Siti Gains a New GrandDaughter

Siti carried a sleeping baby girl back to the family farmhouse, her heart pounding with the brevity of the child. Wrapped in fine cotton swaddling blankets, the baby looked newly born. Siti frowned as she adjusted the leather bag that had come with the baby. She wanted to ask questions about the bag, but she couldn’t since the pathway had closed too fast. She knew she needed to take the baby inside the house first.

As Siti entered the house, her twenty-five-year-old son, Muruthi, ran to meet her. He paused when he saw her carrying the bundle.

“What did you bring back from the forest?” he asked.

“A child,” Siti said with a small smile. “We should go back inside so that you can see her. She’s sleeping. I should place her in Prisca’s crib.”

“Who is she?” Muruthi asked, peering into the blanket as Siti entered the house.

“I got a calling from the one beyond the fig tree,” Siti said. “It was lucky I was checking on the coffee and I did not make her wait. She appeared with her man and they handed me this child. They told us to protect her until she turned twenty-one.”

“This has never happened before,” Muruthi said. “Do you think all is well?”

“I can’t tell,” Siti said as she entered the nursery she used for all her children and grandchildren. There was a crib arranged near the windows and Siti placed the sleeping baby on a comfortable mattress. She did not attempt to unwrap the fine baby blanket. Though the child was still too small, it was easy to lose the sense of security needed at this age. Muruthi quickly arranged the blankets on the bed.

“Do you think she is special?” Muruthi asked, his gaze curious even as he worked on the crib.

“She’s from the other side, of course, she’s special,” Siti murmured, rocking the sleeping baby. “We cannot let anyone know who she is. I may have to trouble you, Muruthi. I’m too old to have given birth. But you, you have Miria.”

Muruthi froze, looking at his mother in surprise.

“You would have me take care of her as my daughter?” Muruthi asked.

“Yes,” Siti said. “I trust you with her. Don’t forget our duty to the farm.”

“How could I forget?” Muruthi asked, shaking his head as he finished arranging the crib.

Siti glanced at Muruthi who was studying the baby with interest.

“What do you think of my plan?” Siti asked when Muruthi touched the little child’s fists and smiled. “Do you think you and Miria can take care of her?”

Muruthi nodded, though a small frown danced on his forehead. “Miria may not be as open to the idea of a child from outside.”

“I’ll help you convince her,” Siti said, studying the baby. “There was a warning that came with taking on the task of protecting this child.”

“What warning?” Muruthi asked in a quiet tone, his gaze never leaving the baby.

“She must be returned before she turns twenty-one. Any delay and our farm will be in danger,” Siti said, meeting Muruthi’s gaze when he looked up. “It will not be easy to give your heart to a child you must give up. Can you do it?”

Muruthi held her gaze for a moment, then smiled.

“I can do it, Mom. I’m a Kinga after all. We never shy away from our duty, do we?”

“No,” Siti said with a proud nod.

“What is her name?” Muruthi asked.

“Asu,” Siti said. “That was all I heard as the pathway closed.”

“Then, she will live as Asu Kinga,” Muruthi declared with a pleased smile. He stroked a gentle hand over a small tight fist. “Asu, I’m your new father, and this is your new grandmother. You’ll love our Kinga Farm.”

*****

Prologue (v) | Table of Contents | Chapter One