Neophyte

Women

Metztli was amazed at how different the Mission was from the one she was used to. The Mission she grew up visiting and working in was nicely built, cleaned, and organized. However, everything was different; the walls were built with muddy bricks, rocks, and stones. Many wooden fences surrounded different parts of the Mission. Many livestock and fields of vegetables and fruits were being grown. 

Mariana then showed Metztli the many rooms, some of which were classrooms where many Tongva children were taught Spanish, music, and prayers. Some classes taught adult men and women prayers and the Catholic faith. Metztli was enchanted by how the people sang the prayers; it reminded her of when she was in the San Gabriel Mission school, where the nuns taught her and her classmates prayers and how to sing them. 

It almost brought a tear in her eye.

Valentina stood apart from her mother and Metztli as she watched her people sing the prayers. The young woman felt disgusted and infuriated that she was not only forced to stay in a place that she despised but also to see her people practice a religion that was never theirs to begin with. "We must continue on. I wish to go to my room."

Mariana glanced at her daughter; she had no energy to argue. She motioned Metztli to follow her and showed her the kitchen where many women were cooking meals. Mariana introduced Metztli to the women. Metztli smiled and greeted them all but noticed the stares she received. Some women eyed her with intrigue, while others with jealousy. "I guess some women weren't different from women in the twenty-first century," Metztli thought. 

Afterward, Metztli was taken to the small gardens, where she was introduced to many other men and women. Many gardeners nodded and greeted her; the male gardeners couldn't help but blush at seeing Metztli. The young woman noticed but tried not to give them too much attention, not wanting to give them the wrong idea. When looking at the workers, Metztli couldn't help but notice how sickly and tired they looked. They also looked starved. Mariana eventually decided to take her and Valentina to their room.

The young women were led to the left side of the Mission, where the women's section was located. "You two are lucky that you have a room for yourselves. Usually, more than ten women sleep in the same room." Mariana stopped in front of the door at the end of the path and looked at the young women. "Now, I don't want either of you to argue or create a fuss. Bishop Victoriano was kind enough to have a room just for the two of you. Both of you hold a privilege that no one can have in this Mission. Your actions also reflect on the Bishop. Am I understood?"

"Yes."

Valentina was silent, but with her mother's single glare, she relented, "Quena, Nonantzin (Yes, my mother).  

"Good." Mariana opened the door and motioned the young women inside. Once inside, there were two wooden beds with mattresses and pillows made of hay bags. There was a small square wooden table and wooden chairs with a simple jug and cups. A wooden cross hung on the wall, two wooden cabinets, and one simple mirror. "Get rest for tonight, everyone will feast together. I shall come back later."

The door was closed; Metztli and Valentina stood beside each other, neither saying a word. Valentina then walked toward the bed on the left side of the room with a window near it. She sat upon it and looked down on the floor. The silence became awkward for Metztli, and they walked toward the free bed on the right side of the room. She put her bag on the bed and then sat on the bed. The silence continued but became unnerving for Metztli. "So uhm, thank you for joining us on the tour."

Valentina still looked down on the floor. "I didn't have a choice. Nonantzin would have been upset."

"Nonantzin? Is that a nickname?"

Valentina slowly looked up and said, "What are you speaking of? Nickname?"

Metztli was appalled that Valentina didn't know the meaning of a nickname. However, she remembered the possibility of being in a different time. Everything Metztli saw slowly made her believe in time travel. "Why me, though?" Is that why that section of the Mission was closed off?" She regained her composure. "A nickname is a name that holds affection and sincerity. Nicknames are used among loved ones and friends. For example, when I was a baby, I was born very small and called cosita (small one), and it has stuck with me ever since."

Valentina chuckled as she rolled her eyes. "If you must know, 'nonantzin' is part of my people's language. It means 'my mother,' although there are other forms one can call one's mother or parent. However, I use this word as a form of respect."

"Oh, I see. That makes sense. I heard you speak the Tongva language and it sounds very beautiful. I wish I learned."

Metztli noticed Valentina's glare and feared she might have offended her. "I think I'm going to have a difficult time with her. Still, I need to be on her good side if I want to return home."

"You wish to learn the language of my people? For what? For pleasure? For your own gain? A person who learns a language from another people should respect the language's origins, its culture, and traditions. You look that you are one of us, but you also hold the blood of those Españoles. Where are you from?"

Metztli took offense to what was said about her. "Hey, I may look different, but I am proud of who I am and of my culture! I was born in this area, but my parents came from somewhere else until they decided to live within this area. Once they passed, I decided to travel to learn more about the world." She clenched her hands into fists. "I may not know the language of my people, but I refuse to be close-minded where one shouldn't learn other cultures and traditions! What is the meaning of life if one refuses to learn its wonders!?"

Silence reigned upon them both; Valentina eyed Metztli with a hint of vindictiveness. Her stare began to intimidate Metztli, but she refused to submit. Their staredown was interrupted when there was a knock on the door. 

Neither said a thing. 

"Nohuampoh (my friend)," said a feminine voice. 

Valentina's mood brightened as she stood up from her bed, walked to the door, and opened it. On the other side, there was a young woman. "Toypurina, ximopanōltih (welcome)."