Slowing down

One month had passed since Xia and Imani arrived in Shuijin. During the last four days before Xia came back from her family’s village , Imani continued his routine. He harvested healing plants in the morning and checked Muya’s paperwork for the rest of the day. The time he had spent with Master Yusheng, Shuijin’s most famous doctor, had made Imani more precise and accurate when he selected healing plants. He was grateful for his short apprenticeship.

Yet, his gratitude could not compare to the joy he felt when he saw Xia waiting for him after his morning stroll. A huge smile spread across her face. Imani could already tell that things had gone well with her family. He was relieved for her. Not knowing how her family would react had been a huge source of stress for Xia. As their eyes met, the weeks of separation melted away in an instant. Now, they were together again. Imani dropped his bag and ran to embrace his love. In response, Xia pulled Imani strongly against her. Only a long kiss could make up for their month of absence.

As planned, Xia returned at the right moment to reach their village before the next dry season. It was time to rejoin the Kingdom of Zimori and go back with their livestock. When Muya wished them well at the docks, both Xia and Imani promised to visit her again in a few years. The next two weeks at sea went smoothly. Imani recounted his meeting with Master Yusheng. It had been marvelous to speak with someone like him. Then, Xia shared her reunion with her family. She chose to share her pride in her little sister, who was now fully capable of managing the farm on her own.

Soon, the coastline of Gungara drew into view. Once they arrived, Xia and Imani decided to remain for some time in the city. On their way in, they had stopped at Imani’s family’s house, but only for one night. Since they were ahead of schedule for the dry season, they could now remain in Gungara for one week and make up for their last brief visit. Nyasha, Imani’s mother, welcomed them warmly. In no time, they were all in the kitchen helping with the evening meal.

Their reunion was cheerful, but Xia could still see grief in their eyes. The whole family did their best to cope and kept smiling, yet the pain from Zano’s death continued to linger in the atmosphere of the house.

The evening passed gently as everyone took comfort in each other’s presence. The meal ended in hugs and a farewell for the night. Afterwards, Xia told Imani she was going outside to meditate. He was used to her meditation outings and let her leave while he reached for the bed.

At first, Xia meditated in the house garden. Like before, the connection she felt in Gungara was stronger than anywhere else. During her week of travel between her family’s farm and Shuijin, she had thought about her future. Thanks to her mother, she was convinced there was something for her to discover in Gungara. Her deep connection with the spirit of the moon, Yulin, could not be a coincidence. Focusing on her feelings, Xia felt that it was pushing her to explore the city. Quickly, she began to walk with her eyes half-open. She had to find out which place she was driven to. Her progress was slow. After all, she did not know the city very well. Still, with time, she managed to progress through the streets and came upon one particular building. Xia was lucky, the full moon allowed her to observe closely where she had stopped.

The edifice in front of her was one of the largest in Gungara. Four conic towers marked its corners, the higher they rose, the narrower they became. Between them, three floors made up the total height of the building. As she turned around the structure, Xia could feel her connection compelling her to go inside. But, tired as she was, she decided to leave. She carefully memorized the building’s location before she headed back to Imani’s family’s house. With her keen observation skills and reliable sense of direction, finding her way was easy. In the end, her little expedition had lasted two hours. Unsurprisingly, when she quietly slipped into the bedroom, Imani was there, reading one of his mother’s medicine books. He had always preferred to wait for her, and Xia never complained about it. The quiet hours in the middle of the night often belonged to them alone.

The following day, Nyasha, Imani’s mother, took Xia with her. She wished to share some time with her daughter-in-law and get to know her a bit more. Meanwhile, Imani stayed with his little sister, Runako. This moment between brother and sister allowed him to ask about her double identity. When Imani was in Shuijin, Muya had been surprised as she had already seen him very recently. He finally discovered that his little sister was the one responsible for the trick; she had assumed his identity for a while, passing herself off as him. As he confronted his little sister, Runako’s reaction troubled him; she did not even try to deny his accusations. Anger started to grow inside Imani, but she was the one who burst out crying, accusing him of abandoning his duty and family for his own happiness. In the next moment, she left the house, too angry to continue. Imani was speechless.

Later on, Xia and Nyasha went back from their walk. Nyasha had treated some patients and learned a great deal about Xia. Once inside the house, neither of them understood why Runako was absent. After Imani’s explanations, they all waited while preparing the meal. At some point, Runako came back and ate with them. Conversations were ordinary, as if nothing had happened. Xia did not wish to tell Imani what to do with his little sister. She knew Imani could decide for himself how to react.

