BLAMELESS SORROWS

8. Date?

Heri's Point Of View.

After a peaceful sleep, I wake up the next morning not really aware if yesterdays event were me dreaming or me really experiencing it, cause truthfully it felt more like a dream than a reality.

The fact that I really meet the beast I have been reading about is like meeting a character of a novel you are so interested in, it feel surreal and unreal.

But I know that it did happen and that I did meet him. But now that I have accept that I did met him, I feel more and more foolish.

Like why was I so silent?

I have tonnes and tonnes of question to ask, but no, I chose to stay silent.

And besides if Iam not gonna ask anything, at least I could have give him some answers, like at least one. I know he must have a lot of question and some of them are not hard to guess at all.

And over all, how come I didn't even ask for his name; man, like how ignorant can I be.

But in my defence, he can't speak and he might not like to give away his name, considering he does not want anyone to know he can shift into Red. But then again, I know so much already, so whats the harm is knowing a little bit more..

Ahh, I should have taken the opportunity to ask everything about him when I had the chance.

Now, only god know when we will meet again or if we will meet again at all for that matter.

I kicked around my blanket in frustration as I thought everything through.

Vann: Well I see that you are having quite a pleasant morning.

I look at him standing by the door in a bored manner while holding a steaming cup of coffee, I don't have the brain cell to say something back which is cool right now, so lets not just speak.

Vann: But sis, did you went to the forest again yesterday? Seeing the ridiculously big basket out again and of course your shady cloak with it, I guess you did visit again huh?

Vann by one way or another, got to know that I visit the forest about two years back and everytime since then, he will continue to bug me to tell him why I went.

But I will always says no, and I wasn't even trying to be blatant about the fact that I don't want him to know, and that I won't share my secret.

So I straight up told him, not to bother asking cause I won't tell him anything.

But Vann is Vann, he also continue to ask about it so shamelessly.

Heri: Yes I did.

I confidently said it back, but I don't really know what Iam confident about.

Vaan: Ah! I hate you saying that, that too so smugly.

Ahah! Thats why.

I give him a lazy grin.

Vann: At least, try to hide it if you are not gonna share.

I look at him as if he is foolish, which he is.

Heri: Hiding take up a lot of work and I have to do things for it to work. Why should I do that, when I can have my ways by doing nothing in the first place.

He look at me in disbelieve while shaking his head.

Vann: This is really making me curious, first off Tilbe specifically built the forest and won't tell me why, and now my sister goes there once every year and also won't tell me why. What's in that forest anyway, shall I just go there myself?

I look at him uninterested.

I was not scared of him encountering Red, cause he will have shift back by now. He stay a beast for only a night this days, so.

And moreover if I react all scared, then his interest will probably increase and he will really go.

Heri: Please do so. But then again, Tilbe might kill you, isn't the forest reserved?

This time Vann look at me like Iam foolish, while I also look at myself the same way.

Cause here a thief is warning a thief not to steal from a diamond mine, cause it's dangerous while holding the diamond from there itself.

Vann: Come on sis, really? This is low even for you, and besides you even made a hole in Tilbe's precious wall.

This is a battle I won't win, so let's change the topic.

Heri: Talking about Tilbe, how was yours and Tilbe's date?

As soon as I said that he flushed deep red by the unexpected question and timing.

Vann: I never told you, the date was with Tilbe.

Not impressed my brother, not impressed .

Heri : The only girl you know is Tilbe, I can figure what is what.

Although dumbly I also reach this conclusion after a while, but he don't need to know that.

Vann: Iam just here to bring you your coffee, here you go and good morning.

And with that he rush away while I look at him totally amused. But then he look back one more time when he is almost out of the door and with a red face, said.

Vann: And yes, it was good.

And with that he literally scram while I laugh out loud in total amusement.

This kids are now dating and all, it's so cute.

They were small babies just a few years back, and now look at them. Acting all grown up, pfft!

Anyway, I finally decide I should get up so I did. But before anything, the coffe is calling out to me so with a goofy grin, I went ahead and raise the huge coffe cup and decide to went out in the terrace to enjoy the warm morning sunshine.

Today really is a clear and beautiful day.

I stretch myself while yawning at the same time and walk further towards the railing while sipping my milk coffee of course.

I stand besides the railing for a while, but when I look down from the terrace towards my front door. I nearly drop my delicious coffe cup.

What in the whole world is that? Is that what I think it is?

So with that I rush down, sprinting through the stairs and quickly running towards the main door.

I went there and with a huff open the huge gate like door, why they need the door this big and heavy; I will never understand.

Anyway I did open the door and where I step up, just besides the door, there is a mountain of of very juicy and pink Peach.

Literally it make a small mountain of it's own, and just left at the ground like that.

At first I was confuse as to who kept it here, but then by the here and there little specks of black fur, I can fairly figure it out who did it.

