Chapter Three

For a few weeks after Shimoto’s birthday everything was blissfully quiet. The village continued being sleepy, and Shimoto and Mera enjoyed spending everyday together without any trouble.

            But the relative slumber of the village was soon to be disturbed as a messenger arrived to tell the people that the chief would be returning from India. He had been gone for many years leaving the head hunter in charge, and now news had arrived that he was returning everyone in the village rushed around in excitement preparing a welcome party for him and his family.

            Shimoto wasn’t looking forward to the chief’s return as he enjoyed hunting tigers. Also she HATED the chief’s daughter Jia whose name meant beautiful; Shimoto thought she was anything but.

            She was the same age as Shimoto and ever since they were little Jia insisted on making Shimotos life difficult. She forced Shimoto to be her friend and when she did bad things made her take the blame for them. She was spoilt and everyone, even the adults in the village sucked up to her, making it impossible for Shimoto to do anything about Jia’s bullying. As far as Shimoto was concerned she was snobbish, rude and cruel. 

            As the days went by the only thing people were talking about in the village was the chiefs return, a time they were all looking forward to, a day Shimoto was dreading.

             Once again Chuntao collected her herbs and creams expecting Shimoto to get made up for the celebrations, and Shimotos mother was doing her part by organizing food for the event calling on Shimoto and Chuntao for help. While they were all busy preparing the ingredients, Simotos mother kept talking about how excited she was causing Shimoto to lose her temper. 

            ‘I am sick of hearing about the chief’

‘Come on dear replied Shimoto’s mum trying to liven her daughter up, it will be fun. Look what everyone is doing; it will be a great celebration’

‘Yeah of course it will’ said Shimoto sarcastically

‘Also your friend will be back. I remember how you both used to play together everyday. I was so proud, my daughter best friends with the chiefs little girl. It will do you good to be friends with her again, keep you out of the jungle’ 

‘Mother…’ said Shimoto between gritted teeth

Her mother looked up from the fish that she was gutting. Shimoto remembered how happy her mother was when she was a friend of Jia’s, even though she didn’t know how horrible she was. She didn’t want to know, and the countless times Shimoto tried to tell her amounted to nothing.

            ‘Yes?’

            ‘Nothing’ she responded getting back to her chores

The days before the chiefs return Shimoto was busy doing her part preparing for the festivities while making sure she got chance to see Mera when she could. After four days of waiting, four days of preparation and anticipation the watchman finally banged his drum at the arrival of the chief and his family who were travelling in a basket on the back of great Indian elephant.   

Everyone crowded into the centre of the village and waited as the Elephant bulldozed its way through the jungle. They cheered as the chief arrived, and bowed as the big creature kneeled and they disembarked. Shimoto looked on with apprehension as she waited for Jia to step down. As she did, dressed in a green silk Sari, the native dress of India, the crowd gasped at her beauty. It had been many years since anyone from the village had seen her, she was a child then and now she was a stunning young woman which angered Shimoto further. Not only was she nasty and the daughter of the most powerful man in the village, she was now beautiful, it all seemed so unfair that it should be this way.

            ‘Thank you for the lovely welcome’ said the chief

After many long speeches on the part of the chief and the head hunter the celebrations began. They ate the finest foods, drank the finest drinks and danced to the finest music, and as the sun went down a massive bonfire was lit providing light and warmth until late in the evening.

 Junjie was at the party, and he and Shimoto spent some time talking and dancing. Shimoto was beginning to like him more now the pressure of marriage was lifted, and she hoped her liked her to. He was very much the gentleman and she felt there was a connection between them she couldn’t quite explain.

 Shimoto and Jia didn’t speak all night, but what Shimoto didn’t know was that Jia had seen her. She watched with a pang of jealousy as Shimoto talked and danced with Junjie. As far as she was concerned she far more attractive than the bland boyish Shimoto and hated that she was getting his attention. Watching them both frustrated her; she wanted him to like her, to be the one who made him laugh and to be the one who he shared ideas with. As she continued to watch she damned Shimoto under her breath while once again planning to torment her.

The next day everyone was tired and weary after the late night. The village was a mess, with banners and other bits of litter scattered on the floor. Shimoto’s mum heated some water in order for them to wash before the hard day of cleaning which the whole village would participate.

            As the people of the village gathered, Shimoto was filled with anxiety waiting for Jia to emerge. She wondered how her life would be now she was back, if she would spend her days feeling uncomfortable and constantly looking over her shoulder. Shimoto felt defenceless, this girl was the most powerful in the entire village and Shimoto’s family though respected were modest.

‘Well where is the chief?’ asked Shimoto looking about as she picked up a half eaten bit of chicken begrudgingly

‘He and his family are probably resting after their journey’ replied Shimoto’s mum.

