A Mystery
Having been discovered, I rose from my hiding place ultimately.
"Come with us. We were just about to start dinner. Are you hungry?" the young man asks as his eyes pass over me approvingly. I nod eagerly, only at the word hungry, my stomach growls once more. The three in front of me chuckle as the sound has not escaped them.
We walk to the house where the pots are still on fire.
The smell of cooking meat only makes me more hungry. "Come, there is a table here where we all sit," the young man tells me and directs me by the elbow to the side of the house. There, under a canopy, I see a long wide table. The two girls I saw earlier are already sitting there, looking at me curiously.
"These are my sisters, Elena and Magda. Magda is the oldest," he introduces them. "By the way, my name is Peter and my parents are Esau and Perpetua. Welcome to our home," he continues hospitably. I smile at the girls, but only Elena responds to it. Magda just stares indifferently into the distance. "Hello, come sit next to me, please," Elena asks and shifts a little on the bench. "What's your name?" she asks curiously as I take a seat next to her. Shocked, I stare at her. My name? Helplessly, I look up at Peter, who stares at me sternly. "She has no name. She is suffering from amnesia," he informs the girl.
Elena looks at me pityingly.
"You can't remember anything at all? That's terrible," she exclaims. "You know what? I'll give you a name. I'll name you after my favorite doll, Saray. How about that?" I think about it for a moment. "Saray. Saray," I whisper. It doesn't sound familiar, my memories remain blank. "Yes, I think that name is fine. Thank you, Elena." Gratefully I beam at her. "Aaahhh, so you have a voice. What a surprise! I thought you lost that one to the sea too," Magda states sarcastically. I startle at the venom in her voice. "Y Yes ss," I stammer, stunned at her attitude. "Have you known me before?" I ask hopefully. But she rolls her eyes, remains silent and looks the other way.
Perpetua saves the situation.
She reaches the table with a bowl in her hands and places it in the middle. Behind her arrive Esau and Peter, both with bowls as well. When everyone is seated, a small bucket of water and a cloth goes around. Soon I realize that the intention is to wash and dry my hands. When everyone is ready, we close our eyes and hold each other's hands while Esau goes into prayer. And then it's finally time to eat. Hungrily I peek at the dishes, Perpetua takes a plate for each of us and puts rice, vegetables and meat on it. "Peter and Esau didn't manage to catch a wild animal in the forest today. So we'll do it with home-grown chicken," Perpetua announces, chuckling. "I think the men in this house are getting old. The animals are outsmarting them". The men grunt and look at her skeptically.
"I think the beasts have gotten smarter. They have caught on to our hunting strategy," Esau defends. "Son, we have to think of something else. Chicken is not really my favorite". I hold back my laughter; I'm sure the chicken won't be liked because it symbolizes their incompetence in getting meat to the table. These two machos in front of me feel their crotch kicked by Perpetua's comment.
"If you guys go hunting tomorrow, I'll come with you," I announce suddenly.
Startled, the men stare at me; to be honest, I am also surprised by my own remark. I don't know if I know anything about hunting. My physique shows nothing of hard labor, maybe I was just sports hunting. "You? Are you sure? Do you know how to hunt then?" questions Esau interestedly. I shrug. "Don't know. But I want to try. I spontaneously offered to accompany you, maybe I've done it before. If so, it will certainly help refresh my memory".
"Or maybe you are just used to handling a gun? Is violence and wealth part of your regular environment?" bites Magda at me now. With eyes wide, I stare at her; this is the second time she has bashed me for no reason. "I don't know that either and will have to wait until I can remember everything again," I answer her, stupefied. "Really, whoever here believes in your so-called amnesia is stupid at best. No one is falling for your stories," she responds now, her eyes spitting only hatred.
"Magda!" Esau warns his daughter. "Mind your manners. Do you have proof of what you suggest?"
The man can barely contain his irritation. "It is most rude to accuse a stranger of anything even though everything points to the contrary. Apologize right away," he commands. Magda rolls her eyes, gets up from the table and disappears into the house. There is silence at the table until Perpetua lifts her eyes at me. I read pain and guilt there. "I am sorry for her behavior, Saray. You are our guest and what she said there comes from a sad person. Don't blame her, she will come around".
"Is she sad? But I've barely been here for an hour or so. She doesn't know me and yet she is so hostile to me," I remark in wonder. Everyone is staring at their plates now. Peter clears his throat. "It's something from the past. When she knows you longer, you'll see a great person. Now everyone new is an enemy to her," he declares regretfully. I skim the people at the table one by one. They seem like a peaceful family, so I wonder who or what has caused Magda so much grief. On my first encounter with them, however, I did feel that they were suspicious of my appearance.
There is a mystery hanging over this family. Damn sure!
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