[Fell] "Wake up sleepyhead."
Cici groaned, mumbled complaints, pressed her eyes tighter, even rolled in the bed, but refused to wake.
[Fell] "What's wrong darling? Sad day?"
Cici could persist, but didn't want to.
[Cici] "Stop. Everyone's being weird. Not you too."
[Fell] "Lucille?"
[Cici] "Yeah. That's mama to you, darling."
[Fell] "Of course. Mama. And?"
[Cici] "Fox."
[Fell] "Fox? That little girl? What did she do?"
[Cici] "Wrote the saddest ballad."
[Fell] "She be damned. Don't you dare."
[Cici] "You woke me. Enjoy."
Cici remembered the song, hearing Fox's voice in her head. And what was in Cici's head, was in Fell's. By the end of the song, Fell was scowling as her eyes filled. And Cici could afford a smile, despite the heaviness of her own sorrow.
[Fell] "You damn Critch. Don't be so smug. I'll get back at you, I promise. Just you wait."
And that was as much as Cici could take. Critch was a terrible name to curse at someone with in Fell's world. But when Fell called her a Critch, Cici was only amused. She burst out laughing.
Outside, Lucille yelped in surprise, the plates in her hand clattering to the ground loudly. She was putting back the dishes after washing, when Cici erupted. It was nothing new, but Lucille still couldn't get used to it.
[Lucille] "Keep it down you wretched girl. Our neighbours already think we've got a ghost living with us. Stop convincing them."
Cici laughed harder. Even Fell, from so far away, was laughing as the tears took advantage of the momentary carelessness to break out.
[Cici] "Sorry mom."
It was a late apology. But it was more than nothing. Cici could hear her mother's soft grunt and the smile in the silence. Then, she turned back to the uninvited guest.
[Cici] "So, what do you want?"
Fell's full pout was a sight to behold. Fell was the same age as Cici. They were born on the same day, at the same hour. The distance between their worlds couldn't keep them from finding each other. And nothing could keep them from becoming friends. Fell was Cici's first and oldest friend. To the two of them, it seemed like a day hadn't gone by without them getting together.
Cici could be considered an ordinary beauty. The kind that didn't grab attention, but growing upon the looker with time. 1.6 metres tall. Black hair falling to the middle of her back. An oval face. Big black eyes. Full lips. Light brown complexion. Legs as long as her torso. Wide shouldered and wide hipped. To Fell, and those that love her, Cici felt like home.
Fell, on the other hand, was a stunner. Tall, almost 1.7 metres. Golden haired. Blue eyed. Symmetric tall face. Thin lips. Fair as fresh snow. Long limbed. Fleshy, without seeming chubby. She could walk out onto a busy street and everything would come to a standstill. Although not entirely owing to her beauty. She was the lone daughter of the Strein family. Even though she had two brothers, they pampered her silly, and gladly acknowledged her ability. Which was why she was the heir to the Strein enterprise. And so, when someone of her stature, walked out onto the street, everyone could only come to a stop.
[Fell] "Entertained an important guest today. Old man Ro. Came over to discuss his darling granddaughter's marriage with Simmy. Sim and Glen. They'd made a good pair. Mom and dad agreed. After the sudden celebration, the old man asked to see me in the office. To discuss a collaboration on the outer lands. A vein of blue Grold was discovered. The old man wants to join us setting up a trade channel. Let me write up the contract."
[Cici] "So, you need my help."
Cici was grinning a mixture of pride and teasing. Blue Grold in Fell's world was the same as Gold in Cici's world, only rarer and much more expensive.
[Fell] "Ha. Don't gloat."
Cici laughed. Fell let her. And then, Fell laid open the contract she'd prepared. Cici didn't read what was on there. She uncapped her pen, and drew the dotted line at the bottom. As the dots appeared on the contract, it flashed almost invisibly and for no more than a moment, Yet, the contract seemed changed. No one else could see, but Fell and Cici could. It was Cici's ink that had rolled in a bunch of good fortune favouring Fell. Done with work, they turned around to the more interesting topics.
[Cici] "Where's Vi?"