For the rest of the week, Xia followed Nyasha during the day and carried on her walking meditations at night. Each new attempt made her stop at the same large and curious building. On the fourth day, she left Nyasha earlier and went to the mysterious location in daylight. Xia hoped to walk inside the structure and understand what this place was. Getting closer to the entrance made her realize something. Not only were the doors open, but a few people also seemed to go in and out easily. Apparently, no guards were patrolling near the entry. Too tempted to let it go, she went in. Inside, a huge room greeted her. The decoration was austere, but more importantly, at least twenty people were meditating silently. Xia could not believe her eyes.

There it was, the location Yulin had sent her to discover. Sure of herself, she sat down and started to meditate. No feelings similar to the connection with the moon spirit went through her. Still, she managed to ease her mind and waited for something to happen. Her instinct did not miss. A middle-aged woman was looking for some information.

“Excuse me, I heard The Community was recruiting new members every year. When is the next session, please?”

A large man watched her and answered softly,

“Our allowing sessions last two weeks at the beginning of the rainy season.”

“Then, I must endure only six more months before joining you for the rest of my life.”

“If you say so…, but keep in mind that the first year in The Community restricts any contact with the outside world. This is our recruiting condition.”

The woman nodded silently, a smile in her eyes.

Satisfied with what she heard, Xia returned to Imani’s family’s house. She let all the precious things she had learned grow inside her as the last days of the week concluded her stay in Gungara. Finally, she and Imani could travel back to their isolated hut in Tambara.

Their week-long trip passed by in the blink of an eye. In Tambara, they were confused to receive sincere welcomes from their neighbors. They also seemed glad to give back Xia and Imani’s livestock. Even if they did not approve of Imani’s behavior with healing plants, they had agreed to help the young couple. Those people were as traditional as they were generous.

Within a week, Xia and Imani found their bearings again. Clearly, Xia had missed being near her lovely animals. Part of her even felt their invisible gratitude through their behavior. Perhaps, they had missed her gentle touch and delicate caresses. On the other hand, their presence helped Xia to calm herself. Discovering The Community had made her think nonstop about it. Her mind was full of questions and distress. She had secretly hoped that deciding to join The Community and being cut off from the outside world for a year would make her love for Imani waver. This way, it would have been easier to tell him everything. And yet, even the idea of such separation could not diminish her feelings.

Xia knew the worst was to come. However, after the two amazing years with Imani, she felt lost. She knew how much he deserved to learn what she thought. She had to tell him. For so long, she had avoided this discussion. It had never been the right moment. Reassuring herself, she remembered when she was closest to blurting it all out. It was right before the death of Imani’s father. But then, how? How could she speak about her spiritual call when the one she loved had needed her so much? And why, why had all this distance she had created from him not changed a thing about their love? Those questions haunted Xia’s mind for several weeks. Guilt paralyzed her capacity to be honest with Imani.

On his side, he noticed Xia’s troubles. One day after another, she seemed to go away from him. Daily tasks were longer and harder for her. More and more gaps filled their conversations. Xia had always been the one to jump into every blank so their discussions would go on endlessly. Now, Imani was the one who did most of the talking. He did his best to be present, reassuring, and attentive to her, but it was not enough.

And so, he was able to wait eight weeks before reaching mental exhaustion. He could not continue like this. Composing himself, he made a decision. This evening, he would ask Xia to tell him the truth. As much as he feared what she would say, he needed to speak with her, and most of all, to listen to her.

Two hours later, once they were both in their hut, their stomach full of fresh vegetables, Imani looked earnestly into Xia’s eyes,

“I’m worried about you.”

Bewildered, she turned toward his face,

“What did you say?”

“Xia, I’m worried sick about you. It’s been weeks now since you seem to be somewhere else. I know how important your meditations are, but each night, you come back later and later every night. Dear, tell me, what is wrong?”

As she listened to Imani’s words, tears began to escape from her eyes. Imani hugged her, and his own tears joined hers. A few minutes passed before Xia could find the courage to respond,

“My connection with the spirit of the moon, Yulin, I sometimes told you about it. Do you remember? Well, you see, it is much, much stronger than I thought. And…, the problem is that it calls me far from you.”

“What do you mean?” Imani asked, incomprehension filling his mind.

“During our recent week in Gungara, I’ve followed this spiritual call. Each time, it would bring me to the same place: The Community.”

Disconcerted, Imani almost interrupted her in the middle of her speech. Still, while he gazed into her eyes, he saw all the effort it cost her to speak it out.

“I asked your mother about them. I know what most people think. But I do not think the same. I trust Yulin. She has gifted me with so many unique sensations. I’m sure I have to join them. Yet… joining them means leaving you… You’re so much for me. Knowing that I will soon leave you won’t make my love change for you… That’s almost the opposite.”

Xia’s words crushed deep into Imani’s heart. Now, he knew she would soon leave him. And it was too soon. It would always be too soon. How was he supposed to react? Could he let the person he loved the most leave him if it meant true happiness for her? His heart already knew the answer his mind was not prepared to accept.