Is this a sign of thank you cause I bring him food too. And considering I greedily gobble up the huge peach I had with me that day, Red must have thought I love them.

Cause Iam sure he left it here and considering how much of it is here, only he will bring this much of it, given his built without getting noticed of course.

Nonetheless I take one in my hand, and when I say its huge, it is huge. But it look so yummy looking, so fresh, white and pinkish.

Unable to hold myself back, I quickly went over to the little fountain like thing in the front garden and wash it quickly and greedily bite on it.

And yes, I was not disappointed as it's flavourful and sweet juice burst inside my mouth, I can literally get lost in this heaven like feeling.

Wow, I wonder where he get this, cause damn this is really tasty.

For a while I was a bit freaked out, thinking how he know my house adress and how did he enter, but I remember he know me as a person, and almost all the people of Iklu know where I stay and also he is a giant, he can get in anywhere he wish.

And he meant well when he enter, cause he didn't disturb anyone and just left.

So I guess its fine.

Just then I heard a scream, and when I look back a bit startled, Vann was there shouting with his two hand on each side of his face dramatically. By the way, he is screaming while looking at the peach.

Heri: What, what, you are killing my ear over here.

And I went and shake him a little making him get out of his frozen state.

Vann: I saw a big black creature like a bear?..... Anyway I saw something like that come in with a whole load of peaches last night from my window, but I wave it off thinking I was just being silly and seeing things. Oh god, please Heri tell me Iam right, and that there is no such big scary looking creature who bring peaches for us in tonnes.

And he pleads, even his hand folded neatly like he is praying.

Well I guess Red did disturb someone, who is too into reality he just wave off Red's existence. Only if he knew, the forest he so want to visit is its home.

Heri: Silly, what kind of silly things are you thinking these days? I order some so that I can make some jam and wine, and James brought it just now.

Wine? My foot! I can hardly cook for myself, so what make me think me making wine will be convincing.

Vann look at me weirdly but nod anyway.

Vann: Well as long as Iam wrong, it's fine.

With that he look at me suspiciously while walking inside but stop in the middle.

Vann: But just so we are clear, this is not a phase like that time when you brought every dairy available in the kingdom right?

I hiss at him and throw at him the seed I had in my hand which make him run away inside.

Heri : You mention that one more time and I will kill you.

And yes, that did happen, when I was younger I once tried to buy every dairy in the kingdom so that none will be able to buy to write, so that I won't know any of their secret. I know I was pathetic, but that was how desperate I was. And which obviously didn't work.

And because of that everytime someone need to bring me gift, they still bring me a dairy which I hate so so much. One went as far as, embeding precious stone in each paper making me sick.

Why the need, I don't even want to ask neither know.

Anyway with that I went inside and brought two basket and Vann and thus we start bringing in all the peaches.

While Vann keep on complaining why it didn't come in boxes, while me trying to lie my way out but failing miserably.

We keep on going in and out and in and out the whole morning carrying one basket each. Yes, thats how much the peaches are.

Ahhh, I feel like I have excercise in advanced, for a whole year.

Anyway we spent all our morning like that.

But as tired as I was, Red, thank you so much for all the care and interest you show.

________________________________________

Right now, Iam sitting in the conference room of the palace waiting for Tilbe. I need to discuss some problem with the transportation problem of bringing some of the books.

But while I was doing that, instead of Tilbe walking in the door like I expect, rather it was Galen Coy. The only member and the wealthiest person of Iklu aside from the royalty of course, but he might be wealthier, no one knows.

He is quite a handsome fellow, hair as dark as the darkest shade of night and his eye as red as a burning fire. Sharp feature with all the right cuts and shapes. Jaws so sharp it might cut you through and eyes as deep as the dark forest with the killer smile.

But as I keep looking at his mysteriously familiar looking eye and the familiar black hair, I don't know when and how but I have already call out.

Heri: Red?

As I heard myself I quickly cover my mouth while freezing while he look at me confused. But again, I swear I saw recognition in his demeanour when he heard Red, but then again I might just be going crazy too, so I quickly react to myself before I can.

Heri: I mean, you have a beautiful red eye.

He smile cheekily at that, as if he knew something I didn't.

Galen: Well, isn't this a new thing?An Awor is complementing someone.

He look at me with that sweet smile while sitting by the table right next to me looking down at me with twinkling eye.

Heri: We are not that dry, we too compliment and interact with people.

When I said that, this time he look at me dryly and I too know what he mean. I hardly interact with anyone, while Vann go around covering his face so.

Galen: That must explain why you only compliment my eye today even though we have known each other for about ten years now.

I look at him speechless, I never notice or look clearly at that time because I just meet Red yesterday and I notice because you look a lot like him.

Thats what I want to say but I can't, so this is a battle I have lost so let just completely lose it shamelessly.

