Just Coincidence
496 Words
The next morning, she awoke feeling completely refreshed and full of energy.
They shared a simple breakfast together. Creamy butter with roasted bread and peanut. It is the first time that she realise there is something better than blood and raw meat.
"I’m not a hunter," he said out of the blue.
"Really? But you’re the son of a hunter!" she replied, looking at him with surprise.
"Why should the son of a hunter have to be a hunter too?"
"My father, you know," she said with a small grin. "My father was a wolf, so I’m a wolf, too."
A shadow passed over her face as something seemed to dawn on her. "Or… I used to be."
He found her so endearing that he couldn’t help himself. Smiling softly, he reached over and patted her head, letting his fingers linger in her hair. "You still are—a little wolf," he teased, his mouth curving into an easy, warm smile.
"So… if you’re not a hunter, then what are you?"
"I’m a forest ranger. It might be hard to believe, but when I was a kid, I once hunted a rabbit and felt so terrible about it afterward that I cried for days. My father was so frustrated with me, he finally gave up on making me a hunter. After that, I went to school in town, and eventually, when they needed a forest ranger, I took the position."
"A rabbit?" she echoed, her mind drifting back to that fateful night—the night she’d nearly lost everything.
He continued, "I also have an older sister. They went into town to stock up on supplies. They won’t be back until tomorrow."
"Why did you stay behind?" she asked curiously.
"Well, it’s winter, but deep under all that snow, the seeds are already beginning to stir. You can’t see them yet, but if the snow gets too thick and blocks out all the air, the seeds might suffocate. I’m here to break up that hard layer of ice on top so they can breathe. With the snow this heavy, I’m running out of time."
A look of realization dawned on her. "So… that’s when you found me? While you were breaking up the snow?"
He nodded. "That’s right."
"So… it was all just coincidence?" she asked softly, as though seeking something more.
"Yes," he replied, smiling a little. "Just coincidence."
A flicker of disappointment crossed her face, a faint sadness as she seemed to accept that this was simply chance, not some fated encounter. But she looked up at him, her eyes glistening. "Well… regardless, you saved me. Thank you," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly, 'How can I ever repay you?'
He smiles, one again, 'Just do not eat me!'
'No, I am serious!'
He walk towards her, gently lifted her chin,' Really?'
Her heart start to beat faster and faster. Her cheeks began to glow hot and red.
They are getting closer and closer......
- Writer
