The people's whispers continued ,her heart gree heavier .
She felt like a leaf blown by air without roots or a place to call home.
One day, a harsh storm rolled in and the tree's branches creaked ominously .
This had never happened before in Mavanga .
Cossie now in her late 10's , through her small window at her bedroom watched as the winds howled and the rain lashed down .
For a moment, she felt a pang of fear for the only companion she have ever known.
But as the storm subsided,leaving behind a eerie calm , she realized that the tree still stood.
It's branches battered but unbroken.
In that moment, she felt a spark of determination ignite within her.
She knew that the tree was the only hope and strength to her, the only place to run to, to ease her mind after being bullied.
What would be her comforting and safe place.
Besides her parents,the tree was the only place to run to.
The following day after the storm had emerged ,Hagan gathered all the residents at the chief's mansion claiming that Cossie's existence has caused the storm.
All the villagers are requesting to throw Cossie out of the village.
This had fall in Richard and Mariana's ears, Mariana's heart has get tensed .
She cannot bear the pain of losing her Cossie again .
Richard as well rushed to the chief's mansion.
All the residents staring at him with an evil eye.
The chief also came out and stood to the balcony on the third floor.
The crowd's noise echoing in his eyes .
He is a bit confused ,he just couldn't chase the girl whom he watched growing.
The one who had brought happiness back in his son's marriage.
But he has one thing in mind, as a leader,it's his responsibility to do as his subjects suggest.
With no thoughts, he had to throw Cossie out of the village.
" If you all think that the most rightful thing to do is getting rid of her and you believe that she had brought curse to Mavanga ,then she'll leave the village in the next two days". The chief says with tears coming out from his orbits.
All the crowd filled with joy,they started muttering in rejoice .
But before the happiness can fill all over Mavanga , the storm emerged the second time.
All the crowd's noise came to the end, the storm carried all the flowers on top of the tree up to the skies.
The flowers came back in the shape of a human head, all the people got surprised and their bodies filled with fear.
In two second, the flowers blew down on the ground.
The crowd started to murmur within themselves.
What had happened is surprising and shocking, but this did not change their mind about chasing Cossie out of the village.
Instead ,the second storm and the raising of the flowers was a symbol from the gods.
" The gods as well need that outsider out of Mavanga , the chief had made a clear and rightful decision..." The crowd murmured.
The crowd started spreading in rounds, before they could go far.
A voice was heard from where they were leaving.
" No... She is not going to leave this village." All the people turned to where the voice came from".
It was Richard Michigan's voice.
" Cossie is my daughter,.....
And no one can throw her out from this village.
This is her home....if anyone of you need her out of this village,then you should come with evidence proving her being a curse to the village." Richard says desperately.
Hagan abruptly interfered.
" So, dear cousin,you're willing to betray your tribe and disobey the chief because of that little brat...?" Hagan asked with a provoking tone.
" She is not a stranger....she is Richard and Mariana's daughter....
Her name is Cossie Antony Michigan, the granddaughter of Antony Michigan, the chief of Mavanga ." Richard replied with an angry tone.
The next morning,Hagan secretly went on following Cossie to where she was heading.
She noticed someone following her, she suddenly stopped and called him out.
" Hagan, just please come out already". Cossie said with smirk on her face.
He nervously came out.
" Wh....where are you going ?" He sneered.
" You don't belong here...you're just a charity case,a burden to our family..." He said with smirk on his face.
Cossie's eyes dropped,she felt the familiar sting of tears.
But then she remembered the tree's steadfast presence,it's unwavering support.
She stood tall ,her voice firm.
" I belong here." She said her eyes locked on Hagan
" This tree has seen me through more than you'll ever know..." She added .
Hagan's smirk faltered for a moment,but he quickly regained his composure.
" You're delusional",he spat ,turning to leave.
" You're nothing but an outsider..."
She watched him ho,her heart heavy but her spirit unbroken .
She turned back,heading to the tree,her eyes seeking it's ancient wisdom.
What would the future hold for her?, would she ever find her place in the world.
That night, she sneaked out of the mansion without her parents noticing.
She walked in the dark following the route to the mother tree.
The moon casting an eerie glow over the landscape as she walked ,her feet carrying her towards the tree with a sense of familiarity.
The darkness seemed to swallow everything around her, but she knew the way,every step ,every turn.
As she approached the tree,she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
The tree's branches swayed gently in the breeze,it's leaves rustling softly.
She reached out a hand ,touching the trunk ,feeling the rough bark beneath her fingers.
" I'm here." She whispered , her voice bare audible .
" I had to come..."
The tree stood silent ,it's presence a comforting constant in her life.
She closed her eyes ,letting the peacefulness of the night wash her over.
For a moment, she forgot about the cruelty of the villagers ,Hagan's taunts and the isolation.
She felt small ,yet connected to something greater than herself.
The tree's energy seemed to seep into her ,calming her fears,soothing her heart.
As she stood there, she felt a strange sense of resolve forming within her.
She knew she couldn't stay hidden forever ,but for this one moment ,she was free.