Life Behind The Indians

Chapter 8

Several Years Later.

Nobody knows the pain the suffering I experienced but I am as strong as ever, ruling and leading a great tribe makes me strong. My leadership demanding for my attention my people needing me to fight for their rights against the Americans not my family or the people I've grown up with but the bad ones the ones who scalp and murder our children. No one will see that a young white girl can lead like me. We live in Paeo'he'e we've moved to find a safe haven from the whites hoping they'll keep from murdering more of us. They will not touch anymore of us not since na-ehame still is recovering from losing our son Ohcumgache when he was just a week old.

We don't talk or even try to work together day by day we are falling apart and it's worrisome. Our daughter Chameli is off exploring and learning to be a warrior. But I am afraid soon enough he will lose faith in me and that terrifies me. I wake up looking at Misela who's concerned. "Aridana, you are looking well" Misela says I nod looking around. I walk out of the tipi heading into the meadow looking at the flowers and bird chirping.

"My lady, are you alright" this tall man with black hair says. I nod ignoring his presence. I continue walking as I trip over a log and fall down. He runs to my side taking my hand and helping me onto my feet.

"Thank you now leave my side please" I say. He looks at me like he knows me.

"Aridana, my lady I am sorry for bothering you" he says walking away.

"I am not very sociable due to my husband's lack of interest in me anymore. He won't even sleep in the same bed with me he sleeps elsewhere. He won't even look me in the eyes" I say trying to fight back the tears.

"He has been seen with Carila. They sneak around out of sight my names Daniel" he says.

"Daniel thank you for letting me know can you do me a favor and keep an eye on him?" I say walking out of the meadow.

"I can my lady, I will get back to you when I know something more" he says. I storm into the camp full of anger full of frustration. I look around for Tandal, I see him with a young girl about 17. I run up to him punching him hard square in the chest I scream and yell at him. I push him harder as I begin the cry and fall to my knees. He looks at me with sadness my body grows incredibly weak. I fall into a deep sleep unable to move.

I wake up my body aching incredibly bad. Misela looks at me very concerned. She holds a bundle close to her. She looks at me handing me the bundle this tiny little hand grabs onto my finger. "This is our miracle, Aridana you had two babies the one that died and this little fellow who survived" Misela says. I sit up carefully as Daniel comes into the room.

"My lady, Tandal has been seen kissing that girl" Daniel says as Misela looks at him than me.

"Tandal kiss another girl. Aridana, why he do that to you and your son" she says. I look at Daniel who begins telling Misela everything.

"Go get my husband and have him come here. Misela could you hold him please" I say handing her the bundle.

Minutes later... Tandal walks into the tipi. Misela looks at him angry.

"What I do Aridana I busy with tribe" Tandal says looking at me annoyed.

"Tandal you not kiss another girl or you will lose you tribe" Misela says coming out with a tiny bundle. He looks at the bundle confused. Daniel appears behind Tandal with the girl.

"Aridana I brought the girl for you" Daniel says helping her into the tipi. I nod walking past Tandal slapping her as hard as I could. Tandal grabs my arm holding it tightly.

"You mad I see am sorry" Tandal says trying to hold me still. I slap him in the face.

"You're not sorry keep your girl I am leaving with our son though" I say grabbing the bundle and walking out of the room. Tandal tries to come after me but I just keep walking anger and hurt fills my head.

"Aridana I was sad, how is this happen he died" Tandal says.

"Second infant she born today while you been with your dirty girl" Misela says. I stop turning biting deep into my lip.

"It me or her. We will not turn into the tribe that had affairs" I say.Tandal comes over to me taking my arm gently.

"You my wife, I won't hurt you" he says. I look into his eyes seeing the truth. I take his hand and kiss it gently. I stop for a minute hearing the birds chirp and the children laughing.

"Chameli, hasn't visited because we don't get along. We fight and she hates it" I say.

"I was hurt that our son had died I couldn't get over it" he says. He looks at me thinking carefully unsure what to say.

"Chief Tandal, Carila is looking for you" Daniel says looking angry. He looks at Tandal and Tandal looks at him back.

"Tell her to leave, she not be here anymore" Tandal says. I look at him as he looks at me and hugs me tightly.

"Thank you for getting rid of her. You have pushed me away too many times no more" I say.