Chapter 11

Rocan came down from his carriage and knocked on Zazuza’s door. She came outside to greet him and let him inside the house.

“So have you thought about my offer?” he asked while maintaining eye contact.

“I have actually, I accept under the condition that you don’t try to estrange my children from me.” Answered Zazuza.

“What do you mean?”

“Well… I want us all to live under the same roof. I don’t want you or anyone else to take them away from me to be honest.”

“I take it you miss them, don’t you?”

“Yeah. It’s all I think about. If you can be good with all of us, we can make this work.”

“Of course, I would never imagine doing such a thing.” He said appaled at her suggestion.

“Then it’s a deal. When do you want to get married?”

“Next month.”

“That’s soon.”

“So what, you’re changing your mind now?” he asked.

“No, I’m not. I was just making an observation.”

“I’d do it sooner but it will be a big event, it needs some prepaparation in advance.”

“Do I need to do anything, or?”

“No, just be there, it’s fine.”

After Zazuza accepted his hand in marriage, Rocan decided to leave to start the preparations.

He visited the Chieftan a second time, hoping for a more enthusiastic meeting.

“She said yes, sir. I’m looking forward to becoming your son-in-law. We have decided to get married next month and we will need a location.for the event. We were thinking of having the wedding here,if that is alright with you.”

‘Is this what you want?” he turned and asked his daughter.

“Yes, that’s true.” She said.

“Then it’s settled, the wedding will be hosted here.” Said the Chieftan. “By the way... I have something for you.” He passed her a letter. Zazuza opened it and it was written in their language while clumsily sounded off using the reecian alphabet and it read:

“Dear mother,

I hope this letter finds you well, I love you and I miss you very much!

We finished the alphabet and I wanted to show you how good I am at writing.

Today Mr Gosling asked us what to do during a fire. I said leave everything behind and run outside! Everyone laughed but he said I was right!

I am alright, I got my first A which means I did a good job. Some of my classmates get bad grades, but it’s because they don’t study. They even brag about not studying and act surprised when they get a bad grade. I don’t feel bad for them.

Other than that I ate good food for lunch so it’s been a good day so far.

Goodbye and I’m waiting for your response.

Iancu”

After piecing it all together Zazuza had a good laugh and she was enthusiastic to receive such an endearing letter.

“Awww so this is what his handwriting looks like? So cute!”

“You should write back.” The Chieftan said.

“Yeah, let’s do that!” and she began to write and asked her father to pitch in so that he knew they were all thinking about him.

Rocan was feeling akward because he was left to sit there for some time before they realised they had a guest.

“I apologize, I got excited about the letter!” said Zazuza.

“It’s okay, I thought you looked cute when you were writing it: you were so lively and also I didn’t want to overstep my boundaries.” Admitted Rocan.

“Thank you, that means a lot to me… any news about Stefan?”

“Not yet… they have received our letters though.” Said the Chieftan.

“I see… would it kill them to write more often? I’m anxious that they don’t write as often as I’d like. Makes me want to go there myself to be honest.”

“Well I hope you don’t plan to.” Said the Chieftan.

“Call me annoying all you want, but he’s too young to stay separated for so long!” said Zazuza.

“And if you had him around he’d be bugging you all day. See it as an oportunity to take a break from parenting so you can come back with more energy. Don’t worry, none of these people will keep them for too long: they’re too annoying.” Joked the Chieftan.

“Well if you find the pettiest of reason to talk to them, send me too.” Insisted Zazuza.

The Chieftan laughed at her and told her off for being too smothering:

“You gotta stop acting this way, they’re boys. While they crave your attention now, they’re going to resent you later for it. You have to keep a level head and teach them important things like the keeping your word and responsibility.”

“Thanks for the parenting lessons, father. All I’m saying is that it’s strange that I don’t get any updates about Stefan other than he’s alright.”

“Yes, well you don’t need more information. If he’s fine, then so be it. Leave it as it is. Prove that you trust these people and get on with your life.” The Chieftan said bored of her nonsense excuses.

“Fine, but I know I’m right this time!” said Zazuza.

“There’s no reasoning with you, is there?” said the Chieftan.

“Besides, you know what will happen once he grows to be an adult, right? He won’t be able to stay with us anymore. You have to give him a chance to integrate with his kind, that’s the right thing to do.”

“Everytime I go to the village I am reminded of this… I see it in people’s judgemental looks. I was hoping I wouldn’t hear it from you as well.” Said Zazuza.

