MAYA
She could hear the sounds of a procession coming from outside. "From the noise outside… I think they're here," she thought, moving towards her window. Her eyes scanned all the decorations done in the back area of the house—there were seating arrangements for people, flowers everywhere.
After Damian said his whole family was coming, it was pretty clear their house wasn't big enough for such a grand event. The wedding was meant to be lavish anyway—she was the daughter of the village head, marrying a man from the city. The whole village was invited, and her mother's side of the family was here too.
"Maya."
She turned around when she heard her name. It was Grace, standing near the door, holding a box—maybe a gift. Maya rushed to her and hugged her tight.
"Where were you? I thought you weren't coming," she asked quickly, not even letting go.
"I'm sorry," Grace said, pulling back and looking her up and down. "I got the invitation pretty late, you know." Her eyes softened. "But look at you. You look so beautiful." Her voice was emotional. "Just last week we were all hanging out… and now you're getting married?"
It was true. Just a week ago, all the girls were together. So much had changed, so fast. They had argued, the marriage got fixed, and everything flipped in a few days. Maybe this is just how life goes.
Still, she felt happy. Calm. She wasn't having that old urge to run away like she used to whenever someone mentioned marriage. Even though this wasn't the plan she had in mind, she was glad. Especially because her friends showed up—even if they weren't really talking to each other anymore.
But Grace… she was thinking something else entirely. She'd seen Maya grow up. And while she always knew this day would come, she had no proof, no real reassurance that the guy Maya was marrying was actually a good man. Marriage doesn't magically fix things—she knew that too well. She knew Maya's dad and brother. They could easily marry her off to someone just because he gave a decent dowry.
That's why she was shocked when her brother Joga suddenly handed her the invitation. Something didn't sit right.
She came today not just to see Maya—but to take her away if needed. If Maya wasn't sure, if she was scared, she wanted her to know—she had a choice.
Grace looked into her eyes. "Do you actually want to get married, Maya? Or is this just… what your dad wants? If this isn't what you want, just tell me. I have my car parked outside. We'll figure something out, okay? Jump out of the window if you have to—I'll take you to the city. You don't have to do this."
Maya looked at her, knowing exactly what she was doing. She was being her protective big sister, like always.
She took Grace's hand and led her to sit on the decorated bed. "I'm not being forced, Grace. I want this," she said softly.
And then, with a small smile, she showed her the new phone Damian had gifted her.
"What is this?" Grace asked, looking at the phone. "Where did you get this?"
She was genuinely confused. How did Maya get a mobile? It was still so uncommon for women in the village to have something like this. Technology like this… it just wasn't normal for them.
Men in the village were very particular—very anal—about things like phones. To them, a mobile phone wasn't just a device. It was freedom. And giving that kind of freedom to women? That didn't sit right with them.
Years ago, a television company had come to the village. They wanted to install TVs and introduce some basic tech. They even suggested providing mobile phones, especially for women, since most of the men were always travelling for work. The idea was that women could stay connected with their husbands while they were away.
But the men in the village? They lost it.
They started saying stuff like, "This will give too much freedom to the women," and "This is the beginning of some kind of rebellion." They didn't support it at all. Even when the phones were specifically for staying in touch with their own husbands, the men acted like it was a dangerous idea.
So now, standing there, seeing Maya with a phone in her hand… Grace didn't understand.
"Damien gave this to me," Maya said, a little breathless with excitement. "He told me I should start using some kind of technology. So, you know, whenever we're far away, we can talk to each other."
She continued showing her phone like it was something precious to her heart. "Look at this—he taught me how to use it. I can call him. His number is already saved. Nobody else's. But I know how to call him. And it even has his picture."
"But you can't tell anyone, okay?" she added quickly, dropping her voice. "Nobody knows I have this phone. I always keep it on silent… so it doesn't ring."
Grace listened, half in awe, half in concern.
Some people might say you shouldn't judge a man's character just because he buys things for his woman. But in their village… the standard was so low that this—this—felt like a grand gesture. Just the fact that Damien had bought her a phone, taught her how to use it, and trusted her to keep it… it felt like a luxury. A freedom Maya had never tasted before.
"Well, you don't have to keep it on silent mode any longer," Grace said with a small smile. "You're getting married… like, today. And you'll be leaving tomorrow, right? So there's no need to hide it anymore."
She was right. Maya would be moving the next night—first to the city, and then eventually to Riverton, where Damien lived.
As Maya held the phone in her hands like it was something sacred, Grace gently took it for a second and added a contact.
Her number.
Not the shared home line. Not the one her brothel uses. Her number.
"So now," she said, handing it back, "if you ever want to talk to me… I'm just one call away."
Maya smiled, eyes soft, and nodded.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Maya's mind—something she had been holding onto since Nia and Kalindi came.
Mia and Kalindi had warned her not to tell anyone. Not even Grace.
But now, sitting there with her… watching Grace gently add her number into the phone, being so thoughtful, so protective—Maya felt like she should tell her.
She opened her mouth to speak, heart picking up speed, but before she could get a word out—
Her mother entered the room.
"Maya, it's time," she said gently, eyes warm but emotional.
Maya looked at Grace, then at her mother, and nodded.