CHAPTER 3: THE CONFRATERNITY.
Weeks went by as Regina bonded with John and started to move on. Alex could sit easily but needed help. Andrew stayed awake all night discussing his feelings with his mum. They, too, were strengthening each other like cracked, crumbling walls about to fall apart but luckily stumbled oppositely to find each other some support.
On a long random walk, Regina suggested to visit the outskirts of Naraba. Regina had seen a far away green speck and they began the miles long journey.
Upon arrival, there were lush green trees that called out to seeking peace. The forest was shrouded in mist and felt mystic inside. "So I am planning with raising funds first and foremost, be they monetary or goods", said John. "Yes, we must find benefactors first and members for beginning an organization. We need volunteers", added Regina, "as charity begins at home, we should start inside our colony". "Grandpa gave me immense hope last night. He was reading the Quran. He says its a really amazing book. He told me a line from it. It said 'with every hardship, there is ease’. It has spurred a huge initiative in my mind", said John delightfully.
Their conversation was stopped as a loud feminine cry echoed within the trees.
They began to search for the person in need of help. After a while, they saw a woman get down from a tree.
Her face was terrified and looked pale. She was no ordinary woman. Her dark chocolate tan and archetypal attire spoke a lot about her. She was not from around this place. She had multiple long braids, all made of dense, 3C coiled up curls as Regina noticed her fallow, fawny knee-long dress blend her in the barks of the trees.
They cautiously went up close to her. "Hello, are you hurt?", Regina went ahead. The women turned around startled and pulled out a dagger from under her sleeve.
"Who are you and how did you find this place?", inquired the woman. "We mean no harm. We were on a walk and heard your scream", John explained, closing the distance.
She starred widely at both of them for a while and then put her dagger back.
Regina noticed shiny crimson linings border up lovely patterns on her dress. She had read about some native tribes living in the lands outside Naraba. She thought they would have vanished by now as the articles were from nine years ago.
With the rate humanity had progressed and eaten up every inch of earth, she had not imagined the tribes survived. "As much as I remember, are you wearing a habesha kemis, they do wear a shawl too with it, right?". The woman grew fond as she saw Regina acknowledged much. "I am surprised to know your people have regard for us. Yes, its called a netela”.
Seeing they had no weapon and were harmless and new, she began, “Come, let me show you our place, we live nearby. By the way, my name is Ada. What are yours?". Her pure afrikaan tone in english accent and her deep soothing voice made Regina fall in love with her.
After the introductions, Ada began, "I was being chased by wild hogs on the way as I came out to view the devastations. From that umbrella thorn up there, I usually see places I can not go to. I come here often when I am alone and need some me-time. I have watered that one since I was a little girl", pointing out to a shady, outspread tree that really was a natural green umbrella.
"Well, John and I too go regularly on walks for a timeout. Today we discovered this new place", said Regina excited to see Ada's place.
"I have been staying up here lately too much. Alone, I sing out to the birds and we share stories until it is dark", said Ada going gloomy. "What has been...