Page 5 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

Pulu smiled, as if we’d had a pleasant interaction, then nodded his head and trudged off, his legs swinging like the pendulum of a clock. He was so drunk, it was a wonder he could still walk.

“Oli!” A familiar voice rang out, one that was fresh and full of sweet life.

I turned to see Kiki approach. She didn’t hesitate to help gather the fish I caught that day, her brown eyes wide with wonder, her dark hair falling over her shoulder like a lovely waterfall.

Kiki and I looked similar, but Kiki was much more beautiful. Strangers would stop and stare at her, and those in the village called her the “flower of every season.” I knew that by the time she reached twenty-two years, like myself, the young men would vie for her affections and hand in marriage.

With lashes so long they made the wind seem pathetic when they fluttered, and skin the color of a toasted coconut, Kiki’s natural beauty and complexion were her key features. But beyond that, her eyes were something else. It was like looking into the earth itself–deep, focused, and sincere.

I used to wish I looked more like my younger sister, but I accepted long ago that comparing myself to her would do me no good. My brown skin, freckled from hours in the sea and sun, constantly peeled. My hair was on the frizzier end and always threatened to become a rat’s nest if I didn’t brush it. It lived in a constant bun and smelled like salt and sea.

My eyes were as dark as night and a constant sunburn graced my cheeks. I lacked curves, and it seemed I’d always be as flat as a slab of lava rock.

No matter, I told myself as I squeezed water out of my sticky, salty hair. Kiki, like mother, brought life to everything, and I accepted that I’d never be as bright and cheerful. Perhaps I took some of my father’s somber disposition after all.

“Aue Oli, you really outdid yourself today! You left when it was dark this morning, didn’t you?” Kiki asked, a big smile on her face.

As if in response, my stomach rumbled. I clutched it and smiled back, eager not to show her how I truly felt. “Yes, now hurry. We have a few hours before the market slows to sell all of this.”

The rainbow of fish in Kiki’s arms truly was impressive; even I couldn’t believe I’d caught it all. Surely I could help provide a better life for mother and Kiki. They were all I had, and I wasn’t about to let anything happen to them. We’d been through enough with father.

“Did you hear?” Kiki asked as she looped her arm through mine and we started on the trail towards town. I had covered myself with a loose blouse and long skirt, and already the fabric stuck to my salt-covered legs and arms. I ignored the discomfort and focused on Kiki.

“Hear what? You know I’m not into gossip.”

“I know,” Kiki laughed, then made a face. “But this tale is concerning…” When she paused for dramatic effect, I nudged her.

She raised an eyebrow. “This one is about the night marchers.”

“Superstitions,” I said, though my heart paced faster, the image of the specter coming to mind. Only a few nights had passed since seeing the ghost, and though I tried to convince myself it wasn’t real, I seriously doubted myself.

“Some villagers said there have been more night marchers roaming around than ever before.” Kiki made a face. “Some say that perhaps they are looking for someone.”

My throat suddenly felt tight, and the blood drained from my face.

It can’t be… Were they, perhaps, looking for me? Because I did not prostrate myself? And because I looked directly at the ghost that night?

“Oli?”

I blinked, realizing I had stopped on the path and Kiki was now eyeing me with concern. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No–”

“Please don’t lie.” She nudged me. “I know that look. What happened?”

I hesitated, further proving that I was hiding something. Kiki’s eyes widened, as if she realized what was happening.

“No… you didn’t…” She covered her mouth. “Oli… did you see the night marchers?”

I wished my hands wouldn’t feel so clammy, or that I could lie better, but the lump in my throat made it impossible to speak. I swallowed hard and nodded.

“Did you prostrate yourself?” Kiki’s voice drowned in sorrow and fear, but I also didn’t need to answer, because she knew me too well. She threw up her hands. “You must hide, Oli! They cannot come for you!”

“I won’t let anything happen to me,” I said, silencing her by grabbing her hands. “Listen. It’s nothing to worry about, understand?”

Kiki fought tears. “I can’t lose you forever, Oli. I'm already ‌losing you to that drunk fisherman…”

I kept my voice stern. “Everything will be alright, I promise.”