Chapter 1 - A Girl Named Ahsi Kim
Writer- GaryThangboi Haokip
The first rays of dawn stretched over the misty hills and spilled through the windows of Ahsi Kim's small home. She awoke as the morning cockerels crowed their greeting to the new day. Though exhausted from another restless night, Ahsi rose without complaint and set about her morning chores.
Outside, dewdrops dotted blades of grass like miniature jewels. Ahsi breathed in the fresh scent of the earth, allowing nature's quiet beauty to soothe her tired mind, if only for a moment. Her eyes drifted to the neighbouring homes nestled together up the sloping village road, smoke already rising from kitchen fires. In the distance, fuzzy outlines of the tallest hills blurred into the pale sky.
This tranquil landscape had been Ahsi's whole world for as long as she could remember. Nestled deep in the rugged Kuki hills, the tight-knit community of Zalengam carried on as it always had, undisturbed by the changes sweeping wider society. For Ahsi and the other villagers, life followed the rhythms of each passing season and revolved around close family ties.
And yet, Ahsi had always felt different, set apart by private sorrows the villagers couldn't comprehend. While others celebrated harvest feasts and festivals, she found little joy in merrymaking. Her smile, though pleasant, never reached far enough to banish the shadow that lingered behind expressive brown eyes. The villagers had long since accepted her quiet, solitary nature, attributing it to a tragedy that marked Ahsi from childhood.
It had been ten lonely years since that night her parents never returned from the fields. The rainstorm had been violent, the mud track treacherous even for those who knew it well. When the waters receded and the mists cleared, Ahsi's parents were gone without a trace. Search parties scoured the hills but found no sign, as if the forest had swallowed them whole.
From then on, Ahsi lived with her uncle—her father's stern elder brother who headed the village council. Though he provided for her needs, there was little warmth between them. Where Ahsi had been playful as a girl, after that night a quiet sorrow gripped her spirit that no amount of coaxing could lift. Her radiant features seemed to some a curse as much as a blessing, with hopeful suitors scared off by the impenetrable melancholy in her eyes.
Now eighteen winters had come and gone, and still the hills and mists held their secrets. Ahsi went about her morning tasks with the same stoic grace as always, chopping vegetables for the evening meal and sweeping her dark hair into a tidy braid. The daily tasks were as routine yet soothing to her as the flow of the streams in the forest. Beyond the boundaries of Zalengam, a rapidly changing world beckoned, but Ahsi had no wish to leave the only home she had ever known.
As the sun lifted above the treetops, Ahsi gathered her basket and set off for the short walk to the forest edge. Several families relied on the medicinal herbs and plants she gathered to treat coughs, fevers and other ailments. Her sensitive touch and deep familiarity with the landscape made her uniquely skilled at locating even the rarest species. In the green shadows of the forest, for a little while each morning, Ahsi found a sense of purpose and escape from her lonely thoughts.
The trail wound down past rice paddies toward the treeline, the morning light dappling the path before her feet. All was silent but for the song of unseen birds greeting the new day. As Ahsi entered the cool forest interior, she paused to drink in the heady scents of damp earth, bark and greenery. Here she was immersed in nature's tranquility, and for a fleeting moment the shadows lifted from her mind and heart.
Ahsi set to work combing the undergrowth, spotting telltale leaves and blooms with an expert eye. The rhythmic search soothed her frayed nerves, and time slipped by unnoticed as her basket gradually filled. Only when the sunlight noticeably shifted did she stir from her meditative work, startled to find midmorning upon her already. As she rose to leave, a crackle in the brush nearby made Ahsi freeze in place.
Slowly, cautiously, she peered around the large fern fronds obscuring her view. At first she saw nothing but the forest as always, yet an unfamiliar presence prickled at her senses. Then a figure emerged into sight, and Ahsi gasped softly at the unexpected vision before her eyes.
A man stood at the forest's edge, as if materialising from the dense greenery itself. He was of average height yet strongly built, his complexion darkened by sun. Strands of his straight black hair fell loose around a handsome face, shadowed by the morning's growth of beard. But what arrested Ahsi most was the emotion haunting his eyes, a deep well of sadness she knew all too well.
For a long moment they simply stared at one another, two solitary souls recognising a kindred spirit across an impossible divide. Then the stranger dipped his head in greeting, a small smile tugging at his lips—the first Ahsi had seen from a man in more years than she cared to recall.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you," he said in a gentle voice. "My name is Kiron. I have come seeking refuge, if your village would offer it."
Ahsi knew she should feel distrust for this outsider disturbing her forest solace. And yet how could she, when his eyes mirrored her own private sorrow? Still he waited patiently for her response, an unspoken plea for understanding in his open expression.
At last Ahsi found her voice. "I am Ahsi Kim. This village is called Zalengam. Come, and you shall find the welcome you seek."