At the mention of the name, the two women were smiling in uncontainable joy. Vi was Fell's five year old daughter. Cici and Fell had both been in love. But Fell had gotten married. Fell and Oran met in college, became good friends. They were both good looking and popular, having many admirers. While Fell ignored hers, Oran entertained his admirers. He had a steady stream of girlfriends, lovers. He was no saint, but he made it clear to everyone at the very beginning that it wouldn't be anything serious. He was still young, still enjoying life. There was time for settling down and for responsibility. After college, Oran and Fell remained friends. Fell never judged Oran, and Oran never flirted with her. The two were truly friends. And Cici liked Oran too. Oran was the son of the Louch family, though not the heir to the throne. The Louch family was interested in tying up with the next head of the Strein family. That was the start of the discussion, of Fell's marriage with Oran. It was the first time that Oran saw Fell as anything other than his friend. And he couldn't look away. He didn't shy away from the fact that he was greedy, and he made no secret of it. Fell too felt she wasn't against the idea. With Cici too agreeing, Fell nodded consent. And so, the two old friends got married. It was a short-lived marriage. Even when Oran wanted out, Fell didn't judge. Her only condition was that she would get to keep the child she was carrying in her womb. Oran agreed, and left. And that had been the last time the friends ever saw or spoke with each other.
Vi was born a few months later. Fell didn't mind being a single parent. Because truth be told, she didn't feel like one. Her parents, her brothers and their partners, and Cici were always with her. Fell never felt alone. And Vi would never miss her father. First, because Vi was an incomprehensibly smart girl. Genius would be an insult to her. And her genius was partial to emotional intelligence. Second, though she couldn't see, Vi was aware of Cici. It was a mystery none of the three was eager to unravel. Vi saw Cici as another mother. And when she had two mothers, why would she think about a father.
[Fell] "She's out with Welma. Filling up her coffers with white chocolate."
Welma was Fell's other brother Hun's wife. She was a delightful woman, the pampered princess of her family. Even before marrying in, Welma was best friends with Vi. And now that Welma was a few weeks pregnant, Vi was glued to her. The two of them never tired of talking about the new friend they'd have in a few months. They were much too endearing for anyone to feel envy.
[Cici] "I don't get it. She's eats so much chocolate, but doesn't get fat."
[Fell] "I know. She's too thin. I think we should reach out to Horn again. Get him to cook up a fattening recipe."
Anyone else party to this conversation would probably curse the women. Vi was a beautiful girl, who would undoubtedly grow into a woman who would have all of the continent grovelling at her feet to win her favour, and who had a head that would shame the combined brains of the Darke Cest, the most renowned think tank on the continent that was the dream of all people smart. And all the two mothers could think about was how to fatten their little girl.
Cici and Fell nodded in agreement. Yes, it was important. Vi needed to grow some flesh.
[Fell] "Lucille still worried?"
The sudden question threw Cici for a loop. She nodded unconsciously before stopping and glaring at Fell.
[Cici] "Where do you think you're going?"
[Fell] "You know exactly where."
[Cici] "You? Really? Forgetting something?"
[Fell] "Yeah. I know. Our stories are the same. But there's a difference."
[Cici] "Don't you dare say Vi."
[Fell] "Vi."
[Cici] "Vi's mine too. Just as much. She said it herself."
[Fell] "I'll never deny that. But you know what I mean."
[Cici] "Actually, no, I don't."
[Fell] "Cici. Darling. How much longer are you going to be here? Hiding away?"
[Cici] "Stop. Not now. Not today. Please."
[Fell] "Just tell me one thing then. Please. I have to know. I need to understand."
Cici nodded.
[Fell] "Are you waiting hopefully?"
[Cici] "I don't know. I don't know if he'll come back. I don't know what I'll say if he does. I don't know. Hope, it's definitely not. But what it is, I don't know."
[Fell] "Okay. That's enough. You're going to uncle Viz's? What's on your mind?"
[Cici] "Spicy potatoes and burnt marshmallows on sticks. And of course, prawns. Lot's of prawns."
Fell was gulping her overflowing saliva. Cici was grinning with glazed eyes. Even their tastes were similar. It was something that brought them closer still.
[Fell] "I think that's what we'll have for dinner too. A family dinner. Maybe I'll invite old man Ro and his family too. Short notice, but an informal dinner should be fine."
Fell and Cici were grinning at each other, saying their farewells in silence.
**
Cici didn't feel like going out for lunch either. She was asleep when Lucille checked on her. And she slept on until Sessa burst into her room and shook her awake violently.