“Well someone needs to say it, isn’t it so?” replied her father.

“I’m not irresponsible for choosing to have human children, despite the general sentiment.”

“No, of course not. But you have to know when to let go. Because they’re different from us, they won’t be able to stay. So it’s better to give them a fighting chance once they leave rather than keeping them helplessly dependant on you. I know you have a close bond, but you have to see the reality of the situation.” Said the Chieftan,

“Stil… I miss them everyday.”

At the campside Stefan was closely watching a butterfly sitting on top of a bow, his uncle Uzman started doing push-ups and the butterfly flew away.

“What are you doing?” asked Stefan.

“Push-ups. Not just any push ups, I’m doing knuckle push ups. They’re good at making you stronger.” Replied Uzman.

“Show me!”

“You’re much too young now, but I’ll explain them to you. The important thing is to keep your body in a straight line and to push onto your first two knuckles rather than the last.”

“That’s cool!” said Stefan.

“When you grow up, and if you work hard you’ll outnumber me one day.” Said Uzman.

“Oh I will kick your butt.” Said Stefan full of himself.

“Haha! Is that so? We’ll wait and see.” Laughed Uzman.

Stefan smiled and asked his uncle if he has any news about his family.

“No, I’m sure they’re fine. You shouldn’t think about it too much. Mother and I were thinking that you should stay a little longer because you will stay with us when you grow up.” Said Uzman.

“What do you mean?” asked Stefan puzzled.

“Well… when you grow up, you’ll be an adult and you will need to live on your own. We are glad to have you with us, but your mother will have to cut ties with you permanently. It’s the way our world is.” Admitted Uzman.

Stefan was confused by this, but it made sense because she let him leave this time. It was a scary thought for a child: that his mother would turn her back on him later and that he could never contact her again.

“Why?” asked Stefan “Why would mother leave me?”

“Because we’re different from them, you and I. They don’t want us there. They’ll tolerate us for a while, but we’re not like them.”

“What makes us different?” Stefan was unaware of there being a difference in the first place.

“You have your father’s culture, they have theirs.” Concluded Uzman, not wanting to touch on the true reason.

“Look around, the way we dress, what we do and how we speak is different. So to them it makes sense not to share the same space.” Uzman said full of convinction.

“But then, why did dad stay if he was different?” asked Stefan.

“That’s a good question. But it isn’t one I can answer and it’s too late to find out.” Concluded Uzman.

“Why would mother abandon me?” asked Stefan trying to cover up his sadness.

“Because she doesn’t love you. She likes the idea of motherhood.” Said Uzman.

This was a crushing statement. It instanly angered Stefan that his uncle dared to say this about his mom so he flared back.

“You’re wrong! Mother loves me! Shut up!”

“You’re too young to understand now, but you’ll agree with me when you’re my age and can see things for what they are.”

Stefan yelled at him that he was a liar in hydraegian, which angered Uzman because he couldn’t understand the language.

“Don’t use those words here! You’re not allowed!’

“Liar! Liar! Liar!” he wouldn’t quit.

Uzman lost his patience and slapped Stefan across the face to silence him. He wanted to grab his hand but Stefan wouldn’t let him hold his hand. He looked down and refused to move.

“Stop being stubborn!” Uzman yelled at him.

“That’s enough, Uzman.” his mother arrived and she continued. “He’s just a child, let me talk to him.”

“Stefan, bunny, don’t listen to him. We love you very much and we’re happy you’re staying with us. We just want the best for you, come give grandma a hug.”

“No. I want to go home.” Said Stefan still looking down.

“What did you say to me?”

“I want to go home!” he yelled.

“Well you aren’t going anywhere! And look me in the eye when I speak to you!” she shook him by the collar.

“You’re staying with us, whether you like it or not. We can be happy together, or you can be miserable. What do you want?” she asked him with a serious tone.

“I’m not playing with you anymore!” Stefan said with regret in his voice.

“Well we’re not playing either! This is serious.” She stared him down and dragged him into the tent.

“Your uncle means well and so do I, and you need to listen to us because we want what’s in your best interest.”

Stefan stopped talking but his face was getting redder and redder. He was holding back his emotions because he was hoping it would end sooner than if he started yelling again.

“Good. I’m glad you agree. You can take a nap, you look tired.” She left the tent and Stefan could finally take a deep breath and he started punching the pillow in frustration.