Time of Gifting by Taki Drake

Author:Taki Drake [Drake, Taki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Times of Gifting
Publisher: All Chaos Press
Published: 2021-01-16T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12 – A Meal Before You Go

The previous day had ended on a series of high notes with successful trades one after another. Each of the merchants in subsequent booths that Mary had entered had been respectful and reasonable in their prices and negotiation. The woman took advantage of that attitude to buy unusual spices and other metalwork, rugs, leather items, and distinctive accessories like pakols, a type of warm flat hat.

By the time they were done, Mary was more than ready to get back on the bus and travel to their lodgings. Abdul and their two escorts had taken care of getting everything appropriately stowed and made the American women comfortable before starting the last trip of the evening.

Mary had almost crawled to her seat in the rear of the bus, feeling the echoing effects of adrenaline release accentuating the agony of aching feet and the tension in her shoulders and back. The combination of pain and exhaustion pushed any other event out of the forefront of her mind. Fumbling in her tote bag, the woman pulled some ibuprofen out and swallowed it, washing the pills down with large gulps of water. Suddenly too tired to keep her eyes open, the group leader soon fell into an exhausted sleep that lasted until the bus pulled up in front of the evening’s accommodations.

The group leader did not remember much of the evening, other than someone insisting that she have something to eat when all she wanted to do was to go to sleep. However, Mary wakened early, disoriented, and struggling to identify where she was. Quickly washing and brushing her teeth, Mary was down in the small hotel lobby with her bag packed and ready to go just as Abdul settled accounts with the desk clerk.

Being Mary, their cheerful and devoted guide and driver came over to inquire how she felt this morning. Responding that she was better rested and totally recovered, the American woman was pleased that the small worry lines in his face eased out and his familiar happy grin reappeared on his face.

A few minutes later, the rest of the women in the tour group made their way into the lobby, each with their packed bags. One of their escorts, Jumal, came over to assist Abdul in stowing away their luggage while the women climbed onto the bus.

Looking out the window, Mary saw Abdul in the middle of a serious discussion with two escorts. Both Haji and Jumal were emphatically making points to the tour guide and driver, and none of them looked happy. Making a note to herself that she should ask Abdul what they had been talking about later, Mary instead concentrated on the beautiful scenery around her.

Even when the two men on motorcycles started out ahead of them and the bus followed, Mary kept her eyes on the landscape that was so different than her home. The dramatic mountain vistas and the areas of lush vegetation contrasting with stony outcroppings and bare sandy soil seemed to be seeping into her soul.

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