Love, Sweat, and Mango Juice
Added 2025-07-25 18:00:04 +0000 UTCDear David,
I'm writing to you from a woven lounge chair beneath a swaying palm. I'm tracing circles on a cold glass of mango juice and thinking about you. Or rather, about us. Though, I must admit… the longer I stay here, the more people seem eager to… distract me from those thoughts.
Everything here in the village feels so… physical. People barely wear clothes. The women have bare shoulders, the men—tall, dark, glistening with sweat—move in those loose wraps that flutter with every step. Just one glance and you don't know where to look. And somehow, they know that. They watch, and they smile. Slowly. Boldly.
They called me “the guest of the fertility spirit.” Don’t ask me what it means—I’m still not entirely sure. But ever since, I’ve become somewhat of a regular guest at their evening gatherings. One night the men performed a kind of dance—like some ancient ritual of seduction. And somehow I ended up right in the center of the circle. They tied silk ribbons around my hips, wove flowers into my hair. Yes, I had a little to drink… but it was fun. Very. Very.
Baki (I think I’ve mentioned him before?) stops by almost daily now. He says it’s his duty to "watch over the warm blood in a foreign body." He adjusts my coverings, helps me carry things, and honestly—he looks at me the way you used to on our very first night. You're not jealous, are you?
Of course, I behave. Well… within reason. Sometimes things happen so quickly here, it’s hard to tell if a gesture was accidental—or something more. But you know me. I’m yours. Loyal. Or… mostly.
I wish I could tell you everything, but the village post doesn’t encrypt letters. Then again, you and I have always had good imaginations.
Coming home soon. And I’ll bring you… memories. Maybe even ones you never asked for.
Kisses,
Yours (still?)
Emily
Comment from David (read aloud, with dry irony):
“Guest of the fertility spirit,” huh?..
I love you, Emily.
But I’ve got a feeling someone in that village’s been planting seeds deeper than I ever did.
