Maliha
Epilogue

Maliha’s fingers drummed along her thigh as she waited anxiously for the women to finish what they were doing.

“Stop fidgeting,” snapped Ciur.

“I wouldn’t be so fidgety if you were not tugging at my head so harshly,” Maliha growled back, earning snickers from the other women and a slight tug of her hair.

“Stop being so churlish, she’s almost done,” teased Nahi as she reclined on the ground, sipping on her alcoholic drink. Nahi was enjoying her moment without her twins who were at the age where they were attempting to crawl everywhere and getting into all types of mischief.

“Is this all necessary?” Maliha huffed. Her hand climbed up to her hair so she could feel how far along they were in styling her hair. “Ouch,” she growled when Ciur slapped her fingers with the comb.

“Don’t touch. It seems that Ujarak’s impatience has begun to rub off on you.”

“Speaking of the man,” Xiuri snickered as the door to the tent flapped open and Ujarak popped his head in.

“How much longer?” His handsome clean-shaven face and his smooth body were smothered in the ceremonial mixture of clay and oil. The golden hues of the mixture offset the dark strands of his billowing hair.

“Checking on us every five minutes will not make this process any faster,” reprimanded Ciur.

“Well, I don’t understand why you need to do all those tiny braids in her hair. She was fine as she was. Come Maliha, let’s go.” Uja reached for Maliha but his hand was slapped away by Ciur’s comb causing everyone to cackle at his shocked expression.

“I have two more braids to do and I won’t be deterred. Go wait outside with the rest of your family.” Ciur was a force to be reckoned with when she made demands and Uja was in no mood to argue with the fiery woman.

“Fine, but the next time I enter this tent, I am taking Maliha with me and the ceremony is starting whether her hair is done or not.” Ujarak stomped to Maliha and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead before stomping back out of the tent.

“He is so dramatic.” Maliha giggled dreamily as she rubbed on her burgeoning stomach in deep thought.

The past few months had been some of the most blissful days of her life. Their return to the Der Surjaz land had been bittersweet but the Nah Barros had kept their promises and slowly but surely their communication with the outer world was increasing. Returning home and being welcomed so openly was one of the best moments of Maliha’s life. Barring the moment, she found her father and the minute she discovered she was pregnant and had been since before she fled the Der Surjaz land.

“Have you felt any movement yet?” Xiuri whispered as she stroked her belly.

“I think it’s still too early to feel kicks, but I can feel tiny flutters,” Maliha smiled wistfully.

“Enjoy those moments, because soon you will be up all night with the abuse of your young ones.”

“Yes,” added Nahi, “sleep becomes a myth the moment they grace this earth so sleep as much as you can. Especially with twins.”

Nahi gave Maliha a knowing look. Although it could not be confirmed yet, everyone suspected Maliha was carrying two children as she was carrying exceedingly big for only being a few months along.

“Alright, all done. Xiuri you can finish the rest now.”

Xiuri wobbled to a stand and gathered the crown from her sister before interweaving the flowers into Maliha’s hair in an intricate pattern. “Perfect. Now let’s start applying the oil and clay before Ujarak has another fit.”

“Leave him alone,” Maliha defended softly. “He’s just so eager to finally have me in all ways.”

“There will be no more running after this,” warned Saralec.

Maliha scoffed, “If Uja messes up again, which I doubt he will, he will be the one running from me.”

“Not with that stomach,” chuckled Nahi, as she helped in the process of covering Maliha’s body in the oil and clay needed for this ritual.

Maliha couldn’t believe that this moment was happening but seeing her father and brother had only confirmed it to be true. Her father was going to unite her and Ujarak. It was a scary moment but Maliha was so excited.

“They are starting the drums. Let’s go ladies.”

Nahi gulped back the rest of her drink before leading the way out. One by one, the females fled the tent until it was just Maliha and her thoughts. She had never imagined this would happen, but it was. Ujarak would be her Solah and she was going to become the Sujurrah. Sucking in a big breath of air she stepped out the tent and could not contain the smile on her face.

Ujarak was the first to greet her with a kiss. “I thought you were changing your mind,” he whispered; the panic was clear in his voice.

“Silly man, even without these babies tying me to you, I would still be here.” Maliha stroked his beard free face before plastering his lips with gentle kisses that soon turned into an impassioned duel.

“Alright, that’s enough,” grumbled Kaori.

Ujarak’s worries dissipated as be rubbed on her rounded stomach before murmuring against her lips. “Your father thinks he runs this show.”

Maliha chuckled against his mouth and pinched at his shoulders to get him to move so they could finally start the long journey up the mountain to the temple so they could begin their joining.

“Usually, I would challenge you for my daughter’s hand and even demand you explain why you are worthy of her, but you have already trapped her, so all of that is moot.” Everyone laughed as Kaori motioned to Maliha’s rounded belly on display. “Instead, I will say that I am most pleased and fortunate to unite not only my daughter and Ujarak in this eternal bond, but I am honoured to finally unite our two tribes in one of the strongest unions. I know Savuriya and our ancestors are as pleased with this union as we all are.”

Maliha couldn’t contain the fountain of tears that streamed down her cheeks as she hugged her father in thanks for his beautiful opening speech. She then proceeded to hug her brother Makaio who was the main reason why they had waited the extra time to be united. Maliha had refused to start her union without her whole family present and Makaio needed time to fully heal from the battle.

