that he was allowed to address her as such - and walked Fuyaiyah to the village school. She didn't have much longer there. The children that attend the school around here mostly get general education: basic math, learning to read and write and speak, some history and some science. Sometimes, the general lessons would be paused and a more relevant discussion - like how to handle a social issue - would be taught.

But, around Fuyaiyah's age, the children often start to learn what they need to take over what their parents do, and become accustomed to it, and don't further their education.

Nali and Norekeito hugged her, and turned to leave. Fuyaiyah asked for Norekeito.

"What is it?"

She began interrogating him. "You're about to be with my sister - alone, and far away from the women of this village. Aren't you quite happy about that? You sure look happy."

He gave her a confused look and laughed. "What could your young self be thinking?"

"I may be young, but I know a lot. I'm almost done with school."

"Yeah right." he laughed again. "Well, if it makes you happy, I won't be able to have alone time with Nali. I think she told you, but we'll be moving around all day before packing our things and moving them in by tonight. Neither of us will be resting much."

Fuyaiyah nodded. "That does make me quite happy."

Fuyaiyah's three good friends called for her, so she hugged Norekeito again, wagged her finger warningly at him, and went to join them.