Feast

"Are you okay now taté?"

Lana finally approached us.

"Yes Lana. How about you? You okay?"

The little girl nodded.

"Can I sit with you?"

"Of course."

She edged a little bit to the left and Lana sat down while munching on her baursak. She did not say anything. I guess she just wanted to sit next to Ms. McCrae.

A little later, Dias's group did their performance. The girls sang Zhanat's new song while Dias and Alikhan tried to act out the lyrics in a silly way, giving us all a good laugh. Zhanat is a good family friend and she is one of my regular back-up singers.

Äke thanked them before announcing the competition on New Year's speeches. He declared that the prize for the best speech is 20,000 Tenge. That's good money for a simple speech. And there will be a second and third placer who will be awarded 15,000 Tenge and 10,000 Tenge respectively.

"Do your best. You never know," I whispered to Ms. McCrae.

"I'll try Sir," she whispered back.

Papa came up first and gave his speech, giving thanks to Allah for a fruitful and healthy year. He also shared the things he looks forward to for the New Year to come. He said that old people still has things they look forward to even when they know the time is near. That made me pensive for a moment. He also welcomed and thanked Ms. McCrae for joining us.

Then they all took turns in giving out speeches, funny ones from the young people and solemn ones from the elders. I also gave my speech.

I wished for a busy and fruitful year and good teamwork between me and Ms. McCrae. Of course, I added flair in the end quoting JRR Tolkien. I love the movies from his books.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time given us. We have a New Year ahead of us everyone and it's a new chance to do or change something in our lives. I hope that we all choose to do what is good and honorable and work hard for our goals. Let's toast for another good year."

We had our toast and after I sat down, ana called Ms. McCrae for her turn.

She hesitated.

I started to chant.

"Ms. McCrae. Ms. McCrae. Ms. McCrae."

The others followed after me. She stood up from her seat, unsure, leaning on her good foot.

"I.. good evening everyone. I'm very honored and grateful and uneasy that you didn't let my chance to speak pass by."

We all chuckled.

"I'm a stranger to all of you but you had been so kind to take me in and for that I want to say thank you. The past year had been difficult for me but I'm thankful that I found this place and all of you. I look forward to a good year with everyone, especially with Sir Arystan with whom I'll be working. I would also like to quote JRR Tolkien from my favorite book series Lord of the Rings. Even darkness must pass, a new day will come and when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. I believe that this year will not be without darkness, but I know the sun will always come out and it will come out bright and clear. May you all look forward to the bright sun even when it's dark in your present circumstance. Thank you."

We all clapped loudly and she had her head bowed as she sat back on her seat.

"That was good. You might win the first prize," I leaned and whispered to her.

She just smiled. Äke took over the stage.

"That was a very good speech Ms. Dionna. We will announce the winners after a few minutes. For now, enjoy your food."

The room buzzed with everyone chatting. The television played New Year's classic movies and added to the buzz of the room.

Ten minutes before midnight, the president came on the national channel and wished us a happy New Year. He talked about the goodness of the past year and wished us all another prosperous new year. We all raised and clinked our glasses after the speech, exactly on 12 o'clock.

"And now the winners for the best speeches. Drum rolls everyone," äke said while walking to the center of the gathering.

We all rapped our hands excitedly.

"In the third place, Lana!"

Lana stood up from her seat which is now next to her mother. She strode to the center, all smiles, and claimed her money.

"The second place goes to.. Rayana. Thank you for making us laugh with your past year's stories. Studying is hard but you still find humor in your difficult moments."

Rayana also claimed her prize and thanked äke with a kiss.

"And now for the first prize, 20,000 Tenge. The first prize goes to... Ms. Dionna! Thank you for the encouraging words and we wholeheartedly welcome you to the family. May you and Arystan work well together."

Äke walked towards her and handed her envelope.

"Thank you Sir. Thank you for all the kindness and thank you for this."

She held up the thick envelope.

"I'll try my best to repay everyone by working hard."

"You have our trust Dionna dear. And the pleasure is ours for hosting you your first Kazakh New Year," äke smiled at her.

We clapped again for her and she turned to me and grinned. She seems more comfortable now.