The drums began playing their tune, signalling the beginning of their climb. Maliha gave her brother one final squeeze before making her way to Ujarak’s side. They waited until Enzo made his way to them before they began the long trek up the mountain as one family.

Each step felt as if Maliha were floating. Their songs and chants created such a beautiful atmosphere that Maliha swore she could see their ancestors walking beside them. Their soft hands and melodic voices joining in with the Der Surjaz and Nah Barros attendees.

Maliha was in a daze as she witnessed the ceremony first hand. It was different when it was her ceremony, her hair being cut and her soul merging with the only man she had ever truly loved. The whole day was a cloud of joy and emotion as the newly joined couple made their way back down the mountain with everyone singing their praise and joy.

When night came, Maliha ate from the hand of her Solah with such ease.

“What is funny?” Ujarak whispered as he prepared another handful of food.

“I was just thinking about how enraged I was when you first suggested I eat from your hand.”

Uja snorted lightly, “Now you can’t eat without me. Women are just crazy. Right, Enzo?”

Enzo’s eyes bulged wide as he swallowed the mouthful of food. He looked from his teasing father to Maliha and back again. He shook his head lightly and continued to eat his food.

“See, your son is smart and knows not to complain about the hand that cooks for him.” Maliha stuck her tongue out and then squealed when Uja mushed a piece of food onto her chin. “Your father is so childish,” Maliha whined causing Enzo to laugh at her downtrodden expression.

“Here you are, Mama.”

Maliha smiled widely as Enzo gave her a piece of cloth to clean her face. “Thank you, my love.”

“Whatever.” Ujarak rasped, “How long do you think she is going to take to start?”

“Have some patience.”

“I have none when it comes to you.” Maliha grinned against Ujarak’s lips as he leisurely kissed her.

The drums began to pick up and they reluctantly pulled away.

“Later,” she winked at Uja before facing the fire pit where a small delicate figure stepped into the crowd to perform her duty as their chosen Syha.

Her pale blonde hair and milky skin glowed golden under the firelight. The bangles at her feet jangled as she made slow steps, her pale blue eyes glancing at the newly joined couple before she sunk to the floor.

Her body curled into a ball with her shoulders curved over her legs as she waited for the music to travel through her. Everyone waited impatiently as the music gradually shifted into a softer and more harmonious tune. As the beat carried, her body unfolded from its curved position. She flowed from the floor; her arms extended as she reached for the sky. Her hips swayed and her feet stomped down in time with the drums. The earth was upturned beneath her flowing feet as she gyrated and twisted in a beautiful ode to the couple and their goddess. Her arms swung back and forth as the pace picked up, her hair flew about as she swung her head in circles, all of her moves were synonyms and ethereal. It was as if she were the rhythm, a physical display of the music.

Maliha’s heart pulsed as Darsan danced with such beauty and passion. An overwhelming feeling of love and joy flowed through Maliha. Maliha squeezed Uja’ hand as she pulled Enzo into body, his small hand rubbing along her stomach as Darsan finished her dance.

“She was so beautiful,” Maliha mumbled her praise over the uproar of applaud.

“Yes, she was but not as beautiful as you were when you danced at this fire.”

Maliha blushed deeply, her pink-tinted cheeks deepening even further when Ujarak stretched his hand out for Maliha to take. No words were exchanged as he stood to his feet and hoisted Maliha into his arms. He whispered something to Enzo before walking off. Maliha buried her face into Ujarak’s chest as the tribe began hooting and chortling at their retreat.

“You didn’t need to be so obvious,” Maliha huffed earning a laugh from Uja.

“They already know what happens next.”

“And what is that?” Maliha mumbled against his chest.

Uja laughed heartily as he made his way through the trees. “The same thing that got you in this position.”

Maliha grumbled in exasperation but didn’t dispute his claim because she knew that he wasn’t lying. Her pregnancy had made her so much more needy of affection than she already was.

Ujarak placed her down on her feet and slowly began undressing her. There was a comfortable silence as they removed each other’s clothing until they were completely naked. Ujarak toom Maliha’s Hans and led her into the shallow lake, his fingers running over her body as he began washing aqua the oil and clay. Maliha chortled as he peppered her with sloppy kisses. His hand kept hovering over her rounded stomach, anxiously waiting for the day he would feel movement.

The petting became more impassioned until Maliha was calling into the night with both her pleasure and joy. Once their union was complete, Ujarak washed them again and then gently helped his tired Solah climb from the lake.

Maliha lazily stood by as Ujarak wrapped her in a blanket that he had left by the lake in preparation for this night. He slung on some fresh trousers and then boosted her into his arms. Maliha was out cold before he had even begun the journey back to their tent. Ujarak pushed the flap open, his first instinct was to pursue the area. Once he found it was empty, he set Maliha down on their pallet. He climbed in next to her and had just begun to drift off when Maliha shot up in bed.

“Girls,” Maliha gasped, “we are having girls.”

Ujarak rubbed at his eyes tiredly as he languidly sat up and rubbed on her stomach. “How do you know?”

“I had a dream and I think I met your mother. She said we would have girls and I feel it.”

Ujarak hummed against her skin in thought. Maliha had dreams often and it seemed that they hadn’t lessened even now that her destiny had been cemented. It was a soft the ancestors and goddess were still conversing with them.

It was apparent that no matter how far they had come in their journey and as a nation, there was still much to do. The conception of his daughters was a sign that they were on the right path, but they still had a long way to go because the ancestors were present now more than ever.