her pale faced lover

Chapter 10

"Bilagaana? Bilagaana?" a woman from the tribe called. "You tall. Help by picking sack on shelf." She pointed to a leather pouch on the wooden shelf.  

"My name is Eugene, please. And here," Eugene handed the pouch to the woman and walked out the tent. A young teenage girl absentmindedly bumped into Eugene as he walked out the door. 

"AH!" she said as all the contents of the tan woven basket she held fell out. "Tonto!" she yelled. She soon noticed it was Eugene, and translated for him. "Idiot! Cannot you see where you are going? Cannot you see I am holding a basket of important foods?" the girl yelled in frustration. "Tonto," she murmured once more before heading into the tent.

 Eugene rushed after her. "So, so, sorry," he pleaded. "It was not on purpose."

 "Alright, alright," the girl sighed and got softer. "There is just a lot on my mind. My brother, Achak, wanted to marry your wife for ages. But then you came along. There is nothing Achak can do now, but he is ever so cranky and he takes his anger all out on me and my little brother Choovio. I am Tamaya by the way."

"Oh.. um, Achak is partially the reason why Nayeli married me. Nayeli was sad and she felt forced to marry Achak. She thought of him more like a brother than a husband. She felt forced to marry him. It was love at first sight for us. Nayeli caught my eye. She is strong and kind; helpful and caring. Not to mention the beauty she radiates. She didn't look like a fake like  the type of girls who I constantly met back before my trip and coming here," Eugene smiled at Tamaya.

Tamaya replied, "That is sweet. I just wish my brother would understand. He kept bothering our parents to propose to Nayeli's family, just like the other guy who kept bugging Sayen's family for her hand. Boys! I mean how can Nayeli and Sayen live-" Tamaya stopped talking. A flash of sadness crept on both of their faces. 

"How is Nayeli? And Naira?" Tamaya asked embarassedly. "I mean after all Nayeli has been through.."

"Nayeli.. well.. she could be better. But she's a fighter. She's strong. That's part of why I love her. But can you believe the other day she almost- nevermind," Eugene debated against telling Achak's sister his love difficulties between him and Nayeli. 

"Yes.. Nayeli is brave. That was also why Achak loved her and that is why many of this tribe admire her," Tamaya thought for a minute. "Hold up. You never told anyone about life before your arrival. You- you- remember? There are more Bilagaanas?" 

"Um yes.. or no.. what does Bilagaana mean?" Eugene questioned.

"White person. One of your skin. Are there more?" Tamaya responded. 

"Well yes. Of course! There are cities- or,-er, -um.. I meant.. um.. well.. tribes, I guess." Eugene tried to explain. "And-"

"LETOKA! SURPRISE!" Nayeli jumped on Eugene. Eugene laughed and ruffled Nayeli's hair in response. Nayeli got off and hugged Tamaya a hello. "How is your family Tamaya?" 

..............................CONTINUED FROM WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY POSTED ..........................

"Umm.." Tamaya decided not to tell Nayeli about the conversation she had previously with Eugene, for she did not want to hurt her feelings. "Great! Achak was a bit sad after you married you Eugene, but now he is happy for you. And little Choovio is learning how to use the bow and arrow. He is starting with a small rock on wood and a little sinew bow, but soon he will be moving onto the obsidian arrow and larger bow. Lately though, he and my father are not able to find as many little animals or even big ones. It is hilarious to see him fail but at the same time it is quite scary..you never know where that mischievous devil will 'accidentally' shoot!" Tamaya rolled her eyes as the couple broke into laughter.  "Eugene was just telling me about how he remembered his years before joining us." Tamaya nudged Eugene to start talking as she no longer wanted the spotlight.