Love From Darkness

Lemon

Daniel and Alice sat side by side. They stared at the river flowing in front of them.

"Where do you live? I never saw you in the village?" asked Daniel.

"I live in this forest. People don't like me," said Alice.

"Impossible. You are beautiful and kind. How could you not be liked by them. Many village youths will definitely like you," said Daniel.

"Really? You're kidding," Alice said as she pushed Daniel down into the river.

"Hey, you cheater. Taste this!" Daniel throws Alice a splash of water. The woman laughed and ran into the forest avoiding Daniel's attack.

Daniel almost chased the woman. But Lee called him. Daniel had no other choice. He returned to the river in front of the house dragging a net that was already full of fish.

"Where are you going?" asked Lee curiously.

"I..." Daniel was silent for a moment. He wanted to tell a story but if it was true that Alice was not liked by the people, then maybe Lee was one of them. "I slipped. See my pants are wet," said Daniel.

Lee just shook his head at Daniel's silliness.

"Uncle Daniel!" shouted Jo. He showed me a basket of fruit and other ingredients for cooking. Meanwhile, Rachel just got out of her car.

"There is guest?" Rachel asked looking at another car beside Lee's house.

"That's right. Police from the city. His name is Tommy," said Lee.

"Boy, all of you are here?" said Tommy seeing everyone gathered in the yard.

Daniel immediately went to the kitchen with Jo. Meanwhile Rachel walked towards Tommy.

"You seem familiar," said Tommy.

"Right. You too," Rachel said.

The two immediately embraced.

"Jesus, how are you? If Marsha found out you were here, I can assure you she would be right here," Rachel said.

"You two know each other?" Lee asked seeing Tommy and Rachel getting along very well.

"We're best friends. The three of us. Another Marsha, but she's busy in town," Rachel said.

"Good. That means Tommy will feel at home here," said Lee.

In the kitchen, Jo helps Daniel clean and wash the fish. They both worked in silence.

"What is it?" asked Daniel knowing there was something different about Jo's demeanor.

Jo suddenly burst into tears while hugging Daniel. Jo didn't usually act like that.

"Are you nervous about leaving us?" asked Daniel.

Joe nodded. He hugged Daniel tightly. Tears and snot wet the shirt Daniel was wearing.

"We're sad too Jo. But it's time for you to prove to us that you can count on us. Don't waste Grandpa's sacrifice. Do you understand?" Daniel rubbed Jo's head.

"I will miss you very much." Jo let go of Daniel. He shrunk his tears and wiped his nose with his own shirt. That's when Rachel walked in and was surprised to see Jo's eyes turn red.

"What happened?" Rachel asked.

"He got an onion in his eye," said Daniel.

Rachel knew it was just an excuse. But Rachel understood that Jo had just finished crying.

"Looks like we're going to be cooking a special meal today." Rachel began to take the knife and slice the ingredients needed.

Daniel washed the rice and cooked the rice on a fire made of clay. After that, he gave the cleaned fish to Rachel.

"Gosh. I forgot to buy a lemon." Rachel just remembered something. Fish will taste delicious if soaked in orange juice.

"It's in the woods. It's a bit straight from our house," said Jo.

"Let me take it." Daniel immediately ran into the forest across the garden. But he had never crossed that path. So Daniel had to look everywhere to find the Lemon tree.

Daniel didn't realize that Alice, who was watching him, immediately followed behind him. He kept walking slowly and finally he saw the tree. Daniel immediately ran and picked some yellow fruit.

"Daniel," whispered Alice from behind startling Daniel. The lemon that was in his hand was immediately thrown. Daniel, who was about to catch the fruit again, hit his foot against a tree root and fell with Alice who was on top of him.

Daniel froze. He had a feeling it had happened before. He was half sitting like that, while Alice was on top of him. The situation felt very familiar.

"Aw," Daniel groaned in pain.

Seeing that Alice immediately went down to check. Daniel's elbow and hand were injured because he was hit by a tree thorn. Alice immediately licked the injured hand.

"Alice, what are you doing?" Daniel pulled his hand away.

"So that your wound will heal," said Alice.

"It's okay. It's just a small wound," said Daniel. He stood up again and cleaned his dirty pants.

"You're not coming home?" asked Daniel.

Alice shook her head.

"Then?"

"I sat there until it got dark." Alice pointed to a large tree visible from her bedroom window.

"What are you doing?" Daniel didn't understand. What is the woman doing on the tree?

"Watching you, waiting for you and watching all your activities," said Alice.

Daniel chose the lemon again. Then he walked under a big tree. Watching the tree and imagining Alice climbing it.

"Don't do it again. Danger." Daniel is worried for Alice's safety.

"But if I don't see your face. I'll have a hard time sleeping," Alice said with her innocent face.

Daniel's face immediately turned red when he heard Alice's words. He put the lemon back on the ground and grabbed Alice's hands.

"I promise this afternoon before evening I will meet you here. But you have to promise not to climb into this tree again. I don't want you to get hurt," said Daniel.

Alice nodded. Daniel is very happy. He smiled and his heart felt at ease being near her.

"I have to go. They are waiting for this," Daniel said showing the lemon in his hand.

Alice nodded. Daniel immediately left, but Alice pulled her hand and kissed Daniel's cheek. Before Daniel could say anything, the woman had already left. Daniel rubbed Alice's kiss on his cheek. Her heart trembled. Somehow he really liked that aggressive woman.

Daniel ran towards Lee's house with a cheerful face. Her heart was blooming. The feeling is so happy. He felt a new spirit in his life.

"You're taking so long. I almost had Jo come after you," Rachel said.

"Sorry. The tree is a bit low. So hard to find," said Daniel with a smile.

Of course Rachel couldn't be mad at Daniel's sweet smile. Whose heart would not melt seeing the deathly smile of a handsome young man like Daniel.

"Rice is done. Vegetables are done. Only fish is left." Jo checked everything.

"But, why cook rice?" Rachel asked, because the menu was so rare.

"Just ask Jo," said Daniel.

"I saw this food on television. So I wanted to," said Jo showing rows of white teeth.

Daniel just smiled. He looked towards the forest. His heart can't wait for the sunset.