AN EXCERPT FROM THE SONG OF LU AND JIN
It was at the Festival of Titi'abule, so long ago that it seems like another lifetime entirely. We were so young then. I had just passed the rites of primacy and was itching to get out there and live my life. He was a bit older and definitely more mature. He was being groomed to take over the role of tribal singer from his father, and he took his responsibilities quite seriously. I, on the other hand, was only serious about being a pilot. It was the only thing that mattered to me back then.
I didn't know it at the time, but he had been aware of me for a while, ever since the first time he noticed me at the midmorning meal. He told me later that there was a mysterious quality about me that he found intriguing. I was sitting there alone in a crowd, not interacting with any of the others around me. I was just staring up at the sky, oblivious to the noisy chaos of mealtime, not even looking at the food that I was absentmindedly putting in my mouth.
Each day, as he passed through the communal meal on his way to the temple, he would look for me. He wondered why I wasn't sharing my meal with friends like the others. What was I so focused on? He said that I was a mystery that he found fascinating. So much so, that one time, he nearly walked into a cooking station because he was too busy looking at me to look at where he was walking.
I wasn't even really looking up at the sky. I was just staring in that general direction as I visualized star maps and ship schematics in my mind while simultaneously memorizing the songs that I would need to pass my tests and get my license so I could finally become a legitimate light freighter pilot. I thought it was ridiculous to have to put up with all that bullshit. I was already capable of flying just about any ship, but without the license, no one would ever hire me, so I was determined to ace every test. I was going to be so good that I would have my pick of any job I wanted, and of course, I would only take the best ones. I was going to have my very own ship, too, one of those hot little Mabamba class numbers, fully rigged and built for speed and agility.
Yeah, I had lots of plans, and nothing was going to distract me from my path. My whole life stretched out in front of me like a sun-drenched road to success, and why not? After all, I had spent my entire youth hearing about how I was born at an auspicious time. The elders all said that I was destined to do great things and fulfill prophecies, and I believed them. The innocence of youth. I had no idea the twists and turns that were in store for me.
Then one day, when I was supposed to be helping with our tribe's contributions to the festival, I stayed too long day dreaming at mealtime, so I was running late as usual. My mother was going to be angry if I was late again, so I grabbed my things and ran. As I raced around the corner, I barreled right into him, splashing half the contents of my cup all over his shirt. I was mortified. I could tell by the way he was dressed that he was clearly an acolyte in training to be a tribal singer, and I had just made a mess of his clothes.
"Holy crap!" I blurted and immediately slapped my hand over my mouth. Nice going Lu. Curse in front of a temple acolyte. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you standing there." I amended.
He smiled as he took the napkin I offered and dabbed at his shirt. "Don't worry about it. It's my fault. I wasn't paying attention to what was going on around me." he lied.
He was looking for an excuse to talk to me. He had actually been standing there waiting for me to come around the corner, like I did every day, so he could pretend we had run into each other accidentally. He just hadn't anticipated it turning into an actual collision.
There was something so familiar about the sound of his voice, but I was sure we had never met. It was a deep baritone that seemed to caress my ears. Yeah, I definitely would have remembered this guy. He had kind eyes that drew me in and a genuine smile that immediately put me at ease. We stood there staring at each other until my brain kicked in and I remembered my lateness.
"Sorry, but I really have to go. My mother's gonna kill me if I'm late again."
"Wait!" I stopped in mid stride and looked at him expectantly while he hesitated for a moment. "You're a pilot, aren't you? I've been looking for someone to help with short runs. Would you be interested?"
I blinked trying to process what he said. Why was this guy asking me of all people, especially after I just made a fool out of myself? The whole thing was so weird. Why wouldn't he just get someone from his own tribe? The questions I wanted to ask were drowned out by my mother's angry voice. "Salelu!!!"
"Shit!" I whispered and quickly apologized when I realized that I did it again, but he just chuckled. Then I watched his smile disappear into what I could only imagine was his best mask of temple serenity as he turned to face my mother and she skidded to a stop in front of him.
He bowed and addressed her respectfully, "Honored Mother, please don't be angry with Salelu. I assure you that her lateness is entirely my fault. You see, I was in a rush to get to the temple when I clumsily ran into her spilling her drink all over myself. She was kind enough to stop and help me clean up."
He handed my napkin back to me as if to corroborate his story. I quickly shut my gaping mouth and tried to look innocent as she looked from him to me and back again. She seemed skeptical.
"You're from one of the southern tribes, aren't you?" she asked.
"Umbajin da Oren'ile, son of El'iaija from the Jinri'an tribe, ma'am." He bowed again. If he was trying to impress my mother, he succeeded. Everyone knew El'iaija. He was a well-respected elder and tribal singer with an amazing voice. I have to admit that I was impressed too and even more embarrassed knowing that I had made an ass of myself in front of El'iaija's son.
My mother oozed politeness and formality. "It's very nice to meet you, Umbajin. Please send my regards to your family. We really must go now to attend to our responsibilities."
He matched her tone. "The pleasure was all mine, Honored Mother. I hope to see you both again soon." He bowed once more.
As I followed her through the crowd, I looked over my shoulder and silently mouthed the words, "Thank you."
He smiled and winked at me.
COMMENTARY
The Song of Lu and Jin is sung by
Salelu Butwale Ti Orenga, Shining Star Keeper of Singers, recounting the story of the love she has shared with
Umbajin Da Oren'ile, Tribal Singer and Keeper of Songs of the Jinri'an of
Bane'ile. Their love has reached across space, time and dimensions. Two hearts beating as one for eternity.
Comments