Sikana

created with dreamlike art ai.

“Sikana! Did you add some more oil to this lamp? I asked you to. Now we have to wait till daybreak before your braids will be completed.” Milani sighed. She let go of Sikana’s hair and picked up the lantern sitting beside her on a bamboo bench. Sikana rolled her eyes and sank further on the floor between her mother's legs. Milani then tied the rest of Sikana’s unbraided hair in a bun. “You'll carry your hair like this till dawn.” she playfully pushed Sikana's head forward.

Sikana giggled. She got off the floor and sat beside her mother on the bench. She closed her eyes and drew in the fresh air that smelled of the curry leaves her mother had planted in their compound. The leaves along with the scent leaves had begun to sprout too and it gave the air a refreshing smell of nature. When she opened her eyes, she thought she saw something shine through the poles of bamboo that barricaded their compound twelve feet away. That two-second scene which Sikana wasn't sure was real reminded her of the dreams she'd been having lately.

“Mother! Is Ayamoa real?” Sikana suddenly blurted.

“Wh-Why?” Milani seemed stunned. The question had made her stutter. Milani who was known for her daring nature was suddenly at a loss for words. “Well, Ayamoa is said to be one of the seven gods of the water, isn't she? That is why we have that mysterious statue by the Ayamoa Sea.” Milani tried to swallow hard while glancing at Sikana. “Why are you suddenly interested in Ayamoa?” Milani inquired.

“I think she is the one I see in my dreams lately. In my dreams, I'm always by the sea. Then I'd see this very beautiful woman with skin like glass emerging. She often feels like someone I've known for a long time. She’d call on me and I'd run to her. When I look at my reflection in the water, I look exactly like her.” Sikana sighed after speaking. She felt as though a weight had been lifted off her chest.

“How long have you been having these dreams? Why are you just speaking now?” Milani became tense. She tried hard to hide the anxiety that was taking over her.

“Since I turned seventeen, two months ago.” Sikana could sense her mother's tension. “Mother? Are you okay?”

Milani looked up at the sky. It had turned darker and a mild wind began to blow sand particles across the compound. “It seems like the gods are about to bless us with a downpour. Stand up and let's go inside.” Milani dusted her wrapper and led her daughter inside their hut.

The thunderstorm was frightening. With every strike of lightning, the accompanying thunder stroked every nerve in Sikana’s body. She hurried to her mother’s bed. Milani was just as terrified. The people of Kigan had never experienced such a heavy downpour before. Something was off. The Gods were angry. Two consecutive nights with such heavy rains had passed. On the third night, Milani and Sikana were severely shaken to the core. It was as though their hut was lifted off the earth and slammed back into the same position. The next morning, they were shocked to find that only their hut was ruined. It was strange.

Sikana kept seeing Ayamoa whenever she closed her eyes. Ayamao was one of the goddesses of the sea. She was a symbol of wealth and fertility in the Kigan land. Most villagers often prayed to the goddess for prosperity. “Our gods are in our image and likeness. They only reveal themselves when the heavens are in chaos and fire burns in the sea.” The Kigan ancestors had said. Eighteen years ago when the statue of a baby mysteriously appeared by the Ayamoa sea, the people believed that there was chaos in the heavens. Some said they saw fire burn in the sea that night.

The next night, just when the sky turned as dark as coal and not even the brightest sheep could be seen, Milani broke down in tears. “I can't take yet another downpour. It isn't fair to you and the people. You need to reunite with your origin.” Milani grabbed a lamp, held Sikana’s arm, and headed to the sea.

“Mother! What are you doing? The storm is about to begin again. It isn't safe out there.” Sikana pulled away.

“This is what is going to stop the storm Sikana! I should have done this the night you turned seventeen but I was so selfish. I wanted you forever. I still want you Sikana but I've got to do the right thing.” Milani began sobbing.

“What are you talking about Mother?” confusion stirred Sikana's insides.

“Come! I'll tell you on the way but we must go now.” Milani stared deep and hard into her daughter's eyes. There was assurance in her stares. Sikana calmed down and followed her mother's steps. The sound of thunder started to engulf the atmosphere.

“Sikana! Eighteen years ago before I had you, I was desperate for a child and I made a pact with a god. I had gone to the Ayamoa sea that night to pray to the goddess. After crying my eyes out, I saw a huge fire ignite in the middle of the sea. That's a bad omen for our people as you know. That was the night I saw her - Ayamoa emerging from the water.” Milani raised her voice competing with the sound of thunder and the heavy downpour that had begun.

“She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She looked just like you and her skin was like glass. She seemed helpless holding a baby in her arms. She ran to me and said, ‘There is war in the heavens. Can you keep my daughter safe until all is well? I shall come for her when she turns seventeen.’

“That baby had been chosen to be the god of all gods but some gods would not agree and they plotted to eliminate the newborn. Ayamoa granted my wish to bear a child by placing a soul in my womb. That night, I witnessed firsthand the miracles of the gods.

A bright light emanated from the baby’s face straight into my body. I felt you Sikana. You are that baby. I felt the electrifying warmth in my body and I fell in love with you from that moment.” Milani could not stop the tears from pouring. Somehow, they had made it to the sea already. “Ayamoa held your body devoid of soul and placed it right here. It became this statue.” Milani pointed at the Ayamoa sea statue. “ I should have brought you back here the night you turned seventeen but I just couldn't imagine losing you. I broke the pact.”

Sikana was shocked to her bones. She couldn't reconcile her mother's words with the mixed emotions she was feeling. Just then Ayamoa emerged from the sea. Sikana became suddenly enchanted. The same emotions she felt in her dreams filled her heart. Her soul recognized Ayamoa. Sikana was sure that she came from Ayamoa. She looked at Milani who was now weeping profusely. She felt the same way towards her. Right there she felt blessed to have two mothers from both worlds. “You are my mother just as much as she is. I will always be with you.” She whispered to Milani and hugged her. Instantly, she felt herself withering away into a bright white light. She looked at Ayamoa and she felt at home. The storm came to an abrupt halt.