CHAPTER 2
1617 Words
Mak' : a title given to a male religious leader.
Em: a title given to a female religious leader.
karam: a roundmat for religious purposes; prayer.
biqa: white beads with writings on it, for counting.
kamabudee: a ceremonial rite done between wed partners.
rayeed maqu'ila nafa yanan: blessing be upon you and your kinsmen.
rae: blessed.
kas'telean: in accordance.
ab'id: a veil.
tawaz: a male clothing.
hidii: a male scarf.
Note: this is a fictional religion.
An alarm rang in every office to notify about the period of prayer.
At the canteen.
kheal had been counting her biqa; habka joined her and sat with her; she didn't she didn't realise because she had began to eat, her attention on the delicious meal she was having.
She looked up to see habka and her heart began to beat faster.
kheal was able to control her emotions, she had a chat with habka.
That was something new!
kheal was excited; she drove to the temple to pray after work; then headed home.
she arrived home and found her brother praying late again.
The next day marked the 9th sunrise of which teachings were held and a day to rest.
on the 9th day teachings were held during sunrise after prayer; Em'kheal held the teachings in the women quarter.
After closing the teaching she and the fellow female leaders went for the general meeting with the attendance of male leaders.
For the meeting were not held every 9th day but except there is an information to be shared.
Mak'maulid announced with joy"oh! my fellow, for I have to share the good news about the kamabudee ceremony that would take place in the temple soon."
Everyone eager to know who it is;the the ladies whisper to themselves.
kheal,smiling bright like she was the bride.
The kamabudee ceremony is a fun celebration; people always wanting to be a part of the experience.
Mak'maulid disappointed them all by the next announcement.
"the partner had not been asked so I can't reveal their names."
some smiles faded while some like kheal still kept in the moment of amusement.
After the meeting.
Mak'maulid approached Em'kheal and say to her "I have confirmed the feelings of Mak'habka, so are you willing to wed him?"
Em'kheal jaw dropped; she never expected this!
She day dream about him but didn't think would happen so soon.
This question were been asked to a person whenever the other partner had told the Mak' that he or she is willing to wed the other.
Em'kheal was in great shock; for she was willing and ready to wed,she had seen many kamabudee ceremony and always wanted to find the right partner and a good husband to be with the only man that had melt her heart.
Em'kheal fell on a kneel to stoop in respect for Mak'maulid "yes, I will, I want to.... be a wife to Mak'habka".
Mak'maulid repeated the question and she accepted.
the question was repeated for a third time and her reply same.
Mak'maulid pleased with her reply " may thy Union be blessed."
she took upon his hands and placed it on her forehead with a slight bow saying"kas'telean"
Em'kheal had gotten home and Mak'maulid had reported to habka, habka's joy was beyond comprehension.
he had collected kheal's contact from her personal data earlier.
He called her up and spoke in his masculine voice"how do you do?"
(kheal was familiar with the voice and she had also gotten his contact earlier, but refused to call her.)
"am doing fine"
Mak'habka: so sorry I had to ask Mak'maulid to give my marriage proposal to you.
Em'kheal: well its nothing,it is proper when a man is unable to give his proposal directly he tells the elderly mak' to help him do so.
Mak'habka: we get to know each other better, would you like to hang out tomorrow?
"yes,I would like to go outing." nokim came out of his room with a jug of finished juice and found kheal all smiley and blushing; kheal's smile changes after seeing the jug carries by nokim.
nokim gave an awkward smile.
kheal ended her conversation with habka while nokim had rushed to the kitchen; kheal went into the kitchen to scold him"nokim I warned you to stop drinking my fruit juice!"
"am sorry the store was out of juice and I craved for some" nokim appeals.
"and you drank all of it,without remains." she concluded while she opened the refrigerator.
"you drank all the bottles of juice in a day, nokim!"
he gave an awkward smile yet again "I'll get you another tomorrow, I promise."
"whether you promise or not,you are getting me 10 bottles of fruit juice."
nokim nodes his head to in agreement .
kheal steps a foot out, he gave a sigh with his hands on his chest and says"thank God she didn't say I'm going to moms;kheal loudly said from the sitting room "after buying my drinks , you are going to live with your parents."
nokim exclaimed "what!" continued "I thought we had an understanding?"
