OHMID: GENESIS

"Hey, hey you." I heard a voice coming from behind, but I didn't turn around because I was in a hurry to finish curving the chair. We make and sell wooden furniture, statues, figurines, and toys. We are well known in our village except in the capital, where there are lots of competitors. "Hey". Even though I didn't look back, I knew it was a woman, she wouldn’t stop, so I got irritated and I turned around and shouted. "What!? I'm doing something here. Stop bothering me!" As I turned around, I found myself dumbfounded because I saw the woman who first taught me what love is. "Lea?" I said and blinked a few more times because it was unconvincing. "Lea! I'm so sorry, I'm just not in the mood," I explained. Then gave her a smile. I don't know why I hugged her, perhaps I just missed her so much. "It's fine, don't worry, how are you Ohmid?" Lea said. She's lively as always. I smiled. "I’m doing fine and handsome as always," I said. I laughed and Lea as well. I can’t express how happy I was to see Lea; we hadn’t seen each other in almost six years. I had no idea that Lea had come home here in Astrid. Maybe this is the right time to tell her. I was only fourteen years old when I realized that Leah was so beautiful and so kind. Lea was five years older than me, but I don’t believe this might be a hindrance to reaching her heart. Leah invited me to her house. It makes me happy. I agreed, because there was nothing left to do in our workshop. I've already finished all the work. As we walked, we came across places where we used to play when we were just children. Perhaps many already like her. It's obvious why. I couldn’t help myself and smiled by just looking at her. "What are you thinking? Ohmid? Stop staring at me like that, won’t you?" her eyes narrowed. Oh no – I think she’s upset. I averted my eyes. "N-Nothing," I bashfully said, "since when did you come back?" "I've been here for a week, wait… Why are you blushing?" Lea asked. She laughed and pinched my nose. "Maybe I should tell your mother about this," Lea said. She then gave me a serious stare and chuckled. "Just kidding," Lea said. "Correction? Our mother," I said. I tickled her and laughed. I just stopped when Lea flicked me on the forehead. "Really? Your jokes aren’t funny Ohmid," Lea said. However, she laughed after and we continued to walk. When we got to Lea's house, we immediately ate our favorite food. Her mother's porridge was really delicious. I felt nostalgic by the taste. I used to be here all day when I was a child just to taste her mother’s cooking. While eating, I can clearly see how Lea missed her parents. It’s good to see them together again. I will work harder and earn more money, so that Leah will not return to Damascus anymore. Damascus is the city where Lea works together with her cousin Thelia. I sighed; I could still remember Thelia’s rascal behavior. Never mind, when my savings are enough, I will offer Leah to get married and we’ll have many children after. I laughed quietly and smiled like a creep. "What’s with that creepy smile, Ohmid?" Lea asked. She pinched my nose. "Oh, nothing, I was just thinking, what if—" I stopped to look around and saw that Lea’s parents were outside. So, I grabbed the opportunity and approached Lea, and whispered. "I’ve always like—" Damn, the door opened. So, I stopped, and resumed my meal. I made Lea confused. "Like what?" she asked. "Later," I whispered. I gazed upon the door and saw Samson. Perhaps he had heard that Lea had come back. So I greeted him with a smile. "Sam, how are you?", I asked. I waved at him and smiled. Samson brought vegetables and fruit, and a bottle of milk. Samson is four years older than me. "How are you Ohmid?" Samson asked. Then he messed up my hair. "I’m fine, by the way…" I said. I rubbed my chin. "You’re handsome now, but not as handsome as me," I said. Of course, it was all in good fun."Joke, I know Samson looks way better than me, but I just need two more baths to look like him though," I said. The three of us laughed, and Samson put down his things and ate with us. While we were talking, Leah's parents returned. "Oh Samson, did you bring everything?", Aunt Florida said. She is Lea's mother. "Yes po," Samson replied. Here in Astrid, we usually used "po" to show respect to the elders. "Yes mother, he brought everything you asked for," Lea said. I got curious about Samson. "Are you selling vegetables and fruits, Samson? I'll buy some for my mother," I said. "Ah no, it's for Lea’s pregnancy and she needs all these nutrition," Samson explained, "I’m excited to be father." After hearing such words, I feel dizzy, and shock, it seemed like my hearing was wrong. So I asked him again. "A child? Y-You and Lea?" I asked. I stuttered and about to cry but I restrain myself, though it feels like my tears are about to fall. "Yes, and we're really excited for her to come out," Lea clarified. She said it while caressing her tummy. "I forgot; I went to your place not only to see you. Samson and I, heard about your family business that you were also carving wood. So, can you make figurines of us?" she asked, "these will serve as souvenirs in our wedding." Usually, when someone asks me to make figurines, I feel great because of the profit. In my whole life of wood carving, this is the only opportunity that I can't seem to accept. I should be happy, right? Then why does it feel like my world is about to collapse? I smiled. "Y-Yeah, of course," I said, "congratulations I'm happy for you. Invite me, okay?" After we talked about the figurines that I’m going to carve, they asked me to join them for supper, but I politely refused. When I got outside, I heard Lea’s voice. "Ohmid?" Lea said. Her soft voice makes me want to cry, but it would be embarrassing, so I restrained myself. I took a deep breath, and then turned around. "Oh Lea? What is it?" "Hmm, are you okay? You seem not feeling well though," Lea asked. She doesn’t? Is she numb? I sighed. Yeah, I know Lea’s not good at recognizing someone’s feelings unless you tell her. "Uhm, I’m fine," I said. Then I tried to smile. "There’s nothing to worry about," I assured her. Lea smiled and spoke. "Okay, if you said so. By the way, what were you trying to say earlier?" she looks confused. "Oh," I said, averting my gaze. I explained, "It's not that important, I also forgot about it," I tried to sound lively, so she wouldn't notice. "Okay, just tell me once you remember, okay?" Lea said. I tried to smile and began to speak. "Sure," I said, "by the way, I got to go, it’s getting dark." She smiled. "Sure, take care," Lea said. I turned around and my tears suddenly fell off my cheeks. I went home immediately. When I got home, I jumped to bed right away still trying to think about what happened. I can't believe it. Maybe if Lea was just my age, or maybe at least one year apart. Maybe, if I confessed to Lea at the beginning, maybe I might have had a chance, right? I sighed. Maybe I waited too long? Maybe I waited too late? "First love, first pain, first suffering…" I whispered. I cried and cried until I fell asleep.