The Throne of the Tigress

Father

                    When Tala neared her mother, she skidded to a stop in shock for she had never expected this to happen. Right in front of her eyes, Lela was nuzzling and licking a huge male tiger with broad shoulders and eyes that contained the softness and soothing green of the leaves in the forest. Both of them stopped their affectionate gestures and turned to look at her as she stood at the edge of the Fall Of Water, head cocked to one side. "Tala," her mother made a step towards her, with the male tiger at the back following cautiously though he did look a bit awkward in his gait. Why is my life full of surprises?  thought Tala as she quailed inside. It was another male tiger, and this time her mother was so friendly with him.  Could it.....? Tala felt her hope rising as she thought of the possibility that one of her lifelong dreams were finally coming true but she pushed it away hastily. Never get your hopes up, for you don't want to be disappointed Tala, she told herself while shaking her head to clear her thoughts.  

                "We will wait for Teroo," said Lela as she sat down, with her tail twined together with the male tiger's. "What's happening mother?" asked Tala, her eyes looking distrustfully at the stranger. "You'll soon find out," was all Lela said. Tala had never seen Lela looked so happy before, the wistfulness in her gaze was now gone, replaced by the joy which shone from her eyes. It was not long before Teroo arrived and Tala had to keep herself from jumping at Teroo in anger for letting a male tiger, especially one that mother had just chased away (if what Tala guessed was right) in the forest.   

                  She snapped back from her thoughts as her mother let out a loud purr and began speaking. "Tala, Teroo, I know you two are probably overwhelmed by today's events but I am very happy to tell you that-" she was cut off from speaking as the male tiger laid his tail gently across her mouth and stood up. "My name is Akan and I....." Akan hesitated awhile before continuing, his voice a deep and low rumble, "I'm your father." At this, both female tigers gasped in surprise and Tala felt a deep warmth burst forth from her heart, spreading all around her body. "You.....you really are my father?" Tala asked, unsure of herself as she took a step towards him. She was small in size compared to him and he towered beside her, making her feel inadequate and altogether overwhelmed. 

                  Akan nodded, his deep green eyes locking onto hers and holding hers for a second before turning to Teroo. Tala smiled, her father was alive after all, all her childhood fears were instantly gone, replaced by relief. She did not want to be a fatherless cub, she had heard from other forest animals that those cubs were looked down upon in disgust. But her initial relief and joy did not last for long as she slowly came to a realization that her father was alive, and all this while he never came to visit them as all fathers of cubs do if they weren't dead.  He had waited until they were nearly grown and ready to leave to find a new territory of their own before visiting them, if he had come a little later, Tala might never have seen him. 

                 She gave a low growl at this and Lela turned to look at her in surprise. "What's wrong Tala? Aren't you happy that your father has finally come see us?" Tala snorted, "Yes. Finally."

                  Akan turned towards her as he heard her sharp tone. "I'm sorry my cub, that it took me so long to come see both of you. I truly would've come sooner, but I couldn't." "Oh yeah? Why couldn't you? Is it because me and Teroo wasn't good enough to worth your time?" Tala snarled. She was angry, her body felt like it was on fire and she could hear her heart pounding wildly in her ears. She had never felt this sort of anger before, this strong and overpowering. It frightened her and she was scared as to what will happen if she let the anger take control of her. 

                 "I know you may not understand now Tala, but soon you will when I explain. Just give me a chance," Akan said, making a move to nuzzle Tala. She moved away. "I will listen. But it better be worth my time," she growled, trying to calm herself down. Teroo looked at her with a calculated look in her eyes, Tala was sure it was because Teroo had never seen her really angry before and was now assessing as to how dangerous Tala could be when she was angry. Tala shook her head again, Teroo would never be so evil, she was her sister for goodness sake! 

              "Well, are you two ready?" her father grinned and against her protest, Tala had to feel a little excited. It was her first time hearing her father tell her a story, albeit it was most likely his experience that gave ground for a story to be told. Both of the young tigresses nodded whereas Lela just laid her head on his shoulder. And so, in the cool night air, with the nearby roaring of the Fall Of Water and the mist produced by it enveloping the tigers, Akan began his story.