Endings and beginnings - 1 of 16
That summer was the hottest in Manthos in living memory. It was too strenuous for people to work in the fields at the middle of the day, and the regent had to make a law that said all work should cease three hours at midday, when the sun was at its most intense.
For Noor the heat was stressful. She was not as strong as before, and the heat made her exhausted. In addition to that, her back and hips ached, she couldn't see as well as before, and she found it really annoying. One could hear her swear sometimes in her native language.
Her children and grandchildren had taken over the responsibility of the household, but Noor insisted on contributing, even though everything was done at a slower pace. She was no longer the fastest fruit picker in Manthos, but no one expected her to be, except perhaps Noor herself.
She had a good relationship with all her grandchildren, but Eleos had a special place in her heart. And vice versa.
- I'm so glad I can come and see you giagia, Eleos said, everybody else is so busy! Even Petra is always with uncle now, and don't have time to play.
- I will always have time for you koritsaki mou, you know that. You are the brightest shining star in my life, you know! Now tell me, how is your uncle Nashuja? He is working hard, isn't he?
- He is! And he is never home! And when he is, aunt Reem is annoyed with him because she has to take care of everything herself!
- Haha, I can imagine. To his defense he has a lot of responsibilities... What about your mother, how is she doing?
- The same. She just keeps to herself, like before. When she is not helping me or Petra with things, she is at our old house and just sit there, staring into the air. Sometimes she cries.
- Mmmm.
- Sometimes I feel that it would have been better if I died, instead of the twins. Because she loved them A LOT.
- Oh no my darling, don't you ever think like that! We all love you so much! Your mother too!
- Ourania says I'm a bastard child. She said that Omiros wasn't my real father. Maybe that's why my mother loved the twins more?
- She said what? I can't believe some people!! And what did Bansabira say?
- She just yelled at Ourania. But she looked strangely at me, so I understood that it might be true, that Omiros wasn't my real father. Am I a bastard giagia? Did you know my real father giagia?
- I didn't. And you are not a bastard. Omiros gave you his name, and treated you well, and he was proud to be your father. As for the other one I've heard nothing bad about him either. They say he was a good man. And kind. He helped your mother during an earth quake once.
- And then he died? Is he dead giagia?
- Oh my little pumpkin... Honestly? I don't know. He lives far, far away, you know. But the last thing we heard, he was alive. And you know something else? Ourania is just mean and jealous. You are very lucky, because you have three fathers! This one, that you don't know, who gave you life, and then Omiros, who loved you very much, and now Nashuja who loves you as much as his own children.
- Uncle Nashuja is my father?!!!
- Well, not really, but he is the same as a father. It doesn't matter what you call it.
- So he is my regent father? Because Petra says Nashuja is her regent King?
- That's right! Regent father! Ha, you clever little girl.
- Giagia? I'm so glad I can talk with you giagia! Because nobody else tells me anything. Especially my mother, she doesn't talk with me at all.
- Oh your mother... she doesn't really talk with anyone, does she? And maybe she's afraid you would misunderstand and that you are not old enough to hear the truth. But I think you are. Koritsaki mou, you must remember that the truth itself is never your enemy. But be careful to whom you tell it, because they might use it against you. Do you understand that, asteri mou?
- Yes, I think so.
- Now, have I told you about when I was a young girl and heard the camels sing?
- Sing? Elos was doubtful. I don't think camels can sing? Are you making this up giagia?
- No!! It's all true! My sister Eira heard it too! It was when we crossed the desert before we came to Manthos. There was this camel driver, he sang so beautifully! I can still remember his voice! And when he sang, the camels would join him. They really did, I swear! Oh yes! They had their own choir you know!
- Haha, a camel choir! I don't know if I believe that!
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