Suman groaned just as she landed on the ground with her butt. “I give up. I'm done. I don't need you and you do not need me. We are good like that.” She dusted her clothes before she pushed Didy's butt and stormed away. The horse merely walked to her mother and rested beside her hooves.
The entire compound full of people bursting into intense laughter made Suman’s blood boil. It was another end-of-the-year for the people of Kamut. The entire village was out in preparation for a festival.
“Not so fast young lady. You need Didy as much as she needs you. Be gentle and easy with her. When you learn to see the world through her eyes, you'll understand what a beauty she is.” Inigo walked briskly to Suman and held her hand.
“Then just teach me already. You ride Marie with so much grace. Teach me to be like that with Didy. Teach me, Inigo.” Suman wailed. Her eyes held so much desperation.
“I cannot teach you the ways of the heart. To be bound to your horse is to listen with your soul. Nobody can teach you that.” The firmness in Inigo’s eyes softened. “One day, sooner or later, you will become Inigo, you must learn to listen. Only then, will you be able to bring light to the people.” Inigo then planted a soft kiss on her granddaughter’s head before she mounted Marie. “There has never been an Inigo that was not bound to her horse. She is your guide and you must create the connection.” With that, Inigo rode furiously out of the compound exuding so much strength and grace.
Suman lived for the way Inigo carried herself. She led her people with resilience and majesty. The kind that came from the depth of the heart. She was the leader of the clan and it was her duty to keep them safe. “An Inigo must learn to perceive. She must have the discernment to lead her people.” Inigo would often say to Suman.
Suman was wide awake when Inigo rode Marie in the dead of night into the compound. Every end of the year, Inigo would ride for hours unending and would return at dawn with a patch of bright yellow light that sparkled like the sun's rays. She'd then toss it into the sacred village fire.
The sacred fire kept blazing come rain or shine. No amount of wind or rain could quench the fire. During special festivals, the villagers often danced around the fire. They'd sit in circles around it while holding hands and chanting prayers. A wave that permeated from the earth would surge through each of them. It was always a sight to behold and they felt the divinity as their bodies vibrated. They often believed that collectively diving into a state of trance sealed their bonds and brought blessings from the gods.
Suman watched as the sun descended elegantly down the horizon. Its rays slowly spread across the fields and washed over her face with warmth. Suman had observed over the years that the sun always rose in all its glory as soon as Inigo tossed the light into the fire. She had come to understand that the ways of an Inigo were not to be understood by just anyone.
Months had passed and Suman had not made any real progress bonding with Didy. The year was ending again with dashed hopes for her. On the last day before the end of the year, Inigo passed quietly in her sleep.
That day, the earth stood still for Suman and the people of Kamut. Inigo was laid to rest in a peaceful rite. Sundown came faster than ever before. Then the night felt long and lonely. Suman prayed for the sun to rise. She prayed that perhaps the daylight would soothe her aching heart. She prayed and waited but daylight never came.
Soon, Suman heard the sound of footsteps and whispers emerging. She looked through her window and she could see that the villagers had gathered before her hut.
“The sun isn't rising. Are we not going to see the new year?” Some of the elders chanted. The burning sacred fire revealed the creases of worry on the faces of the villagers. Suman joined them in the middle of the compound. Their helplessness crippled her but she feared to show it. The death of her grandmother had awakened her rudely. She was now Inigo and she had to lead the people.
“Go home my people. I will have news for you soon.” Suman mustered all the courage in her.
The villagers reluctantly walked back to their houses leaving Suman in great despair. She wasn't sure what to do next. All she wanted to do was vent and let it all out. The pain and frustration that she could not bear. With a strong resolve, she walked to the stable and began stroking Didy gently. The horse leaned into Suman as if to say, “I'm here.” It was the first time that Suman ever felt vulnerable. She felt like Didy understood what she was going through.
Suman rested her head on Didy’s. She began sobbing uncontrollably. She was letting it out and Didy let out soft snorts. She then lowered her back. Suman became stunned. Didy had never let her in like that. The still air turned cold as gentle whispers echoed.
Suman knew that something was happening and she was patient enough to find out. She mounted Didy and leaned forward. The horse paused as though she was waiting for an order. Suman sensed that. She leaned into Didy and closed her eyes. Her heart began to feel warm. She didn't know how but she could now feel the warmth emanating from Didy’s heart.
Suman felt a deep connection to Didy. She could tell what her horse was feeling and it was nothing short of beautiful. Slowly, she opened her eyes and what she saw blew her mind away. She was now seeing the world through Didy’s lens. The grass was taller and greener. Flowers were shaped like beautiful houses on a tree, the sky was within reach and the air smelled so sweetly.
Suman didn't realize that Didy was moving already. It was more like flying in the air. They were now suspended in the sky. Didy let Suman bask in the euphoria before she sprinted through. They must have traveled between worlds unending before Suman found herself before the sun in all its glory. The light was blinding. Within the twinkle of an eye, a patch of ray bounced off and landed on Suman’s palm.
The feeling was warm and incredible. Suman held the light in her hands like a jewel all through their mystical ride back home. Suman now knew what a great honor and pleasure it was to become an Inigo. She smiled all the way knowing that the sun would rise in Kamut.