Chapter One
1261 Words
Emilia took the last bit of cotton she was going to need for Mrs. Adelaide's brown woven dress.
She knew she had just begun the first process needed to create the dress she had in mind, but she was glad she had gotten somewhere.
She ran her fingers down the branch of the cotton tree, checking them one by one to see if there was any other one ready to be harvested. She placed her palms on the huge stem of the tree, feeling its pulse underneath her palm.
She closed her eyes, inhaling the surrounding air, her hands still on the tree.
She loved the smell of the tree and always did this anytime she needed to come there, which was almost everyday. It was a form of ritual, a connection to nature.
Allowing her to feel the world around her with her senses, to feel it with her skin, to listen.
She remembered when she had first come to Reminaria, it had been desolate and almost dead.
But somehow, as weird as it sounded, her arrival had brought the land back to life, or partially, because somewhere deep within, she felt there was more to Raminaria.
She had moved here after her parents died; she had been looking for somewhere to heal, somewhere to forget the pains she felt anytime she thought of how her parents had died. Reminaria had come to her in her dreams and had called her.
She had been disappointed at first when she had first arrived, because it was nothing like she had dreamt, but she had stayed because her spirit had told her too.
It was not long after she had moved that other humans had found their way there. Like it had come out of hiding and was ready to let people in.
She had wondered how she was going to survive in Raminaria; even after people had moved to Raminaria, she had been bothered by how she was going to get materials to do the one thing she loved so much and still make money from it.
She had tried planting the trees for the materials herself, and nature understood what she needed and her plight and made it easier for her.
She couldn't tell how, but she never had to bother about a material not being available at a particular season because it was always there, ready to be taken by her whenever she needed them
She stepped out of the section that held the cotton materials, going to the section for linen, then fabric.
She didn't think she needed them yet, but she just wanted to have them processed for future purposes.
She checked the tiny wristwatch that sat on her wrist, a gift from her parents. As much as she wanted to forget them, she still wanted to have a connection to them.
She gasped, feeling the tiny breath escape her lips; she hadn't realised time had gone so fast.
Gathering all the things she needed in her basket, she headed back home.
Her tree farm wasn't so far from her house, but she always had someone she needed to greet while on her mini-journey home, which made it take longer than normal to get home.
A tiny letter fell from the side of her gate as soon as she had opened the gate.
She picked up reading the contents and sighing.
A certain wealthy woman from a city in the United States needed 100 pieces of linen clothes, and she wanted them before the end of the week.
She sighed again, thinking of the other dresses she still needed to make.
She hadn't imagined getting so well known when she had started her sowing business three years ago when she had first moved to Raminaria, but somehow her work and designs had gotten out, and there was no one who could replicate her designs, so she was always sought after.
They didn't know her or know the face of the brand, and she loved it that way.
She loved her simple, peaceful life, and she didn't want people coming to knock on her door every minute looking for her.
She had a phone, and most times they reached out to her through there, but people still loved to be old-fashioned and sent letters once in a while, which she didn't have a problem with.
She had been shocked at first when a random number texted her, telling her about her wonderful dresses and wanting some from her, but had soon discovered it was her best friend and neighbor that had done it.
“You have potential.” "I wouldn't want my best friend's talent to end here”, Amelia had said when she had run to her to complain of the numerous messages she was getting.
“I see you have found your letter," Amelia asked, stepping down from the front step she had been sitting on while waiting for Emilia.
Most times, the letters found a way to her house, so she had to bring them to Emilia herself.
She had moved to Raminaria some days after Emilia, and they had clicked instantly.
She had been running away from home and stumbled upon Emilia's house. She had been nice to her, and that had convinced her that she had found where she wanted to spend the rest of her life. She stayed with Emilia for a few days before moving out, building a house close to Emilia's after she had gathered enough money.
She worked in a bakery, which had started about the same period Emilia had moved.
“I have missed you." “Where have you been all day? Amelia asked, drawing Emilia in for a hug.
Showing her the baskets she was carrying, she hugged her back, detangling herself after a while, and went in the direction of her house, Amelia following close behind her.
“I don't know how I am going to do it, Ami." “I still have Mrs Adelaide clothes I haven't started, and I promised Mr Wilder I was going to be done with his clothes before the end of this week”. She said, groaning slightly at the end of each sentence, dropping the basket she had been carrying on a table when she had entered her house.
“I think I am going to quit”, “You would help me, she added, turning to face Amelia.
“Send a message that the talented girl who sewed clothes had somehow meant her end.
“You caused this besides." She added, still looking at Amelia.
Amelia felt the laughter in her throat threatening to come out, but she feigned anger instead; she knew Emilia didn't mean what she was saying; she loved sowing more than anything.
And the days when she didn't have many clothes to sow, she became irritated.
“What do you mean I caused it?” She asked, trying her hardest to maintain the angry lines she had tried to form, which were becoming more difficult as she watched as Emilia's expression changed from slight anger to worry.
“I did it for you”. At least show some gratitude, she added, turning away from Emilia and pretending to stand up from where she had been sitting.
Emilia stared at Amelia's turned form in shock; she hadn't expected her outburst, and her intentions had not been to make her angry.
“I am sorry." “I didn't know you would be so offended. She said, standing up to stand beside Amelia.
- Writer
