BLAMELESS SORROWS

39. A helping hand.

Heri's Point of View.

The lady: Thank you.

Tilbe: Three days, figure everything out in three days, my kindness ends there.

I smile as she said that, of course. But I bet she will help them more.

The lady: I'll make sure of it. And Iam glad Iklu has a fruit basket which is always full and always ready to share. The fruits from the forest taste so sweet and good. I'll be leaving now.

There was heavy silence after that with some paper shuffling and nothing else.

Tilbe: And by the way, Iklu is not a place of charity but the people are people of love and kindness. So if you stay here, enjoy it and never run away from it. Cause the one thing we are quite proud of is our people and their hospitality.

With that we heard the clack of someone walking away.

The lady: And also, my name is Karina. Karina Grime.

And with that, the sound of the door opening and closing can be heard.

Tilbe: Come out now.

We sigh and come out of our hiding.

Tilbe: Can I not hear something along the line of, then can we leave now?

I shake my head in disbelieve while Galen just went and sit down opposite her, ready for the very much needed discussion.

Tilbe: But why would you guys listen to me right?

I sigh once more, what is with her sudden changes in image almost all the time.

Heri: Let's quickly talk and went back alright?

Galen nod agreeing with me.

Tilbe: Is there really anything else we need to talk of, they said they will figure everything out right?

Heri: No no, you said they will figure everything out, not them. Are you going to help them or something?

I mean, why is she so confident in this problem.

Galen: And her ability, why do you not ask anything about it? And also how she get in, don't you want to or have to know that as well.

Oh yeah, he just speak my mind. Why is she not asking anything of this nature.

Tilbe: First, Iam not going to help them. Like I said, my kindness end here, I have given them as much as I can. And yes, I know how they get in. And lastly, her ability is not something we can intrude onto by asking forcefully like that.

Heri: I understand that, it is quite rude to ask her ability just like that, but don't we need to know for our safety?

She nod her head.

Tilbe: I need to know, not we. We know that in Iklu only a royal can know and not others unless they chose to share voluntarily.

Galen: Does Iklu's rule apply to an outsider as well?

Tilbe: Yes, if we expect her to follow the rules of Iklu in Iklu, then we should treat her with it as well.

Galen: Understood.

That make sense, and it's only proper that way.

Heri: Then how does she get in, you said you know that right?

Tilbe: Why would I tell you two that?

She look at us with a wide eye, looking genuinely confused by my question.

If it's not for her innocent look, I'll think her words are a lot harsher than I take it now.

Tilbe: You guys are not trying to elope outside Iklu right? Even enquiring such a sensitive topic.

Heri: Tilbe!!

She just shrug while Galen also shrug, as if saying it might happen making me give him a small glare as well.

Heri: Lastly, you are really not going to help them right?

Galen: And why are you trusting all the words they say just like that. I know it's quite emotinal and god forbid that they are lying about it, but it can happen as well right?

We speak at the same time while Tilbe look from me to him, and from him to me.

Tilbe: No Iam not going to help them. And Galen, don't worry about it, I can guarantee that they are speaking the truth.

Galen: But you won't tell me how you know.

She smile brightly when he said that, confirming what he said is indeed right.

Heri: You have to keep your word Tilbe. You cannot help them again. Firstly it might be dangerous, both for you and Iklu. And beside if you become emotionally attached, you know our judgement become clouded right?

She nod in understanding.

Tilbe: I know, and I'll make sure I remember you words. So now can we please, proceed to go home. Iam hungry, I have yet to have anything yet today.

Galen: When do you wake up that you have nothing yet.

She glare at him when he said that resentfully making me chuckle at them. She is obviously lying to go home, but Galen just have to point it out.

Its noon by now, and she was snacking the whole time as well. Some nuts here and there, so it make no sense.

Tilbe: You force me to. Leave, it's a command.

This time I laugh out loud, it's just her adorable face and voice just don't go well with such words. It quite funny and adorable at the same time, especially when she tried to act mean and stern.

Tilbe: Sis Ri!

And to make matter worse, she even stomp her feet making me choke while trying to stop myself from laughing.

No matter how much she grow, she will always be my little Tilbe, who always run around with Vann by my house yard.

Heri: Okay, okay Iam sorry. But promise you won't do anything out of sort and everything like that.

She nod her head in a yes and smile at me while I look at her suspiciously, but nonetheless let it go.

Heri: Okay then Iam leaving now.

She nod her head in a yes, and with that Galen and me walk out of the room.

And as soon as we walk out, the first thing Galen ask is what I have been thinking about.

Galen: Why do I feel like she is plotting something behind our back, she will help them one way or other, won't she?

I look up at him and frown a little.

Heri: Why did you think the same thing as well, this means there are higher chance that it will be the truth.

He chuckle looking at my expression while I just twist my face in weird angles in total displeasure.

Galen: Should I also have warn her time and time again, like you did?

I chuckle when he said that.

Heri: Like she will listen to us.

He nod at that, agreeing with me.

It's not like, we are against her helping them or anything like that. But their identity is questionable and their story is also questionable and to make matter worse, her ability might hurt Tilbe as well. So it's a must to take precaution and have to be very carefull in choosing to trust them.

Heri: I wonder why she let go of her in the first place?

That is a question that has been bugging me for a while now, but by Tilbe subtle explanation I knew it is a secret she won't share of.

Galen: And by her hostile behaviour for the first few minutes shows something did happen before.

Heri: I know right, if not it is not really Tilbe way, using fear and all, to get her ways.

She always tried to make everything as pleasant and comfortable as possible. So for her to be warning her off and threatening her, she must have done something grand to make her angry.

Galen: Okay, forget it. Like I said before, if Tilbe said it's fine, it will be okay. She have her ways. So now, since our work is done, shall we go for a date?

I smile at him dreamily as he said that, making him look down at me suspiciously.

Galen: I don't like that smile.

My smile only largen when he said that, and in no second I grab his hand and we ran outside the castle.

We went out and walk down the street right outside the palace which have a lot of street vendors, selling all kinds of things.

But the thing that got my attention is the street food, the yummy yummy street food.

Galen seeing me looking at food sigh in disbelieve.

Galen: You and food are really inseparable huh?

I smile when he said that and nod my head.

Heri: Of course food is bae!

He stop when I said that, not moving even when I pull making me look at him.

Galen: Then what about me?

I look at him confused.

Galen: If food is bae then Iam what? Oh wait let's make it simpler, food or me?

I look at him stupified for a bit.

Heri: Heh! Nice try, dream on. Now lets fill my stomach!

And with that I went on while he gape at me, making me laugh on the inside.

I ask for two plate of steamed fat and round dumpling, while waiting happily for it while Galen come up to me at the same time.

Galen: Just know that, Iam quite jealous.

I laugh when he said that while looking up at him, and kiss his cheeks.

Heri: You are best but food is food.

He gape at me once more while I laugh and put the dumpling at his open mouth, eating one myself.

And this is what Iam talking about, it's so good.

Galen: Now I know why you choose food over me.

He moan at the tasty food and go on gobbling more up while I look at him proudly, for reason unknown.

After that we went to different vendors and eat and drink all kind of things. From the sweetest things to the spiciest, from the coldest to the hottest.

I remember us liking some while not sure of some, and loving many, and I can say it was a day well spent with full of laughter and filled with simple happiness.