FIFTH VILLAGE
Morning arrived gently over the ocean cliffs.
Golden sunlight spilled across the water as waves crashed rhythmically against the rocks below. The storm had passed, leaving the sky washed clean and brilliant.
At the very edge of a high cliff sat a young woman; Kharivanpa. She sat cross-legged facing the sunrise, her eyes closed in meditation. Her ebony cornrows fell down her back, decorated with small seashell ornaments that clicked softly in the breeze.
Her golden-brown skin glowed warmly beneath the rising sun.
For a moment, the world was peaceful.
Then—
A vision tore through her mind.
A faceless woman stood in white lace garments embroidered with blue thread. Her long black hair was wrapped in a yellow floral cloth.
Slowly, she opened her hands.
Blood ran down her palms.
Resting in them was a golden necklace with a glowing red crystal.
Kharivanpa gasped. Her eyes flew open, "What in the world was that?"
Footsteps approached behind her. She turned sharply.
A young man climbed onto the cliff carrying a massive tilapia hooked through the gills. Water dripped from his hair and bare chest. He was Pim, her long-term friend turned lover. Pim was twenty-seven years old, handsome, and strong from years spent battling the sea.
"Thought it was you," he said with a grin. "Turns out I was right."
Khari relaxed, "Oh, Pim. Good morning."
"Good morning," he replied. "What are you doing up here so early?"
"Just watching the sunrise. My mind's been… strange lately."
"You look shaken."
"I had a weird hallucination," she admitted. "But I'm fine now."
Pim shrugged and lifted the fish proudly, "My father and I just came back from fishing."
Khari's eyes widened, "That's the biggest fish I've seen all month."
"Our finest catch this week." Pim said proudly.
Khari laughed, "You're going to get rich today."
"Actually…" He set the fish gently on the ground beside her, "This one is for you."
Khari stared at him, "You can't be serious."
"I am."
"Do you know how much money you could make selling that?"
But Pim smiled softly, "I'd rather you enjoy it with your family. There are plenty of fish in the ocean."
She shook her head in disbelief, "You don't see fish like that every day."
"Maybe not," Pim said, "But today we did. And you were the first person I thought of."
Khari tried to hide her smile.
"Remember what I told you when we were kids?" Pim asked.
"That I looked like a boy?" she recalled.
Pim laughed, "After that."
"That no ordinary man would marry such an ugly girl?"
"Yes," he said.
She raised an eyebrow, "And?"
Pim stood manly, "I'm not an ordinary man. I'm simply looking after the woman I love."
Khari stood, trying not to blush.
She picked up the fish.
"I'm almost there," Pim continued. "Three horses and two cows—that's the dowry I promised your parents."
Khari walked closer and gently placed her hand on his cheek, "You should know something."
"What?"
"I'd still marry you even if you brought me a dried anchovy on a banana leaf."
She kissed his cheek and began walking away.
Behind her, Pim stood stunned.
Then he grinned like a fool.
By midday the Fifth Village buzzed with activity.
Farmers hauled sacks of grain. Children chased each other through muddy paths. Merchants shouted prices in the open marketplace.
Kharivanpa knew nearly everyone here.
And nearly everyone knew her.
When she reached home, she found her sister, Sirene, peeling corn from a large sack.
Sirene was stunningly beautiful, with fair skin, bright round eyes, and full pink lips. Her long brown hair was braided into a thick ponytail.
Their parents worked beside her.
"Where did Khari go?" Foni, their mother, asked.
"No idea," Sirene replied.
"Did she skip work again—"
"I'm right here, Mother." Khari announced herself.
They all looked up.
Then they saw the fish.
Heya blinked. "What is that?"
"It's fish, Father," Khari said dryly.
"I know it's fish," he said slowly. "I want to know how you got it."
Sirene smirked, "You're asking the wrong question. The real question is what she did to Pim for him to give her a fish like that."
The whole family knew of Pim's feelings for Khari and how Khari felt the same. Both their families had met once or twice to discuss their future and so far, the future seemed bright for the two of them. The only thing left was the agreed dowry and a wedding.
"Oh," Foni said knowingly. "Pim gave it to you?"
"Yes," Khari sighed. "He's a fisherman."
Heya nodded thoughtfully, "Thank the gods. He'll make the best son-in-law."
Khari rolled her eyes.
...