Caged Flower

Night light

'I will call her Yoezer meaning the rays of the sun. I saw the rays of sun on the tip of the mountain. She will be called by the name Yoezer Dema."

"It's perfect. Yoezer Dema. You can rest for now. I need to prepare lunch as we have villagers helping us harvest rice. "

"Yaya ama. Don't worry about me. I will be fine now that I have my daughter, your granddaughter."
She felt dizzy and tired.
She looked deep into the baby's eyes.
It was deep big eyes that reminded her of him.
She was filled with joy yet sadness kissed it sooner than joy appeared making her mood gloomy.

"I am afraid of the taste of my food. I am a bad cook."

"Tò zimbay"
(***locally meaning: food is delicious)

They savoured dinner silently.

"Where are your parents?"

"They went for pilgrimage to Nepal"

After enjoying the dinner, it was awkwardly silent.

As a custom, the host (naypo) prepares a bed for the guest so she prepared him for a bed to take a nap in the alter room.

"I hope it's comfortable for you to rest for the night." She hides her shyness. She wanted to show him that she is more dignified and more accustomed to the family norm. She didn't want to make a slight mistake in her conduct or else she knows the consequences she might have to bear later.
She carried out her chores as if her parents are near judging her every action. She was careful. 
"It won't be a problem."
He smiled the sweetest smile that could melt every girl's heart.
"Zimcha Delek" (meaning good night).

She was about to turn toward the door when he held her by hand.
"Oh, I am sorry. It's a bit awkward though. I didn't even ask your name. I am such a stupid man, not to know my host's name."
"Same here. I am lhazom. And you are?"
"Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. I am Dradok."
She felt her blood rushing towards her cheeks.
"Thank you for the compliment."
She brings out "palang" (beautifully carved out cylindrical-shaped container) and pours "Ara"
(Locally brewed alcohol).
"Thank you,  Lhazom. Zimcha Delek (Good night)." Dradok completely mesmerised by her beauty could just speak out few words in front of her.

He was afraid of her reaction.
She just nodded and went out of the room.
She was shy. She could hardly cover her red cheeks. Instead of chatting, she felt right to go out of the room.

Once in her bed, she couldn't stop herself from smiling towards the empty ceiling. Not a while, she drowned in a deep slumber.
She dreamt about Dradok, even in her dream she could see the deep carefully curved out face and the dark eyes. She felt so safe and in love with him.

Dradok, on the other side of the room, couldn't sleep. If she was unlike other ladies he met, they would fall high in heels for him but Lhazom was so simple and innocent that he couldn't think of taking a chance.
He made sure that she was sound sleep and when he was sure he went near her and lied facing her so that he didn't disturb her sleep.
He wondered how on earth can a beautiful lady exist. Even in her sleep she is breathtakingly beautiful. Her eyes were large, beautiful lips and her face white as a full moon. He wanted to touch her face but he hold onto himself as it would be inappropriate for him to actually disturb his host.
Slowly he takes his step and goes back to his bed.
He wonders about her the whole night.

Lhazom lets out her cry and wakes up instinctively with sweat on her forehead.
What was that dream all about? She wondered.
It was five in the morning. She wakes up and put fire into the mud stove.
She prepares tea and breakfast ready by the hearth.

The baby cries which brings her back from her past life.
She pats the baby and lets the infant suckle milk.

"Why hasn't he shown up in front of her house when she needed him the most.