What is Elisia going to do?
After Anson left Elisia decided she wanted to get a place to rent for a bit. She was tired of living in a tent and she felt this would help with their standing for Betty's impending marriage and a home for when the girls came home. She didn't know how, but she knew Anson would get them away from Abdullah. She couldn't believe she had been so easily duped by Farid. She was tense and hoped that Anson wouldn't be too mad. She had sent Anson a letter telling him what she had done with the girls and also that she had rented them a place. She had hired a messenger for more money than they should spend right now, but she wanted Anson to get the message. He had to get the girls and bring them home. He just had to. It was the third night since Anson had left to go see the council and Elisia was on edge. The girls had been with Abdullah for two nights now and she shuddered to think what they were going through. How Anson could have agreed to let that man have their daughters she didn't know. She hoped that Abdullah hadn't married the girls and deflowered them yet.
Elisia was on edge. According to Elisia's calculations Anson should be home tonight or tomorrow night at the latest. She was on edge and asked Betty to sit with her. If she had to be alone she would go insane. She was sure of it.
Elisia: Thank you for staying up with me daughter.
Betty trying not to yawn as she didn't want her mother to know she preferred her warm bed to conversation right now: It is ok honored one. She felt addressing her mother in that respectful manner would make her feel better.
Elisia: If you feel like you want to go to bed at any time please do not stay up for me. I can do my sewing or something. Elisia knew that with her distracted mind there was no way she could read much less do the intricate sewing that takes years of study and great concentration. She was very skilled in the art of mussim sewing garments which she made for religious ceremonies. That is where a lot of their income had come in from over the years. Now she wished she had something to distract her hands from fidgeting. She didn't want Betty to know how worried she was. It was like her hands had a life of their own twisting and fidgeting nervously.
Betty knew her mother was upset and nervous. Her mother was always composed and her every move was done in a deliberate and studied manner. In spite of her mother doing her best to hide her fidgety hands Betty wasn't fooled. A woman was taught from birth to suppress her emotions. Every woman was supposed to be composed. Her hands were to rest gently and serenely in her lap. Her voice was supposed to be low and modulated. A woman's problems were her own and not worthy of burdening men with. A man's problems were of greater import and they had weighty matters to attend to so to make a man's life easier a woman was never to betray her negative emotions.. Betty knew her mother was not your typical mussim woman. She had always struggled with her temper and to maintain her composure, and over the years had learned how to keep control of herself better. Yet she still had a temper which she couldn't quite tame. Betty knew her mother's temper brought her great shame. Not wanting her daughters to have the same problems with their tempers her mother had stomped hard on them to curb their tempers. In spite of her best efforts all the girls had a wild temper that was hard to control. Zoe was the worst. Maybe that is why her mother was so upset. She knew it was more than the girls being in the house of Abdullah. Betty suspected her mother was afraid what Abdullah would do if Zoe had one of her famous temper tantrums. Elisia always handled Zoe without involving Anson as she was afraid of what Anson would do. Some fathers in their culture had their girls flogged mercilessly or even killed if they could not be taught to control their tempers. Betty didn't think her father would do that to Zoe as he had a soft spot for her, but obviously her mother hadn't been so sure. Their dad could be harsh it is true, but he meant well. After all in spite of her not wanting to marry Wahid Najeem, she had to admit her father had made a good match for her as she would live a comfortable life. At least that is what she kept telling herself and trying to forget that she would be the second lowly wife and wouldn't hold much status. She couldn't think of that though as there was nothing else she could do. She couldn't marry the man she loved, so what was left for her? It was better to marry a man of higher station than to be living with your parents and being a burden and scorned by your own people for not being good enough to get a good man. She sighed. She wondered what had happened to Kent. She had been so scared at the time, but had to admit that there was an animal charm about him that she found interesting. She wondered if things were different what would have been? Oh why did she keep thinking about that man. He had kidnapped her, held her hostage and tried to scare her out of her wits. After he let her go she couldn't help but remember his words ".I will be watching you, and when the time is right, I will come for you, and you will be mine." Those words made those butterflies in her stomach tumble around nervously. Did he really mean that? What if he did come back?
Elisia was on edge. According to Elisia's calculations Anson should be home tonight or tomorrow night at the latest. She was on edge and asked Betty to sit with her. If she had to be alone she would go insane. She was sure of it.
Elisia: Thank you for staying up with me daughter.
Betty trying not to yawn as she didn't want her mother to know she preferred her warm bed to conversation right now: It is ok honored one. She felt addressing her mother in that respectful manner would make her feel better.
