First venture

The next day, the skies cleared up and a bright sun appeared in the luminous sky. The rain had stopped last night but it left the ground wet, muddy puddles throughout the pathway.

I woke up and yawned sluggishly. With the cool breeze freshening my body, I shuddered lightly. Last night's rain had chilled the room temperature.

Steadying my feet on the wooden ground, my eyes fell on the bright view outside. Over the bricked roofs, the accumulated droplets were trickling one by one from the roof's edge. The window pane which had been cloudy due to yesterday's storm, has started to become transparent.

It was a new day for the busy people in the village.

Descending on the steep stairs, with every step leaves a creaking noise, I wished both siblings a good morning. They returned the greeting with a kind smile.

"Let's finish the meal together so we could venture outside. The rain had subsided so let's not waste this good weather."

Belruth said in a tone like he had found a new hope. I nodded in affirmation, taking the seat next to sleepy Adele.

"Have you slept well, Adele?"

I asked when I noticed her hazy movements, turning my head towards her in the process.

"Yup, miss. I just felt lazy because of the cold wind."

"Let's thaw it by taking a light stroll outside."

I spoke in a persuasive tone. She agreed through a sluggish nod before moving her head on her plate.

After filling up our stomachs with bread and milk, we proceeded to changing our attires to an outer wear. Since I had only one pair of clothes, I only put on a thin shawl on my shoulder.

Meeting the siblings on the dining area which was situated in the end of the steep stairs, I inhaled then exhaled a deep breath. It is going to be my first time exploring outside after few days of stay in the siblings' premises.

To be honest, I felt a little excitement which fueled my already good mood. Like a kid having a permission to go outside, I followed the two in a happy feet.

"It's miss' first time to go out, right?"

Adele queried after spinning around to look at my face. I nodded my answer with a slight embarrassed face, as if I had been found out.

"Great. I'll teach you a lot of things! Allow your tour guide to introduce you the wonders of the outside world!"

The little girl forged her way towards me, then she grasped my hand with a little force. Directing me towards the doorstep, which I willingly followed. Adele was really looking forward to go outside!

Adele led the company, and the remaining members had followed behind. Belruth and I exchanged a gladdened look as we both watched the glowing expression on the little girl's face.

My eyes wandered around in amusement. It fell on various things situated along the street. When my gaze fell on the people passing by, I noticed how they stared at us in a different way.

At first, I thought it was only at the first glance but after launching another look at them, it was undoubtedly a look of disgust.

Why are they looking at us as if we weren't of the same specie?

I deviated my attention towards the siblings, whose face didn't twitch on the indifferent treatment. Have they been treated like this since long ago?

An urge to quench my curiosity spurred within, but it would be never spoken because it's like making them conscious of their surrounding. I sealed my lips, restraining the growing emotion on my face.

"Don't pay attention to them. They're always like that."

Belruth leaned closer, whispered the words meant to be spoken confidentially. I quickly affirmed with a nod and smiled lightly.

With no certain destination in mind, we had reached the end of the street. It was the village boundary- a creaking wooden slabs connected to each other with a rusty nail.

Beyond the boundary, a thick wild grasses veiling the pathway. I stared on the silhouette formed due its distance, and moments after, I pulled my gaze away.

"What's the next village called?"

"Teravia."

It was Belruth who answered my out of the blue question.

"It looks reasonably far. How long would it take by foot?"

"An hour. If you're a fast walker, then half an hour. Are you remembering something now?"

I swung my head curtly which had garnered a small nod from Belruth.

"It will surely return in due time," the young man with messy hair assured, smiling warmly in the process. I felt gladdened that I had been picked up by kind people.

Retreating to the familiar pathway, where puddles scattered throughout. The earthly scent of the ground soothed my senses.

With Adele grasping my hand, I was being taken away again when we started padding our feet on the wet ground.

I thought that the short exploration would come to an end after reaching the village border. Surprisingly, Belruth took us to the market where the usual attention was doubled in number.

I couldn't help but feel a little jiggly with the overwhelming gazes poured onto us.

'Don't pay attention... Ignore them, ignore them.'

With a constant reminder to myself, I finally relaxed my nervous face that had been trembling inwardly. I drew a deep breath from my lungs and puffed it gingerly.

When my attention was finally shifted to something else, I noticed the wonder of the market that Adele had been boasting earlier.

A long line of different stalls was placed on each side, narrowing the street. In this part, the cobblestones covered the whole area, allowing the villagers to shop with a little ease.

It had my eyes scanned on the surroundings, mesmerized. I felt happy just by looking at those fresh fruits and vegetables. They look so sumptuous when grouped together.

"Are you enjoying the view, miss?"

Adele questioned as she examined my expression, which was evidently pleased on the current sight.

"Very much. Thank you for taking me here."

"Oh no," she blushed lightly, "It's my brother who had taken us here. He deserves to be thanked," the young girl added while fiddling her little fingers.

As per seemingly request, I turned my head to the direction of the young man who flinched upon the brief eye contact.

"Thank you very much, Sir."

"It's nothing... Nothing much."

Belruth waved his hand nervously, stuttering in the process. I felt chuckling at his naive response, but it was rather disrespectful.