A few seconds later, everyone got busy with calls on their phones. I also got lots from friends and uncles and aunts. It took me about 20 minutes responding to all the calls.

Only Ms. McCrae is not receiving calls.

I dialed her number and she was surprised when her phone buzzed on her pocket.

She raised an eyebrow at me when she saw my name. I gestured at her to answer it.

"Hey. Happy New Year! How's the celebration so far?" I said to her on the phone.

She laughed and shook her head at me.

"I'm enjoying it Sir. Thank you. Happy New Year to you too."

I looked at her for a couple of seconds, serious.

"I'm glad you're here. I hope you'll trust me and work well with me this year."

She frowned for a split second.

"Of course Sir. I'll do my best."

"Alright. I... Happy New Year. Bye bye."

She chuckled and I dropped the call.

We continued drinking wine and she feasted on the manti.

"Best dumplings I've ever had. I want to try making these," she said.

"Do you cook?"

"Yes Sir. My mom taught me that it's essential for a woman to know how to cook. She was one of those people who still hold on to old ideologies like a woman should know her way around the kitchen."

"Hm. I don't think it's a requirement but it's nice if a woman knows how to cook. I would prefer one who cooks when I'll marry someday because I'm mess in the kitchen. We could go out but it's good to have a home cooked meal once in a while, especially that I grew up with home food."

"I find it funny that you're discussing your marriage plans with me Sir. But I do hope you find your woman who cooks," she laughed.

I think she's starting to get drunk, judging from that grin.

"Best manti I've ever had," she repeated and put one on her mouth. She continued drinking. We almost finished one bottle, just the two of us.

"You're getting drunk," I told her.

"Sorry Sir."

"No. It's fine. It's the New Year. You should enjoy yourself. I'm just concerned that you might get hurt."

"For the first time in a long while, I want to drown myself to oblivion," she chuckled.

"You can. I'll take care of you don't worry."

She looked at me and something flashed in her eyes.

"You can't say things like that Sir. I am starting to have dreams," she laughed again.

"Dreams?"

"Yes."

I looked at her confused then it dawned on me.

It is the kiss, isn't it? She must have thought it was a dream.

I tried my best to suppress my smile.

At about 3 am, people started to leave for their rooms. Alinur and his family had also left a while ago, around 2 am I think.

Meanwhile, Ms. McCrae hugs her glass to her chest and is sleeping. It was quite an amusing sight and I was tempted to take a picture with my phone.

"Son, we would like to go ahead and rest. Oh. Dionna is already asleep. Can you assist her to her room on your own?"

I nodded to my mother.

"I'll take care of her ana. Don't worry."

"Thank you son."

She and äke said their good night and so did papa and mama who went up with them.

The young ones also got so tired and dragged themselves out of the room. Today had been very busy indeed, especially to those who practiced for their performance.

I remained in the room for a few minutes, just me and Ms. McCrae. I want to give her a short time to sleep before waking her up to walk. With nobody watching now, I turned my whole body towards her and stared at her face. I don't think I will ever get tired of appreciating her fine features.

She stirred and I took it as a cue to wake her up.

"Ms. McCrae. Hey. You need to sleep in your room."

She mumbled but didn't wake up.

"Hey." I tapped her shoulder.

No response. I think she's really knocked out because of the alcohol. Having no other choice, I thought it best to carry her.

I took the glass from her hands then scooped her into my arms. She stirred again but didn't wake up. Her limbs are pretty long. I started walking towards her room, a little unsteady on my feet because I also drank a lot. I hope we won't topple over and she end up having another broken leg.

Upon reaching the door, I struggled a little with turning the knob. But I managed to open it when I rested her bottom on one knee, freeing my right hand.

I huffed in relief after I laid her down on the bed. I looked at her face again. This time, her brows are knotted together and to my surprise, a tear escaped from her eye. I sat down on the edge of the bed and wiped it. Before I could draw away my hand, she took hold of it. I flinched.

She said something but it was a foreign language to me. I tried to take my hand but she clutched it more tightly.

I don't know if she's sad or angry. Her grip is painful.

I let her hold my hand for a while. I didn't know when I fell asleep.

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