Chapter 17 Seventeen.
The meal had ended shortly after it began. I was satiated and so was Ayla, given the way she was patting her stomach happily. The boys had already left the table to continue to work, so it was only the two of us seated at the table.
"We better get going then, Aeryn; there's still a lot of work pending," she said with a yawn. I reached out my hand and she helped me up with a smile before leading us out of the dining hall. The heat that hit us so suddenly was dense, and I brushed my hair to the side to let air touch my neck. Ayla laughed at my plight, and I kicked her softly in response.
"Aeryn! How were the lentils?" I heard the warm voice before I saw her and turned with a smile.
"Really good, Khala, I ate a whole bowl full," I said honestly, and Ayla nodded in agreement.
Faridha smiled at this before ushering me over.
"Good. In return, ya danaaya, you can help me with what I need to do," she said playfully, pulling me along.
"Go, I'll see you when we finish," Ayla said, giving me a wave, and I waved back before following along.
We weaved past the crowded center and through the houses. She kept a soft grip on my arm so as to not lose me and, for that, I was grateful.
After a few minutes, we reached a small house about the size of a garage and Faridha ushered me in with a bashful look on her face.
"It's not much, but you're welcome anytime," she said sweetly, and I nodded at her words, draping an arm on her shoulder.
"It's perfect."
I looked around the one-room house. On the floor was a large reed mat, with a wooden bed and two chairs on the other side. There was a small kitchen set up opposite the reed mat.
"There, on the mat, Aeryn. I need help with sewing some of the festival clothes. My hands aren't as steady as they used to be. Can you sew?" she questioned, to which I nodded before seating myself on the mat near the silk and linen materials.
Faridha handed me a ceramic needle with an eye at both ends, and I surveyed it curiously. She then proceeded to pass me some thread. Shortly after a few instructions, I was well on my way into sewing the first top when Khalid came in.
"Hello, Babu," I said with a smile, although I was unsure if he understood me or not. Nevertheless, he smiled at my words before seating himself next to me and playing with the bone sticks he had in his hand.
"I'll add some honey to it too, okay," Faridha called from where she was sat near the kitchen set up. She had offered to make me some sort of hot drink that I couldn't quite remember the name of.
"I love honey," I said simply, but kept my gaze on the task at hand. Faridha came over with two cups before bringing one to my lips as both of my hands were occupied.
"It's best to drink while it's hot," she murmured, and suddenly, I wasn't quite there anymore, but far deep into the memories of eight months ago.
I looked on at Zug Zug lapping up his water before turning my gaze back to the dress that I was sewing.
"Don't drink too fast, you'll get hiccups again," I said absent-mindedly from my position on the green armchair in the living room. I shifted my wrist slightly to ease the tension that was slowly beginning to build up.
I turned my gaze back to the clock to see it was 3:38 pm, meaning only less than an hour left until my afternoon shift at the cafe. If I didn't finish soon, I would be late and Steve would find another reason to deduct my pay. Likewise, if I didn't finish sewing Sierra's dress, I wouldn't hear the end of it from Debra.
It was as though I had summoned the devil by thinking of her, for it was then that she entered the front door, quite frantically. She rushed into the kitchen, pulling open the fridge and yanking out an ice pack, her breaths coming out in pants.
"What happened?" I questioned, peering over to look.
Debra huffed loudly, her face red from her quick movements.
"Not now, Aeryn!" she said, out of breath before shuffling to the door, her large figure bouncing as she did.
It was then that Sierra entered, limping slightly, her pretty face scrunched up in pain.
"Ow, mummy! It hurts!" she said, in a baby-like screech that made me clench my teeth at the sound and Zug Zug to run under the table.
"I know, just sit on the stool, honey! Don't put pressure on it!" she said, her face contorted into sympathy and sadness. I watched on as Debra put the ice pack on her leg, to which Sierra winced.
"Don't worry, it's just a twisted ankle, it'll be fine," she cooed, holding the ice pack in place. I sighed heavily before finishing the sewing job and putting the dress, draped across the arm of the sofa.
"I have to get ready for work; I'm going upstairs," I said to everyone, yet no one. When my words were met with silence, I made my way upstairs and into the small room at the far end of the hallway.
Grabbing the worn-out uniform from the desk chair, I put it on, struggling as I did so. I gave one last look in the mirror before I left, grimacing at the neon orange of the cast on my left arm—the one I had sustained when walking to work and being hit by a biker. The one signed by only Marie and Sue.
"Aeryn! You're bleeding!" Faridha's voice brought me back to the present and I looked down, startled to see that I had driven the needle right into my index finger, with blood now seeping into the silk.
"Oh my god, Khala, I am so sorry!" I let out, moving the top out of sight. Faridha grabbed my hand hurriedly to inspect it.
"Why are you apologizing? You're the one that's hurt!" she exclaimed before grabbing the bottom hem of her dress and wrapping it around my finger.
I winced at the sudden pressure, to which Khalid stroked my arm in comfort. I smiled at him before turning to look at Faridha to see the bottom of her dress blotched with red.
She looked up, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Why do you look so shocked?" she questioned, holding my finger in place.
I zippered slightly in response, shaking my head.
"I've ruined your clothes and the materials. Why are you being so nice to me?" I asked, gesturing to her dress.
Faridha smiled at this before putting her unoccupied hand on her hip.
"Okay then. What do you want me to get angry about? The fact that you agreed to help me or the fact that you got hurt in the process?" she questioned, and my mouth fell agape in response. I didn't know what to say to that and Faridha chose to continue.
