Chapter 3: There's no game if there are no players

People don't understand just how much a community can suffocate a person. They were publicly and obviously isolated by the villagers but, when the said villagers got no good reaction from them, they had to up their game. That's a norm, she got it now.

It was unheard of and maybe because, Jika was the first man to die instead of their offspring and wife but, Kirri was supposed to marry Rena which was absurd in itself for Rena was already past her prime time and Kirri was still in a bond with a man for that to work.

She wasn't angry about it but, just baffled and confused. It was great living with Kirri for the woman was strong, gentle, nurturing, wise beyond the mountains, beautiful and a very VERY capable person.

Yes, it wasn't even long since her husband died and the blood stopped to fall from her from childbirth but, she knew the feeling even if they came in different languages.

Jika was great don't get her wrong but, Jika had yet to come of age when she married him. She was too old for him and sometimes it didn't feel like a marriage bond but, siblings. Exactly not, what's to be said with Kirri.

They weren't just... a label. They were a team. Kirri makes her feel seen and her feelings and opinions valid. It feels like a relationship and not a one man show. Even when they disagree, they always try look at it in all angles if not two. She wasn't complaining but seeing Kirri showing no emotion? Was a bad sign.

Kirri knew Muso very well or maybe you could say that, that's what she thought prior the decree.

She was still lawfully married to him and for him to push Rena to her? He was clearly playing the long game and sadly she was never a fan of these games of his or she could have loved to indulge in the play.

"You don't want to marry me?" Asked Rena when she got a sight of Kirri once in the mouth of the forest. In a swamp, bathing.

"Where are the babies?" Asked Kirri alarmed after she saw the state Rena was in. She didn't care about the etiquette and walked to her worriedly.

"Back home" Replied Rena with a blush. She didn't know if it was the thrill of breaking a rule or the sun was unforgiving that day for she felt so light in the head by the sight.

"You LEFT the children ALONE in a doorless hut in the middle of the FOREST for you to get a reason from someone who will eventually come back to you?" Questioned Kirri incredulously, she couldn't believe what was going on inside Rena's head. Was she that old or that was just plain crazy?.

"Okay! I get it... I'm impatient and stupid and crazy_" Trailed off Rena when she felt a hand on her lower back but, when she looked back to the woman? She remembered how her refusal to their marriage can literally kill her. She loved the woman and she loved their perfect life.

"Why are you so impulsive?" Inquired Kirri with a chuckle before beginning to hide her nude with animal skin.

"I never knew I can be" Said Rena with a sad face looking at Kirri pitifully who simply held her hand and led Rena out of the forest, "Come on, let's take on the way"

"Why don't you want to marry me?" Questioned Rena in a small voice, "Am I not good enough?"

"Hey beautiful, you are more than enough. I'm sorry if I'm not excited about this like you are. I'm already a married woman and despite all that he ever did to me? He's still the only man who made me bend my rules?" Said Kirri thoughtfully.

"So you love him still?"

"When did I say that?"

"You insinuated though!" Countered Rena angrily turning to Kirri halting their walk home which made Kirri laugh unconsciously.

"I just don't want to play his games no more. Our marriage ended as soon as it began and it wasn't really love what I felt for him"

"Then why?"

"Well, the reason is the same to every other married woman out there..." Trailed off Kirri with a shrug before they breathed their reality to life, "Security"

"If I remain his wife then he could never punish me for we would bear the same verdict or maybe more for him and if I'm no longer his wife, I don't want to know what he'd do to me" Clarified Kirri sadly.

"You're afraid" Stated Rena on the obvious

"I am and I hate it that I am" Replied Kirri in a shaky voice

"You think he's planning to hurt you?" Asked Rena genuinely concerned.

"He knows I don't care if it involves me but, if he tries to harm either of you? I'm afraid I'm not powerful enough to protect you" Said Kirri going in for a hug which Rena happily provided. She never saw her that vulnerable and she wasn't sure if she was glad for it.