 ‘Well that’s hardly fare …’

Suddenly a voice bellowed from behind Shimoto making her nearly jump out of her skin

            ‘…And what’s hardly fare Shimoto?’

‘Ahhh Jia screeched Shimotos mum, it is so good to have you and your family back’

‘Thank you Jia replied sweetly, it is good to be back home’

Shimoto screwed her face up in disgust, the false courtesy, the sucking up of her mother it was too much to bare. She hated people who sucked up; as far as she was concerned it showed lack of honour and self-respect.

‘Shimoto, after you have finished tidying the place up said Jia, will you come over. It would be nice to get reacquainted’

            ‘She would be happy to’ Shimotos mother jumped in

            ‘Good. Well enjoy you day. Nice to see you and Shimoto I will see you later’

Jia walked away and Shimotos mum began to get excited, so happy that Shimoto was to once again be seen with the chief’s daughter.

            The village spent many hours picking up the litter and tidying after the party, all that time Shimoto was thinking about how to avoid seeing Jia. Her desire to escape the girl outweighed her desire to make her mother happy, so once most of the chores were done Shimoto snuck off into the jungle to find Mera.

‘Mera said Shimoto weeping; I don’t know what to do. Jia is going to make my life hell and there is nothing I can do about it’

Mera growled fiercely indicating that he would tare the girl limb from limb.

‘That’s sweet but if she was hurt no doubt the village would get revenge on every tiger in the area and we can’t have that’

Mera snuggled into Shimoto trying the best he could to comfort his crying friend. She had been away for a few hours and she had butterflies in her stomach knowing that by now Jia, and possibly her mother would be wondering where she was. 

Meanwhile Jia was waiting for Shimoto. Anger began to rise within her as she felt disobeyed. How dare Shimoto not do as she is asked? Jia had always got what she wanted; her farther made sure of that. She thought for some time about what to and decided she would go out into the village and find Shimoto; maybe ask her mother where she could be. Even though she felt that admitting to Shimotos mum that her daughter had stood her up was embarrassing she wasn’t going to let her get away with it.

            Jia looked through the remaining few people out cleaning the street. Shimoto was not one of them. Jia huffed as she had hoped she could avoid going to Shimotos hut.

 Chuntao opened the door to the waiting Jia. Chuntao never liked Jia much, she thought she was a brat, but again out of politeness and respect for the Chief she kept her opinions to herself. Jia was secretly intimidated by Chuntao, not only was she older but a lot taller and towered over her. She remembered when she was younger she looked up to Chuntao; she is very beautiful and popular in the village. Jia was an only child and would have loved to have an older sister to talk to and to guide her. But she knew deep down, like an ache within her heart that Chuntao wasn’t too fond of her.

‘Hello Chuntao. Umm, is Shimoto in?’ She asked timidly

‘No glared Chuntao, she isn’t. Why may I ask?’

Jia’s stomach turned at the question, embarrassed to tell Chunato that Shimoto had disobeyed her. Suddenly as if saved from drowning Shimotos mother came to the door, bubbly and overpowering as Jia had always remembered.

            ‘Jia! Are you here for Shimoto?’

            ‘Yes she replied is she here?’

‘No Shimoto’s mum replied looking puzzled. That’s unlike her to forget arrangements. I wonder were she could be...oh…she is often in the jungle. I can’t tell you what she does there but that’s where you can usually find her. I warn her though; it’s not a safe place with tigers and all sorts. But she won’t listen. If you find her tell her to stay out of there, you can teach her to be a proper lady Jia, she must grow up’

‘Thank you replied Jia bored by the woman’s babble; I will look for her now and tell her. Have a good day and you Chuntao’

Shimoto and Mera were playing by the river. Shimoto’s mood had picked up and they were wrestling on the grass. They were both very competitive and neither would give up. Mera, though stronger would always be gentle and never hurt Shimoto. She felt safe; even as he bared his massive teeth and lunged towards her.

            Meanwhile Jia had been in the jungle looking for Shimoto. She decided to head to the river as she suspected that if she wanted to avoid someone that is where she would go. It was beautiful, far enough from the village to be private and close enough to feel safe. As she approached she heard the faint sounds of laughter and snuck up using the shrubs as cover. She didn’t know what to make of what she saw at first, she saw a huge beast tumbling around then a young woman reach round the animal’s neck and force it down. But suddenly she saw who it was and all the pieces came together. Shimoto and a tiger. That’s where she had been going, that’s why her mother never knew what she had been doing. If anyone found this out then Shimoto would be in big trouble with her mother and the village. Jia was overjoyed; she had her ammunition to get her revenge and a means of keeping Shimoto away from Junjie.

 Mera suddenly lifted his head and his manner became serious. He sniffed at the air and looked around intently. Jia realised he had caught her scent and slowly backed away from her hiding place to return to the village. The revenge would have to wait, but she had seen enough.