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“Be snappy Maryam. We need to have at least a gallon of milk by morning. There are so many buyers these days.” Laila called out. She sat on a bench beside their hut weaving a round rattan mat.
Maryam nodded without turning to look at her mother. The soft glow of moonlight that bathed their home on the rocky hill, and the gentle breeze enthralled her. Maryam bent beside her favorite cow, Ira reminiscing all the adventures she’d had as a rowdy child growing up.
Maryam was always up to all sorts of mischief with her friends in the Tsuiguiri forest. She was the ringleader and would always plot ways to steal mangoes, climb tall trees, and bathe in the deepest rivers. Maryam smiled and marveled at how mellow she was becoming. She had become very aware and self-conscious. The teenage years had ushered changes to her body and all the boys were starting to look at her in ways that made her red and stutter. She didn't like the blushing feeling but she loved the attention.
Maryam froze when she heard the gentle strings of the hoddu from a distance slowly engulf the air awakening everything inside of her. Her steady hands milking Ira in a slow rhythm with the animal's breath and the strings of the hoddu created a cacophony of euphoria that Maryam could not suppress.
She looked over at her mother with eager eyes and the woman nodded. Laila was a woman of few words who always approached her daughter in the gentlest of manners.
“You enable this child’s behavior. She is as stubborn as a cow and she needs to be tamed.” Maryam’s father, Musi would always snap.”
“Fire will never quench fire.” Laila would reply in a calm yet firm tone.
“Good thing she is betrothed. The büll will quench the beast inside of her then.” Musi would charge.
Maryam’s fate was sealed since the day she was born. She had been betrothed to the Tsuiguiri büll. The büll was the spirit that dwelled in the body of a Tsuiguiri boy. It would often take form and come out to protect the village from evil now and then. As a way to appease the spirit, the Tsuiguiri people would give out one of their daughters to the büll. They would meet the of their marriage and they would go on to live the rest of their lives in the forest.
Maryam quickly wiped her milk-stained hands and galloped down the hill. “Maybe I will see him again tonight,” she said as she sauntered. She couldn't wait to join her peers beneath the moonlight. Every evening, the young girls would come out to sing and dance to the rhythm the boys played. Maryam loved the night so much because it made her feel alive and seen. It was on one of such nights she met him.
“Mystery boy.” she’d called him that night when they first exchanged glances. Maryam had been dancing around the fire all night. Her spirit had soared so far when she felt his eyes all over her. He tried to avert his gaze but Maryam caught them and held the stare with her big round eyes. It could have been a couple of seconds but Maryam felt something move inside of her and she longed for the strange feeling ever since.
Maryam joined her friends who had formed a circle around a stack of burning wood. They began dancing and twirling as the hoddu scintillated the air. The night was different and Maryam felt a tingling feeling behind her neck.
“Maryam?” A voice just like echoes sent shivers through her spine.
Maryam turned a little startled. “You know my name? Mystery boy!” She bit her lips immediately. Then she stepped away and twirled.
“Ahh. So that's what you call me? My name is Tijan.” His voice was now gentle yet strong and it made Maryam’s gaze soften. He began squeezing through all the noise and dancing to get to Maryam.
“I didn't mean to say that.” She trembled. “Are you done playing hide and seek with me? I thought you'd never talk to me.” Maryam stood taller and regained her composure. Then she continued dancing.
“These past weeks have been torture and I've realized that my heart beats for you, Maryam. I will fight fate to be with you. Do you feel the same way about me?” Tijan’s eyes fixated on Maryam.
Maryam halted. Her eyes narrowed to her feet before looking back at Tijan. She smiled softly. Tijan held her hands and led her out of the dance.
The following weeks were surreal for the two teenagers. They both felt enveloped in a world of their own and nothing else mattered. They would sneak out of the dance just to be with each other. The forest was their new escape where they chased shadows and whispers, climbed trees, bathed in rivers, and immersed in each other’s arms.
Maryam didn't care that she had been betrothed. She just wanted to live life on her terms.
“Do you ever get curious about the büll and its mystery?” Maryam asked Tijan one night as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Tijan quivered as his eyes darted from place to place.” Shush Maryam! What makes you think about the büll? It is a sacred word that should not be thrown around just like that.
Maryam lowered her head. She parted her lips but swallowed her words immediately. How was she going to tell Tijan that she belonged to a spirit and their love was only a fantasy?
“Listen Maryam. Do you promise to fight for our love no matter what happens?” Tijan held Maryam’s chin.
Maryam looked into his eyes and nodded. She was pleased that Tijan had taken those affirmations right out of her wishes. She leaned into him and closed her eyes.
A few days later at the dance, the sky suddenly turned very dark. A violent wind swept through the entire village carrying embers across trees and thatch roofs. Fires began erupting in clusters. The villagers ran in all directions chanting, “Evil is here. Evil is here. The büll will protect us.”
Maryam got lost in the chaos and she found herself in an unfamiliar part of the forest. A sudden fear crept down her spine and she felt as though something sinister was moving around her in circles. She kept turning, pressing her arms against her chest. She heard the chaos in the village calm down. Soon, Maryam saw something move very fast through the trees. She was sure she saw the horns and eyes of a black bull. Maryam swallowed hard. Suddenly, a hand tapped her shoulder and she screamed.
“It is okay Maryam. I'm right here.” Maryam turned to find Tijan. She melted in his arms and sobbed quietly.
“Maryam? I have a confession to make.” Tijan held Maryam’s face in his hands. “I'm the büll. I didn't choose this life. The gods did.” He looked into Maryam’s eyes fearing the worst.
Maryam searched his eyes with a mixture of emotions written all over her. She was smiling and crying at the same time.
“Say something, Maryam. I know the gods have chosen a bride for me but tell me you will stay with me. Tell me you will fight for our love. Tell me, Maryam.” Tijan desperately held Maryam.
“I am the büll’s betrothed Tijan. I am.” Maryam whispered. She planted a soft kiss on his lips and felt the tension seep away from their bodies.
“Who would have ever thought, Maryam? The gods make no mistake indeed.” Tijan said as they walked their way out of the forest. A wave of peace and serenity took over the air.
“Ummm! So you turn into a bull for real? You need to show me Tijan, will you?” Maryam pleaded as she stopped to plant another kiss on Tijan’s lips.
