APOLLONIA

Seven

Soon, everyone was there and talking amongst themselves. With a handful of grapes in her hand, Apollonia darted and squeezed through the circles of relatives who were making way too much noise to just be talking. She made it into the kitchen where she found Mahalia running around like a headless chicken. Hairs that had escaped her raven, twisted bun were flying wildly as she hopped about, trying to get food prepared. Stifling a giggle, Apollonia called for her. "Ann! Sorry to bother you, but is the 'anser anas pullus in bos in porcum' finished?" Mahalia looked at her and her deep, dark brown eyes shot open and she cried out. "अरे नहीं मैं भूल गया!" She must have lost track of time, for just then, the smell of burnt food drifted out of the fire oven's opening. Mahalia ran to the oven and frantically grabbed a thick cloth and a long, metal hook. She pulled the enormous dish out of the flames to reveal the charred flesh of a cow. Within the cow's carcass was the meat of a pig. Inside the pig was a goose, which had been stuffed with a duck. A chicken lay at the very center of the prized Roman party meal. All of the animals were bought at the Forum Boarium, the cattle and livestock market on the shore of the Tiber River. Apollonia's cheerful mood left her immediately. She was not grieved for the loss of the cow meat, which was ruined, but for what may happen to her dear Mahalia. All slaves were punished in some way for their mistakes, no matter how small or unimportant. Estimating in her head, Apollonia figured she might get three lashes, a day without food, or she may be shut up in her room for a day or two. All of which was quite unfair and sad in her eyes. Her beloved maid was put in charge of the meal preparation for the day because Apollonia's mother's maid was ill. She was not used to dealing with so many things at once. Mahalia had tears welling in her eyes and sobbed. "Polly, what have I done? I've spoiled the main dish! Can't I do anything right?" "You've done nothing, Mahalia. Do not worry. I will fix it. Here, help me." Together, they peeled the outer layer of meat off to reveal deliciously cooked pork. Apollonia toyed with the idea of tossing the beef to the dogs, but they had sensitive digestive systems, so she threw it in the burn pile. Now they could still eat meat. If someone put up a fuss, she would take the blame. She would do anything to spare her friend. Mahalia was very pretty when she was happy. She smiled at Apollonia and thanked her. When Apollonia was just three, Mahalia's mother came in a slave ship from India to work in the household. Later, her mother died. By then, Mahalia was old enough to be a maid and thus she became Apollonia's companion. Apollonia taught her Latin and in return, Mahalia told her everything she remembered, which wasn't very much, about India. They were such close friends that Apollonia thought of her like a sister.

  anser anas pullus in bos in porcum  means "chicken in duck in turkey in pig" which is like a purducken.

 अरे नहीं मैं भूल गया means "Oh no, What have I done!" in hindu.