checked on her teenage patient next. Tiana was propped up on pillows, her broken leg suspended in midair.
“Alana! Did you catch the netball game last night? We beat Fiji! The girls did so well.” Tiana, who was supposed to be traveling with the Samoan national team to the Pacific netball tournament, fell during a training exercise and promptly broke her leg. Bitter about her fate, Alana arranged for one of the few television sets in the hospital—a 1980s model—to be delivered to her room so she could watch her team’s games.
“They did extremely well, Tiana,” Alana said smiling. “I’m telling you, it’s all those good luck vibes you’re sending their way.”
With five minutes to spare, she and Lisi made their way to the main fale to eagerly await their highly anticipated guest. The fale was a colossal structure of workmanship with heavy wooden posts and afa weaving articulate patterns that crawled up to the ceiling. Braided coconut fronds wrapped around the posts and red teuila flowers dangled from them limply. Large fans hung low and whipped around wildly, doing little to ease the stifling heat that rose steadily outside compared to the cool air-conditioning in some of the main office buildings. The girls spotted Manu when he waved to them to join him on the floor. Together they sat on woven mats in their appropriate places near the back.
Like clockwork, a dark SUV pulled into the car park and paused. Quietness abruptly descended in the fale as all attention shifted to the vehicle. The back seat door opened, and Alana’s eyes widened as she watched a tall man emerge and walk towards the line of doctors waiting to greet him. His button down shirt stretched over a broad set of shoulders when he bent his head low for an ula of moso’oi to be placed around his neck. His large hand firmly shook the doctor’s before proceeding along the welcoming line. His gaze was composed: dark brows furrowed and squinted in the sunlight, brown hair blowing in the wind. Alana guessed he was a few years older than she was.
“Okay, this old bag is a really good looking one,” Lisi whispered next to her.
Alana watched intently as the doctors led the mysterious man inside the fale . After they were seated in a circular pattern, the head of the hospital cleared her throat and loudly proclaimed, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honor and my deepest pleasure that I welcome to our hospital Mr. Chase Malek.”
Chapter Four
A lana looked at the tall man and noted the way he sat cross-legged on the floor. Chase sat regally with his hands on his knees, head bowed. There appeared to be no discomfort or awkwardness on his part despite his long legs, and she was instantly impressed.
“We are extremely humbled by your act of kindness and generosity that you have bestowed on our hospital. On behalf of the staff members, patients, and the people of Samoa, I would like to thank you for you generous donation once again. Fa’afetai, fa’afetai lava ,” the spokesperson continued. “To welcome you properly in the Samoan way, we have prepared the ‘ava ceremony.”
The ‘ava ceremony took place on the most important of occasions, from the bestowing of chiefly titles to the welcoming and farewell of visitors. The formality conferred honor from the host to the visitor in a remarkable show of praised words and drinking of the kava. Prominent to the ceremony was the presence of the ‘ava mixer who sat behind a tanoa bowl with several assistants sitting beside him or her to create the drink. Alana tried it once and didn’t like its bitter taste.
The chief orator loudly acknowledged the beginning of the ceremony in honor of their visiting guest. The assembled party clapped loudly and slowly to initiate the ritual. The ‘ava server carried a cup made from coconut shell across the fale and swooped his arm down low to Chase. Chase took the cup in his right hand, and after a pause, spilled a few drops on the floor to his right
“Alana! Did you catch the netball game last night? We beat Fiji! The girls did so well.” Tiana, who was supposed to be traveling with the Samoan national team to the Pacific netball tournament, fell during a training exercise and promptly broke her leg. Bitter about her fate, Alana arranged for one of the few television sets in the hospital—a 1980s model—to be delivered to her room so she could watch her team’s games.
“They did extremely well, Tiana,” Alana said smiling. “I’m telling you, it’s all those good luck vibes you’re sending their way.”
With five minutes to spare, she and Lisi made their way to the main fale to eagerly await their highly anticipated guest. The fale was a colossal structure of workmanship with heavy wooden posts and afa weaving articulate patterns that crawled up to the ceiling. Braided coconut fronds wrapped around the posts and red teuila flowers dangled from them limply. Large fans hung low and whipped around wildly, doing little to ease the stifling heat that rose steadily outside compared to the cool air-conditioning in some of the main office buildings. The girls spotted Manu when he waved to them to join him on the floor. Together they sat on woven mats in their appropriate places near the back.
Like clockwork, a dark SUV pulled into the car park and paused. Quietness abruptly descended in the fale as all attention shifted to the vehicle. The back seat door opened, and Alana’s eyes widened as she watched a tall man emerge and walk towards the line of doctors waiting to greet him. His button down shirt stretched over a broad set of shoulders when he bent his head low for an ula of moso’oi to be placed around his neck. His large hand firmly shook the doctor’s before proceeding along the welcoming line. His gaze was composed: dark brows furrowed and squinted in the sunlight, brown hair blowing in the wind. Alana guessed he was a few years older than she was.
“Okay, this old bag is a really good looking one,” Lisi whispered next to her.
Alana watched intently as the doctors led the mysterious man inside the fale . After they were seated in a circular pattern, the head of the hospital cleared her throat and loudly proclaimed, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honor and my deepest pleasure that I welcome to our hospital Mr. Chase Malek.”
Chapter Four
A lana looked at the tall man and noted the way he sat cross-legged on the floor. Chase sat regally with his hands on his knees, head bowed. There appeared to be no discomfort or awkwardness on his part despite his long legs, and she was instantly impressed.
“We are extremely humbled by your act of kindness and generosity that you have bestowed on our hospital. On behalf of the staff members, patients, and the people of Samoa, I would like to thank you for you generous donation once again. Fa’afetai, fa’afetai lava ,” the spokesperson continued. “To welcome you properly in the Samoan way, we have prepared the ‘ava ceremony.”
The ‘ava ceremony took place on the most important of occasions, from the bestowing of chiefly titles to the welcoming and farewell of visitors. The formality conferred honor from the host to the visitor in a remarkable show of praised words and drinking of the kava. Prominent to the ceremony was the presence of the ‘ava mixer who sat behind a tanoa bowl with several assistants sitting beside him or her to create the drink. Alana tried it once and didn’t like its bitter taste.
The chief orator loudly acknowledged the beginning of the ceremony in honor of their visiting guest. The assembled party clapped loudly and slowly to initiate the ritual. The ‘ava server carried a cup made from coconut shell across the fale and swooped his arm down low to Chase. Chase took the cup in his right hand, and after a pause, spilled a few drops on the floor to his right
Similar Books
Story Thieves
James Riley
A Deep and Dark December
Beth Yarnall
Inevitable
Michelle Rowen
Blossoms of Love
Juanita Jane Foshee
Fourth Horseman
Kate Thompson
The Great Escape
Paul Brickhill
Jordan’s Deliverance
Tiffany Monique
Bear The Burn (Firebear Brides 1)
Anya Nowlan
Now and Again
Charlotte Rogan