Biblical Short story

RUTH- A contemporary retelling of the Biblical Story.

Three women huddled together wailing and sobbing.

How devastating for them to lose their husbands.

"Has the Lord forsaken me?" The oldest woman, Naomi, cried. "I am a widow and childless. I am desolate." Her shoulders shook as she sobbed.

"Don't say that," One of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, said through tears. "You still have us."

Her other daughter-in-law, Orpah, nodded in agreement. "We would never leave you."

Naomi shook her head and continued to wail regardless of the consoling words of Ruth and Orpah.

★★★

The next day brought a bright sun. Oprah and Ruth were busy in the kitchen when their mother-in-law came out of her bedroom.

"Good morning, Mother," they chorused.

Naomi sent them a slight smile before taking a seat at the kitchen table.

From her spot on the opposite side of the kitchen, Ruth watched Naomi wear a faraway look and she decided to check up on her. She took a steaming cup of coffee and ambled to Naomi.

"Mother, is everything okay?" she asked as she dropped the cup in front of Naomi and took a seat in one of the empty chairs.

Naomi sighed and looked up. "I have made a decision."

Ruth's brows furrowed. "What have you decided?"

"One minute. Oprah, please come here so we can discuss."

"Okay." Orpah washed her hands and hurried over. "So what have you decided?" she asked as she took her seat.

Naomi licked her lips and folded her hands. "I have decided to go back to Judah."

"Really? Why?" Orpah asked.

"As you both know, the reason my husband and I left Judah was because of the harsh economic conditions but I have heard that things have become better."

"Hmm…no problem," Ruth said as various thoughts ran through her mind. "If you want to go then I will go with you."

"Yes. I will also go with you," Orpah declared.

Naomi looked between the two ladies and shook her head. "There's no need to follow me. This is your home. You have to stay and start your lives afresh."

The younger ladies shook their heads. "We'll go with you."

Naomi heaved a sigh and held both their hands. "Listen to me, my daughters, you are still young and have a chance to remarry and bear children. Don't lose the opportunity because of an old soul like me."

Tears gathered in Orpah's eyes. "I would love to have children of my own so yes I will go back to my parents' house." She wrapped an arm around the older woman. "Although I would always love you."

Naomi returned her hug. "God go with you." She patted her shoulder.

They released each other and Orpah rose to her feet. "I need to check what's on the fire," she said and walked off, leaving Naomi and Ruth in silence.

"I am going with you," Ruth broke the silence with a stern voice.

"Don't be stubborn."

"Please don't try to change my mind. Wherever you go, I go. Wherever you stay, I stay. Your people shall be my people and your God my God." She raised her head with a stubborn tilt.

Naomi released a resigned breath. "Fine. You can come with me. We leave by the end of the week."

Ruth produced a triumphant smile. "I will be ready."

★★★★

Days later, after a teary goodbye, and the promise to keep in touch the women went their separate ways. Naomi and Ruth to the bus station and Orpah to the taxi stand.

As the engine of the bus roared to life, Ruth relaxed in her seat. She was beginning another phase of her life.

Several hours later, they arrived at Bethlehem and alighted from the bus with their luggage. Ruth's eyes roamed around and she took in the buzz of the town.

"Let's take a cab," Naomi said from beside her.

As they headed towards the taxi park, a female voice stopped them.

"Naomi, is that you?"

Naomi turned around and greeted the woman with a stiff smile. "Call me Mara because the Lord has dealt badly with me."

Without waiting for the woman's response, she sauntered away and Ruth hurried after her. Moments later, they hailed a cab that took them to the house where Naomi and her family lived before leaving Judah.

★★

One fateful day, many days after moving into their new house, the women gazed at their almost empty pantry.

Naomi puffed out a breath. "Our food supplies are dwindling. What are we going to do?"

Ruth thought before speaking. "You mentioned a few days ago that you have a rich in-law who owns a diner. Maybe I could head over and ask him for a job."

