“Sure, that is fine. You are free to deny the truth. I mean, if that is what you think, you can do that.”
Chito leaned closer to his friend and Running Wolf avoided his face. He was hiding a smile. He was very different when he was with Elaina, he knew that. With her, he let everything go and his eyes were only on her. With her, he would bet that he was quiet as a lamb. But he could not let his friend know that he agreed with him, neither could he let Chito’s opinion become to being the truth. That would only make Chito suspicious of her. That was the last thing he needed, that suspicion. It was not because of him but because of Elaina. He could not let her be at risk in any way. He trusted his friend but Chito was known to not be the best secret keeper. Also, his friend was loyal to the tribe. What if he got the crazy idea that these mysterious feelings, he had for Elaina made her a danger to him and then the tribe? Nah, he could not take the risk. While he desperately wanted to open up to someone, someone who he could talk through his feelings with and understand them, it was a chance that he really could not take at that moment.
And so, he sighed and leaned his head against the tree. He turned to his friend who was looking up at the sky, staring at the stars, “How is Catori and the baby?"
Chito’s eyes lit up at the mention of his wife and child. Chito’s marriage to Catori had also been an arranged one but Chito had grown to love Catori very deeply. Months after their marriage, he had already been singing her praises, and as well she praised him. They had gotten married a few months after Running Wolf did. And Catori had even gotten pregnant a few months after Fala too. It was because of the love Chito had for Catori that he had always reassured Running Wolf with conviction that one day, he would love Fala too. And it was their lovethat had also reassured Fala that he would also love her as Chito had grown to love his wife. Unfortunately, that had never happened. Running Wolf had never experienced the love that they all talked about, and he still had not experienced it. He shook his head. He had no idea what love was. How would he even know it if he felt it? He turned to his smiling friend.
“They are both doing so well. Whenever I see Ahanu, I feel so much pride, my friend. I am the father of that little one, that little one who laughs all the time, me. It all feels so strange. You know, the sight of him always pleases my heart. Affection bubbles within.”
Running Wolf smiled and patted his friend’s back. He understood exactly what his friend felt, especially about the happiness. It was exactly like that with Jessica. He was not her father but he had been there when she was born. He had held her in his arms and joy and pride had bubbled in his heart. Whenever he saw her, his heart always bubbled with cheer. He cared about the little girl very deeply, just like he would his own child. Even if he was not sure about anything else, he knew that for a fact.
Chito cleared his throat and said, “I am so sorry, my friend. I should have been more careful with my words. I did not mean to pull you into the past.”
“What?” Running Wolf looked over at his friend and saw that the excitement in his eyes had been replaced with sympathy. He sighed as he realized what had just happened. Chito had concluded that the reason for his silence was because he was thinking of his dead family. He started, “That’s not what...”
“I really am sorry, friend. I should be more careful with my words and...”
“Stop it, Chito. Not for any reason should you dull your happiness or silent your good news because you feel sorry for me. I am very happy for you, my friend. I lost my family, but you didn’t lose yours. You have every reason to celebrate, to be happywithout feeling guilty.”
“But...” Chito started but Running Wolf shook his head and he patted his friend’s shoulder,
“You listen to me, Chito. I am fine. I do not know if I am healing and I certainly have no idea if I am in a better place but you have to believe me on that. I mean, I certainly do not want to give up on life. That is a better start compared to where I was months ago. So really, do not worry about me. Share your joy and tell me all you want to tell me about your child. Be happy and share your joy, my friend. I am truly happy for you.”
“Are you sure?” Chito asked nervously.
“Very sure,” Running Wolf replied honestly. He smiled at his friend and said, “Now, ride on.”
Chito chuckled, “So, you see, Ahanu has this habit of...”
Smiling, Running Wolf crossed his arms and sat back to listen to his friend who was no longer just Warrior Chito and Chito, Catori’s partner. He was now a proud and excited father. His good friend’s happiness made him happy.
*
Yesterday
Atola stormed into her family’s tepee, fists formed and her eyes glowing with anger. Her brother, Tokala raised his head the moment she stormed in. He frowned and crossed his arms,
“I take it from your angry face that it didn’t go well?”
“Do you have to ask?” Atola hissed. She paced, ranting, “He is so rude, you know. You should have heard all the things he said to me. How dare he?”
“Let him have all his fun now. In a little while, when you are married to him, father will ensure that he is under his thumb.”
Atola scoffed, “Running Wolf is too bigheaded to be controlled, Tokala. In my opinion, father’s plan has already gonebad. Why don’t we just move to another plan? Let’s get rid of him now, since neither yours nor my plan is working. Look, father does not need to know. We can get it over with by ourselves.”
Tokala shook his head vigorously as she was talking and she shrugged, “What? Did I say anything wrong? It will be best to get him out of the way. You also want him dead as much as I do so why are you pretending like I am the only one having these thoughts?”
Tokala groaned and hit his face. He mouthed, “Shut your mouth. Father is inside.”
Atola leaned in to read his lips. She rolled her eyes, “Can you just speak out? What? You want us to go somewhere more private to plan it? Sure, let’s go. You are right. We have to be careful what we say due to the ears in the walls. Come on, let’s go to the stream.”
“You will do no such thing. How stupid can you be, Atola?!” Kahona’s voice boomed as he emerged from the large tepee. “I specifically told you that he was not to be touched. At least, not yet. Even if it comes to that, we will do it at the right time. I just had an argument with him today. This is the worst possible time to hurt a hair on his head. Why do you never listen?”
“I am sorry, father,” she lowered her head, “I am just very angered. As usual, he treated me badly today. I cannot control my rage any longer.”
“You have to hold it in, Atola. You need to wrap him around your fingers, then we strike. Did you not say you love him? So why the rush? Why then do you want to kill him? Use your womanly wiles, child.”
Atola rolled her eyes, “There is no point doing any of that, father. He hates me and he hates you. And I do not care about him. He has rejected me so many times already. I have my pride, you know.”
