Great Heads

11: Getting To Know Him

Forelenes are said to be happy people that depend on their various livelihoods for survival. They are aware of the war, but the people of Forestille choose not to be a part of it. Unlike the Rocainians who have armies of warriors ready to fight and train their children to join these warriors someday, some Forelenes have decided to not even hold a weapon against anyone at all.

 Darla and her grandfather are farmers that occasionally travel out of town to where their farmland is. Their place of farming was where they found Kaleb, known as Stranger Boy by Darla. When they return from travel, they supply the town’s marketers with these goods.

_________________________

Darla 

Another bright day dawned in Forestille. People would usually wake up to the sound of the birds tweeting and the ever-lively atmosphere. For me, that had now changed ever since I started living under the same roof as a Rocainian. Pa was gullible. He was too friendly.

Be nice and see nice was what he would often say.

He was starting to forget what these Rocanians had put us through. The pain and suffering. I felt like tearing that so-called Kaleb apart each time I set my eyes on him. It may seem like he was starting to get along with Pa now but I knew he was plotting something evil that would endanger us and the entire village. 

I may look like the villain now, being all rude and overprotective of my territory but I knew what I felt. I felt this unlucky aura from him. This Kaleb was bad luck from the very beginning. He was going to be the downfall of the Forelene people. 

“She doesn’t act like the other Forelenes,” I remember Kaleb saying.

Who was he to know how Forelenes behaved? 

Although he once said his mother was also a Forelene, I found it impossible. A Forelene couldn’t live in Rocain land let alone marry one or even have children together. 

He was definitely lying about that and probably his name too.

As Pa and Kaleb talked to each other, I  fixated my eyes on them, making it obvious I didn’t still trust that boy. I monitored Kaleb like a hawk.

 I finally decided to leave in order to prepare myself for another trade day. I put our goods in a sack, that was later placed on a cart. 

I was on the verge of leaving when I suddenly heard something very strange coming from within the living room. It made me pause immediately, surely in uncertainty. It was impossible just thinking about it, let alone hearing it happen. I stood for a while trying to assimilate what I had heard.

 You may find it hard to fathom what I heard because I did.

I had heard laughing noises coming from the living room. Although they weren’t loud ones it still left me wondering about its possibility. Pa laughing was usual but what wasn’t was the other laugh that followed his. 

I gingerly moonwalked to peek at them. When I went closer to see them, I saw that it was Kaleb and Pa laughing. KALEB! As soon as he sighted me, he quit the laughter and immediately returned to his usual self. 

I sensed he felt embarrassed seeing the chagrin expression on his face. It left me wondering what could’ve made him laugh like that, in fact at all. 

Stories were told that Rocainians never smiled or laughed because they literally had no heart. They said it was their anger that pumped their blood and without it, they would die on the spot. I was starting to think they were just messing with us children so we could dread the enemy more.

Pa saw me.

“It seems you’re good to go, Darla,” Pa said. “Kaleb, you should hurry and join her.”

We gave each other a glare before finally leaving together. As much as we hated each other, we couldn’t bring ourselves to oppose Pa. I couldn’t because I was taught to be obedient but I didn’t really know why Stranger Boy over here cared. Since I was stuck with this thing that wasn’t fit to call human, I decided to take it to my advantage.

“I have showed you what to do yesterday.” I began talking with Kaleb. “Why don’t you go off and sell this all by yourself? At least make yourself useful.” I said then wandered off, leaving him with the goods to sell. I didn’t even bother turning to see his reaction.

I went to the Rose Saloon. I raced there until I got to the place that had a small wooden sign that said ‘Rose’. That was where Aunt Amila worked and where I sometimes met with Berylene. 

At the Rose saloon, I saw Amila.  She was a ravishing brunette. Her hair was curly and packed up in a bun leaving two long wavy hair lopes. She was dressed in one of her gowns that were slightly revealing in the chestal region, long stylish hand gloves, and a fine waist belt. She had noticeable bust and her cheeks were always powdered.

 Amila, just like the others, was a kind lady and served as a mother figure to me. She was actually Berylene’s aunt but since we were sisters, she became my aunt too. 

She often helped us prepare delicious meals and was very kind. She was the chatty type. 

Now inside the saloon, I saw that she was clad in her apron that was designed with loops at the end, and in her hands was a tray of large-sized metal cups with foamy bears filled to the brim. 

Aunt Amila’s eyes wandered and met mine. “Oh, Darla! Glad you’re here! Could you lend me a hand?! The table over there please!”

“Sure thing aunty.” I made my way after collecting the tray from her hand. I steered towards the gentlemen that sat at the table that had been pointed out to me.

“Here you go gentlemen,” I said, offering them in the nicest way ever. “Enjoy your drinks and have a lovely day.” with a smile, I left, going towards the counter.

“Thank you Darla.” the men pronounced, returning the same smile.

Forestille was a small place, so everyone knew everyone. Aunt Amila pinched my cheeks, shaking the lifted skin as she changed her voice tone to that of a baby’s. She was fond of playing with me like this. “You pretty little thing.”

“I’m not pretty.” I removed her hand, slightly embarrassed. 

“It’s pretty Darla.” A pigtailed blonde with a scarf spoke to me as she softly rubbed my cheeks sliding down my chin. I couldn’t even react to this. There were other ladies there that worked at the place and were very familiar with me.

“Darla, you’re pretty but I ain’t sure you goin’ get eny suitor if you always dress like that.” The pigtailed lady uttered with her accent.

“What about those clothes my niece’s mother always makes for you?” Amila asked, still attending to the customers.

“They’re really not my style,” I said, noticing the sadness on their faces after my statement.

As we chatted, we also made sure we served the customers. The saloon’s door suddenly slammed wide open, causing the bell at the top of the entrance to ring. It was Beryl that had stepped in. 

She looked dashing as always. Well, her mother was a seamstress so she wore the most fashionable dresses ever. She loved to live in her princess fantasy. 

Today I noticed Beryl looked different. She was exceptionally pretty today, even for her normal self, she looked too stunning. I was starting to wonder if I missed an invitation to an event, perhaps a gala? She caught my eyes even as a girl.

“It is always nice seeing you, Darla,” She greeted, hugging me softly. She gave a look around before asking, “Where’s Kaleb?”

I thought as much. The pretty princess had to step up her wardrobe because of that Rocainian child. I wondered if she would still act that way toward Kaleb if she found out about his tribe. She would probably scream in terror and run off. 

Berylene waved at the ladies before putting her eyes back on me.

“Why do you care? You don’t even know this boy.” I asked, slightly offended.