"Things going wrong, that's a way of life and it always will be. I won't be upset over ruined materials when you're there hurt. How foolish would that be?" she said in a warm tone, and I couldn't stop myself from throwing my arms around her neck and pulling her into a hug. I sighed, feeling a little weight lift off my shoulders as I watched the sun dipping into the dunes from the window, making the room a dull orange.
"Thank you, Khala," I said quietly, for those were the words that I needed to hear.
Faridha chuckled before wrapping her own arms around me.
"Of course. You could come help tomorrow as compensation."
Turning the water off, I walked out of the showering chambers, feeling relaxed now that all the sweat and dirt was cleaned away by the cool water.
It had been almost two hours since we had returned. I hadn't seen Negus and Maya the whole day, one of whom I was glad to avoid.
The rest of us had met at the village center and Ayla had taken us back, bringing the nausea back in full force. She had promised that I would get used to it, but I was still too anxious for the next time. Ayla and I had then eaten a bit before we chose to retire for the day.
"Shower's all yours," I called out to Ayla, who was stood outside with her towel. She smiled gratefully before breezily walking past.
"Great! I'll see you tomorrow then. Make sure you're well rested!" she said, heading in and shutting the oak door with a thud.
"I will!" I shouted out to no one in particular before making my way back upstairs to the sleeping area.
The walk along the hallway was peaceful, and I enjoyed the feeling of the gentle yet hot night wind that slipped in through the windows. It was strange to feel a semblance of shivers again, albeit the wind not even being near the cold that I would feel in England. I raised the towel again to my hair to dry it before resting it in my hand. Again, I had worn the burgundy silk pajamas, and I found myself becoming rather fond of them.
Before I could reach the bedroom, however, I saw a large arch opening on the right side of the wall that led to a large balcony that overlooked the courtyard. I found myself gravitated to the moon that shone high in the sky and walked slowly out, appreciating the wind that swept at my face.
"Why are you everywhere?" a male voice groaned, and I turned swiftly to see Rhydian lying down on the stone balcony railing, his eyes closed and hands behind his head.
"You need to stop scaring me," I said, placing a hand on my chest where my heart was racing.
Rhydian scoffed at this before sitting up and settling his cold gaze on me. His eyes bore a strange resemblance to the moon that lay in the sky.
"I will when you leave me alone," he retorted before turning his gaze back to the courtyard. I sighed, choosing to ignore his harsh words before turning to the courtyard also and looking in awe at the desert at night.
"So beautiful," I muttered, amazed by views that I was never privy to mere weeks ago.
Rhydian said nothing in response and lay back down, closing his eyes yet again. I rolled my eyes at this; he was so different to Kael, it was hard to believe they got along so well.
"How did you and Kael become such good friends?" I asked curiously, turning my gaze to the black-haired male.
He sighed deeply at this before opening his eyes and giving me a cold look that most definitely meant he wanted to be left alone. I writhed under his gaze, feeling thankful when he proceeded to turn back and close his eyes.
I turned away, scowling, choosing to focus on the view. The night descended into silence yet again, and I listened to the chirping of crickets and trickling of water in the fountain. Every sound was akin to music.
Suddenly, Rhydian began to speak, his voice breaking the silence that had previously filled the night air.
"I came here when I was 11, back when only Maya and Kael were here. Our training was held together and so was everything else. I guess being the same age and having the same experiences helped build mine and his friendship," he said simply in a tired tone about something that was anything but casual.
His story held a weight, one that mine could never compare to. These children had given up their lives, essentially, to this cause. It was their entire purpose.
"When you were 11? And you were okay with that?" I asked, curious as to how it worked here with the prophecy.
Rhydian shrugged, opening his eyes, but kept his vacant gaze only looking up.
"I didn't have a choice," he answered, and my eyebrows furrowed in response.
"What do you mean by…"
"Do you ever shut up?" he interrupted me, giving me a pointed look, and I scold at his words. He nodded his head before turning to the sky, a look of thought on his face.
"Yeah, maybe that's your useless power, to talk the enemies' ear off," he remarked, but instead of biting back, I reminisced of the battle where I had seen their powers; the battle that had shook me to my core. I had seen them, all of them use these 'abilities' that I didn't think were even possible.
"Your powers are amazing," I muttered absent-mindedly, my mind still on the battle.
Rhydian scoffing brought me out of my reverie.
"You think like a human," he said, disgust lacing his tone.
I felt my blood heat from the tone of his voice.
"I can't argue with that; I was raised by them," I retorted, a scowl on my face, but Rhydian kept his gaze to the sky.
He blinked slowly, a stoic look on his face, but the disdain was clear in his eyes.
"If you think powers that kill and destroy are amazing, then you're even more stupid than I thought," he said bluntly, and I recoiled at his words, my fists clenching at my side.
"Destroy? What I saw in the village was it helping people; saving their lives. I may be stupid, but I'm not blind," I spat out, not looking his way as I stomped away, making my way to my room.
Shutting the door, I sat down in front of the mirror, closing my eyes to calm my nerves, but the words rang in my head like bells.
Useless power
You think like a human
You're even more stupid than I thought
"Come on. What are you? Where are you?" I whispered to myself, willing and pleading for the powers. They had to be there. Somewhere inside me.
Nothing
"Do something. Anything," I pleaded yet again, trying to hold on to any feeling or hum within me.
Silence
"Please," I whispered to the empty room, but even I had no idea what I was pleading for anymore.
I sighed in frustration, a tear slipping down. It always came down to this, the empty, hollow feeling of uselessness that weighed me down.
Always.
That feeling clung to me as I fell into a long-awaited sleep.
________________________________________________
A/N: I'll be posting updates daily so make sure to add to your library so you can get notifications when I do❤️