章 9: A NEW COMPANION

The place wasn't a quiet one at this moment, even if I spoke high, I doubt that I'll be able to speak over the discussion people were having themselves. I turned and looked at the eyes of the man that stood right before me.

It was as if the everyone peeled their skins right in front of him. He gawked at me like he just made a mistake listening in. I caught him by the side of his arm and pulled him right in the middle of the tent.

"This is your new leader. If anyone's have any objection please speak now." I stated. The discussions slowly died and the silence was getting deafening. "Since no one spoke, I'll take that you are comfortable with the new leader. I hope this decision of mine shall rove beneficiary for us." With the end in the announcement, I walked away from the crowd.

Sure, I was afraid on any other tyrant ruling over us who would just use me for his gains in particular, but I knew someone who was far from the mentality of that. Tahari has always been by my side whenever things like this arise and by now. He has proved to be capable of the leader seat, but this wasn't the only thing which made me choose it.

I've had several news on how Tahari secretly passes his cultivation to the ones who had a bad farming year. People were amazed on how these things actually ended up in their houses. This proved his eligibility and there's something for my benefit too as he is my dearest comrade.

While I was halfway to my house, I felt someone holding my arm and turning me in a jerk. Tahari looked dead serious and muttered something very low. "Why did you step back? You are the best at directing the villages." He lowered his eyes.

"I know." There's something that lit up in me when I saw how he thought of himself any less of a leader. "I choose what's best for the village, and right now I choose the village to be under the leadership of yours. Don't make my decision wrong." I continued after placing a hand on his shoulder.

His eyes now determined, with a bit of moisture in them. A short smile spread over his face after which he wiped his eyes and turned back to the crowd. He extended his arm and let out a huge scream and in return the crowd screamed back in unison.

They cheered again while Tahari ran and jumped to hug everyone. They sang and danced for a while near the bonfire. It seemed a waste if I were to sleep through this night. Tahari seemed genuinely happy and I had a petite positive feeling that my decision was a correct one. While these took place I sat by the bench near the bonfire.

If only there was wine to celebrate, it's not like I couldn't drink now. I am 21 for heavens sake. Between my line of thoughts, someone crawled near me while I didn't notice.

"What are you thinking?" a soft voice landed on my ears. I had a faint heart attack upon hearing it. I observed Zoya was sitting beside me. Her eyes glowed bright, reflecting the blazing flame. Her hairs were laid back and she stood there with hands in her lap

She grew quite mature now. If I were to guess I would say that she was the same age as me, but her looks totally changed since I saved her, where she looked like a young teen. She was now considered the beauty of our town how many times have a heard the tales of boys grudging their hearts for her, but she just seems busy in her task.

"Nothing. I was thinking what's the next thing I should do with this village." I replied.

"Hm. It seems you have big plans for us then." She smirked while she concluded.

"I think they are big plans, yes." I agreed.

"Can I ask you of something Joy?"

For one year the people have always addressed me as 'sir', 'teacher', 'leader' and what not but I always insisted on my real name but now that someone actually called me that, I felt a little awkward.

"Yeah, sure, ask away."

"Can I join the kids' club you teach?" her eyes sparked innocence. Oh, how could I reject those eyes.

"But aren't you already fluent enough in the language?"

"Yes, but I am not fluent enough as the kids, they speak so nicely and today I came to knew you are teaching them something new, so I want to learn those too."

"I have no problem with that, but how are you planning to get work on the fields then?"

"That is what I wanted to ask of you. I already have 2 moths of stored food for me but I was planning to start working for you." She now had her hand opened and expressed them while they say. "Like you said, you have big plans for the village. So, you might need more people, and I want to work with you."

Now that she is saying that, I realized how I never gave my attention to the work power for the things I plan on doing. Manpower, yes, I would need that. I don't think I would need to worry very much about this for now. I'll figure it out as time comes.

"Okay then, come from tomorrow." The excitement I saw in her eyes were sparking more than the flame and she stood up straighter. "Anyway, I am off to sleep. You go sleep too; you have to wake up early." With that I was off and so was she.

The celebration ended a lot later after I went to bed but its better to let them have it this night.

The next day dawned and while I woke up pretty soon, the people were still asleep in their huts. So, I had time to look back on my things. More than 4 years have passed since I came to this place and only 1 year since I met them. I haven't made a lot of progression since I became their leader but now, I had both freedom and time to work on it.

Slowly, people walked out of their huts and nodded with a smile towards me. I don't know if it's a way of appreciation but I liked it. I wen t back to my hut and started making breakfast. It was the same roti with legumes we have been eating forever.

There was a knock on the door and when I opened it, there stood among small kids an adult with the same innocence as the kids. I welcomed them, and served them the food. Food wasn't a big deal for me as people have often donated their foods as the leader and as I always feed the kids breakfast when I teach. Today was no different.

After the basic teaching lesson everyone left. Everyone except one.

"So, what are we doing today?" Zoya asked with excitement