BLAMELESS SORROWS

57. Pound.

Heri's Point of View.

It's now around two in the afternoon and we have start to pound the dried rice.

Mom and dad doing it at one while Galena and me do at one.

Actually that was the plan but we don't really need to anymore cause Galen was just a bit too strong and the speed at which he was doing was just unacceptable to us normal human being.

I scoop out the powdered rice while Galen look at me doing it.

Heri: Are you sure you are not tired? You have done everything yourself and now even this one.

Actually we have finished making the mangatai, and now we are pounding it for the rice cake. We made a lot and I mean a lot of mangatai, and now he is on about the gift round of the pounding the powdered rice.

Galen: Okay you are worrying a bit too much, so let me just put it this way. My ability is something to do with strength so Iam much stronger and more quick at some level to normal people.

I looked up at him completely interested and intrigue by the information. But then again, there had to be some explanation like such, cause he has been working the while day and has not even sweat, not even in a bit. Neither a huff or tiredness in his eye. He seems pretty calm and all collected and yes all energetic, no tiredness whatsoever.

Heri: Well tell me more?

And I look up at him expectantly hoping for him to go with the flow while he is at it.

Galen: Not going to work darling, remember you have to become my wife to know that.

I hmph at that and went back to putting the rice at the pounder.

Heri: Well Iam getting closer to it then, when I said that I was a friend like thing and now Iam your girlfriend. And I'll make sure the next time you will have no excuse not to answer.

Galen chuckled as I said that.

Galen: Iam not sure whether that is more advantageous to you or me.

I blushed deep red, did I just call myself his future wife that blatantly just now? Well this is a bit nerve wrecking but then again, Iam just talking about what is on my mind and nothing else.

I shrug in nonchalance thinking as such.

Heri: Iam the type to think about all the things about the future whenever Iam doing something. I hardly know how to enjoy my present without thinking about what my future holds and whether it is clear to as much as I can see. So if Iam being happy with you, that means I see a future with you and is planning one. I hope you know that.

He stop pounding for a second as he heard and pause for a bit.

Galen: If it is what you want Heri, I promise I will be your husband as long as you wish for it. As long as Iam in the future you dream of, then I will do my ultimate best so that, that dream can be realised someday. I promise.

I smile and look up at him happy at how this conversation is going.

Heri: Can you believe it, I undoubtedly and completely believe someone's words who is completely covered in white flour as he said such serious words and is standing there pounding away with an inhuman strength at the same time.

He chuckled at that.

Galen: And whose fault is that, you have to choose such a time to say such serious and romantic words.

I laugh as he said that.

Heri: I didn't thought of the situation, I was just going with the flow.

And I shrug as I once again scoop out the pounded flour. And put the last trip of rice, and by rice I mean a sticky rice which is purplish in colour. It smells is just to die for as we grind it here.

And this one though is a soaked one, for making it more convenient in pounding it to powder.

Heri: I know you are very capable, but this time let's do it together. I love doing this with someone, and has always my dream to do it with my partner as well as I watch my parents do it each year.

He chuckled and nod.

Galen: Come on.

With that I take one pounding stick and put it in the pounder.

Heri: Here we go.

I lift it up and pound it in the grinder, while Galen pound in as I take out mine and I put mine in as he take his. And this cycle continues.

Galen: Hei!

Heri: Ha!

Galen: Hei!

Heri: Ha!

Galen: Hei!

We chant as we pound, each chanting at our own routine.

Just then we heard a click, which make us turn back stopping what we are doing.

Mom: Well my babies look so lovely.

And she come and show me the picture which really do looked lovely.

Galen is looking at me rather than focusing on what he is doing, the looked on his eye filled with nothing but love make my heart swell.

Mom: You guys too make a perfect couple, look how sweet Heri is smiling and how lovingly Galen is looking at her.

Mom gush on while we both blush at her comment.

Dad: Honey I don't think the kids will appreciate you gushing when they are standing right in front of you.

While saying so dad come and kept the black clay pot by the outdoor table.

