Gypsy man

Romni

When I got up I felt the soft warm wool in between my toes, I knew that my father and brother would be getting wood for the fire by now. So I grabbed the wooden bucket infront of our carrige and ran in my white night gown to a nearby river. It was a beautiful morning and the fresh cool air combined with the warm sun filled my heart with hapiness. I felt the moist emmerald grass underneath my bare feet. I couldn't help but to smile as I ran swiftly across the field towards the sound of water splashing and women chatter. I loved this part of mornings I got to be free and wild. No men around meant no shame, no rules, no restrictions. When I got to the river there were ten other women as usuall, including my childhood friend Anika "There she is, sleeping like a bear. Why do you never get dressed before you come here like the rest of us? What if the men see you like this?"

"There is no way, the forest where they get the wood is on the opposite side of the field, don't worry."

"How are the kids?" I ask.

"Getting on my nerves" Anika says rolling her eyes. We both start laughing. She's married, expecting her third child. We are the same age so she is way ahead of me, and soon even my younger sister will be too. I begged my father to put off my wedding just one year, I persueded him it was because I wanted to help out mother longer but the real reason is because I'm afraid, I'm afraid not knowing my furure husband and the only man I'm allowed to spend the rest of my life with if I want to be in my tribe. There is no second option. When my younger sister marries there is no question that I will have to get married fast too no matter what. I know my father, he will no longer have patience with me.

I fill the bucket with cold crystal clear water and set it on the ground. The other women did the same, some are washing the laundry further up the river. My dream from last night comes to my mind and gives me goosebumbs. I turn to Anika

"Did you ever have a really scary dream?"

"Yes, every dream has a meaning. Last time I dreamt of eating an apple and I went to our Baba to ask what that meant" she splurred breathing heavily and holding her baby bump covered by a long flowy skirt.

"What did she say?" I ask.

"She said it means fertility and I should expect a child soon. And she was right soon after that dream we were blessed with another baby again so...you should go and see her"

"Why didn't I though of that" I say tapping my forehead. I walk back to the camp with the heavy bucket in my hand.

No need saying goodbye because our carriges are all camped close, so we see each other all day along anyway. All the women in the tribe have this sense of sisterhood we all know each other, help each other out and most of the time gossip about each other. To you know, keep stuff interesting. There is social hiearchy though, the eldery have to recieve all the respect, but on the top of this hiearchy is the Vajda our leader. He decides if our tribe will settle or travel, he decides on marriges he decides on everything important.

When I got back with water I quickly wash myself and get dressed. Since I'm not married I don't have to wear a scarf on my head yet and so I neatly braid my long chocolate coloured hair. I put on my white blouse with puffy sleeves and a colorful skirt with yellow flower print. I tie my orange apron around my waist and get on with my chores for the day.

First I lit the fire pit and made my father and brother breakfast before they set off to work in the town. I made them porrige with eggs and tea. My brother is only twelwe so he is still learning the craft. But my dad is an amazing blacksmith. Most of the men in our tribe are joiners who sell wooden containers in the market. After the men leave for work I either clean the carrige, cook the lunch or care for the children of other women in the tribe. This time I had take care of our horse Kalo I gave him that name when I was a little girl actually. It means "black" so I fed Kalo some whey and brushed his gorgeous shiny midnight black fur. When I was done I had to bring food to my baba, she is very old and weak so I scooped some hot vegetable soup from the pot into a wooden bowl and made my way into her carrige.The door was open so I stepped in and greeted her with a peck on the cheek. She was sitting on the bed when I got there.She was almost blind and needed help with the chores. I gave her the soup and started tidying up.

"Your sister is now with a child, remind her to not touch any animals so the baby won't get an evil eye."

I stop. She takes a sugar cube out of her apron pocket and puts it in the soup. It's a tradition between of the roma eldery. "Marica never told me she's pregnant." I tell her shocked

She takes a sip of the soup from the bowl and says "Marica doesn't know she's with a child yet. She came here and I took one look at her and it's clear to me that she is."

My eyes widen, her mystic senses never fail to amaze me.

Sometimes I think she's reading my mind, she knows so much about various powers and casting spells. Some can assure your lover will always return to you, some can help you concieve a child but there is also a dark side. Many people use this power to wish illness, bad luck or even death upon their nemesis. Sometimes people from the town visit baba and ask for a palm reading. She can tell you your future, what type of person you are and so on. When I was about ten years old she used to teach me how to read the meaning of the finest lines on our hands. We have our destiny written not only on our souls but also on our bodies she used to tell me.

"Something is bothering you, speak to me about it." baba says to me firmly.

"I had a dream baba, it was scary I was afraid. I saw a huge spider crawling up my arm and then it bit me."

"Spider are good luck my child. Be open and good things will come your way" she says calmly.