BLAMELESS SORROWS

58. Ceremony.

Heri's Point of View.

Currently we are standing in the midst of the festival, me and Galen standing by the stage which is decorated beautifully with wood carving. And which is paint as beautiful as ever.

The brown woods are carved, with knives, axe, bull,horn and other image. And two of such carve woods which is about eight metre long each are crossed at its end and is nailed into two opposite standing pillars.

The stage is like a small shed, as after the wood being crossed the rest of it is covered in hay with another two pillar at the end. The walls are open.

And besides us, is the ground throughout clean for the dancing. About ten shawls are laid down as the platform for the dance.

Heri: Ahh, I can't wait to see Tilbe dance.

Galen looked at me amused at my excitement.

Galen: You see it every year, and yet you are this excited.

Heri: Of course, she practised so hard every year and she did not come to tell me how her practise is going this year which make me much more excited.

Galen chuckled looking at me gushing over Tilbe.

Galen: You really really adore her, don't you?

I nod eagerly at that.

Heri: She is just so cute, how can anybody not adore that little fella.

Galen: Well Iam not saying you are wrong, she really is a cute creature.

I c****d my head sideways as he said that, why does he talk of Tilbe as if she is like a tiny insect or something. His way of talking just give off that vibe.

But before I can comment anything, I heard the sound of the dance troop.

The lead come in with a huge spear on his right hand while doing the dance move and while shouting.

The lead: Hahooooooooooooo....

And then two other follow as they follow the lead, shouting their own lines.

The two: hiiiiiiyahhhhhh.......

And then Tilbe come in dressed as adorable as ever.

She is in a traditional attire which is a black blouse which is strapless and the traditional kashan which is a price of cloth wrappred from the waist till just below the knee and in deep red colour with its own unique pattern.

A head dress made out if bamboo and threats but different from the one used in marriage. And an ankle bracelet at her feet.

She skip in and dance beautifully. Her hands and feet moving so gracefully, all the step looking delicate yet satisfying. Her move so feminine yet powerful at the same time.

She jump up and away forwards and backward, a bright smile on her face. Everyone clap as they dance.

And like this hee dance shortly finished leading to a huge round of applause, while the other dancer come in and follow the dance lead by Tilbe. All of them do their routine, looking so beautiful like a bright red flower all assembling and dispersing with the rythm of their shouts.

And like that the dance finished, while both me and Galen quickly take the small shawl and throw it up together at the centre of the stage signifying that the celebration has began.

And with a giant applause and all of them clapping, the celebration begun.

All the people, young or not join in the dancing floor while happily shouting and cheering each other. All of them hold each other hands and stand in a round as they dance away.

While we were staring at that Tilbe rush up to where we were, all tired and hugging trying to take a breath.

Tilbe: Sis Ri, how was I? Did I make any mistake again?

I roll my eyes as she said that, with the way she is talking people will think she always make mistakes, but believe me when I say there has never been a mistake. Not even once.

Heri: What are you so worried about every year? No you didn't make any mistake, it was so beautiful and graceful.

She grin as I said that completely relived, while I pat her shoulders lightly. This is like a habit of hers, she will always come and ask me about it, every year. It's just that this year Galen is here with me.

Galen: It's was a beautiful performance Tilbe.

Tilbe nod her head subtly at that.

And before anything else happen, Vann pop out of no where and covered Tilbe in a huge black over coat which look quite cosy and on top of that wrap her in a muffler.

And quickly take out a thermos cup which is also huge, open it and hand it to her.

We look at him in disbelieve, from where did he come from.

But he was not done yet, hee sit Tilbe down and quickly wipe her feet softly as she was not wearing any shoe when she was dancing and put on a fluffy white socks which reach upto her ankle and quickly put on the cute ankle length boot he has with him.

Okay, like how many things is he actually carring? Is there more?

Galen and me, we gape at him while Tilbe also look a bit flustered by the suddenness of all this.

Vann: Don't keep staring, and quickly finished the drinks Tilbe.

Tilbe nod quickly and take a sip of the steaming hot drink.

Galen: It's like a tsunami just come by.

Heri: With a Doraemon's pouch.

