Free Mya

17: Melanda, in the Citizenship Centre

So, I accidentally set Part 16 to "private", so here it is. (And if you've read it, please scroll down for Part 17.) 

"There Is A Baby In This Bed"

By Mrs-Miss Melanda Sandaraya

(Mrs because Melanda is married lady. Plus Miss because Melanda has different end-name from husband, like Film Starlet.)

I have to explain these events, because it was all a terrible, horrible misunderstanding. One day, when I was young, I was in the market place. It was a very sunny day and I was so much in love with a man named Arakon. At the time, I thought Arakon was a wonderful man who loved me and intended to marry me. I was very happy that day. There was some delicious, rare, hard to obtain fruit for sale, so I bought some to take home to my family. Then I started getting terrible stomach pains. Some women walked me back home.

I said that I hoped I was not going to die.

They said they were sure it was just something I had eaten at breakfast. Soon, I would be completely well again. Maybe even by the end of the day!

My mother was talking to a neighbour. When I explained what was happening, my mother was asked me many questions. Then she became upset. She took me to my room and examined my belly. She said she knew what it was. To my surprise, she sounded angry. But not frightened. She tied back my hair and sponged down my face.

A couple of neighbours arrived to help her. One gave me a drink to take away the pain. It worked rapidly. It made me feel as if I were floating. It was a wonderful feeling. I started to think about a hen that knew how to knit. I wondered if that meant I was about to fall asleep and start dreaming.

The next I knew, I was wondering if I had been asleep. I could hear some women talking.

"What shall we do? Do you think he will accept them?"

"No," said my mother. "If it's the man we all suspect it is, I don't think he will be around here any time soon. There have been rumours about his interest in another young girl. I don't know what I want to do."

I wondered what man they were talking about. I was glad to have Arakon.

My mother continued talking. "The little one seems healthy and strong. Surely someone will be grateful for him. I can think of some of my and my husband's distant relatives who seem to think their wives have not brought them enough sons. One of those husbands may consider taking the child, if feeding can be arranged."

I wondered which child they meant.

Suddenly, I heard a baby crying.

Where did that baby come from? I asked. I didn't notice anyone bring a baby in here.

I wondered if it were all part of my dream, like the hen that could knit.

Hens cannot knit.

"We shouldn't upset her," said one of the women. "She's heard the baby. It's too late to do anything."

"Who has heard what baby?" I asked, very confused.

"There is no baby," said my mother. "You are recovering from a fever. You had a bad dream and you are very confused."

"I can still hear it," I replied.

"It's too late," said one of the women.

A crying baby was put into my arms.

"Am I looking after the baby until the mother arrives?" I asked. "I don't mind helping, but I was hoping to have a bit of a rest. I have had stomach problems."