The Butterfly Child

Chapter Two

The chirping of crickets resounded in the silent field as I walked on. The grasses seemed greener than they had ever been, the sky more blue and the air sent fresh waves of breeze towards me. It was a weekend, so the field workers had worked half day before heading over to rest. This was the only day they got a chance to do that. Everyone was at home, my Baba and Mama were fast asleep while my brothers played a game among themselves. I headed out to see Amor and the other butterflies, I had not seen them in days. I was making my way over to the green rope that demarcated the field from normal land when I saw Mr Thompson. His white skin seemed almost red as he stood under the scorching sun in a plain sky blue shirt and black shorts with a white canvas and long white stockings that stopped on his knee. The black cart he often rode in stood beside him. With the door of the cart wide open, I spotted someone inside. A flash of blue gown, socks and clean white two inches heels. I narrowed my eyes and ducked under the rope. Mr Thompson had someone opposite him, another white man. This one donned on a loose pair of suit pants and a white shirt. He had some kind of black file in his hand and he nodded as Mr Thompson pointed. Mr Thompson waved round the field and turned round for emphasis. I ran behind the small tree not far from where I stood when he turned towards my direction. My feet grazed against the root of the tree and the grass made my legs itch. I stayed still for a little while before I poked my head out to see if they were still there.

Mr Thompson had gone to the other side of the cart, he was still talking to the man. As I made to step out of my hiding spot, I saw a mass of what looked like curly brown hair fall against the window. A hand clad in white gloves rose up and shoved the mass of brown hair away. Deep green eyes stared back at me. My eyes widened and I moved back to my former position. She had seen me. That girl had seen me. I closed my eyes tightly, my heart hammering in my chest. I wondered if she'd tell Mr Thompson she'd seen me loitering around here on a free day. I poked my head outside again, curious to know what was happening. When I saw Mr Thompson jump into the cart, and the other while man moving over to the side the green eyes had peered out from, I knew they were leaving. I sighed in relief. The horseman in front raised his hands highly, so that the horsewhip went up and came down forcefully. The horse raised its leg and cried before it made its way towards the nearest green rope it saw. There were two black men in khaki shorts who stood there, they untied the rope to let them pass through before they tied it back.

I waited just a little, hoping that the place was quiet before I stepped out of my little hide out. That girl with the green eyes, I had seen her once. When she had come to the market with Celine. But that was some time ago, I had been about eight then. But I remembered her. And after that time, I never saw her again. She was Mr Thompson's only child. At least it was what I'd heard the people say. Once I heard Ibuza and the other girls say she had left Isodama. If she had indeed left, then she was back now. I shook my legs to pull dry grass away from it. After I'd gotten rid of the dried grasses that circled my legs, I made my way towards the butterflies.

Amor was the first to see me as always, she fluttered her wings and giggled upon the sight of me making my way over. The serenity of the environment and the red leaves that fell across made it look surreal. The happiness I felt when I stood there was amazing. And that was why when I sat down at the root of the tree, I told Amor exactly how much I enjoyed being there. It was here I found my solace. I sat on the root of the tree as always and looked around, hoping the butterflies would sense my presence.

'Child!' Amor's voice flooded through my insides and sent happiness through me. Hearing her speak in my head, like a conscience was pure melody. And it would always make smile, even when I was sad.

"Amor!" I smiled. "Where is everyone?! I missed you all."

I moved my legs under my gown and let the satin fall over my legs whilst I smiled at Amor.