Something To Look Forward To
Year of the Golden Gilled Boar, 1983, Veeratha, Misng 8th
“You’re bored, aren’t you?”
The boy looked up at me then down to the ground, picking up and throwing small stones to nowhere in particular with one hand and a neglected bread on the other. Jibel and I were having lunch under the shade of tree in the inner ward, under the watchful eye of Cheki who was also having lunch. From the way his eyes seemed to be focusing on just us for long bouts, I guessed Cheki was enjoying his time learning how to read and write. Jibel was another matter.
“Not really but… yes. Sometimes.”
“You learned everything then?”
“Enough but not all ora. Vindeth is better.”
Normally, in my previous life at least, such a statement would have been accompanied a certain tone that betrayed envy or self-pity. Jibel’s words, however, had none of that. He wasn’t frustrated either, just bored.
“That’s to be expected. He has probably been taught these for years. It’s slow isn’t it?”
“Ha. It’s not like when you were teaching me, and Bira.”
“Well, different people of have different ways of teaching, I just happened to know how to begin. And different people also learn differently. Some are fast, like you, and some like to take their time, absorbing everything slowly then move to the next. So maybe, instead of looking forward to the next lesson, you can observe where Jenaila is having problems and help her.”
Jibel straightened abruptly, like he had been called out.
Ah!
“I don’t want to.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s not serious. Always sleepy and joking and wasting parchment and bothering us and always forgetting.”
Uhm, hmm.
“What does she like then?”
“She liked ana’s instructions, I think. She’s always posing and doodling about it. And stories, she likes stories. She’d always leave after the stories were done, back in their house.”
“Ah! I guess she does love stories.” I baited.
“You knew ora?”
“Sure. Pretty little girls with pretty smiles and eyes that shine all the time, they always love stories.”
It took a few seconds but it came. I can’t say I was surprised.
Boy, oh boy.
“Well, that’s stupid.”
“What is?”
“Wasting. All of it, parchment, learning. Bira would love learning all these and she’s just throwing it away.”
“I have no doubt. She loved letters didn’t she?”
“And words.” The boy added, nodding.
“But she also loved stories, didn’t she?”
“I guess.”
“I bet she’ll love everything we have to tell when she comes.”
Jibel’s head snapped towards me, eyes as round as saucers.
“She’s coming?!”
“Mmm hmm. In sixteen or seventeen days, weather permits.”
“Really? Who told you ora?” Jibel asked, excitement in his voice.
“What do you mean who told me?”
“Someone must have. There’s no one here from Osea, I think.”
The boy was brilliant. There was no doubt about that. But Jibel also exhibited behaviors that always catches me off guard. While his thirst for knowledge and his ability to synthesize them was something to be awed at, I can’t help but be puzzled when certain things just go over his head. Small, obvious things. Things like the prince and future king being our friend.
“I sent for her odoi. Tukru’s heading there now.”
“Ah! But…”
“Yes, we’re not heading back to Osea for a while. Litoc needs our help, and the prince, soon-to-be king too.”
“I miss Fraku’s kitchen.”
As opposed to his sister, Jibel never talked about his feelings the whole time I’ve known him. I felt bad, hearing those words. The innkeepers were probably the closest thing to parents this boy ever had.
“I miss them too. We’ll see them again. I’m just not sure when at the moment.”
“At least Bira’s coming.” He responded, a curious note of happiness in his tone. “She’s probably waiting by the door by now.”
“Yes, I can’t wait to see her, and – wait. What do you mean waiting?” I asked, intrigued.
“She good at guessing ora. The other children in town doesn’t want to play tath-”
Jibel’s explanation was cut short by shouting from behind us. I wheeled around to find a gaggle of attendants running after the royal siblings.
“Prince Vindeth, Jenaila stop…”
The two siblings were running at full speed towards us, the little girl ahead by a few feet. Then, she tripped and fell on her face, skidding a short distance. Vindeth stopped, wide-eyed. The attendants followed with horrified expressions.
Jenaila stood up and dusted her clothes. She looked at her brother and exclaimed.
“I win!”
The two sped towards us once more. Jenaila, with dirt and scratches on her face, jumped up and down despite the obvious lack of air. She declared victory, squealing. Vindeth arrived, also out of breath, not looking happy. I gestured for the attendants to stay where they were.
“You cheated!”
“I did not! I even fell!” The girl defended defiantly.
They went about it, arguing back and forth. I watched Jibel the entire time.
“Alright, alright. You two, settle down. I declare no winners.” I spoke.
“You’re not part of this! I am the winner!” Replied Jenaila.
“You made me part of this when you came running here. So, I declare no winners. It’s a tie.”
The girl was not too happy about that. She eyed me with furrowed brows and a comical frown as she wiped her face and arms.
“Ora Jorj, teach us something.” Vindeth asked.
I’m ora now huh?
“I’m not sure I have anything to teach you boy. The castle’s own priests are tending to that.”
“Yes, you have!”
“I do?”
“Yes! Like what you taught Jibel!”
Jibel shrank at that statement. Whether it was because he had actively been showing it off or that it was unintentional was not clear.
“Ah, that. I can’t teach you that.”
“Why not?”
“Yes, why not?” Jenaila echoed.
“That’s a very secret method. A very secret and ancient way. It is only taught to deserving individuals.”
The intrigue had the children’s eyes widening to their limits. Jenaila’s didn’t remain that long before it was replaced by a squint.
“Jibel’s not deserving! He is not!”
I responded before Jibel had the chance to retort. From the look on his face, he was about to argue with the girl. Whether it was about being deserving or something else, did not matter.
“Yes, he is. He is always behaved, and caring. Unlike you adai.” I teased.
“Pffft! This is boring! What can you teach us that is not secret secret?”
Secret secret. I almost laughed. The girl had more fire in her than both the older boys combined.
“I can’t teach you anything because everything I know is… secret secret. But, I can tell you stories.” I replied, winking at Jibel.
“Oooh! I wanna hear a story!” She exclaimed once more, jumping up and down, turning around and making slashing motions in the air. “I want to hear about monsters! And gods! And monster gods!” She finished with a series of exaggerated gestures and made up sounds.
Ah, to be young with boundless energy again.
“I have one better. Now if you’ll sit and gather around, I will begin.”
Vindeth scooted next to Jibel, and the girl dropped beside her brother. I cleared my throat and looked up as if I was channeling a spirit until my audience was silent. Once I was sure I had their attention, I began.
“In a land of myth, and a time of magic…”