[Sessa] "You damned wretch. Now you're not even eating? Think you can sleep away hunger?"
[Cici] "Think that's what I did. Thank you for noticing gramma."
Sessa was stunned. And when she had no words, she let her hands do the talking. The old hands were sharp with their slaps. Cici yelped as she was slapped on her head.
[Cici] "Someone save me from this crazy old woman. Let's get her married. She's too frustrated."
Sessa blushed from embarrassment. And blushed darker as she heard the laughter from outside. She slapped harder, but still not enough to actually hurt. At best, Cici felt smarted. Then, the old woman grabbed the younger one's ear with undisguised fury, and dragged her out.
No one was impressed, or affected. It was a sight they had seen many, many times, and gotten accustomed to. Fucha addressed the women nonchalantly.
[Fucha] "Let's go, shall we? Not just Cici, we're all hungry. The girls wouldn't eat much since mama called. They wanted to leave space for dinner. And they wouldn't let us eat either."
The twins grinned proudly. Jenna nodded sadly, patting her tummy lightly.
[Lulu] "Cici, Cici, we'll have lots of prawns. Okay?"
The twins grabbed a hand each of Cici's, knowing full well what their favourite aunty's answer would be.
[Cici] "Until we're so full, our stomachs explode."
The three girls broke into giggles, while the rest of the family looked on amused. And of course, Sessa wouldn't let this opportunity go.
[Sessa] "This is why I keep telling you to get married. How you love kids."
[Cici] "I don't need marriage for kids."
[Sessa] "Of course not. You do need a man, however. Find him. Leave the rest to us."
[Cici] "Today, I don't need a man either."
[Sessa] "So you're not going to look for a man, at all, are you?"
Cici remained silent. But the silence was different. And everyone noticed. Sessa, however, was the first to respond to it.
[Sessa] "How about this. Let us find you a man? You just have to pick a restaurant you like, or any other place for that matter. Even the bookstore would be fine. Meet there. And if you like the man, let us know. Simple and easy. What do you say?"
[Lulu and Mimi] "Yes, yes, Cici. We'll find you a nice hubby."
[Cici] "Oh, you will, will you? Who'll be a nice hubby?"
[Lulu] "Tall."
[Mimi] "Handsome"
[Lulu] "Loves prawns."
[Mimi] "And chocolate cake."
[Lulu] "And books."
[Mimi] "And scary movies."
[Lulu] "And should like us."
[Mimi] "And we should like him."
[Cici] "That's all?"
[Lulu] "You can think of more."
[Mimi] "Yes, yes, you can. We'll help look."
Fucha nodded seriously. The rest were all laughing.
[Cici] "Fine. You can look."
Sessa and Lucille were stunned. Merry, Cici's father, was amused. Jenna and the twins were lost in deep thought. Fucha had a questioning look. Cici smiled assuringly. They all nodded, and headed out.
Uncle Viz's was a small restaurant on the outside of the market. In the morning, it was part of the market, selling fresh fish, prawns and shrimps. In the evening, it was a barbecue store, that was quite popular in the neighbourhood. There was no menu. And most of the customers were regulars. Which was why they knew what to ask for. Everyone called him uncle Viz. He used to be a very popular chef until he retired and disappeared to this unremarkable neighbourhood, occupying his parents' old house and turning the yard into a store. He was a fat old man with a bald head that was smooth as sparkly glass, and a smile as wide as the narrow street running through the market. He didn't speak much, but was still popular and well loved. He also had his admirers, like Cici and the twins, who loved the spicy and sweet prawns that were so much better than the prawns they had eaten at the best restaurants of the city.
Uncle Viz was still setting up, when the family walked in. Cici cheerfully greeted the old man and helped him arrange the tables. The twins followed her, like always, pulling over the chairs which were none too heavy for them. When uncle Viz smiled at them thankfully, Cici asked for extra servings of prawns for free, and the old man burst out laughing, which was him wordlessly agreeing.
Dinner was a joyful affair. It was well into the night when the family paid and left. In their joy, they had all eaten far too much. And everyone went over to the family home for the night. The twins slept with their favourite aunty, mainly because they wanted Cici to read them a bedtime story. Cici complied, reading them the chapter she was writing tonight. The twins were asleep long before she was done. Smiling at the girls who were entangled on the bed, she pushed her chair as far back as it would go and shut her eyes.