Chapter 2 - When Beauty Becomes a Curse
The village headman accepted Kiron's request for refuge begrudgingly. Ahsi could sense her uncle's hostility toward the stranger, though he offered no reason for distrust. As they walked the path back to Zalengam, she observed Kiron discreetly from the corner of her eye. His handsome features were worn and haggard, as if bearing great burdens. Yet he moved with a quiet grace and strength, appearing more capable than most villagers of fending for himself.
Still, questions nagged at Ahsi. What hardships drove this man to seek shelter in their remote community? She sensed his past held dark secrets, though his manner was polite and earnest. For now, Kiron asked little of the villagers beyond a place to lay his head in exchange for labor. As they entered the village outskirts, Ahsi was loath to part from her mysterious new companion, finding solace in his shadowed eyes that mirrored her own silent pain.
Word spread quickly of the outsider's arrival, and curious villagers gathered in Ahsi's wake to appraise the stranger in their midst. She caught their idle gossip and knew Kiron would face scrutiny and suspicion as an unfamiliar face. Steeling her resolve, Ahsi broke from the group and made her way to her uncle's home higher up the sloping lane.
Inside, the headman paced agitatedly before the hearth. "This man you've brought, he could mean trouble for us," he rumbled without greeting.
Ahsi set down her basket and folded her hands calmley. "He seeks only refuge from hardship, as any in need. Must we turn away the destitute because they're different?"
Her uncle eyed her narrowly. "Different could mean dangerous. You above all should know that, girl."
Ahsi dropped her gaze, face warming at the accusation in his tone. It was no secret that her beauty attracted suitors the village headman deemed unsuitable. Though physically mature, in his eyes Ahsi would remain achild to be guided, her feelings meaningless.
"Uncle, I sense only a wounded soul in this stranger, as lost as I. Must we punish the downtrodden for evils not their own?" She pleading softly.
The headman sighed, fatigue and ancient grief etching his stern features. For a long moment he studied his niece, seeing the first signs of life rekindled in her doleful eyes. At last he spoke gently. "Have a care around this man. Our rules protect all, even outsiders. Now see to the evening meal."
Relief flooded Ahsi's heart at securing Kiron's place, if only for now. As evening fell she helped serve the simple village supper from an outdoor firepit, catching the newcomer's eye across flickering flames. His small smile lifted her spirits like the setting sun piercing low clouds after rain.
In coming days Kiron proved a diligent worker, assisting with repairs, harvesting, and other chores. His gentle manner won over even the most suspicious villagers. Only Ahsi's uncle continued regarding the stranger coldly, never addressing him directly. She sensed the root of his distrust lay not in Kiron at all, but ghosts from the past he could not banish even after so many years.
As for Ahsi, being near Kiron filled a void in her spirit for the first time since that fateful night long ago. Their eyes would meet fleetingly across crowded lanes or open fields, sharing brief moments of understanding beyond words. At night she would lie awake imagining his past, hoping to ease whatever anguish he carried silently within. Against all sense Ahsi felt herself falling for this outsider, this man who seemed to see into her very soul.
Yet fate had other plans woven into her life, and not all approved of an outcast stealing the village beauty's heart. One evening, as dusk painted the surrounding hills in purple shadows, Ahsi lingered after supper to fold cloth for drying. Across the crackling firepit she noticed two young men whispering and sending her venomous looks, suitors her uncle had selected but she spurned without remorse.
Steeling herself as always, Ahsi remained focused on her tasks. But suddenly rough hands seized her arms from behind, jerking her off-balance. She gasped in pain and fear as cruel laughter echoed in her ears.
"So high and mighty you've become, pretty Ahsi, turning your nose up at honest village lads. Maybe it's time someone put you in your place," one snarled.
Try as she might, Ahsi could not break free of their iron grip as they hauled her struggling toward the dark tree line. Her heart pounded in panic, flashbacks of that long ago storm rising unbidden before her eyes. Just as all seemed lost, a new voice rang out sharply through the thickening dusk.
"Release her. Now."
Ahsi's assailants whirled in surprise to find Kiron emerging from the shadows like an avenging spirit, eyes blazing with protective fury. For a long moment the men hesitated, caught between fleeing and keeping face. But something in Kiron's stance, in the coiled power radiating from his lithe form, suggested he would show no mercy if crossed. Slowly, resentfully, they released Ahsi and slunk away into the gathering gloom.
Trembling violently, Ahsi gazed up at her rescuer with gratitude and awe. Kiron's hard expression softened as he murmured reassuringly, "You're safe now. I'll not let any harm you."
In that moment, under the light of fading sun and rising moon, Ahsi knew with every fiber that this man had awoken something deep within her cold heart that could never be abated. Here was her solace, her purpose, the other half of her fractured soul. And though Fate had ever been her enemy, for the first time Ahsi dared believe her sorrow might find its destined end.
