Maliha

“So, what do you think of, Ray’et?”

The timid voice jarred Maliha out of her tedious wrapping of the dried reeds.

Her brows knitted together as she set down her half-finished basket and considered Xiuri’s words.

“I’m not sure.” Maliha muttered, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.

Maliha had caught a glimpse of Ray’et during the rest of the day but she wasn’t sure how she truly felt. From what she had seen of Ray’et, it was clear that he was an attractive man that many females of the tribe had taken a fancy to, but she had yet to meet him and so could not truly gage the type of man he was. Not that Maliha believed she was a good judge of character. There was only one male she had ever judged correctly and that was Olu. The man she had finally give her virtue to had been kind and sweet but not interested in marriage. Petr had been a phoney selfish male and Ujarak, Ujarak was a man burdened by too much.

No, Maliha, was correct in her assumption. She was not a good judge of character, well not where males were concerned.

“Kamir, has said Ray’et is a gentle and kind man.”

Xiuri’s eyes were glued to her basket as she spoke of Kamir, but Maliha did not miss the look in her friend’s eyes.

“Very understanding.” Xiuri added, plucking at one of the reeds that had not been bent correctly.

“I’m glad you and Kamir are getting along.” Teased Maliha.

Xiuri shied away from Maliha’s words, making a fuss over her basket before placing it down on the floor and climbing to her feet to check on the food that was brewing in the solid pot.

“The meat is not ready. It still has another twenty or so minutes to become tender.” Chuckled Maliha at Xiuri’s attempt to avoid the conversation.

“I think you will like Ray’et.” Xiuri said resolutely.

“You mean the way you like Kamir or?”

Maliha left her sentence unfinished, but the way her brow rose haughtily meant that Xiuri clearly caught Maliha’s meaning.

Xiuri’s head ducked down to hide the blinding smile that transformed her face into one of true beauty. The fire cast dancing, golden shadows over Xiuri’s skin, matching the joyful dance that had begun in her heart the moment Kamir was mentioned.

The time that Xiuri had spent in secluded meditation had done her so much good. She looked rejuvenated, as if the burden that had worn her down was truly lifted. Maliha could only hope.

“This is probably the most you have ever spoken to me, Xiuri.” Maliha mused.

The only other time Xiuri had spoken so much was when she had been sharing her harrowing story.

The long conversation was a clear improvement.

“Maliha.” Xiuri sighed.

Moving away from the pot and sitting back down, she tucked her feet beneath her long skirt and pushed one of the wild strands of her hair away from her face.

“I always speak, you just never hear it over your own chatter.”

Maliha’s mouth gaped open as she stared at Xiuri in shock.

“Was that a... joke?” Maliha chocked on her words, laughing and crying at the same time.

Xiuri had just given her first joke and it was terrible, but it was a start.

“I suppose I have to work on that.”

Xiuri murmured petulantly, causing Maliha to laugh even harder and gain the attention of the other members around the large fire.

“What do you have to work on Xiuri?”

A sharp squeal burst from her lips as she quickly tuned her head away from the piercing gaze of Kamir. The wide smile on his lips spread even wider when he caught sight of Maliha’s eyes rounding at the large male by his side.

“Maliha, this is Ray’et.”

Maliha’s mouth hung wide as she stared in open awe at Ray’et. He was attractive, perhaps one of the most attractive men she had ever laid eyes upon. He was tall, taller than Kamir and broad in a clear show of rippling masculinity. Ray’et had deep skin that was the colour of the earth’s richest clay that glowed under the dimming sun and lips that were full and spread wide in greeting. Slanted, brown eyes that pulled her in with the gentleness that emanated out of those orbs. He had a chiselled jaw and a thick mane of hair that hung down his back in one solid braid.

“Thank you for having me at your fire, Maliha and Xiuri. I have brought you something in thanks.”

His large outstretched hand revealed a basket of fruits and had Maliha jolting from her dazed seated position and clambering to her feet to greet him properly.

“S’bak Ray’et.” Thanks. Maliha stammered, clasping the basket in her hand and staring at his feet.

Very large feet.

“It was my pleasure.” He replied.

Goose bumps rippled across Maliha’s flesh, but she played it down to the chilly nights air and not Ray’et’s husky voice that was full of promise.

“Come take a seat, Ray’et.” Ushered Kamir, pointing to an empty seat that just so happened to be closest to Maliha’s seat.

Kamir quickly shot Maliha a wink and then snorted in laughter at the glare she gave him.

“I think the food is nearly-”

“I’m back.” Called Enzo, his wide grin faltering as he noted the new man who happened to be sitting in the seat closest to Maliha’s.

“Enzo, I though you weren’t going to remember to return.” Maliha grinned, trying to calm the very clear signs of distress that lined his face.

“Come and stir the pot.”

She dangled the spoon towards him, her breath halting as she waited anxiously for Enzo to decide what he would do. The lure to help cook was too strong.

“S’bak Zeh.” Thank you.

Maliha murmured her thanks along his hair line, popping a kiss to his forehead before gathering the bowls and heading back to the fire.

