The sun glows throw the entrance of the (Chantli) house.
I stretched and rest on my back for a second. I let out a huge sigh. I felt sore from harvesting the corn and collecting herbs but besides that, I felt good. Well-rested and at peace.
I love the sun. I love the way it feels on my skin. It's like a God's touch. Our great Huitzilopochtli rises the sun every day. The sun's rays dance around my face, arms, and hands. I can hear my (Nantli) Mother outside. she must prepare the vegetables for breakfast. I check the hearth. It's a bit low for my liking. I get up and grab some sticks that were in the corner for the hearth. It instantly ignites and burns at the right temperature. At the exact moment that the fire had lit enough, Nantli walked in and smiled.
" Tlazocamati, Matzatl (Thankyou, Mazatl)."
" Ahmitla, Nantli (Your welcome, Mother) -." I respond with a smile on my face.
"Did you sleep well today?" Nantli asks.
" Yes, I feel well-rested today!" My response was quite energetic, which made Nantli giggle.
" Your Tata (Father) is set to arrive soon, Mazatl. " Nantli said
" I know, Nantli. I can't wait to see what surprise he will bring next. I also miss Tata. Every time he leaves for Tenochtitlan. I wish to accompany him." I say sadly.
" Do you not want to marry? Heal your village? and Teach your children your gift? " Nantli said sternly.
" I do, Someday. I think I want to help Tenochtitlan and Travel with Tata. He will sell the cloth you make and the corn he harvests. While I heal the souls, bodies, and the minds of the Empire."
My energy grew with the response I give Nantli.
I always wanted to Tenochtitlan! Tata would tell me amazing stories about what he saw there. It was a different adventure every time he went. When I was little we would stay up late. Laughing at all the funny things that would happen in the markets or about the welcoming people he would meet. Everything was easygoing when I was a child. No one would worry where I was for I knew how to hide like the Mazatl (Deer). Now, I'm starting to hear about marriage, my gift of healing, and responsibilities within the village.
Nantli starts cooking the vegetables with chīlli (hot pepper). She would cook the chīlli just for me. I loved the kick and flavor it gives the food.
" Go fetch me some atl (water), Mazatl." Nantli said
" Quema, Nantli (Yes). " I say as I get up to grab a vase.
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Walking to the river is always calm. I love the plants and animals here. I wish to be one with them someday.
The walk to the river is fairly long, but the sights are worth it. So many colors and sounds that excite the child within all of us. I wish to travel and see more of what is out there. The village Elders would beg to differ. I'm praised and loved for my healing and my kind yolotl (Heart), just not my ideas and the way I speak my mind. They all let it slide, because of my gift. The elders are getting a bit strict on me lately. I am past due on the whole marriage thing to them. Almost all the men and women who were born in my year are already married. Two of my friends even have children of their own.
Tlazocamati to my Nantli and Tata for declining all of the matchmakers' decisions when it came to marrying someone. Their excuse was that I needed to focus on my gift for the benefit of the village, for the Gods gave me a gift that should not be wasted. The Elders seemed pleased with their response, but now that I am 18 years of age the Elders seemed displeased that I have not married yet. Especially since one of the Elder's grandsons has shown interest in me.
How can this be? I ask myself.
I have never interacted with him in my younger years. We never played in the mud or raced to the river. I never had to heal him. All I know is that his name is Meztli. I've seen him here and there, but only if I need to get water or if I'm collecting herbs and roots. I've heard he's a good hunter. Still, I wonder why he hasn't gone to Tenochtitlan. If I were a man with a talent like that I would not let it go to waste. I'm grateful enough that this gift was given to me. God the creator has blessed me greatly. Does he not see the opportunity that is laid before him?
I'm close to the river now, I can hear the song it makes. I close my eyes and continue walking. I have a habit of closing my eyes whenever I'm near the river. I fell over a tree root the first time I closed my eyes. I broke Nantli's vase. She got mad at me and made me smell chīlli pōctli (Pepper smoke). I giggle at the memory. I was such a trouble maker.
I hear a twig snap ever so slightly. I stop walking and slowly put the vase down. I still don't open my eyes. I know exactly where I am. I listen carefully for more movement but nothing. Everything is still and quiet. Too still and too quiet.
Without even thinking I run to the river forgetting the vase. I open my eyes when I feel the fresh coldness of the water. I run to the deep end and dive when it's deep enough for me to do so. I swim and swim until I'm able to stand above the rocks where the water-falls below, which has created a lake deep enough for me to fall in without hitting any rocks. Without even thinking, I jump. When I hit the water.
It's as if I'm no longer here.
I feel at peace.
As if I'm floating.
I can't describe it.
The need for air beckons me to the surface.
I can't help but smile. Even if I wasn't being chased by someone or something. I felt like a child again, but my smile faded when I looked up. Someone was chasing me.
It was a man.
That man was Meztli.
The Elders grandson.