Esang always hated whenever she was in the middle of her clan mates during a congregation. Mostly because, they would--without an ounce of shame--discuss her. Worse still, she can hear every little thing they say. 

"They talk like it's their birthright to talk shit about you." It was Etta, the ever strong Etta, who's like the older sister between her and Kenneth. Etta was the same age as her and Kenneth, but a few months older. 

Despite not liking what they hear, they both knew that they can't go against those that are older than them. Respect the Elders. That's what they were taught since first grade and Etta coming from the outside was more free in voicing her opinions. She was the child of a city woman who abandoned her and her father just because she can't live in a remote village where electricity was only used to lit up the homes and roads. 

Esang's thoughts were interrupted when the sound of coconut shells hitting each other reverberated throughout the plaza, stopping everyone from what they were doing including Kenneth and Etta. Their eyes fell unto the old woman who was supporting her body with a metallic cane. It was Diwa, Kenneth's grandmother who was as stern as Kenneth was a crybaby and Kenneth cries almost about everything. He even cries whenever he kills a mosquito because it bit him.  

Diwa cleared her throat and started, "Today, as the tradition dictates, we will chose the next Representative of our clan, the one who holds the strongest ability to convene with the insects."

And this is what Esang tried to run away from. She didn't have the motivation to be the next Representative, to be the figurehead of their clan, to be the one who will protect everyone whenever something or someone threatens their clan. 

"I believe there's no doubt that it will be Teresa," Diwa continued. 

And Esang doesn't want to do it, why would she? If all her life, these people she was bound to protect never even cared a single bit about her, that is, with the exception of Kenneth and Etta. 

"Will you come forward, Teresa, to shoulder the responsibility of being the Representative of our Clan?"

Esang ignored the call. Choose Kenneth instead. He was smart, he has the education and he has the ability to hear the insects, she thought. 

Diwa tapped her cane once, a sign of growing impatience. Kenneth nudged her and she nudged him back. 

"Go," she said to him. "You're more suited for this."

He frowned. "Not as much as you," he answered. 

"This is not the time to be humble," she answered and pushed Kenneth forward, who almost stumbled if not for Etta who kept him in balance. 

"Why you--" 

"I recommend Kenneth as the next Representative. I reject the position and Kenneth has all the talent for it," she answered, almost amazed at herself to say it so easy.  

"That's not the norm," one of the clan members said. 

"Stop being selfish, child!"

"It's time for you to give back to the community who raised you!"

"I absolutely refuse," she said sternly. 

Somehow, the sternness of the old woman in front of her was rubbing on her, giving her the courage to insist that she can't be someone she hates to be. And when Etta's hands reached for hers, she knew she was not mistaken for voicing out what she wants. 

Suddenly, an amused laughter erupted from behind Diwa. It was the only time Esang noticed a built young man sitting behind Diwa. His skin was tanned and his shoulder length hair has a glint of violet in it, sometimes orange, and sometimes green, it was a play of colors. He was also wearing an unrecognizable sash, different from what the Representative of their clan should be wearing, which means he was from the outside, another clan perhaps. 

"Let her be," he suggested in a deep baritone. "She doesn't want to be a Representative and we can't force it. She must want the position to be effective."

There was no more argument after that. Diwa nodded the same time Kenneth's father nodded his approval. Next were the Elders and since they've given their approval, the other clan members had no other choice but to accept. Respect the Elders. Obey the Elders. It was deeply ingrained in everyone, this time around, it worked in her favor. 

"For this batch of fourteen years old, there would be no Representative... again," Diwa said and looked at her direction then she added, "Like the past twenty years."

Later, after the congregation, as Esang was going home, Kenneth shared to her and Etta that his grandmother was certainly disappointed. It was the first time in twenty years to have someone with the ability to be a Representative, and yet, Esang did not accept it. 

Etta scolded him and said that it wasn't anyone's fault that there are very few clan members with the ability to converse with the insects, and that he can't appeal to Esang's good grace to force her to become a Representative when she doesn't want to do it. 

But after a few minutes of pause, Kenneth continued and said that his grandmother was too hopeful that she requested from his mother to invite a Jumper to spectate. This time Etta pinched him. 

So that man was called a Jumper, Esang thought who become increasingly interested with the term Jumper. She looked at both Kenneth and Etta, waiting for further information but they both said, "We can't tell you. Not until we're sixteen."

Traditions. What they learn about the world was also dictated and set by traditions. "But you already know!" she complained. 

"Accidentally," Kenneth defended himself. 

"And I was with him the day he found out," Etta added. 

"Let me guess, accidentally?" It was ridiculous that the two already know but she didn't. 

The two nodded and Esang knew that to learn what a Jumper is, she either wait for her sixteenth birthday or she find out herself. 

To be continued....