Xiuri handed out the round flat bread as Maliha began pouring the food into the bowls with the help of Enzo. Once everyone had a bowl, they sank down into their seats and began eating with an enthusiasm and gusto that began to whittle away at the tense and charged atmosphere.

Enzo scoffed down his food in record breaking time before asking to head to his friends’ fire. Maliha was reluctant to let him leave as it would mean there was no buffer between her and Ray’et but at Kamir’s subtle prompting she gave in.

“So, how are you finding our tribe so far?”

Ray’et’s attention was riveted to her face as he scooped pieces of the soft meet between his thick fingers. Maliha grimaced at his question, contemplating how she should answer the question. She considered being completely honest but, in the end, gave a more subdued answer.

“It is okay. It is just taking me quite some time to adjust.”

“Yes,” he nodded in agreement. “Our tribe can be quite hard to acclimatise to. We do things, that sometimes we don’t even understand why.”

Maliha silently agreed, she had been here for a few weeks now and she still could not understand this tribe and she wasn’t sure if she ever would. As each day passed by, she admitted how badly she missed the solitude of being a wanderer.

“I imagine it must be hard. Do you ever miss being a wanderer?” His head tilted to the side as his dark eyes stared at her inquisitively.

Maliha slowly chewed on her morsel of food as she though his question over.

“Everyday.” She whispered. “I miss it every day. There is such freedom in just letting your body carry you wherever it may. I have seen so much of the world and know that there is much more out there to see.”

She missed being able to travel through rugged lands and discovering the harsh beauty of nature. The world was a beautiful place.

“I don’t regret staying here though.” She added.

“No? it sounds as if you do.”

There was no judgement in his voice, no disappointment or annoyance, just genuine curiosity.

“As much as there is a lot I do not understand or like about this tribe, I feel very grounded here.”

Ray’et was an easy person to talk to. He gently prodded at her with questions that no one had really taken time to ask her, but he was not invasive. There was an aura to him that almost matched Kamir’s, it was a silent air of acceptance and understanding. That no matter what anyone said, Ray’et would always try to understand their motive and not judge.

It was nice to be in the presence of such a calming and soothing person, even if his appearance did have Maliha weak at the knees.

“I do like most of the people that I have met.”

She looked to Xiuri and Kamir, who were sitting so close they were almost touching. Half of Xiuri’s face was buried in her hand but the half that was revealed showed her smile.

Though there were many people in the tribe that Maliha did not like or had not grown accustomed to, those that she had bonded with were pivotal in her decision to stay.

“I hope I will be among those people someday.”

His words were hopeful and though, Maliha, did not give a verbal response, the blush that coated her cheeks was answer enough.

—

“So, what do you think of Ray’et?”

Maliha’s eyes rolled heavenwards at Xiuri’s persistent questioning, not a day went by where the woman did not ask the same question.

“He is nice.”

Maliha shrugged, stretching out her hand for more material so she could begin sewing her fur squares together.

“You always say the same thing.” Grunted Saralec as she handed Maliha the material.

Maliha’s lips pinched together as all the women who sat together sewing their clothes and creating items to trade, perked up at their conversation.

“Well that is because it has not even been a fortnight yet. We are still getting to know each other.”

“It has been almost a fortnight of sharing all of your last meals together.” Huffed Ciur.

“And some of your mid meals” added Nahi, her eyebrow rising as she burped Namali.

Ray’et had become a fixed body at their fire alongside Kamir. Every night he joined them in their last meal and every night Maliha and Ray’et got to know each other better but it had only been a couple of weeks of them talking platonically to each other. Ray’et had not given her any indication that there was anything more than a friendship building between them but all of the females who had been glued to the budding relationship seemed to believe otherwise.

“No man spends that much time with a female if he isn’t interested in something.” Grunted Ciur, rubbing at her rounded stomach that looked as if it were ready to burst.

“Perhaps, he just likes my food.”

Maliha huffed irritably at all of the female who burst out laughing at her words.

“I assure you, that it is not it.” Scoffed Saralec.

“You should ask him.” Piped in Xiuri, her dark lashes flickering against her skin.

“Maybe I will.” Grumbled Maliha, placing her squares of fur down on her lap in a huff.

Ciur’s scoffing had Maliha’s head snapping up in time to catch her smile of glee.

“How the goddess listens.”

Ciur chuckled, bumping Saralec on the arm and discretely pointing at something behind Maliha’s head.

Maliha moved to so she could see what the two women were grinning at but Xiuri caught her arm and stopped her.

“Don’t turn around, but Ray’et is approaching.”

“What?” Maliha questioned on a strangled wail.

“How do I look?” She cried, trying to fix her appearance by smoothing down her curling hair and tucking it behind her ear.

“Stop clucking about like a chicken.”

Snapped Ciur, knocking Maliha’s hand away from her face.

“You look fine.”

She gentled, soothing one loose strand of Maliha’s hair before leaning back in her seat and craning her head upwards at the shadow that stood above Maliha.

“Ray’et.” Beamed Ciur, slightly nudging Maliha’s shoulder.

Maliha sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to quiet her nerves, before twisting about on her seat to face Ray’et. The deep rays of Savuriya’s sun glistened off his skin like liquid gold, the hues rippling across his broad shoulders in open invitation.

