The First Whisper

THE BEGINNING OF THREAD

The sun was going down and Adele and Mara needed to reach their house before the guards started patrolling. They exchanged pleasantries, then went home.

Back in Mara’s house they sat together close to the window enjoying the evening breeze.

“I don't think Emilia trusts us”, Adele murmured.

“ We'll make her,” Mara replied. We have to, she is our only key to that house, we need her more than anything. But those symbols, Mara, are faint. How are we going to find what it is all about? Adele asked, feeling down about everything. Hey Adele we've gone so far to feel dejected or disappointed we just have to find a way, okay Mara encouraged her by putting her forehead in Adele's head. Okay Mara I'll try my best but for now we need to sleep because we have a friend mission tomorrow. Alright then

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Adele, where is your shoe? Mara's voice echoed from the sitting room. Adele was on her knees, head half way under the bed. “ I swear I brought it here when I moved in.

“ Are you sure you didn't leave it in the laundry room” Adele popped her head out her hair all over her face, “ why would my shoe be in the laundry room?

Mara folded her arms. The same way your book was in the fridge last week.

That was one time Adele answered

“ Always one time,” Mara muttered while marching into the laundry room. She came out shortly shouting Adele, guess what I found?

My shoe Adele asked

“No,” Mara said with a raised eyebrow, "what exactly do you do when I'm not watching you? Adele groaned “ Fine, fine maybe I left it there when I went to fetch water. Mara sighed and backed her bag. “ You know I think your shoes have a secret life, maybe a wife and two children. That's why he sneaks at night to join other missing items. Adele laughed and her eyes went to the back of the door where her shoe sat comfortably without trouble “oooh she exclaimed, have found it and told you it wasn't on the laundry”. Your impossible, Mara groaned.

And yet you love me Adele said grinning

Mara rolled her eyes “let's go before your shoe changes his mind again.”

By the time Adele and Mara reached the school gates, the morning bell had already been played. They hurriedly walk through the school courtyard trying not to draw attention from the students and teacher. Fortunately for them, the council carriage has done it, taking everyone's attention.

Mara leaned forward, why is the council’s carriage here?

Maybe to remind us to be loyal and silent, Adele shrugged. Or how easy our head can roll from how bodies Mara muttered under her breath.

Close to the door a young man, tall, dressed in dark blue uniform like the one they are on but with a golden emblem stitched at the collar. He looks more reserved and composed than most of the boys here, even more composed than the male teachers.

Who is Mr perfection standing over there? She whispered.

Mara swallowed, “That's Emmanuel, the middle councilman’s son.”

Ooh that wizard that carried out the execution right? Her eyes beaming with hatred. Yeah he's the one. Mara answered

Doesn't he look out of place? Adele murmured. Everyone who comes from the council always looks out of place. Mara replied quietly.

Immediately Emmanuel entered the hallway, the tension he brought reduced while everyone went into their various classes.

Mara nudged Adele with a small grin staring at Emilia who was sitting at the back seat close to the window. Mission begins, she muttered.

Adele straightened her uniform and walked up to Emilia. “ Hey Emilia, mind if we join you? The other seats seem… occupied” Adele asked, smiling politely.

Emilia hesitated for a moment but nodded “ sure”.

Mara dropped into the seat beside Adele, slipping her hands into her bag pretending to look for something “ We were just discussing about the assignment on ancient laws” she stated. And it looks confusing and you know stressful” she added looking depressed.

Emilia curious eyes beamed, yeah you're right it is actually confusing she admitted like some part of history is missing or hidden.

Adele leaned forward lowering her tone, maybe they were burnt or even missing. There was an awkward silence before Mara hit her. Heyy you are spoiling the mood, don't you think anything burnt from history is not meant to be why it is burnt or considered forbidden, Mara said, acting serious.

Adele laughed it out yeah you're right. Hmm but it is still confusing why they burned the book. How are we going to know what's forbidden if the book that contains the forbidden words is burnt? Emilia asked, Adele and Mara looked at themselves.

“Let's forget this topic before someone misinterprets our words and reports us to the council, " Adele added, changing the topic.

And before I forget I'm so sorry the way I treated you guys yesterday, I wasn't used to friendly visits. Hey no worries we totally understand Mara added what about we become friends holding out her hands for hand shake, Emilia hesitated for a while but took it with a smile saying friends.

Days passed and the distance between the three girls became small.

At first, it was the study group after class where Adele would take Emilia books, impressed on how her book is arranged. “ You actually enjoy doing this” she teased one afternoon when they were studying under the mango tree close to the school only pavilion.

Emilia smiled “Not really, she explained. I like things being arranged so that it flows well, no obstruction, no hidden agenda, just a flow of writing that can be understandable.

After study hours, they trekked back home. Why don't you guys start at my place today? Let's put it as a peace offering, Emilia suggested. Anyways my mum isn't around so it's just us three. Adele and Mara agreed, smiling, so the trio walked back to the East wing's Emilia's house.

Emilia set a tray of juice and biscuits on the table before sitting opposite them. Adele leaned forward slightly, “ those markings on the wall, “Who made them”? She asked. My grandma Emilia said she said women of their time write in symbols not writing, she explained staring at the wall.

“Symbols, why?” Maria frowned

Emilia continued, “because they don't write to remember they write to listen, it's how they kept what they read to themselves.

Adele exchanged a quick glance to Mara “So… is like a diary”. She asked

“ No”. Emilia murmured. “It's older than that – My granny gave me this letter. She walked over to a small drawer l, brought out a folded, worn out paper, the edges were almost torn out and the ink faded but the symbols written in it were still noticeable. She said, the women used to write messages not with words but signs, they felt the sign holds memories. Adele stared at the symbols “hold memories” she repeated.

Emilia nodded but I couldn't read it, she added. Adele looked at the paper eyes covered with tears and sniffed it back. My mum taught me how to write and interpret Arabic when I was little so I can recognize Arabic symbols if I see one. And this is an Arabic symbol she said.

This symbols she pointed at them says

“Silence is a safety but silence is a chain” she paused then continued again, “The moment a woman learns how to swallow her words a generation is forgotten” she quoted them went mute. What does it mean? Emilia asked with confusion written all over her face. Mara looked at her saying, It means everything the council is telling us is not the total truth. Emilia gasped, closing her mouth with her hands. What are we going to do about it she asked. Adele and Mara stared at each other for a while.