Behind the stare

(Next Day)

Imagine waking up to meet two ready buyers of your products! That's a good sign, I smiled with deep satisfaction as I counted the coins in my hands.

"16 cents in all." I slipped them into the pockets of my black joggers. "Thank you."

"Bye keren." The ladies said as they left.

I watched the two middle-aged ladies, Mrs José and Mrs Lucia leave with paper bags of mint and parsley in both hands. Mrs Lucia took the left turn and stopped by Mr Anton's cabin, I guess she intended seeing Mrs Valerie Anton.

I shrugged, at the thought of the reasons behind Mrs Lucia's visit.

"It's just annoying," I murmured. "Only in Douro Valley would grown-ass women choose a good gossip over feeding their kids. Else, why in God's name is she meeting Madam Valerie!"

I had successfully concealed my annoyance when the women were present. "It's crazy how hypocritical these ladies were," I stepped into the small store.

"after consoling me over my parents' departure, they continued whispering to each other about my family, Hmm," I muttered in-between gritted teeth.

"How did they even know?"

I grabbed the watering-can off the table where farm implements and equipment were kept. I glanced at the few old furniture's and electronics which were arranged one side before stepping out of the dusty store.

"Stop saying trash about my family!" That would have been the best freaking response to their gossip, however, I did what mom would have done - let them talk.

"I wish I said something harsh but why should I? I didn't even get full detail of what they were saying."

I placed the steel watering-can under the slow running tap which was situated a few inches away of the store. Besides the sound of dripping water, was the indistinct sounds of birds chirping and the chatter from passersby.

I stood by the tap at the same time facing the garden as I waited for the watering-can to full. I kept savouring the fine scent of mixed parsley and mint; this was enough to make me hungry.

"I can't wait to finish. I'm damn hungry." I grumbled, slightly rubbing on my belly.

Although it had not rained the previous day, It was a cold morning. I felt goosebumps multiplied on my naked, warm-undertone arms. Certainly, wearing a cream silk blouse was the wrong choice of clothing for this weather.

I caressed my arms with both hands catching a glimpse of two neighbours that passed by. I beamed and slightly nodded in response to one that greeted.

The clear, eye-catching sky, drew my gaze off the watering-can. It was a deep blue sky with a few balls of cloud interrupting the expanse. I tapped my foot on the grasses at intervals, impatiently waiting for the watering-can to be filled.

Then, I caught sight of other people who walked pass in pairs with some, staring at me. They were about four men and three women, averaging my parents' age. They all had farm boots on, including the women so I knew they were on their way to Don Carlo farm.

"Why are they looking at me like that?" I was asking no one in particular.

I couldn't comprehend the frequent pattering of tittle-tattle from the two men and chubby ladies. They would squint at me and hastily turn away each time my eyes met with theirs. This reminded me of the insensitive guilty mice in the store which I sometimes played hide and seek with.

Two other ladies from the other street waved at me as they passed. They too were staring at me and whispering to each other.

"What is going on?" I wondered.

Being the last cabin on one side of the street, and a miniature juncture between two streets, my home became a local landmark in the area. Therefore, It was not uncommon to see many passersby coming from both streets, as they journeyed to Don Carlo farm. But this was not an excuse to look strangely at me as if I had a demon.

Most of these people were my Dad's colleagues at the farm. I remember the times Dad would rush to join the throng of farmers while, mom, Jochebed and I, would bid him goodbye.

I pushed off thoughts of my parents, and grabbed the already filled watering-can, putting off the tap. I scurried to the middle of the garden and I began watering the fresh leaves of parsley and mint.

The garden was situated on the side of the building where the store was, and it extending to the backyard. Around the garden, was a short wooden fence which made a crooked horizontal C-shape demarcation between the two gallipot roads and my cabin.

I walked on the track between the rows of the vegetables, letting the water escape the spout of the watering-can, onto the thirsty leaves. I moved the watering can back and forth until it was well watered.

All the while, my hid-eye had caught so many passersby staring at me, I covertly took glimpses at them. Most were women my mom's age or above.

Why are they staring at me as if they had never seen me before? Could it be they heard of my parents' departure?"

I could not say for sure, and I tried not to bother. Once the watering can become empty, I would hurry off to refill at the tap. I was used to the daily routine, so much that, it did not take much time to finish up.

I was watering the mint at the backyard when I heard a knock.

The faint sound was accompanied with "hello!" I tried to decipher the voice making sure the person was knocking here.

Then the voice came again, "Is anybody here?!"

"Hey, I'm coming right away!" I bellowed as I dropped the watering-can and scurried out.