Womanish Lady

Chapter 26:

   Fuyaiyah was tense and confused. No obvious form of punishment was given by Her Teacher.

"Rinse yourself off, and witness the consequences of your actions."

Was the only thing he had said without looking at her - which pained her. But when she got into the bath, the window was open, and the punishment area for the boys was nearby.

Fuyaiyah was forced to hear Siomi get too many beatings for her stomach to bear. Siomi's bunkmate also. Both boys took it bravely for the first half, but the last half was filled with cries of pain. Fuyaiyah couldn't bathe at all.

Only minutes after the boys' punishment ceased could she get out of the bath. There was water and a small meal waiting for her. She sat silently in front of it, waiting to calm herself down in the midst of the unfamiliar environment enough to speak.

Meanwhile, Her Teacher seemed to be packing things. She was too scared to lift her head to see what he was packing.

"Are you disowning me?"

He didn't respond, but Fuyaiyah was so uncomfortable that she had to wait a few minutes before saying anything else.

"May I go see Siomi?"

Her Teacher slammed his hand on the surface nearby.

"Are you serious?"

She turned to him with a serious face resembling her old self but with sparkly eyes.

"If you're disowning me, or sending me somewhere. I'm ready for it - after I get to see Siomi."

He sighed.

"Nobody's disowning you, but we gotta leave now. I find it crucial to teach you archery, and we gotta get your horse again, right? We're leaving immediately."

"Just five minutes, Teacher."

"You two ran off for a few days. You've seen each other enough. Siomi needs to recover now."

Fuyaiyah looked down.

"Not really." then shot her head up. "I got reminded brutally that I cannot put my feet up, ignoring everything and staying with those I love. But with Siomi," she put chin on her knee. "He chose to come along and looked after me very well those few days. But I expressed myself inappropriately, and even looked down on him. Nonetheless, Siomi let me know how much he loves me."

She sat up straight again.

"I don't mind leaving this place. Leaving the place as it is between me and Siomi though - I cannot do. Please Teacher - just five minutes. Then you'll never hear a complaint from me or any signs of stubborness."

Fuyaiyah and Her Teacher looked at each other. Then, Her Teacher went somewhere, and she almost thought that was his way of refusing her. But then she heard water, and Her Teacher came back out with a bucket of water and a cloth and gave it to her.

"Here. If anyone asks, say that I told you to assist in cleaning up Siomi and his friend's wounds. I want you back as soon as possible, but there's no need to limit it to five minutes."

Fuyaiyah smiled wide at her Teacher and took the bucket.

"Five minutes is all I need."

In an open place laid Siomi and his bunkmate Kieth on their bellies. Despite just getting severely punished, they talked quietly but merrily with each other. Due to the angle, and the direction she came from, his bunkmate saw Fuyaiyah first.

"Speaking of which," he smiled.

Siomi turned over his head and raised his brows. Fuyaiyah approached them and kneeled before the bed Siomi laid on. Kieth couldn't give them privacy, but he looked the other way.

"Fuyaiyah?" he smiled. "By his tone, I was certain I'd never see you again."

Fuyaiyah's heart stung; he was already smiling at her as if nothing happened. She took a deep breath and gestured towards his wounds.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"I'll be fine though," he said casually, raising his brows again in curiosity but still with his smile. "What's wrong, Fuyaiyah? I really was certain I wouldn't see you again."

"Well - it seems like we're about to go somewhere. I begged him to let me say goodbye to you."

"Oh," he nodded and put his head back down. "Goodbye then."

She stared in disbelief. Kieth too, knowing the situation, chuckled at his friend.

"You idiot," he mumbled.

Siomi whipped his head at his friend and pulled his bed closer to his.

"What? Say it again?"

Kieth turned his head.