Vann look up at us as we said that, and it's like he just realised we are there now.

Vann: Well I have to hurry, she always and I means always get sick after the performance every year.

Yup, he is saying the truth. The fatigue of practicing the dance and the coldness of the winter, just dont seems to agre with her body.

Vann: Okay, you are warm now Tilbe or shall I just give you my shawl?

Tilbe shake her head in a complete no.

Tilbe: Iam all bundled up now, how can u still be cold? And that shawl of yours, I won't even be able to walk if I wear that.

Heri: That is true.

The shawl reach below Vann knee so with Tilbe it will probably swallow her up. And besides the shawl is thick and a bit heavy, so it will rather be like a blanket for Tilbe.

Just as we were talking, grandpa Vasely come up to us.

Grandpa: Well don't my grand daughter just love you guys a lot. She dont even remember me anymore.

Tilbe look up at him and grin.

Tilbe: I do, but I know you will say I did good with everything so I need honest opinions first.

Grandpa Vasely huffed at that.

Grandpa: So you are saying someone dare to say or even think that, that unrealistically beautiful dance is not beautiful?

Tilbe giggled looking at the stren expression Grandpa is making taking it as a joke, but it might just not be. We know best how protective he can be of Tilbe.

Vann: Seriously, someone says its not good?

This time I literally facepalm myself. Of course he will be concerned.

Galen(whispering): When Tilbe ask you how her dance was, I never knew our heads were on the line.

I look up at Galen and chuckled as he said that. Well there is a certain facts to that as well though.

Tilbe: No silly, I ask sis Ri only and of course her answer will be good.

I chuckled as she said that while grandpa and Vann smiles too.

Grandpa: We kids enjoy the festival, I have to get back to some of my folks here now. And Ri, please come and meet me when you are free.

I nod a bit confused as to why.

Grandpa: My boy, come as well. Better of you guys come together.

Galen and me both nod at that.

Galen/Heri: Okay grandpa Vasely.

He smiled at us answer, ask Tilbe to take care and went away. While we look at each other and shrug, not really having a clue as to why we have to meet him.

Tilbe: Oh sis Ri, go and dance with everyone else. I want to see you guys dance as well. Vann you go too.

Tilbe look at us with sparkling eye, all hopeful happily drinking her hor tea.

Galen: Shall we?

I nod excited as well, while Vann just got closer to Tilbe and sit with her clearly indicating he is not coming.

So we go away from them, running inside the circle and catching someone else hands with ours holding together on the other side. And just that we start to hop, 1 2 and 3.

Our feet swinging up and down with our hand swaying at the same time. We should and sing in complete joy and excitement. All of us shouting at the same time making is more festive.

We did this for a while and come out after a while all tired up by the dancing.

I huff and take in quick breath while unsurprisingly Galen looks just fine.

Heri: I really do want your strength.

He chuckled at that, as he lead me towards where the stall are all lined up and decorated beautifully with different kind of light. The street lighted with tonnes and tonnes of meila, which is a stick which burns by itself without any fuel.

It look bustling and so so beautiful.

Galen: Oh I didn't get the timing right before but you look beautiful tonight.

I smile as he said that. Actually Iam wearing a deep purple and black colour kashan which is paired with a black turtleneck and a blazer cause it's so cold. And a black heeled boot. I also wear a pretty tradition pearl necklace and a matching earing with my hair tied up in a high ponytail.

Heri: And you look so very handsome yourself.

He have a turtleneck as well and a black pant with a black boot and an overcoat with the traditional shawl.

Heri:i And had I knew believe me, I will also have wore a black kashan and a red shawl like yours. We would have look so look twining and all.

Galen chuckled as I said that.

Galen: I didn't take you as one for doing such things, but if you want the next time we will twin from head to toe, believe me.

I laugh a bit as he said so with such a serious expression.

Heri: Then to make that from happening, let go shopping together. And you choose an outfit for me while I choose yours and we will also choose one together for us.

Galen: Well giving such ideas to someone who is always eager to be in your company is like giving drugs to a addict. So next Saturday?

I nod happy at the decision while he do so as well.