Culture Shock
1049 Words
Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!
Elsa walked and opened the door of the hut where she and Norrie are assigned. She tiptoed for fear of waking her Little Miss up. She is sleeping on the bed that she fixed like a baby. Perhaps, she was too tired in hiking the way to this place.
"Miss Grande, we will have..." the student paused when she saw that Elsa is the one who opened the door.
"You can tell me," Elsa answered when she noticed the hesitance. "I will relay the message for you."
"The professor said that we will have a program at 6 in the evening with the locals today. Please relay that to miss Grande," the student replied.
"Okay," Elsa said and checked her watch. It's still 5 in the afternoon. Her Little Miss has more time to sleep. "I'll tell her. Thank you."
"Thanks," the student answered and turned around.
Elsa slowly closed the door and went back to what she is doing. She has been busy reporting what transpired today to the Grande spouses, Bill and Mandy, whose missed calls reached almost 50 for just two hours. She was not able to check her phone the moment they hiked from the beach up to the time she cleaned the hut for Norrie. That must have made the couple worried.
She shook her head as she stared at Norrie who is sleeping like a baby. Honestly, she considers her a little sister. From the moment she saw her, she already favored her for an unknown reason. She has been a lovely young lady and a sweet one. Although she can be a spoiled brat sometimes before her and other Grande staff, she knows how to conduct herself before outsiders. She has always been disciplined and well mannered. That's why she felt that it's unfair for the media to brand her as a spoiled brat without knowing the truth. She's not like that.
She sighed as she continued texting the Grande spouses who agreed not to call the moment she mentioned that their daughter is sleeping.
Is the house okay? Is Norrie comfortable? Is she happy? All these questions from her Lady boss is so difficult to answer. How can the Little Miss be comfortable in a place like this? In the first place, they were brought here to experience a simple life. She may have even defeated that purpose since she is here to serve her instead of allowing her to experience the realities of hard living.
Busy with answering all the questions thrown at her, she did not notice that its was already a quarter near the time of gathering. She nearly jumped from her chair when she noticed the time. She proceeded to the bed and gently patted Norrie's shoulder.
"Little Miss, please wake up," she said softly as she patted her shoulder.
"Ummm...." Norrie answered but didn't open her eyes.
"Little Miss, please wake up. You have an activity tonight," she repeated.
"Ummm..." Norrie responded again. This time, she opened her eyes and looked at her.
"Please prepare, Little Miss," she said gently. Your first activity will begin in 10 minutes."
Norrie frowned. First activity?
"One of your classmates came and said that you will spend sometime with the locals today. You will have a program at 6 in the evening."
"Oh..." Norrie answered and sat on the bed.
Creaaakkkk!
She rolled her eyes when the bed made that sound. What would she expect from a bed made of wood?
As if realizing something, she looked around. They have lights inside the hut. Wow, Elsa managed to carry some portable light sources to this place. She also noticed how well the place is arranged. Amazing, it looks like a home now as compared to the time they came in.
Slowly, she walked towards the table where the mirror is. Taking her comb, she tied her hair with a knot and put on a light make up. She has to look her best. She smiled at her appearance in the mirror. Needless to say, she liked what she saw.
"Do you wanna join us?" she turned her head and asked Elsa before heading to the door.
"If that's okay with your professor and your classmates, Little Miss," Elsa answered. She's happy that she respected her choice in this matter. "If not, I will just watch you from a distance," she finally uttered.
"Okay... your choice," she answered and walked to the door. She opened it and realized that it is dark outside. It is already nighttime. Then she noticed an area where a bright light is. Recognizing some figures there, she proceeded to the area where her classmates and professor are gathered. There are many people already and they seem to be surrounding something. What could it be?
She walked faster. The moment she saw what the people are surrounding, she gasped. Fire! Wow, this big fire is enough to provide light for all of them. Amazing!
"Miss Grande!" her professor shouted the moment she spotted her.
Her eyes automatically transferred to look at the source of the voice. She saw her professor waving her hand, signaling her to go to where she is. As she drew near, she was surprised to see some men wearing no clothes at all save the dried leaves covering the secret parts of their bodies. What's more, the women are wearing dried leaves that covered their private parts as well. The kids who are with them are dressed in a similar way as the adults. Her jaw dropped. Gosh, this is a shock of her life. She is not used to this.
"Sit here," her professor asked.
She willingly obeyed her instruction. Only then did she notice an old man staring at her intently. Like the others, he is wearing dried leaves but his head is adorned by a headgear that looks like a crown. It is made of some animal bones though. That sent shivers through her spine.
"You are a Grande?" the old man asked her seriously after sometime.
"Y-yes, sir," she answered and turned her eyes to her professor.
"He is the chief of this place," her professor explained. "He's glad to meet you."
She smiled awkwardly. She is not used to this kind of meeting.
- Writer
