The Necklace..

Fiki got out of her hut.. moon was shining bright above.. in winter sky.. few smaller.. campfires were burning in vicinity nearby.. she came up to ficus tree in her house front.. and set on her husband kaalu's bedstead she had just made.. where he rested for awhile after dinner every evening till nightfall.. she was agitated.. he hasn't come home yet.. he normally came around nightfall whenever he went to jungle for collecting gum and sandalwood.. he was a sculptor.. he worked well with wood during off season from his farms..

Fiki set restless.. cold.. and even though she had prepared dinner a couple of hours ago.. she set waiting.. hungry.. she always remarked him to take Thindo to accompany whenever to go to jungle.. she thought wryly.. " anyway .. if he would be eaten by some animal.. i wouldn't have to be homeless.. " .. " nobody will bother".. her husband had no other family .. and neighbourhood was quite well with her.. the hut will be all of only hers.. her guts twisted at the thought of Kaalu preyed by some animal.. and she bent forward.. " she thougt .. "he is such a nice man except sometimes when he tried to make a boast of love.. in night.. "

She lay aside after awhile.. the thought of going inside despite of cold outside.. repelled her.. .. the light from interior lamp flashed yellow on front yard.. tree and her..

Kaalu .. halted the cart outside and got down to open the gate.. and saw her laying out in cold.. from far away.. maybe she was asleep..

Fiki set up alarmed .. kaalu was tethering and pulled in cart .. as he settled down..

Kaalu: you're sleeping..

Fiki: i fell asleep.. worried.. how was your trip..

Kaalu: get inside... i will hurry.. i am hungry..

Fiki: yes..

As she served his plate.. " i got worried.. it's so late.. "

He ate silently and got out to unload cart and set the things he had brought in connecting room.. and gave a jar of honey to Fiki.. " take out as much you want in other bottle.. " .. rest i will take out to market tomorrow..

Fiki: yes..

He loved her vigorously.. " i have bought something for you.. "

As the low flame of the lamp burned flashing a soft glow on Fiki.. he got up tying his clothes around him.. and went to bring a packet from his tunic hanging on wood stump by wall...

Lying beside her he brought up a shining string from the packet..

Fiki gasped..

It was a string of flat wood beads hanging off a string of shiny stones.. the round thin wood petals under yellow and pearl metal foils ..

As he placed on her.. Fiki tried to sit up..

Kaalu: don't move..

Fiki: i .. am so afraid.. it's so much precious thing.. surely someone would like to buy.. please sell it..

Kaalu: never.. wear it when you like .. keep in wall safe ..i will also make another inside shelf for safe keeping ..

Fiki grasped him tightly afraid and trembling..

Kaalu hugged her lovingly.. " don't worry.. nobody will notice.. " .. ever.. wear it backside flipped. .. It's plain wood ..

Fiki nodded approval.. and rested on his arm clinging on him.. her heart thudded as if in a cage..