Dad: Now come on kids, let's eat something.

I nod as I scoop out the last trip of the flour and kept it in the huge pot which is filled to the prim with sticky rice flour by now.

Heri: We are done here anyway. Come on Galen, let's get a bit wash up.

With that we went inside and clean ourself which is just wishing hands and of course taking out our now white apron.

And we went back out in the courtyard where mom and dad have set up everything.

Mom: Come sit here son, and eat a lot you have done too much today.

Galen: It was nothing. Thank you.

Galen take the bowl of soup mom offer as he said that, while I smile looking at how he completely fit in, in my family.

Actually dad cook his special, which is chicken soup. He put a lot of different kind of stuffing in the chicken and cooked it as a whole for about five hours. And the softness and the charm of its soup is just beyond words.

While mom make spicy cold noodles with all ingredients needed to make it tasty.

Iam in love.

Mom gave Galen like a whole chicken while dad do the same with me.

Heri: I know it looked like a bit too much, but believe me eating this after a hot laborious day, it will finish itself.

Galen chuckle as I said that.

Galen: Thank you for the food.

And with that all of us chomp in, mainly me. This is one of my favourite dish and I can't stop myself.

Iam not a great fan of masala and many spices, and dad know that so he most of the time make clear tasting dishes like thos which I love.

Heri: Wait where is Vann, still resting?

Don't he have to come and eat too, that dude really need the nutrition.

Mom sigh as I said that.

Mom: Back to the hospital.

I sigh at that as well, and yes Galen know about Vann's job. Vann didn't really want me to hide it from him and create unnecessary problems according to him so he told Galen himself.

Mom: Anyway, Iam supposing both of you will leave together right?

I nod, the festival starts tonight and we have to be there with Tilbe when she perform the dance which is the announcement taht the celebration has start

Galen : Talking about it, I have to go back home to get dressed. So I guess I will leave shortly.

I nod in understanding, while dad quickly disagree with Galen which make both of us to look at dad a bit confused.

Dad: Don't think if leaving my home without dinner mainly at such festive mood, not a chance. We will eat here and you can went back and go and chance with Heri and go out from there.

Heri: Yeah, that is good.

I nod along in co plete agreement, why I didn't think of it, I don't know.

Mom: Yes, we will prepare dinner in a jiffy and will eat a bit earlier so that both of you won't be late.

Galen smile at that and nod in agreement.

Galen: Then I will be thankful for the food again.

Mom smile as he said that.

Mom: You are welcome here anytime son, please come visit a lot. We get lonely when no one come here.

Galen smile brightly as mom said that.

Galen: You can't get sick of me when I come too often. You see Iam in love with mom's and dad's cooking, I grave for it every time.

Mom smile brightened as she heard that.

Mom: Of course I will never get sick of it, next time just tell me what you want to eat and count on it that it is cool. And besides your dad can pretty much cook everything, so if we can't figure it out then he will be our plan B.

Galen smile happily at what mom said while dad nod proudly at what mom said about him. I smile looking at them, it is really beautiful.

Dad: And also I have to thank you for those precious drinks you have brought us.

Galen nod in a no as dad said that.

Galen: It's nothing of that sort, it's just a little hobby I have to make drinks an preserve it for a bit. I hope you enjoy it though.

Dad: Enjoy it? That little hobby of yours is going to make my winter much more warmer and amazing.

Mom and me chuckled at that, dad have a habit of drinking such juiced right after dinner all the time. He said it keep his body warmer and help in digestion.

Galen: Iam glad that you like it.

Dad: I love it, come join me in drinking it will you?

Galen nod at that.

Galen: I will be ecstatic to dad.

Dad smile at that.

Dad: I keep a collection of my own, I hope you will like it.

Like that the conversations goes on, both mom and dad happily talking with Galen while I chip in from time to time. I feel like they have forgotten me from time to time, but I couldn't care less cause it is for Galen.

And for him to feel the family love he so eagerly grieve, I will give my everything.