The village headman accepted Kiron's request for refuge begrudgingly. Ahsi could sense her uncle's hostility toward the stranger, though he offered no reason for distrust. As they walked the path back to Zalengam, she observed Kiron discreetly from the corner of her eye. His handsome features were worn and haggard, as if bearing great burdens. Yet he moved with a quiet grace and strength, appearing more capable than most villagers of fending for himself.
Still, questions nagged at Ahsi. What hardships drove this man to seek shelter in their remote community? She sensed his past held dark secrets, though his manner was polite and earnest. For now, Kiron asked little of the villagers beyond a place to lay his head in exchange for labor. As they entered the village outskirts, Ahsi was loath to part from her mysterious new companion, finding solace in his shadowed eyes that mirrored her own silent pain.
Word spread quickly of the outsider's arrival, and curious villagers gathered in Ahsi's wake to appraise the stranger in their midst. She caught their idle gossip and knew Kiron would face scrutiny and suspicion as an unfamiliar face. Steeling her resolve, Ahsi broke from the group and made her way to her uncle's home higher up the sloping lane.
Inside, the headman paced agitatedly before the hearth. "This man you've brought, he could mean trouble for us," he rumbled without greeting.
Ahsi set down her basket and folded her hands calmley. "He seeks only refuge from hardship, as any in need. Must we turn away the destitute because they're different?"
Her uncle eyed her narrowly. "Different could mean dangerous. You above all should know that, girl."
Ahsi dropped her gaze, face warming at the accusation in his tone. It was no secret that her beauty attracted suitors the village headman deemed unsuitable. Though physically mature, in his eyes Ahsi would remain achild to be guided, her feelings meaningless.
"Uncle, I sense only a wounded soul in this stranger, as lost as I. Must we punish the downtrodden for evils not their own?" She pleading softly.
The headman sighed, fatigue and ancient grief etching his stern features. For a long moment he studied his niece, seeing the first signs of life rekindled in her doleful eyes. At last he spoke gently. "Have a care around this man. Our rules protect all, even outsiders. Now see to the evening meal."
Relief flooded Ahsi's heart at securing Kiron's place, if only for now. As evening fell she helped serve the simple village supper from an outdoor firepit, catching the newcomer's eye across flickering flames. His small smile lifted her spirits like the setting sun piercing low clouds after rain.
In coming days Kiron proved a diligent worker, assisting with repairs, harvesting, and other chores. His gentle manner won over even the most suspicious villagers. Only Ahsi's uncle continued regarding the stranger coldly, never addressing him directly. She sensed the root of his distrust lay not in Kiron at all, but ghosts from the past he could not banish even after so many years.
As for Ahsi, being near Kiron filled a void in her spirit for the first time since that fateful night long ago. Their eyes would meet fleetingly across crowded lanes or open fields, sharing brief moments of understanding beyond words. At night she would lie awake imagining his past, hoping to ease whatever anguish he carried silently within. Against all sense Ahsi felt herself falling for this outsider, this man who seemed to see into her very soul.
Yet fate had other plans woven into her life, and not all approved of an outcast stealing the village beauty's heart. One evening, as dusk painted the surrounding hills in purple shadows, Ahsi lingered after supper to fold cloth for drying. Across the crackling firepit she noticed two young men whispering and sending her venomous looks, suitors her uncle had selected but she spurned without remorse.
Steeling herself as always, Ahsi remained focused on her tasks. But suddenly rough hands seized her arms from behind, jerking her off-balance. She gasped in pain and fear as cruel laughter echoed in her ears.
"So high and mighty you've become, pretty Ahsi, turning your nose up at honest village lads. Maybe it's time someone put you in your place," one snarled.
Try as she might, Ahsi could not break free of their iron grip as they hauled her struggling toward the dark tree line. Her heart pounded in panic, flashbacks of that long ago storm rising unbidden before her eyes. Just as all seemed lost, a new voice rang out sharply through the thickening dusk.
"Release her. Now."
Ahsi's assailants whirled in surprise to find Kiron emerging from the shadows like an avenging spirit, eyes blazing with protective fury. For a long moment the men hesitated, caught between fleeing and keeping face. But something in Kiron's stance, in the coiled power radiating from his lithe form, suggested he would show no mercy if crossed. Slowly, resentfully, they released Ahsi and slunk away into the gathering gloom.
Trembling violently, Ahsi gazed up at her rescuer with gratitude and awe. Kiron's hard expression softened as he murmured reassuringly, "You're safe now. I'll not let any harm you."
In that moment, under the light of fading sun and rising moon, Ahsi knew with every fiber that this man had awoken something deep within her cold heart that could never be abated. Here was her solace, her purpose, the other half of her fractured soul. And though Fate had ever been her enemy, for the first time Ahsi dared believe her sorrow might find its destined end.
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