Chapter Nine

Atepa got hold of her new son. He was big and chunky, with black hair. Hakea left the hut for a moment, coming back with Yap and their first son, Chip.
"Look at him. What should he be named?" Atepa asked, thinking.
"I like Kuruk. Kuruk Land."
"That's sounds too tough for my little man."
"Well, your little man will be a big strong man."
'"Fine, he'll be Kuruk Land."
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Outside, Bindi was playing with Hokou. The two had grown close since their parents hadn't much time for them. Bindi was a feee spirit, running around, while quiet Hokou followed her ready to laugh at whatever she did. Hakea was glad that Binidi found such a good friend in Hokou.
Meanwhile, Bindi's older brother, Tamil, worked at the research table. He almost never talked, and when he did, nobody listened. Tamil was in his own world, his mother Lala doting at him like he was still two years old, and not alomst eightteen.
Thema and Mali were the talkitive ones of the tribe. Everyday, at lunch, they would invent stories.
Hakea worked in the research table. A few others were building something. Hakea went over a few times to help. It was a totem pole. They were building it for Yap, who mastered science, farming, and building.
One day, Hakea sat with Bindi at the diving rock. Hakea was taking her daily break and Bindi was free at the moment, like she always was. Hakea decided to tell BIndi something she had never told anyone.
"Bindi, when I was much younger, before I came here with your father, I was very good friends with him. And I grew to love him with all my heart. He, being adventureous, went to explore a cave that the Golden Child discovered.
"I came with him, fearing I would never see him again. He went too far, slipped and fell. I wentr after him, not caring.
"He met your mother. The two fished. Lala loved him and went to him one day. The next day, the two were married. It broke my heart, but I learned we were not to be.
"I still wanted lots of children. For some time, I was a mother to Thema, Yap, and 'Tepa. I've raised their children. And I have raised you, Bindi. You still are the child I never had, or will have."
"Don't say that, Hake'."
"I'm too old. 51, it's too late."
"A miracle could happen."
"There's no miracle to stop aging."
"Then I'll have a million kids! Just for you!"
"I don't think I'll live long enough to see them."
"It doesn't matter! I'll have many beautiful children! I'll never neglect any of them! For you, Hakea."
"I'll even raise my children's children!"
Hakea had tears in her eyes as she hugged little Bindi. Little Binidi, whose mother forgot about her, little Bindi who was raised by an old woman, little Bindi made this promise. Hakea could hardly believe her, but inside, a little bit of hope told her to believe.