“What brings you here?” Called Saralec, her eyes gleaming with glee at Maliha’s open carnal look.

Ray’et’s lips titled up in a knowing smile as he greeted the group of women, some who pretended not to notice the tense atmosphere and others who stared on with open curiosity that had Maliha’s cheeks burning.

“Good morning ladies. I was wondering if I could have a moment with you, Maliha?”

His dark eyes peered into Maliha’s vivid greens as he directed the final sentence to her and no one else. Her head nodded slowly, but she remained seated as if she were unable to move by the prominent gaze that bore into her.

“Xiuri, do you mind-”

“I will finish it.” Xiuri finished for her, grabbing the squares of fur and Maliha’s needle in her hands.

Maliha desperately tried to ignore the halted silence as she climbed to her feet and stepped closer to Ray’et.

“I will see you all in a short while.” She muttered, hands quivering as she straightened the folds of her dark brown skirt.

Ciur grunted in response whilst the rest of Maliha’s cohort nodded her goodbye. When she was no more than a few steps away, Saralec called Maliha to a halt.

“Maliha, don’t forget to gather some potatoes and cassava for the trade.”

Maliha’s jaw hung wide as she attempted to sputter her response. Saralec merely dismissed Maliha’s gawping face by turning her back to Maliha and instead facing the rest of the women.

“Where do you gather the Cassava?”

Maliha’s face was burning as hot as the sun that beat down on their backs at his question. She was sure her face was coloured red as she squeaked her response.

“Through those trees.” She pointed.

Ray’et’s head tilted back as a full belly of laughter tumbled from his lips. His hands clasping at his stomach as tears lined his ears.

“That Saralec is trouble.” He chuckled.

Acknowledging the ploy that Saralec had just attempted. The forest was the perfect place for a couple to head to if they were seeking privacy as the tribe rarely visited inside its mists during the day.

Maliha’s lips pinched together as she tried to suppress her cry of frustration and the burbling feeling of laughter at the hilarity of the situation that Saralec had forced her into.

“If Saralec, wants potatoes and Cassava” he chuckled

“Then potatoes and cassava she will receive.” Snorted Maliha even as a small smile broke past her lips.

Side by side they first headed to Maliha tent to fetch a bag before they headed into the forest on the hunt for the wild forages of vegetables that Maliha had first discovered. Ray’et kept her company all throughout the journey making small talk and retelling experiences that he had had in the forest.

As she squatted over one of the patches where the wild plant grew, she finally ventured into less safe conversation.

“I have enjoyed you at our fire each night,” Maliha whispered, trying to remain cool and not convey how much she truly enjoyed his company.

A light chuckle rumbled from his chest at the way Maliha practically spoke to the plant and not him, all in an attempt to hide her feelings

“I have enjoyed it as well. I find your company to be refreshing and it does not hurt that you are also beautiful.”

Maliha’s head tilted up to stare at him. His thick dark hair had begun to unravel around his shoulders and the shadows made by the tall forest trees only seemed to annunciation the smooth planes of his deep skin.

Her lashes fluttered up at him as she murmured her thanks.

Slowly climbing to her feet, she dusted off her hands before slowly stepping towards him.

There was a crackle of tension in the air and then they were both moving. Her hands sunk into the long tresses of his wild hair as their lips pressed together.

Lips moulding together in a sensuous dance. They stumbled backwards, Maliha’s back thudding against a tree as they kissed each other with a fervency and passion that set her skin on fire.

Her body clung to his as they sipped at each other mouths, drinking the rich flavours of each other until nature made its presence known and forced them to deprecate.

“Is that? -”

“Rain.” He laughed, staring incredulously at the sky.

“But it not the season for rain.”

“No, it is not, but this land is full of surprises. Sandstorms and random bouts of rain is something we have grown accustomed to.”

He grunted, staring sardonically at the drops of rain that were beating against his palm. Heaving a reluctant sigh, Ray’et bent down to pick up the bag of vegetables they had gathered before they headed out of the forest.

As they exited the forest, they realised that the small smattering of raindrops they had felt was nothing compared to the torrents of raindrops that cascaded from the still blue sky.

Shaking her head in shock, Maliha placed her arms as a guarded before looking to her side at Ray’et.

“I’ll race you back to my tent.”

“You are on.” He grinned, sprinting ahead.

The rain continued to pour down on their bodies, the flow so heavy that they could barely see the path in front of them let alone the lone person that stood gathering her belongings.

It wasn’t until Ray’et went tumbling into the body did he realise that someone else was out there with them.

“Oh goddess.” He gasped, staring down at the body that lay spasming on the floor.

“Ray’et, what is going- Darsan?” Maliha cried in fear, dropping to her feet and reaching out to Darsan.

“Don’t touch her.” Shouted Ray’et.

“She is having a vision. Warm her while I fetch a blanket and Makula.”

Ray’et sprinted off, leaving Maliha sitting in the muddy earth, struggling to channel the fire that lay buried beneath her feet as the goddess lashed Maliha’s skin with her holy tears.