The Village
Alanic POV
The sun pours out its brilliant flame and burns my caramel skin while two hands are busy harvesting the pungent pinkish radish. I’m not bothered and continue because I need to sell it at the village market today.
“Alanic!”
Damian’s yells caused my solid build to straighten up and turn to his side.
“The mayor is calling you!”
Excitement cannot be suppressed in his husky voice while running towards me.
The beat of my heart doubled. I’ve been waiting for this call for almost half a month now. In my fear, I am plagued by sleepless nights, which drain my body and haunt my soul.
“He wants to set up all the details concerning your coming school year, and I’m sure he will give you everything that you need!”
Stopping in front of me, he bends and places his hands on his shaking knees while catching his breath.
At last! I cannot stop a smile from blossoming across my face like the rays of the rising sun. The scents of the fresh, tingly, and minty mountain trees fill my lungs like the notes of an exuberant harmonica.
Two years of sacrifice, and the most important thing in my life I desire to achieve will never be just a dream — a degree!
“You’re a lucky guy. Thanks to his daughter who adores you,” he winks, giving a naughty smile.
“You’re crazy, that’s not true,” I stop him.
This is not the time to disturb. What comes to mind now is the land of opportunity — The Big City!
Fourteen hours of travel and three bus rides later, I reach the university, where a new beginning awaits. Excitement pulses through me, making my skin sensitive to the slightest breeze. My heart pounds, unable to settle into its usual rhythm.
“Oh, come on, we both know the mayor is assisting you because he likes you for his beautiful daughter,” Damian laughed, “this is a bait, and he is absolutely certain you will take it.”
Carlotta, the mayor’s daughter, is their childhood friend. She is special, but he is not ready for a commitment.
“Enough,” I murmur.
I’m unable to think about anything else but this opportunity before me.
“But it’s a win-win, anyway. Carlotta is a big catch, after all. So... big,” he said, making a funny face and cupping both hands on his chest like he was holding a huge melon.
My eyes widen and scan the place. There is a long wooden fence encircled by fresh flowers and dancing leaves of a mango tree, with a swing wheel hanging in the sturdy branches lifted in the sky. The incense of summer grasses parades with the beauty of the weather, and no one is around. I sigh and look back at him in relief.
“Don’t do that. Someone might see you, and they will think we are disrespecting the mayor’s daughter,” I give him a warning glance.
The women in the village are delicate. They forbid anyone from speaking or hearing vulgar words.
Damian laughs harder.
“Oh, my sensitive bro, you need to be immune to this kind of topic. Because when you go down,” he said, pointing his finger to the road we are passing when leaving the village, “your mind will open to what you’ve been depriving yourself of.”
His chuckle dwindles into a silly smile. I raise my eyebrows and give him a small nod.
“And that’s what you learn about reading those X-rated magazines, which you steal every time your uncle asks you to clean his house.”
His uncle is a delivery man who goes downtown to sell vegetables.
“At least my junior has been well-taken care of,” he says, rubbing the front of his jeans.
“With proper exercise every night,” he added with a crazy look.
Shaking my head, a smile spread on my lips as I grabbed the basket, which was about full. I need to visit the mayor’s house before dark. Wiping the tiny sweat from my forehead with the shirt hanging on my shoulder, Damian suddenly whispers to me.
“Do you know that our baby juices have expiration dates? You should release them,” he said, moving his hand up and down with his fingers forming a zero, “so that we can refill it.”
“I don’t always feel like refilling,” I smirk, slowly walking with a basket in my hand.
“So true! How can you be aroused if you only see two chickens and one pig in your backyard?”
He points a finger at our house. He’s a professional in sexual advice.
“And let’s not forget the duckling Delia, whose mouth cannot hold all her teeth, but that doesn’t stop her from smiling at you. What about Sonya the Cow, whose nose covers her entire face but still dares to flutter her eyelashes at you! Damn, dude, you are truly rich to have such devoted farm animals,” Damian doubled over, laughing so hard that tears fell freely.
I can’t help but laugh at his dramatic introduction, for I know my two neighbors are competing to get my attention. But immediately, I stopped and hit Damian’s head. He pauses, stares at me while rubbing the part of his body I struck.
“You cannot be rude just because you have a face that everyone adores,” I scold and move toward our house.
“Hmm, sorry, I forgot you’re an animal lover,” he says solemnly, tapping my shoulder.
“In any case, don’t let your extract get on them or you might end up with a horse.”
As we walk into our front door, we burst out laughing. I’m sure I’m going to miss this crazy bitch best-friend of mine when I’m gone. But he doesn’t need to worry. I don’t want to add a horse to my farm.