"Hmm…I am not sure if there's any vacancy there," Naomi pursed her lips. "but you can give it a try."

Ruth smiled and went to get ready. Hours later, she stood in front of Boaz's Diner. She climbed the steps and pushed the door open. The fragrance of vanilla and fresh bread tickled her nose. She manoeuvred through the tables and stopped in front of the counter where a lady was putting in trays of apple tarts and muffins.

"Good morning," Ruth announced her presence.

The lady looked up and smiled. "Morning. How may I help you?"

"Please I would like to know if there is a job vacancy here?"

The lady's smile widened. "Yes, we do. One of our waitresses resigned this morning."

Ruth's heart soared and she grinned. "Can I apply for the position?"

"Of course! You just need to meet the boss, Mr Boaz."

"Oh okay. Where can I find him?"

"Second door on the right."

"Thank you." Ruth smiled and ambled away.

It wasn't difficult finding the office. It was a door made from polished wood and decorated with intricate designs. She exhaled and rapped on the door.

"Come in," came a deep male voice.

She took in another deep breath and opened the door. "Good morning, sir."

The man looked up from his laptop. "Morning. Please have your seat." he gestured to the chair in front of his desk.

Ruth thanked him and sat down with her back straight and her hands clasped.

The man rubbed his beard. "So what can I do for you?"

"I need a job and I was told I should meet you concerning the vacant waitress position."

"Hmm…okay. Tell me about yourself and your work experience."

Ruth puffed out a breath as she gathered her thoughts. "Well, I worked at a restaurant back home in Moab?"

His brows shot up and his eyes widened. "You are from Moab. My cousin moved to Moab with his family several years ago."

Ruth knew he was referring to her father-in-law. "I moved to Judah with my mother-in-law."

"Really? Who's your mother-in-law?"

"Her name is Naomi."

His eyes brighten. "That's my dear cousin's widow."

I know. That's why I came to you. Ruth thought.

A huge grin bloomed across his face. "Consider yourself employed. You can even start today." His eyes sparkled.

"Really?" Ruth leaned forward with wide eyes.

"Yes. There is no way I would let you work elsewhere. And besides I want to show some appreciation to you for not abandoning Naomi."

It took all her strength to suppress a squeal. She clapped her hands and thanked him profusely. "Thank you so much, sir."

Several hours later, Ruth returned home with a bounce in her steps and a brown bag full of goodies.

Naomi smiled. "It's obvious that your venture was successful."

"Yes!" Ruth grinned. "It was more than successful. Mr Boaz is so nice. He sent us some food." She raised the bag.

"We thank the Lord. He acted like our kin. Make sure you don't disappoint him."

Ruth laughed. "I won't dream about it."

And so days turned into weeks and weeks turned months, Ruth continued to work in Boaz's diner and much to her amazement she never went home empty-handed.

★★★★

"Ruth, please we need to talk," Naomi said one fateful night months later

Ruth frowned and dropped the book she was reading. She came to meet Naomi at the dining table where she was knitting.

"Yes, mother."

Naomi pushed her knitting materials to the side and sighed. "I have been thinking about you recently."

"What are your thoughts about me?" Ruth's lips pursed.

"I have been thinking about how to secure your future."

"There's nothing to think about. I will continue to work and fend for us."

Naomi shook her head. "I am not going to let you waste your youth. And besides I am not going to be here forever. You need to have someone to care for you when the time comes."

Ruth's brows wrinkled. "So…what are you suggesting?"

"A second marriage."

"A second marriage?" Her breath hitched. "That's not possible. I promised my late husband never to forget him."

Noami produced a sad smile. "That was great of you to do that. But you need the security of a husband."

"Hmm, so what are you proposing?"

"Boaz is our relative and a good man. He will take care of you."

Ruth's eyes drew together. "Maybe so. But I don't think he has such intimate feelings for me."