So I just shrug, while this time he look at me in disbelieve and chuckle to himself.

Wow he do look handsome, mainly with that deep red eye, he look enchanting.

Heri : My god, you are handsome!

I close my eye while biting my lips, hoping me to swallow myself whole. How did I just said that out loud.

He laugh a little at that.

Galen: Why, thank you. But Awor if you keep on doing this, I will fall for you just like that, seeing as you are such a beauty yourself.

And there he snap his finger as he said 'just like that' and also give me a playful wink while I mumble.

Heri: I never told you, not to fall for me.

Am I drunk by his handsomeness or something, where is my damn control.

But him, he laugh softly at that once again, his bright red eye sparkling with unknown happiness.

Galen: Wow! Heri! Heri! You too are quite interesting and attractive. But if I were you, I won't joke about such things, cause I was serious. And if I fall, I will make you take responsibility of my heart.

And he look at me quite seriously this time, but his eye still playful. And I don't know what did the trick, maybe it was his beautiful playful eye yearning to play or the serious manly aura he have, challenging me; but with a smile I reply cheekily.

Heri: Wow, I though you were a sensitive man Coy, I never knew you will make a lady say twice that she dont mind you falling for her just within minute. Iam disappointed!

And this time I look at him with a cheeky smile while leaning my head on the back of my hand which is in the table and tilting my head his way.

Galen: Hah! I think Iam have fallen already. What to I do, Iam in trouble.

He look forward and said so, while his tongue roll around his mouth.

And then suddenly he look my way, making me gasp by his beauty.

Heri: Too much of handsomeness should be illegal, if not what will happen to my poor heart.

He laugh softly once again as I said, his whole body shaking in amusement as he laugh.

Galen: I gave you a chance to back out but clearly you say no, if Iam not wrong, that is. And Iam clearly hoping, Iam right.

I smile a cheeky smile inside me but give away nothing outside. I pull off a perfect poker face and just give a shrug.

He look at me shock while I do that, while I hold back a chuckle or two.

Galen: Hey, this is not fair. You can't just back off like this Heri. Not cool, definitely not cool.

He look more like a complaining kid, nearly pouting while I look at him and laugh a little making him give me his beautiful smile too.

Galen: So beautiful!

I look at him flustered by his sudden confession.

But I also tried to be cheeky.

Heri: Thank you, but saying such things with such a handsome face is not cool. I might just fall for you like that.

And I snap my finger like he did before.

He smile as I says that.

Galen: I never told you not to fall for me.

I went closer to him and said in a soft playful manner.

Heri: Will you be able to take responsibility of my heart?

He turn my way and come closer to me while a beautiful smile plays in his face, while saying.

Galen: Your eyes are the most beautiful shade of gray, lively and just enchanting. While your long brown hair seek me out like it's calling me in to you, your lively shade of cheeks make me smile for no reason like a fool and your beautiful heart make my heart skip so many beat, Iam scared for myself. So, I think Iam the one you need to take responsible for.

His heart skip so many beat, my foot! Mine just stop, how is he this good at this and that damn smile!

This is not fair, and to top it all off Iam even blushing.

Galen: So will the beautiful lady give me the honour of going out on a date with me?

I blink at him shock, I just find myself a date just like that. Wow!

While I was thinking that. and before I answer, I heard Tilbe shrieking.

Tilbe: Well, surely I have came at the wrong time. Take your time people, let's just says I didn't have the time today so I didn't come to meet you. Then see you later.

And with that she sprint.

Heri: Wow, she really just run like that. It's heart breaking that our only princess lack this much authority.

Don't take me wrong, Tilbe is the best.

And she have all the authority she need, but at such moment I sometimes fear people may take advantage of her kind personality and hurt her in the end. Well, I pray and hope not.

Galen: Why, I think the little fruit basket is quite adorable!

I look at him with a squint in my eye.

Heri: Of course she is, she is the true meaning of adorbs. But you just ask me out, and now you are already complimenting other women in front of me?

I look at him dramatically, not really meaning what I said in a serious way.

He smile one of his full smile and lick his lips quite sexily might I add.

Galen: Hearing the jealous tone, can I take this as a yes for my question?

I smile at him and get up.

Heri: Tomorrow at 10am, Iam hoping you can pick me up.

And with that I start to went out but he quickly stop me.

Galen: Why not now, go with me now.

I turned back surprised.

Heri(stern): No!

He look a bit surprised at my absolute tone.

Galen: Why, you have plan?

Heri: Damn, give a girl some time to prepare herself. Iam trying so hard not to look too nervous and too happy that someone I like, like me right now. Take the hint.

And with that I rush away while Galen laugh out loud behind me while shouting.

Galen: See you tomorrow Heri.

I smile listening to him, but without turning back went away, my heart is going to burst if I stay longer, for crying out loud