The landlady pursed her lips as she watched me. The scrawny boy beside her laughed at my predicament. Deep down, I regretted ever feeling sorry for that little monster, and at the same time I was furious. I was completely stuck in the mud.

  Arwa hurried over to me as quickly as she could.

  “Oh, my child, are you all right? Didn’t I tell you to be careful when climbing the steps? Never mind now—put your hand on my shoulder and I’ll try to lift you,” the woman said anxiously. She placed my hand on Arwa’s shoulder and pulled me out of the mud. Blushing, Arwa spoke to the landlady.

  “Ruseppa, my apprentice has got himself stuck in the mud. It’s cold outside, so he could wash himself by the water. Might he clean himself in your house?” The older woman had never liked the woman standing before her, but she had no choice but to ask for help.

  Upon hearing her words, the woman named Ruseppa did not care for the request at all, and her face darkened further. Just as Arwa was about to say something more, the woman began speaking, not allowing her to get a word in.

  “Mother Arwa, you’d do well to teach your apprentice how to walk. I’ve a great deal to do. Thanks to your apprentice, you’ve added yet another task to my list. Still, you’ve travelled a long way to heal my daughter. Mother Arwa, let us go and see to my sick girl together. My daughter can help him clean himself,” said the know-it-all woman.

  To stop the little boy beside her from laughing, she cuffed him on the head. Then she began shouting towards the inside of the house.

  “Walma, you little lazy rat, come out at once! Come here immediately!” It was clear she felt little affection for her daughter and was venting all her anger at us upon the girl.

  From the doorway emerged a young woman in her twenties, with a slender nose, prominent cheekbones, wavy black hair, and blue eyes. Though her clothes were worn, they were clean and suited her well.

  With her brown pleated skirt, white blouse, and an apron embroidered with red flowers, she was dazzling. In my old world, I was certain she would have been a famous actress.

  “My girl, I’ve been shouting for you for hours. Why don’t you come when I call?” the woman demanded, half in anger.

  “I had dishes to wash, and I was washing them. Should I have come with my hands covered in suds?” the young woman replied curtly.

  “When I call you, whatever you’re doing, you will stop and come to me. Is that understood, young lady? You’re twenty-one and still unmarried. If you behave so thoughtlessly, your future husband will beat you soundly. That is, if anyone takes you at all,” the woman said scornfully.

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  “You, who cling to my father like a leech, have no right to speak to me that way,” the young woman retorted. Hearing Walma’s words, the woman clenched her fist in fury, yet her sick daughter needed to recover soon. She would make the girl pay for this insolence later.

  “Welcome, Mother Arwa. I suppose you’ve come to see my sister, haven’t you?” the young woman said.

  “Yes, my child, we’ve come to see your sister,” Arwa replied gently. After listening to Arwa, the young woman turned back to her mother.

  “Why did you call me? I’ve chores to do. If you helped, my burden would be lighter. How much more work are you going to pile on me? Knowing you, you’re about to order me to do something, aren’t you?” she said.

  “Oh, you lazy girl. At your age, I’d have finished my work and helped my mother besides. In any case, do you see the mud-covered boy behind Mother Arwa? Help him wash with the hot water you took from the fire. Give him some of your father’s old clothes to wear. I shall go with Mother Arwa to see your sister,” the middle-aged woman said. Hearing this, the young woman grumbled and tugged at me, telling me to follow her.

  “Alek, my child, this is the girl I mentioned before—she’ll help you clean yourself. Go with her. I’ll see to the patient,” the older woman said. I was somewhat startled when I heard her words. Was this the very girl she had once wanted me to marry? I began to think Arwa was slowly losing her wits.

  The one she had proposed for me was nearly seven years older than I was. Physically I might be fourteen, but mentally I was older. I began following the thoughtful yet mud-splattered young woman named Walma. Covered in mud, I had started to shiver. Fortunately, the inside of the house was warmer than I had expected.

  “Follow me, you little troublemaker. I’ve a great deal to do tonight,” the young woman muttered.

  “I didn’t know I’d end up stuck in the mud like that. Believe me, I wouldn’t have chosen to be in this state. Besides, we haven’t even had the chance to be introduced. My name’s Alek—what’s yours?” I asked. We entered a small room like a store cupboard.

  “My name is none of your concern. I’ll fetch hot water and a basin. Take off your clothes while I’m gone. Put your dirty things in that corner. Don’t fuss,” she said. I had no choice but to do as Walma instructed. As she stepped out, she glanced back at me.

  “They call me Walma,” she said mischievously, and left the room.

  I waited for her, having removed all my clothes except my undergarments. At the same time, I cursed the unpleasant situation I found myself in. After a while, Walma returned. She brought clean, though patched, clothes, a basin, a sack, and a jug filled with hot water. She set the basin on the floor, implying that I was to get into it.

  “Do you see the stool behind you? Put it in the basin and I want you to sit on it,” the young woman said. I did exactly as she told me.

  “You don’t want your underclothes to get wet, do you? Take them off and sit on the stool,” she added. Hearing this, I felt embarrassed. I could feel my cheeks burning.

  “Thank you for your help. You may go now—I can manage the rest myself,” I said. She seemed to find my words ridiculous. She did not even budge.

  “There’s no need to be shy. You’re no different from a child to me. I don’t wish to waste my time on you. Take off your clothes at once,” Walma said, a note of irritation creeping into her voice.