She Goes with Her Father. 22 and 23

The feasting and dancing went on for three days though the newlyweds had ducked out to their Honeymoon tent late during the first night. Ozo made good on his intent sitting by Aruna every chance he got. She was enjoying all the attentiveness and was growing to enjoy him too. Peta was left often to tend to Rampa's and Denar's younger children which she enjoyed. The twins would help her when they were not out helping one of the other households and sometimes Aruna and Ozo would take them for a few hours.

The month sped by and soon the honeymoon was over. Ozo had made a lasting impression on Aruna. She had also impressed him favorably. They were defiantly smitten each with the other.

The groom and his bride emerged from the seclusion of their honeymoontent to see Ozo sitting with Aruna sitting on an old barrel. They were rocking slowly and talking. They were rather involved in their conversation. Ozo was apparently trying to convince Aruna of something and she was not buying into it, What ever 'it' was.

Rampa approached the two with a big smile and asked how they were doing. Aruna said she was anxious to go home. Ozo looked dejected. He had been trying to convince Aruna to wed during this trip, here and now. She wanted to wait until her home was settled with her father's new bride. She also had to speak to Peta before she wed. Things just did not feel settled yet with her father's new marriage. Once they were home a wedding could be planned. Aruna did not want to be wed away from her own home. She wanted it to be traditional in every way. Perhaps her mother would not be there for her but everything else would be according to custom. Ozo would have to wait. He agreed reluctantly and they all went to start to pack their things for the trip home.

Ozo cornered Rampa as soon as he could with out being too obvious. Again it was with the camels, this time they were packing not un-packing them. He needed to ask formally for Aruna's hand. Ozo got right to the point this time. The idea was well received with Rampa. He wanted to discuss it with his wife first but since she was new to the family he thought she would not offer any objections. She was very likely to follow Rampa's lead this time.

Part twenty-three.

Rampa and his group thanked the family they had just grown to be a part of; there were tearful Goodbyes by Denar and her parents. Her parents requested frequent updates and occasional visits by the grandchildren who were leaving with Rampa. Rampa promised to bring them with him often on his peddling trips. They all climbed up onto the beasts and the babies were handed up after them. The camel's stood, awkwardly but they stood. Final Goodbyes were said again and a few more tears were shed as the camels with their clumsy long legged gate swayed out of the small yard.

After several days of travel and a brief and harmless sand storm encountered in rout the party arrived at the home of Ozo and the twins. Mira and Azekiel were happy to see them and congratulated the new couple welcoming them to another wedding feast. Not quite as elaborate as their actual wedding feast, but it was to be a feast none the less. Rampa was pleased and climbed down from his kneeling beast, his wife seated behind him followed into his arms. He caught her as though she were fragile and might break. It was so endearing. Ozo watched, wishing he could ride with Aruna the way her father and his new bride did. Aruna watched admiring how much in love the two were. She wanted to be wed with Ozo, she thought she loved him but she could not be sure that it would be as wonderful as these two appeared to be.

Denar disappeared into the house with Mira the two had their heads together and looked to be deep in a conspiracy already. Rampa smiled after his wife. Reta and Rena and Ozo climbed down and greeted their father and brother. Ozo went directly to his father. He wanted to share with him the news that Aruna had agreed to wed. He then ran to the house to speak with his mother. Denar was there and as Rampa had spoken to her about the match she stood by and smiled at the two. Mira was extatic. She did have a corner of her eye that carried a bit of sadness tho. She was worried for Azekeil. He would be attending his younger brother's wedding before his own. And to a bride he had bid for first. She hoped this would not break any ties. Families could be so fragile.

The feast preparations were completed, a lamb had been slaughtered a week ago and cut into haunches. The haunches were put on the spit and turning as soon as the travelers arrived at the door. The approximate arrival time was known as they figured that the honeymoon would be one moon cycle, they added a few days before and after as well as travel time. The party turned up only one day late. Everything was ready. Rena and Rita surprised Rampa's family by singing sweetly while Ozo and Lazeik played a wooden lute. It was not the rambunctious dance music from before but it was so pleasant and sweet that Aruna asked the twins to sing for her when she was wed. When she approached them, they were delighted with the idea and agreed immediately. The lamb was served with a mint and a pepper sauce while the beans were done with the same spices but tasted wonderfully different. There were some delicious new vegetables that Aruna did not know. She vowed to learn their names and beg some seeds before she left.