Silena(revised)

two

"I'm sorry, Silena." Mai whispered. "Moree is in her deathbed."

"What am I going to do?" I wept.

"Just be with her in her last days."

"Alright." I replied. Mai left.

I entered the hut once more. Gramma was drinking the paste obediently. After finishing, Zhen helped Gramma go to bed and pulled the blankets over for her.

"Thank you, Zhen." I whispered.

"No need for all those formalities. Remember, there's no reason to thank your friend. If I won't do this, who will?" Zhen smiled.

I checked that Gramma was sleeping and then took a deep breath. "Do you know what Mai said?" I grabbed the bed for support. "Gramma is dying. I don't have family other than Gramma. I'll be so....alone. And....because of my..... condition, the people of the Forgotten Village despise me. Why am I born like this? I'm so unlucky. Zhen, sometimes I think I don't care what people says but—after a while, it begins to hurt." Tears began to trickle down my cheeks.

Zhen was spellbound to hear me saying all of those.

"Monster. I'm a monster. I'm a murderer. I'll never be able to forgive myself." Flop! I dropped to the floor. "I've been crying too much these days." I sobbed. "But, honestly I can't handle it anymore."

Zhen bent down and hugged me. Slowly, he sank to the floor and held me tighter. "You're not alone. I'll be with you forever. And ever. I'm your family too. You're my sister that I wish I had. We're family...."
I pulled back suddenly. "W-what am I doing ? I didn't mean to burden you with all this." I stood up.

I sighed deeply. "I need some air." I said before leaving through the door.

***

I sprinted towards the women's bathing pond. I needed a dip to beat the heat. I untied my hair which was in a bun and stripped off my skirt and blouse. There was no one in the pond as it was midday and everyone usually took baths in early morning. I chose this time of the day just to avoid people. Resentful people, especially ladies were the most vicious.

I studied my naked reflection in the water. I was not much of a beauty. My flowing black hair mostly covered up my honey coloured body. My eyes were like a black pool, holding a lot of emotion. I bent down and stuck my hand into the water, causing the reflection to become distorted. I jumped into the pond soon after.

***

I rinsed my hair with my clothes and wiped my body, too. Then I figured out I hadn't brought any fresh clothes.

"Ugh!" I groaned as I washed my old clothes, rinsed them and put them on. The wet fabric stuck to my body like gum and I groaned again.

I stomped out of the thick bushes surrounding the pond in hot temper.
        I broke into a run. I needed to get fresh clothes. These wet garments were humiliating. Bump!  I collided with somebody in the middle of the path. I looked up to meet a familiar pair of green eyes. Burek. Chieftain of the Forgotten Village. He was eighteen years of age. The youngest Chieftain to have guided the village. After his father's sudden death, he took up the duty as Chief.

I gave a brief bow before moving around him to reach my home. Suddenly, I stopped and turned around.

"Were you at my hut, sir?" I enquired.

"Yes. I came to see Moree. By the way, haven't I told you many times to not address me as 'sir' ? Call me Burek." The Chieftain smiled.

"Yes." I turned around to leave when suddenly Burek grabbed my hand to stop me. I whirled in surprise.

"You're pretty, you know." He said out of the blue. I could see his cheeks turn reddish.

I flushed. "Um....t-thank you! That's so n-nice of you." I stuttered before scurrying inside.

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Mirage