Elisia: If you feel like you want to go to bed at any time please do not stay up for me. I can do my sewing or something. Elisia knew that with her distracted mind there was no way she could read much less do the intricate sewing that takes years of study and great concentration. She was very skilled in the art of mussim sewing garments which she made for religious ceremonies. That is where a lot of their income had come in from over the years. Now she wished she had something to distract her hands from fidgeting. She didn't want Betty to know how worried she was. It was like her hands had a life of their own twisting and fidgeting nervously.
Betty knew her mother was upset and nervous. Her mother was always composed and her every move was done in a deliberate and studied manner. In spite of her mother doing her best to hide her fidgety hands Betty wasn't fooled. A woman was taught from birth to suppress her emotions. Every woman was supposed to be composed. Her hands were to rest gently and serenely in her lap. Her voice was supposed to be low and modulated. A woman's problems were her own and not worthy of burdening men with. A man's problems were of greater import and they had weighty matters to attend to so to make a man's life easier a woman was never to betray her negative emotions.. Betty knew her mother was not your typical mussim woman. She had always struggled with her temper and to maintain her composure, and over the years had learned how to keep control of herself better. Yet she still had a temper which she couldn't quite tame. Betty knew her mother's temper brought her great shame. Not wanting her daughters to have the same problems with their tempers her mother had stomped hard on them to curb their tempers. In spite of her best efforts all the girls had a wild temper that was hard to control. Zoe was the worst. Maybe that is why her mother was so upset. She knew it was more than the girls being in the house of Abdullah. Betty suspected her mother was afraid what Abdullah would do if Zoe had one of her famous temper tantrums. Elisia always handled Zoe without involving Anson as she was afraid of what Anson would do. Some fathers in their culture had their girls flogged mercilessly or even killed if they could not be taught to control their tempers. Betty didn't think her father would do that to Zoe as he had a soft spot for her, but obviously her mother hadn't been so sure. Their dad could be harsh it is true, but he meant well. After all in spite of her not wanting to marry Wahid Najeem, she had to admit her father had made a good match for her as she would live a comfortable life. At least that is what she kept telling herself and trying to forget that she would be the second lowly wife and wouldn't hold much status. She couldn't think of that though as there was nothing else she could do. She couldn't marry the man she loved, so what was left for her? It was better to marry a man of higher station than to be living with your parents and being a burden and scorned by your own people for not being good enough to get a good man. She sighed. She wondered what had happened to Kent. She had been so scared at the time, but had to admit that there was an animal charm about him that she found interesting. She wondered if things were different what would have been? Oh why did she keep thinking about that man. He had kidnapped her, held her hostage and tried to scare her out of her wits. After he let her go she couldn't help but remember his words ".I will be watching you, and when the time is right, I will come for you, and you will be mine." Those words made those butterflies in her stomach tumble around nervously. Did he really mean that? What if he did come back?
Elisia suddenly: It isn't fair! How come the world is against us? Why must we be punished for being women? What crime did we commit to make us be treated so badly? I am so tired of this world. What kind of world is it when my two babies have to be betrothed and handed over to that monster? I am sorry my dear daughter that I gave any of you life. I should have stopped after you. Yes I wouldn't have the boys, but you girls wouldn't have to be sold like cattle to the highest bidder. She sighed. I wanted to believe your father was doing the right thing. I wanted you to all find happiness and comfort like I have with your father. Yes our marriage was arranged, but your father picked me out of three others. I was convinced your father being 2 decades older than me I would die if I had to be his wife, but he shows me kindness.
Betty: So you didn't love father when you married him how did you learn to do it?
Elisia: This may shock you my daughter, but I don't love your honorable father. I made the best of a hard situation. I served him like a good wife should and he for the most part was kind. We developed a kind of loving companionship. We became good friends.
Betty thinking of her impending marriage: You were fortunate that you were the only wife. It must have been a relief to you not to have to share father.
Elisia thought a second: Yes, I was most fortunate but there were times I wished another woman could have taken some of your honorable father's attention from me. I know Betty you are dreading your marriage to Wahid Najeem, and as a second wife it will be hard at times. I give you some advice to help you. Always show the first wife the honor and respect she deserves. Defer to her in everything and always make her feel like you are her willing slave. Never try to usurp her place, and seek out her wisdom. If you do these things, you will have a staunch ally against your honorable husband. If you do these things she will be your best friend for life. This is the way to find harmony in the home. It will not be easy, but these things you must do.