Naomi chuckled. "I think he does. I mean, it's not all the staff he sends home every day with a bag of food supplies."

Ruth blushed. "I am sure he is doing it because you are his cousin's widow."

"Not at all. Whatever he does, he does it for you."

Ruth released a sigh. "If you are so sure, what are we supposed to do?"

Naomi grinned and patted her hand. "Now you are talking. There is a wrestling match among the men coming up tomorrow. Boaz is lodged in one of the rooms in the arena. All you need to do is dress up real good, sneak into his room, and lie with him."

Ruth gasped as horror filled her. "I can't do that. That's scandalous."

Naomi shook her head. "Nothing intimate is going to happen. You just need to lie down until he notices you and then follow his instructions afterwards."

Ruth pursed her lips as she digested Naomi's words. The fear of the plan going wrong stopped her from agreeing to it.

Sensing her hesitation, Naomi squeezed her hand. "Trust me, dear. Everything will turn out fine."

Ruth's face pinched with worry. However, she rose on shaky feet. "I will do it," she whispered.

Naomi beamed. "That's great. Go and get ready. Use the new perfume I got you."

Ruth nodded in acknowledgement and trudged away.

Hours later, when darkness had covered the earth, Ruth crept into Judah's sports arena. From behind a wall, she watched Boaz enter his room for the night.

Several minutes later, after making sure there was no soul in sight to spot her, she snuck to his room door. With a sharp intake of breath, she clutched the doorknob and quietly pushed the door open.

A shiver of fright surged through her as she slid inside. With all the lights off, she could barely make out the form of Boaz on the bed. Her legs carried her to the edge of the bed. She crept to the empty side of the bed and as quietly as a mouse, she slipped under the covers.

Minutes passed but she remained stiff and afraid to breathe. She almost screamed when something heavy brushed against her foot.

Oh dear Lord, help me. She clutched her chest and covered her face as the action was repeated.

Suddenly the cover was thrown off her.

"Who the heck are you?" asked a groggy voice.

"It is I, sir. Ruth." Her voice quivered as she spoke.

"Ruth," he hissed and turned on the bedside lamp. "What are you doing here?"

She trembled as she slowly sat up. "It is the tradition of the land for the living to claim the properties of the dead. Please make me yours." She folded her hands together and sent him a pleading look.

A smile grazed his lips. "You are a virtuous woman and I am ready to do whatever you ask. However, although I have a right to claim you, there's someone else who has a right over you."

Ruth's breath hitched and her face squeezed in pain. However, much to her surprise, another smile appeared on his face.

"Don't worry, my dear. Stay with me until morning. If he chooses to perform his duty to you then I would let him; if he doesn't, as the Lord lives I would do right by you. Now go to sleep."

Ruth sent him a watery smile and laid down and allowed sleep to claim her.

Before the breaking of dawn, Ruth was on her way home. But before leaving, Boaz tucked in her hand a wad of cash.

"Use it to take care of all your needs. I will see you in the evening."

Ruth thanked him and hurried away.

She had barely reached the house when the front door opened and Naomi pranced out.

"Ruth!" Naomi exclaimed. The women reached each other and clasped their hands. "How did it go?"

Ruth narrated everything that happened and handed her the bundle of money.

Noami produced a pleased smile. "Come in, my daughter, and relax. Boaz would not rest until he gets to the end of the matter."

★★★★★

Evening came faster than Ruth expected. She paced around the living room as she waited for the appearance of Boaz to tell her what her fate would be.

Moments later, her heart lifted at the sound of a car in the driveway. She rushed out the door and stood on the edge of the steps.

A smile tugged on her lips as Boaz locked the car and jogged towards her.

"So what is it going to be?" she asked as he reached her.

A smile bloomed on his face and he pulled her into his arms for a hug.

"You are going to be Mrs Boaz."

That proclamation brought a grin to Ruth's lips. A smile that did not fade for years to come.

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