"you know dad and mom wouldn't take all your misbehavior but you wouldn't learn to be fair with me,because I manage you?" kheal responded.
nokim fell on his kneels and pleaded"I have so much freedom here,I wouldn't misbehave,never again!" and was forgiven but before that he was told to write an undertaken to be of good behaviour.
mak' :a title given to a male religious leader.
Em:a title given to a female religious leader.
karam:a round mat found in the temple for religious purposes;prayer.
biqa:white beads with writings on it.
kamabudee: a ceremonial rite performed for wed partners.
rayeed maqu'ila nafa yanan:blessings be upon you and your kinsmen.
rae:blessed.
kas'telean: in accordance.
ab'id: a veil.
tawaz:the male native clothings.
hidii: the male scarf.
CHAPTER. 3
habka had called kheal to remind her of the time of prayer,at this time the drama between this siblings had ended.
This was kheal dream relationship with habka.
nokim noticed how happy his sister was, while followed her to the temple.
kheal hadn't told anyone about habka's proposal for marriage and she wants it to be a surprise to her family.
kheal arrived at the temple with her brother and went to the women quarter.
kheal had seen habka and habka had also noticed her arrival.
after prayer they had the chance to speak with themselves;habka pecked her forehea telling her goodnight.
kheal could never get used to this as she blushed hard with an unfading smile,her cheek was hurting but she wouldn't notice.
nokim had caught habka pecking his sister but couldn't tease her and was suspicious; couldn't fathom the idea of their relationship.
they arrived home; kheal had called for a meeting with her family at her home.
The next day habka and kheal had left work early, arrived in a private lounge.
they got chatty, and got emotionally attached to themselves.
kheal realised that habka was allergic to chocolate.
their personality cliqued and they were a perfect couple.
after their first meeting together.
At kheal's house
Her mom,dad and 2 siblings were seated on the sofa wanting to know the reason for the arranged fathering.
while her mom kept guessing wrongly "did nokim get into a fight?" nokim gave her a unbelievable stare, but she was unbothered .
"were you sacked from your job?" kheal gave an disagreement node.
"do you also want to keep soha at your house?"
"mom that's alright, none of what you mentioned is the reason this meeting is held."
"speak up already,I'm out of tragic thoughts!" her mom cried.
to put them all in suspense; kheal continued "I'll be leaving my house soon."
her mother exclaimed" you want to leave the country? why didn't I think of that."
her dad broke his silence "no ketarma,our daughter is getting married!"
they all threw their gaze at kheal whom happily said "I have found myself a husband!"
"oh my God.... I would have to go live with mom and dad!" he cried.
soha the youngest of the children queried"so you would also have a baby, like me?" a little girl of 9 yrs old ,light skinned as her mom all the female wore an ab'id, soha holding a stuffed toy.
kheal gave a smile at her question and gave a response"yes, I would and youqoukd help me nurture the child soha." soha was excited "then I'll have 2 babies, ye!" that was an achievement.
"whom is the lucky man?" kheal dad inquired.
"it is Mak'habka" they all exclaimed.
mom asked to be clarified "it is Mak'maulid nephew?"
"yes" in a nervous manner.
"oh God has given my daughter a good husband." mom said while nokim jaw dropped to its lowest.
he questioned "sister can I come stay with you and habka after the kamabudee ceremony, I promise to be of good behavior"
"No, no way newly married couple needs their privacy."mom retorted.
dad stood and walked up to me, I immediately rose up, dad gave kheal a tight hug; whispered" I'm proud of you." he releases hwe of his hug and held her cheek muttering "you realise you would lose your title in the temple once you get married."
"I'm well aware dad."
"hope you sure of your decision to be married now?"
"yes, I have experienced many kamabudee ceremony and always prayed for mine but am a bit scared."
"you don't have to be, don't get married because every other person is married,don't because that is a period when men and women would be in the same quarter to pray on your behalf, but if you say you are and you know you are,then it should be the will of God."
- Writer