Betty not wanting to worry her mother but desperately needing reassurance: How do you advise me to do these things?
Elisia: Always go to her for advice even when you need none. Make her think she is wiser and you value her opinion. If you do not take her advice always do your own thing discreetly. Pay the servants to help you in this regard. You pay the servants they will be loyal to you and you alone. Bring first wife the first flower clippings from the garden every morning to beautify her rooms. Serve her well. Make yourself indispensable. Remember the small details that will make her life more comfortable. Do not fear daughter. It won't be an easy life, but a life of honor if you serve the first wife well. One day she will pass into the great beyond and you will be the honored wife. Always serve the husband too. Keep him happy and have harmony in the house and your husband will make your life comfortable. I know you are young, and want to be married to one of your choosing, and I wish it could be the same, but remember my daughter those marriages hardly last more than a dozen years. I know it seems unfair and harsh, but it is better to have honor and comfort than to be a slave to love. While Elisia didn't truly believe this she had to comfort her daughter somehow.,
Betty trying not to cry as she was feeling some depressed: Thank you mother I treasure your advice and I promise to heed it.
Betty: So you didn't love father when you married him how did you learn to do it?
Elisia: This may shock you my daughter, but I don't love your honorable father. I made the best of a hard situation. I served him like a good wife should and he for the most part was kind. We developed a kind of loving companionship. We became good friends.
Betty thinking of her impending marriage: You were fortunate that you were the only wife. It must have been a relief to you not to have to share father.
Elisia thought a second: Yes, I was most fortunate but there were times I wished another woman could have taken some of your honorable father's attention from me. I know Betty you are dreading your marriage to Wahid Najeem, and as a second wife it will be hard at times. I give you some advice to help you. Always show the first wife the honor and respect she deserves. Defer to her in everything and always make her feel like you are her willing slave. Never try to usurp her place, and seek out her wisdom. If you do these things, you will have a staunch ally against your honorable husband. If you do these things she will be your best friend for life. This is the way to find harmony in the home. It will not be easy, but these things you must do.
Betty not wanting to worry her mother but desperately needing reassurance: How do you advise me to do these things?
Elisia: Always go to her for advice even when you need none. Make her think she is wiser and you value her opinion. If you do not take her advice always do your own thing discreetly. Pay the servants to help you in this regard. You pay the servants they will be loyal to you and you alone. Bring first wife the first flower clippings from the garden every morning to beautify her rooms. Serve her well. Make yourself indispensable. Remember the small details that will make her life more comfortable. Do not fear daughter. It won't be an easy life, but a life of honor if you serve the first wife well. One day she will pass into the great beyond and you will be the honored wife. Always serve the husband too. Keep him happy and have harmony in the house and your husband will make your life comfortable. I know you are young, and want to be married to one of your choosing, and I wish it could be the same, but remember my daughter those marriages hardly last more than a dozen years. I know it seems unfair and harsh, but it is better to have honor and comfort than to be a slave to love. While Elisia didn't truly believe this she had to comfort her daughter somehow.,
Betty trying not to cry as she was feeling some depressed: Thank you mother I treasure your advice and I promise to heed it.
With that they both fell into silence lost in thought wondering what the future was going to hold. Neither one felt it was truly going to ever be ok again, but such was the lot of women. They were born, given to men, served them with the wish they get a few crumbs of happiness to be thrown their way, and then they finally go the way of all women to the greater reward, only though if they were truly deserving. The way Elisia felt against her husband now she wasn't too sure that she would get her reward. What she didn't tell Betty is that she lied about her feelings about Anson. The truth was she found her husband to be a pompous ass, overbearing, stubborn, wrong in most things he decided on, and she had to fight hard her hate against him. She had been afraid to admit it to herself for a long time, but that was the truth; she hated him! Now after what he did to Zoe and Charmaine she was no longer afraid to admit the truth to herself. She hated him, and she didn't care what happened any more. When Anson came home she was going to see what Anson had to say. If he didn't bring the girls back, she would, and she had a plan that she hoped would work. If she could live these 25 years with the likes of Anson, surely she could live with the likes of Abdullah if he would have her. Yes, she would offer herself in exchange for the girls. That was a small price to pay if she could somehow make them free. Yet first. she would have to tell Betty what she planned to do and if things went badly what she would want Betty to do. If things go as she planned she would have to get Betty's promise that she will do exactly what Elisia wanted. It was a high price, but for her girls she would do anything. With that she smiled and for the first time was able to relax. Everything would be ok. She had to believe it as that is all she had.