Chapter 4- Special Guest

“Please stop,” he said, completely out of breath. His hands fell to his knees. “Please,” he said between breaths. She stopped and turned around. She looked down at him looking at a cross between mad and concerned. She handed him her canteen.

“Drink water.” He took it and took tiny sips between breaths. His breathing finally slowed and he looked at her, hands on his hips giving a final puff. She glared at him.

“I am sorry. I should not have been dodging you.” Her look told him she did not understand. “Hiding.” Her face softened.

“Why did you.” He realized in that moment that it mattered to her what had happened. He didn’t want to make it mean anything, because this was temporary, but he did think about her a lot in the last month. Maybe more than just think about her.

“Because I’m a coward Sashta. I was too afraid.” He started walking on.

“Of my grandfather? He does not know.”

“Of you. I didn’t want to get too attached. For both of us. I’m going to have to leave eventually, and it could be really hard if we start to have strong feelings.”

“Well it might be too late Ryan. I have the feelings already. I think about you all day and night. I want you to make me feel that way again,” she grabbed at Ryan’s tee shirt. He could see the desperation in her eyes. Ryan couldn’t help but think, “man this girl has it bad for me.” He knew he felt the same, but certainly didn’t feel entitled enough to demand it from her. He stroked her shoulders to help calm her.

“Listen Sashta. I think you really don’t get it. You are like,” he paused, “the literal princess of the village.” She looked back at him confused.

“Okay,” she said annoyed. Ryan thought that was all he had to say.

“So,” he said drawn out, “It could get us in a lot of trouble, presumably me.”

“You have said this. I said I would tell nobody. I am not sure what is the matter.”

“You are way out of my league.” A blank stare. “Like you are beautiful and I am ugly.” She gave him a nasty look.

“I would never be interested in someone ugly. Now we are set. We must hurry to the shop, it is getting late.” Ryan followed after her, not satisfied with the conclusion of the conversation, but agreeing that they had tasks to do. Ryan decided to drop it for the time being, and asked her about what the celebration would entail. She very energetically described significance of the ceremony, one that honored her grandfather and her family.

They made it to the shop and purchased a long scarf of beautiful fabric. Sashta showed Ryan how it went over her shoulders and described the dress she would wear. The store clerk asked her if she needed a matching one for Ryan and she pondered it. Ryan looked at her confused, as there was no need for him to wear a special garment.

“He will be my special guest,” she gushed to the worker. “Another please.”

“Special guest?” he whispered to her. She shushed him, giving a stare that dared him to interrupt again. They walked out the store and she handed the items to Ryan. Who folded them into his bag neatly. “I’m sorry. Is there something you want to tell me?” Ryan said trailing after her, unsure of where she was going.

“I will explain Ryan. Please have a sense of adventure today.” They walked up to a stall where delicious smells were pouring from. Ryan peeked at the grill and saw meat sizzling and puts of rice and soup behind them. Even though it was hot, he felt his stomach rumbling for the fare. Sashta ordered them both a bowl of stew and handed him some and turned to walk back to the village.

“What is in this?” he asked, sipping at the thick brown broth.

“Rice, beef, peas, lots of stuff. It’s one of my favorites. I wanted to share with you. But we must hurry back.” Ryan struggled to walk and spoon the deliciousness into his mouth, finding it easier to just slurp it out of the bowl.

“You said you were going to tell me about being the “special guest”, in case you forgot.” Ryan said looking at her expectantly.

“I did forget. But as part of the ceremony, I get to choose a guest to sit with me and my family. I have chosen you.” Ryan’s eyes went wide. He would have spat his stew out if he wasn’t desperately sucking it down as soon as it entered his mouth.

“That cannot happen. Your grandfather wouldn’t allow that.”

“He already has. Why do you think he sent you with me? This has already been arranged. Ryan there are things that you do not have any power over in my world. Who I choose to be my special guest is one of those things,” she said with a shrug. “How do you like the stewed meat?” Ryan shook his head, taking in the uncomfortable truth of what she said.

“It was amazing. Wish I had more,” he said, honestly. Sashta handed him the rest of hers. “I couldn’t Sashta. It is yours.”

“It is now yours though,” she insisted. He accepted it and thanked her. He felt very weird taking food from her, especially because he was a doughy American. But she seemed to really want to give it to him. He had finished and put the garbage in a bag in his pocket. Sashta kept looking over at him, and seemingly his belly specifically. “Is everything ok?” he asked.

“I like how your belly is sticking out more,” she said, glancing at him again. She reached out and gave it a pat. “Very soft.” Ryan felt incredibly self-conscious. He had forgotten how blatantly forward she had been about his physique before. He didn’t know what to even say to her. “When do you think we will be able to be together again?” she said genuinely.

“I don’t know,” he said, feeling her desire wash over him. He was truly perplexed by her attraction to him, but her expressing wanting to do anything with him was tempting him. “Is it really that urgent?” he asked, studying her face for her response.

“I would say so. If I didn’t think being late could get you killed, I’d start right here.” She laughed fully when she saw Ryan’s face, sharing the expression of horror and shock. “Not actually killed,” she added, causing Ryan to relax a bit.

They eventually made it back, with plenty of time. Ryan waited in his tent until it was time for everyone to go to the ceremony. All he could think about was when he would and could “be with” Sashta again.