Chapter 175: Hornfith and Maria
Northern Kenya
In the early morning, as the sun rose, the African wilderness lay in silence. Amidst the vast grasslands, a dozen small stone houses stood alone, capturing attention with their solitude. In a region where one could travel a hundred miles without encountering another soul, these dwellings stood out.
One of these small stone houses belonged to Hohenfiss. His wife, Maria, a Southeast Asian from the Dutch East Indies colony (Indonesia), woke early to prepare breakfast for him.
Maria's story was one of hardship. She had been sold by her own father at the age of fifteen. Raised in a tropical and underprivileged environment, she had grown up with a strong work ethic, much like the women in her community.
Maria's father, burdened with multiple wives and numerous children, had squandered the family's inheritance on vices like gambling and debauchery. When his debts mounted, he resorted to selling his three youngest daughters, including Maria, to repay what he owed.
Maria's physical appearance was unremarkable – she had dark skin, a modest stature, and suffered from malnutrition due to a life spent toiling in the fields. She was sold at a low price by her father's creditors, first to the Dutch and then to East Africa, where she was marketed as a female textile worker, albeit in an era when the slave trade had ceased.
Hornfiss, an Austrian immigrant in his early twenties, had arrived in East Africa a year and a half earlier. Like many European newcomers, he was a robust young man. Unmarried European immigrants were the majority, and they were matched with East Asian spouses, while Chinese immigrants were paired with Europeans.
Although free choice in marriage was possible for those who arrived through legal channels, the scarcity of available partners limited these options. Hornfiss ended up drawing a number card that assigned him Maria, and he considered himself fortunate at the time.
The local government of Mombasa facilitated the issuance of marriage certificates and organized symbolic wedding ceremonies for these couples, Hornfiss and Maria among them. They had now been living together for over six months, with Maria just sixteen years old.
Hornfiss had adapted well to married life, content with Maria's diligent and efficient homemaking. Born in the Austrian countryside, he was a simple man who had ventured to East Africa at the age of eighteen, as the family business was already secured by his elder brothers.
Maria, molded by her mother's example, was equally diligent and skilled in household chores. Initially, language was a barrier, but with time, Maria picked up basic German, enabling communication.
As Maria prepared breakfast – kneading dough, baking pancakes, boiling millet porridge, and assembling a simple but hearty meal – she called out to Hornfiss.
"Honey, it's time to eat!"
Hornfiss, already dressed and refreshed, sat at the table. He urged Maria to join him, saying, "Maria, don't rush. Sit down and eat together."
Maria hesitated, concerned about delaying her chores. Hornfiss insisted, "We should eat as a family; it creates a sense of togetherness. In Europe, my family always sat together. You can continue your work after we eat; there's plenty of time in the day."
With a warm smile, Maria finally joined her husband at the table, advising him, "Take your time, don't rush."
Hornfiss smiled back, savoring the moment – this was the essence of his life.
(End of this chapter)