Tasmina's Tale

3. A Guest

Tasmina

“You should have said you were bringing a guest,” Mama said, smiling at Ruki warmly as we walked into our home.

“Mama, this is Ruki,” I said, introducing her. 

“Please, do have a seat,” Mama said, completely ignoring the fact that she was covered in mud and grime. 

She stood, her eyes wide, staring at Mama mutely.

“In fact… where are my manners? Here, I shall get you a towel so you can bathe. Mina, take Ruki to the bathing chambers and give her a shalwar and a tunic. You two look around the same size, although they might be a little long for you. The water is cool, dear girl. You can wash off some of the heat of the day,” she said, kindly. 

Ruki gave Mama a stiff nod and I grabbed her hand, taking her to the bathing chambers. 

“Mama has a chamber in her room, but these chambers are just for me and my brothers. Here’s a towel, there’s some soap there. When you’re done, just pull this,” I said, showing her the lever. “The clean water will fill itself once the dirty water has been washed down the drain,” I explained. 

She stared at me as I babbled on. 

“Look at me, talking nonstop! I’ll let you bathe now, Ruki. We’ll eat together when you’re finished.”

Again, she gave me a stiff nod. I guess she didn’t really have much to smile about, if she was more accustomed to the treatment the crowd had given her. I closed the door behind her quietly and joined my family in our small living quarters, where Mama had spread a colourful sheet on the ground for us to sit and eat. 

“I feel something from this girl. Who is she?” Mama asked, turning to me. 

“She is a mystic… the people were attacking her, Mama. I had to bring her home. They were calling her mother a w***e and saying something about the Gul mystics and—”

I was cut short by a sharp gasp from Mama. 

“She is descended from the Rai mystics?” Mama hissed. 

“I… I don’t know Mama… but you said that if we see someone in need… we are to help them,” I said, suddenly unsure of whether I had done the right thing. 

“s**t,” Mama murmured.

At this, all our jaws dropped open. Mama rarely, if ever, cursed. She took a deep breath and I knew she was grounding herself, gathering her thoughts before she spoke. Mama never stuttered or fumbled her words. It was something I’d hope to learn one day, as I was always tripping over my words in an eagerness to get them out. 

“Have I… did I do wrong, Mama?” I asked, my bottom lip trembling slightly. 

Mama’s eyes snapped open, warm and open. 

“No, my darling girl, of course not. I have raised you to be good… perhaps too good,” she added, laughing lightly. “You did the right thing, Mina. One mustn’t judge a child for the sins of her mother.” 

“You know Ruki’s mother?” I asked, my eyes widening. 

Even my brothers were leaning in, curious to know more about this strange, feral girl I had brought home. Mama’s eyes gazed into the distance. 

“I knew her briefly, my child. But let’s not talk about that. Grab an extra bowl for our guest, I’ll begin pouring the dal.” 

She busied herself in the kitchen and Faris joined her, placing the warm bread on the counter. 

“My sweet boy,” she smiled, kissing his cheek. “Thank you for picking that up.” 

It was an unspoken agreement that we all had, that we would do anything for our Mama. She had sheltered us, clothed us and protected us from the evils of the world. Most importantly, she had given us love, when at times it seemed she couldn’t possibly have any more to spare. Ruki emerged from the shower with wet hair and I was surprised to see that she was quite a pretty girl. Me and Mama moved over and she sat between us quietly. 

“We don’t often have guests in our humble home… but when we do, we drink wine,” Mama said, winking at her and pouring a small amount in her goblet. 

It was the first time I saw Ruki smile. It was small and shy, but it lit up her entire face. 

“My name is Miya Aera Kaiz. What’s yours, young lady?” Mama asked.

“I am Ruksana Asha Rai,” she replied quietly, but I could hear the pride in her voice as she spoke. 

“Your mother’s name is Asha?” Mama asked, looking suddenly confused. 

Ruki shook her head shyly. 

“No. My mother’s name is Hana… Asha is just my favourite name.” 

“Ah, I see,” Mama said, smiling at her immediately. “I wish I had thought to choose my own name, too.”

“Aera is nice,” Ruki said, looking down at her bowl full of dal. 

“Why, thank you, Ruki. Is it alright if I call you that?” Mama asked. 

She nodded, bashfully. Faris broke off a piece of bread and reached across, handing it to her. She blushed as she took it, her eyes on him for just a moment before she looked back down at her plate. 

This was the most she had spoken since I met her, and I stared at Mama in awe. She just had a way with people, a way that made them open up to her, trusting her immediately. 

“I think Asha is a beautiful name,” I said, smiling at Ruki.

She treated me to a brilliant smile this time, and Mama nodded at me approvingly. 

“Now, come on you scoundrels. You’ve kept me waiting long enough. Let’s eat.” 

—

After we had finished eating, Mama turned to Ruki. 

“You may sleep in the bed with Mina. Mina, show our guest to your room.” 

“Yes, Mama,” I said, standing up quickly and holding out my hand to Ruki. 

She took it and I helped her up, turning to Mama for a moment. 

“No story tonight, Mama?” I asked. 

She smiled at me warmly. 

“Not tonight, my child. I am tired. But I shall make it up to you all tomorrow.” 

Faris helped her clean, picking up the plates and taking them to the kitchen. She tucked his hair behind his ear and smiled at him fondly. I may have been her only daughter, but Faris was her golden child. I thought maybe she had loved his father the most. He was the only one she didn’t often mention. Felan, meanwhile, was sitting around smoking a pipe and telling them both jokes. Just a normal day in the Kaiz household. 

Ruki followed me into my room. I had a bed large enough to fit the both of us comfortably, a small table with two chairs and a small chest of drawers where I kept my tunics and shalwars. 

“Would you like a nightdress to sleep in?” I asked. 

She looked at me and shrugged awkwardly. 

“Mama has made two for me, but I’ve learnt how to stitch so I can make another one for you… if you’re staying for a while, that is,” I babbled. 

She looked around the room and then back at me. 

“I… I don’t really have anywhere else to go,” she murmured. 

I smiled warmly at her and put my hand on hers. 

“That’s alright, Ruki. You can stay as long as you want.”