THE BAIT FOR WORKERS

<Zoya>

It seemed like forever since Joy kept working into that dough. I, myself, see no importance as to why such a rotten piece of food would be any use of us. It would better if only he just used the dough for something good.

Today, he promised, will be the day where we'll see the new invention of his. If it had been anything other than the rotten dough, I would've been excited but the sheer look of the rotten dough may make me puke if he ask me to eat it.

"Zoya?" He called me out from the kitchen.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Set the table up for dinner. I am almost done"

"Eh… weren't you going to show me the new invention?"

He sighed so hard I could hear it from this room. "Just do as I say please."

I covered the whole table with a big animal leather, that covered almost the whole table and waited. After some time, he came out from the kitchen with rotis that with smoke that sprung from its surface, a cooking pot which smelled like boiled potatoes. At that time, I only saw those, but after he sat down in his seat, I observed, he carried an urn along with two cups.

"Now should we get started, shouldn't we?"

"Sure." I replied, still trying to process his plan.

The dinner was, well vey normal, but good nonetheless. It now seemed that Joy had started opening the cap of the urn and poured on the cups and passed me one of them. It was a slight yellow color and appeared a bit dirty.

"Come on, lets take a sip." He said, after which we drank in unison.

The taste hit me hard. The bitter taste kicked in and the fizzy feeling burned the surface of the tongue. I swallowed it, but laid my tongue out. I thought if I took it more than once I would gag and puke suddenly.

Joy coughed after taking the sip. "Sheesh, this turned out better than I expected. Probably something different in the grains."

I was shocked, how could anyone like this. It was so bitter that I was ready to spit it out and was almost able to, but something very innate to me woke up and it seemed the innate me liked some parts of the beer with which I managed to swallow it.

"What? How could you drink it? It's so bitter, why would anyone like to drink?"

At first his face was expressionless but then a mischievous smirk crossed his cheeks. "You have to develop a taste for it. Try to drink some more and you'll see what I am talking about."

With a heavy heart, and great will power from my tongue I took another sip out of it, and then another and other. With each sip the taste became bearable and a serene sensation came over me. My head now seemed light and like my conscious was getting diluted.

I don't remember when my cup was exhausted. The whole room now seemed a little bit brighter and as if I was losing my consciousness, I came down with a conclusion, this thing is really good!

As Joy observed the empty cup of mine, he asked me if I wanted another fill. Now, if I was in my full consciousness, I would've straight up rejected but it seemed like the brain if mine was not mine anymore. I accepted another one.

I don't remember how many fills I had that night because I don't remember any incident that happened after my third fill. the feeling was euphoric, the bitter taste soothed my taste senses, and the moment seemed to last forever.

The next morning, I woke up, my head felt like someone hit me a several times with a cane. My eyes burned from the morning sun and all I could think of is how I just want to sleep for some time more.

"Good morning, Zoya." A deep husky voice echoed in my ears and I open my as soon as I could. Joy stood next to me. I was in his embrace and one of his hands was over me. After contemplating the situation, the blood rushed over my cheeks and I didn't know what I should do anymore.

"Last night was a good one, right? Although I don't remember most of it." He got up and rubbed his eyes. The sunlight from the window lightened up his tanned skin. That was a sight I don't think I could ever forget. He continued, "I know your head is hurrting just like mine, but we have to get up. We have plans." With that he went off.

The day was nothing short of a pain, my head hurts, and I had to attend the classes which I could okay little attention too, I looked over the house which was always neat, so that's a relief. The shock came when I entered the kitchen and found several urns which was almost filled the whole kitchen. What was Joy planning to do?

I was later noticed by one of my friends that Tahari and Joy had decided a proper celebration for him becoming the new leader of the tribe and that Joy had a new surprise for everyone of them. I had a small hint on what the new surprise could be but I wasn't sure.

Just when the hour of evening stroke, I was called by Joy to arrange the tent in a proper way such that there is enough space for everyone to sit on. I was assigned with a group of five people and so I didn't have a lot to do but just directed them.

As the darkness started to envelope the skies several flame torches were planted which gave the illusion that it was still eternal sunset. Slowly by slowly, people started gathering into the announcement tent and a huge crowd was formed before me.

The chatter of people was unrecognizable in the crowd and only when Joy entered the center of the crowd did they started to be a bit silent.

"People of my tribe, I thank you all for being present here. Firstly, I wanted to apologize for announcing the new leader so suddenly, but you have to understand what position I was in. but now that, I have your proper attention today, I'll want you to formally meet the new leader, Tahari. "

With that, Tahari entered in the center by passing through the crowd. The cheering was deafening and lasted for many minutes before Joy halted them. "Now since I have introduced your new leader. We won't wait any further. Everyone, please enjoy the feast!"

With that the distribution of the food started and everyone was given a huge amount to feast on. The taste of the food was a little different this time. It tasted a bit spice but people seemed to like it a lot and continued to munch on it.

Then started the celebration of the people but some songs and dancing. This time as I was watching the people, I could feel someone was walked up behind me. It turned out to be joy was extending his hand to me.

"Want to dance?" he asked in such a gentle manner that I couldn't say no, not that I ever wanted to say no to him. near the bonfire I was so certain that while we danced, he didn't take his eyes off me and while he sparked with such confidence, I was frequently blushing.

"Are you planning to give the fluids to everyone present here?" I asked him while our steps were in unison of dance.

"Yes, everyone. Except for the kids. They really don't need it, trust me." He said with a funny expression.

"I really don't understand you." I remarked.

"Why though?" he asked with a puzzled face.

"It seems you are one of the guys who could entangle him to the forest so well. You know every working of every plant, it's surprising, but also very scary if you ever turn against us."

"Don't worry I will never turn against you, especially not against you, I promise."

This caught me off guard. I wasn't prepared for that line and all I could do is turn my face away. The dance while continued for a long time ended after people were called back to the announcement tent, and while the crowd was turning towards the tent, Joy disappeared from the crown and I found him at the center among the crowd.

"Now everyone! Pay attention here! In this occasion I wanted to give you a special thing." He signed to someone and they brought him a cup. I was certain what was in the cup. "This is the special thing. While this is a nature product that constitutes a bad taste, the feelings you'll experience after consuming is phenomenal."

Tahari who stood there big and tall was now offered this cup, which he accepted it gracefully. He sipped a huge content and gulped it like no big deal like it was nothing. If only you concentrated very finely on his face you could observe that some of his expressions escaped his control. I don't know why but I found that funny.

With that everyone (except the kids of course) was offered a cup. They hated their first sip, it was inevitable, but they persevered and soon everyone let lose, some started to hum, some started to dance, and some marveled at what they were drinking.

"Can we get another one?" Someone announced to Joy. He smiled.

"Sure, but you'll be a worker for me." The crowd fell silent.