Neutral Space(33)

I laid down in bed missing Kheda terribly. I knew she was near however not knowing exactly where was torture. I passed out then and came to late the next morning. I had a cold towel on my forehead, and Bhet was asleep in the chair beside my bed. I touched her leg, and she jumped.

“Oh thank Kelta, you had me worried.” Bhet put a hand over her heart.

“First time you nearly killed the groom from heat exhaustion.”

“I’m sorry; I didn’t know.” She looked down.

“I know,” I rubbed my head, and she poured me another glass of water then handed me some herbs. I refused them. “Herbs won’t work the same either.” She nodded. “What’s next?”

Bhet sighed, “You really love her, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.”

She looked away. “Now you pray, then after lunch, you will be bathed before the ceremony.”

“Bhet, I won’t tell Kheda or Ren.” I put a hand on her arm.

“Thank you, but I must.”

Before she left me alone again, I asked her to go to the ship and retrieve Kheda’s necklace. I told her exactly where to find it so she wouldn’t have any problems. She promised she would. When I was alone, I sat on the bed and attempted to meditate like I’d seen Kheda do so many times. Yet, it didn’t work. I only started worrying about everything in our future and if we were doing the right thing. I decided finally that we were. I’d rather be with Kheda for a few days than live the rest of my life without her.

Bhet came back more quickly than I expected and handed me the necklace still wrapped in its pouch. “You slept late, so it's time for lunch.”

“Do you want to see?” She sat down beside me, waiting for me to unwrap it.

Bhet smiled. “It’s beautiful. I’m sure Kheda will be pleased.”

“I hope so. I nearly got beaten by two Kelsairans for buying it,” I said without meaning to.

“Is it really so bad what you two are doing?” She stared at me.

“Our people are at war, even you did not think I really loved her.” She nodded finally. Bhet got up and asked me to make the bed. I did so without question and followed her to another small room where a meal was waiting. “I didn’t know what you could eat, so I tried making our plainest dishes.”

“Thank you, Bhet.” I sat on the floor by the low table, and she left me to eat. All the food was new to me, but I tried a little of everything. What I really wanted, though, was a cup of coffee. As if Bhet could read my mind, she returned with a mug saying Kheda sent it for me. I took it, offering my sincerest thanks. She smiled and asked for a taste. She didn’t like it. Before leaving she thanked me anyway.

After I ate, Bhet took me lower into the home and deeper into the rock. It was cooler here, and the walls were rougher. She led me to a hot spring and had me undress again. I was beginning to think it was a theme with her. I got into the water, and she poured scented oil over my head, rubbing it into my shoulders. I could only think of how happy I was that I was marrying Kheda tonight. Bhet handed me a rough bar of soap and told me to wash. Then, she stood back and made sure I didn’t miss any spots. When I was clean, she washed my hair and told me to rinse it out. Then, she had me dip into another spring to be sure all the residues were removed. Bhet gave me my clothes and showed me where I could change and get ready.

I waited for her after dressing for what had to be an hour if not longer. Finally, she came to get me. She led me back upstairs to the oasis behind the house. Ren was waiting for me there, but Kheda was nowhere to be seen. I stood before Ren as Bhet disappeared again.

“Tell me, Jackson Peterson, is this truly what you want?” Ren folded his hands.

“It is.”

“Our people marry for life. There is no way out of marriage and being with someone other than your spouse is a grave offense.” He looked up at me concerned.

“I understand. I’ve never wanted anything more. I can’t imagine my life without her. Just one night without her drove me crazy.”

The old man nodded finally. “Sen will be pleased with your words.” He hit the brass ring with a hammer, and Bhet returned. She stepped aside, and Kheda came out of the shadow of the doorway. She had on the same blue dress she wore to Aya’s concert and the spike heels that made her legs look twice as long. Her hair was a little shorter and curled on the ends, so it flipped out from top to bottom. Suddenly I felt underdressed in a black t-shirt and pants. My shoes were missing as well. They sat neatly by the door covered in sand. Kheda smiled at me all the same though.

She stepped forward and took my hand. When I told her I was writing this, she asked me not to write anything specific about the ceremony itself. It is part of Kelsairan religion and not to be shared with non-believers. I respected my wife’s wishes and made no mention of specifics. What I can say is that it was brief and I don’t really remember most of it anyway. All I remember is Kheda staring into my eyes and knowing she would be mine for the rest of our lives.

I gave her the necklace at the appropriate time in the ceremony. She was surprised, to say the least. Bhet apparently told Ren I had one for her. She nearly cried then but stopped when Ren held out his hand. He gave her something and said a prayer in a Kelsairan dialect I did not know. She asked for my hand and offered a titanium wedding band. I smiled, realizing what she wanted so badly from the trade ship. I slipped the ring from my right to my left hand during the remainder of the ceremony, and it hasn’t come off since.