For a long time, Sai sat there staring at Chrys untill she calmly stood up and walked inside. She wanted to hide in the dark and pretend this never happened, but she knew she couldn't.
As it happened, Lola and the others were in the kitchen, gossiping cozily. The warm atmosphere halted when they noticed Sai in the doorway.
"Madam," Lola said, smiling broadly. They were all smiling at her. "Lola, may I speak with you for a moment?"
They made their way to the garden, which was decorated with multicoloured flowers. She turned and looked at Lola," I want to ask you some questions. If it embarrassed you, please don't feel you have to answer. It's just that I don't have anyone to ask, except you. "
Lola looked puzzled. "Of course, Madam. "
"I was wondering why this morning, the men were staring at me,expecially Chrys. Their gazes makes me a little uncomfortable. "
Lola gaped at her. Sai hurriedly turned away, but Lola laughed and put her motherly arms around the tense young woman. Her brown eyes were warm. "No one told you,poor Madam! Yes, sit down, and I will tell you about it. "
After knowing everything, Sai was stunned, she realized that every man knew all of this, that only the ignorant women were kept in the dark. This was what men did to fast women, to prostitutes. The realization put a different slant on every memory she had. The dances and social gathering she had attended had all been a part of the ritual leading up to the marriage bed. How many of them had looked at her and imagined her with her nightgown raised up to her waist?
She felt like being thrown into the wolves pack. She had prepared for indignity but not the total loss of modesty.
Sai remember how she layed down for long before she was able to make her way to the bathroom. Her hand had been shaking while she took a long relaxing bath.
She shook the memory out of her mind and went back to her room.