| |
‘Not long now, my friend,’ Esteban said as Jabuti was busy scrubbing the decks.
Jabuti looked up with a smile and wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
‘Leave that, come take a walk with me.’
Jabuti looked around in concern at the men who were toiling away with him.
‘You can get by without him, can’t you, men?’
They smiled and nodded as Esteban walked to the bow with Jabuti. Esteban stood there for a while in silence until he spoke. ‘You do know what to expect, don’t you?’
Jabuti looked at him quizzically.
‘I have to pay for this mission somehow,’ Esteban said.
‘Yes, I know.’
‘But it will be with gold taken from your land.’
Jabuti nodded.
‘But you are aware of the greed of men when faced with such a prize.’
‘I would rather you have it than the governor.’
‘Thank you, if there were any other way...’
‘You are a good man, Esteban.’
‘But I cannot vouch for others.’
‘They seem like honest men to me,’ Jabuti said regarding the sailors.
‘But who knows how they’ll react?’
‘If these men are to be paid for their endeavours, then so be it,’ Jabuti said. ‘It will be a gift from the land of my birth to be once more reunited with the ones that I love.’
‘Wise and generous words, my friend. Your kin will not recognise the man you have become.’
Jabuti playfully punched him on the shoulder as Esteban smiled.
‘I must return to my work,’ Jabuti said.
‘Jabuti, you are not a hired hand.’
‘I know, but...’
‘The men have seen with their own eyes how hard you work,’ Esteban said. ‘Besides, I am the captain, am I not?’
‘Yes, sir,’ Jabuti saluted as Esteban laughed.
‘There you have it then. Let us talk. Tell me more about the one you love,’ Esteban invited as they sat upon a pile of coiled ropes.
‘Maru?’
‘Is there any other?’
Immediately, Jabuti’s mind was transported back to his village, and a huge grin appeared on his face.
‘She must be quite a woman to make you smile,’ Esteban teased.
‘She is like no other.’
‘Well, I am going nowhere.’
‘I never really gave her much attention when we were growing up,’ Jabuti began. ‘When we were children, she used to annoy me.’
‘Women have that ability.’
They both shared a laugh.
‘Maru has always been around, I’ve known her forever. Wanadi and Mapi tease me that I’m a daydreamer. I think I was too lost in my own troubles to really notice her...’ he paused. ‘But one day I looked in her eyes and just as quickly I had to look away. I felt something...’
‘Love?’
Jabuti gave an embarrassed smile.
‘Listen, Jabuti. I too experienced love when I first met Andrea. I lost her and never thought that I would ever see her again, but I have been truly blessed to be reunited with her.’
‘She is a good woman.’
‘I have been surrounded by hard men all of my life, and we never talk about such matters,’ Esteban said. ‘She has changed me for the better, I will not leave her side when I return.’
‘And I will never leave Maru.’
‘And when you reach your village, what then?’
‘How do you mean?’
‘You are a changed man.’
Jabuti looked at him quizzically.
‘You’ve had more experiences than most men achieve in their lifetime.’
‘It has been quite an adventure,’ Jabuti agreed.
‘I fear that because of what you’ve seen of the world, you’ll find it hard to settle.’
‘From what I’ve seen it is a harsh and uncaring world, full of greed and hate.’
‘Yes, that is true, but what of people like Rodrigo, and perhaps myself?’
‘I... I’m sorry. I did not wish to offend.’
‘I know what you meant,’ Esteban smiled. ‘You apologise too much, there is no need. If others take offence, then that is their issue. Be your own man, speak your mind and be confident of your words.’ Jabuti listened and nodded as Esteban spoke. ‘Yes, there are people who wish to take advantage, like the governor for instance. But remember all the others you have met.’
‘But if I do, then I’ll become sad. I will never see you, Don Diego or Rodrigo again.’
‘That may be true, but think of all the memories that we share. But what a story to tell your children.’
‘Children? I... I don’t think I’m ready fo—’
‘Oh, Jabuti. You are a peculiar one,’ Esteban laughed, and Jabuti soon joined in.