(Part 4/4) “One day, Chini Maya left me, never to come back. I cursed the cliffs, mountains, and rivers that day. I still look at them and express my hurt. We were trying to build a little Gumba in the land that my forefathers had left. We needed wood and had to go to the forest every day. Chini Maya never said no to anything. And she worked alongside men, never afraid, never intimidated. So she would come with the men into the forest to cut wood. That day we were returning home from the forest. We both had heavy wooden logs on our back. She was a meter ahead of me. We were discussing our lives and it was a day no different than the others. Suddenly, the log on Chini Maya’s back hit the side of the cliff and this pushed her body forward. She must have lost her footing to the ground. In one second I saw her falling off the steep cliff. Before I could do anything, I could not see her. She was gone. I cried for help and the other woodcutters hearing my scream came running. We crawled down the cliff. It took us an eternity to reach the bottom. Chini Maya’s body lay scattered in the rocks. She was unrecognizable. I went near her with some hope but she was gone. She was gone.

Even though Chini Maya survives in our hearts, without her, my life has become incomplete. I only live for my children. And the few animals she left me to care. If I was alone, I would probably have gone into the forest to plead God to take me to Chini Maya. I think my prayers would be heard, for it comes from a hurting soul. But I find it strange. Why was I chosen for all these setbacks in life? Why have I been always left to mourn and grieve? Sometimes, I feel like nothing can break me anymore. But then I think of the days I spent with Chini Maya and the good and bad times we had together. And I feel weak. I just make some fire and let the wood burn to ashes. I slide in the corner and close my eyes. And for some time, I go to Chini Maya and tell her my troubles.”