Read Illumine Her Online

Authors: Sieni A.M.

Illumine Her

Illumine Her

A novel by

Sieni A.M.

Copyright © 2013 by Sieni A.M.

Cover design by Sarah Hansen,
Okay Creations

Cover photo by
Tim McKenna

Model: T
eraina Constanzo

Editor: Maxann Dobson,
The Polished Pen

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above author of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademarked owners.

Table of Contents

Glossary

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Glossary

Siapo:
Tapa/bark cloth

Aiga:
Family

Fale:
Traditional Samoan house

Anak
: Child in Tagalog

Soso
: Someone who laughs uncontrollably

To’onai:
Feast

Talo:
Taro

Fa’i:
Banana

Luau:
Local dish

Koko
: Cocoa

Teuila
: Red ginger flower

Elei:
Samoan patterned design

Kiga Kaliga:
Ears hurting/sore ears

Lavalava:
Sarong

Pele
: Term of endearment meaning beloved

Tama
: Father

Sei:
Flower worn over the ear

Siva:
Dance

Ua e iloa?
You hear me?

Ea lau kala?
What did you say?

Moso’oi:
Fragrant ylang ylang flower

Fa’afetai. Fa’afetai lava
: Thank you very much.

‘Ava:
Root of the kava plant

Tanoa:
Traditional wooden bowl

Keke saiga:
Chinese cookie

Malo le ogosa’i:
Well done on being patient

Tusitala:
Storyteller

Saofa’i:
Chiefly titles’ ceremony

Tama’ita’i
: Girl

Feau:
Chores

Fa’aaloalo:
Respect

Ili
: Fan

Sole
: Greeting used towards a guy

Mi casa es su casa:
My House is your House

Palagi:
Foreigner

Fiafia:
Happy/Celebration

Sapasui
: Chop suey

Faikakala:
Nosy

Kaukalaikiki:
Cheeky/naughty

Po’u
: Sores

Vae
: Legs

Pa’ulua:
Singing in a flat tone

Puletasi
: Traditional Samoan dress for women

Apo:
Grandchild in Tagalog

Ti polo:
Tea made from lemon leaves

Keke pua’a
: Pork buns

Moemimi
: Little brat

Pisupo:
Corned beef

Salu
: Broom

Halu
: Word used to shoo dogs/animals away

Ie faitaga
: Traditional formal wear for men

Dedication

For all nurses working tirelessly in Samoa and in the Pacific region.

Also for my beloved grandmother who was a nurse for forty years.

Prologue

Samoa, 1918

T
he last of the day’s light was slowly losing its battle against the approaching twilight, its accompanying opaque horizon threatening to plummet the village into darkness in a matter of minutes. The small islands and their inhabitants prepared to bid the sun farewell in their customary way: sequestered indoors, chanting prayers and songs. Extended families gathered in their homes, sitting cross legged on the hard floor with their heads bowed, and young children tucked closely to their parents’ sides. One strong voice would begin, and they would all join in a unified choral effort. Words of praise and thanksgiving would be sung for the simple meal they were about to consume; for the well-being and happiness of their families; for the hope and anticipation of a safe and productive day the following morning.

But the chanting this evening would be vastly different from anything the people had ever experienced before. It would be far from ordinary, far from the norm. The prayers offered would be laced with a sorrow so deep, the songs of despair punctuated by painful cries and sobs. Mothers would be huddled with young ones beside them, tearfully mourning the lifeless bundle wrapped in
siapo
cloth in the center of the room: a father, a beloved grandfather, an uncle—the patriarch of the
aiga
. Titles and roles that guaranteed a life lived with love. Love from a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter. A life savagely cut short by a foreign disease that promised no hope once your family was affected.

***

There was nothing he could do. The disease was fast moving, killing slowly but quickly.

The man’s throat tightened and he closed his eyes in agony in an attempt to block out the tormented sobs of mourning in the little
fale
. With heavy feet he shuffled out of the warm house covered with woven pandanus leaves to the soothing fresh air that came from the sea. It was dusk and a sudden quiet had descended on the village. The houses dotting the village perimeter were beginning to flicker with light from the lamps within. With the clang of the evening bell, the chanting resounded, breaking the silence and surrounding his still form.

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