Chapter 12 - Fantasy vs Reality

Jenu sneaked to a sleeping kremis. It had wrapped its eggs around its tail as the way of incubating them. Jenu carefully looked around to see if a male kremis was in the area and he saw nothing. His heart raced as he reached into his back pocket. He carefully pulled out a bag that had gaku berries. They had the appearance of purple mulberries the size of a sparrow's egg.

Jenu picked one and threw it at the kremis. It twitched its nose and continued to snore. Jenu picked two more and threw them at the kremis. This time around it opened its eye confused. It groaned before closing its eye once more. Jenu peeped at it from behind a bush.

"Damn it, this one seems to be lazy. I guess I'll have to try harder." Jenu plotted.

Jenu got a handful of gaku berries and tippy toed to the kremis. When he was close enough, he squished the berries in his hand and their watery juice dripped to the ground. The kremis sniffed and flashed its eye wide open. By the way its cornea stretched, Jenu knew that the first half of his mission was complete.

The kremis looked at Jenu and growled. Jenu pelted it with the rest of the gaku berries and split into the woods. The kremis got up and let out a roar. It picked up its eggs and used its tail to force them to the back of its throat. As soon as it swallowed them, the kremis charged at Jenu like a gigantic snake.

Sharumez, Emelinia and the robbers felt the ground beneath them tremble. The robbers looked up with mouths agape when they saw trees falling. Before they knew it, the kremis burst to were they where. Jemi let go of Emelinia and the robbers shot at kremis.

Sharumez took advantage of the confusion and got hold of Emelinia. As he ran with her, he didn't see her carefully cover her birthmark again with her headband. Jenu ran right behind them. None of them looked back at the robbers fighting off the kremis.

Sharumez helped Emelinia into the carriage and waited for Jenu to get on too. Sharumez whipped the air and the horses raced off. Sharumez and Jenu laughed so hard at everything. They were glad that their plan worked.

"Wash that scent off before you attract the attention of other kremis." Sharumez told Jenu as his laugh reduced to soft chuckles.

"Oh yes, almost forgot." Jenu pulled out a bottle of water and washed his hand clean.

Emelinia sat in the carriage feeling a rollercoaster of emotions. On one hand she was happy that she escaped abduction and on the other hand, she was afraid of the two men who rescued her.

She didn't know where they were taking her or what their intentions were. For that moment, there was no way for her to escape. She sank into her seat and hopped for the best.

Far back, the kremis was still viciously attacking the robbers. Jemi spread his arms apart and a spear appeared in each. He lunged at the kremis and struck it on its forehead. He landed the other hit on its belly as it fell.

It landed on one of the men and he was smashed to mince. The kremis died upon hitting the ground with a man in its mouth. The remaining three came out of hiding and looked at the macabre sight in disgust.

"Oh man I think I'm going to vomit." One said and the other three gagged.

"I hear a kremis coming fast. Let's get out of here." Jemi opened a portal and they disappeared into it.

****

Light and Sharaina chatted as they walked down the stairs. They came to Nami and Light's sisters in the living room. Nami forced her lips into a faint smile that didn't even touch her eyes. Her daughters followed suit. Light felt uneasy and he hoped that Sharaina didn't sense the tension.

"How are you dear?" Nami greeted Sharaina. Like I give a dame.

"I am fine, ma. How are you?" Sharaina respectfully replied.

"I am okay. Are you leaving already?" Nami asked Sharaina, her tone was soft but it made Light feel uncomfortable.

"Yes, it is almost time for dinner. I must help my mother in the kitchen." Sharaina answered, with the same respectful tone.

Good. I had enough of her in my house. I hope she never returns. Nami darkly thought but maintained her polite face.

"I am seeing her out." Light added his voice to the conversation.

Light placed his hand on Sharaina's shoulder and took her to the door. He didn't want to risk his mother offending her. Light escorted Sharaina all the way to her gate. They saw Akirexer and Naian sitting on the porch.

"It was fun having you over, Sharaina." Light said with a warm glow in his eyes and a boyish smile that heightened his natural charm.

Sharaina tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled back at him. "I had fun too." she replied.

"I want to see you again tomorrow. Would you mind if I came over?" It's best I do instead of asking her to come over. Please say yes.

"I would like that." Sharaina opened the gate.

She looked back at Light and their eyes met in a deep gaze. Each second felt like an eternity as they studied each others eyes hoping to at least get a clue of what the other was thinking. Sharaina was first to come back to her senses and she blinked.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow." she said, squirming internally.

"Yes, of course. Have a good night." Light smiled at her with his hands in his pockets.

Sharaina gave him a little wave and closed the gate behind her leaving Light smiling to himself. He hummed a song to himself as he got into the house. His sisters stretched their lips and giggled among themselves.

"Someone is falling in love." Stariss blurted out and Light halted.

"Shut up, Stariss. If you have nothing to say, you spare everyone by shutting your mouth. Insolent girl!" Nami hatefully scolded Stariss who faced away annoyed. "And as for you..." Nami glared at Light. "I fear that you are starting to get attached to this middle class girl. Don't forget that you are engaged to Yolin."

Light sighed. 'I was a fool to think that she was going to let Sharaina's visit go.'

"How can I forget when you remind me about that everyday especially when I develop a friendship with a girl?" Light voiced out his thoughts as best as he could without sounding irritated.

Nami stood up appalled, her lips trembling in anger, "The only female friend you should have is your wife. If your future in- laws find out that you are spending most of your time with another girl, they will be angry with all of us."

"I understand, mama." Light submitted with his gaze down.

"Do you?!" Nami raised her voice and startled her daughters.

"Yes, may I go up to my room now?" I could use some space.

"Yes you can." Nami flipped her hand at him and off he went.

Light closed his door and laid on his bed. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling but his mind was elsewhere. He knew that his mother was right and deep down he knew that her fears had already come to pass. The more he spent time with Sharaina, the more he started to fall for her. She was all he thought about ever since he met her in the woods.

Is this what falling in love is like or I'm I just infatuated by her?

Light turned to his side and sighed. He was already engaged to be married to a girl named Yolin Alamva. The two of them got engaged as children a long time ago and since then, they hadn't been allowed to see each other before the wedding. It was because of this that Light didn't even know how she looked like.

I mustn't allow myself to fall deeper in love with Sharaina. She deserves to have a man who will love her and cherish her. Because of my engagement, I will never be that man. Yolin is my reality whereas Sharaina is my fantasy. What I'm I supposed to do with these feelings I have for her?

Light turned to the other side and closed his eyes to nap.

****

"How was your day with Light?" Akirexer asked Sharaina.

"It was lovely, mama. Light played me his guitar. We also talked about a lot of things." Sharaina answered enthusiastically.

Akirexer mockingly raised an eyebrow and nudged at Naian who laughed. "Light seems to be a nice boy. I'm impressed that he has managed to keep you away from alcohol for two days." Akirexer remarked and both she and Naian burst out laughing.

Sharaina folded her hands with pout, "You're making it sound like I drink everyday."

"You aren't even supposed to be drinking at all. You are just like your grandma." Akirexer laughed so hard that breathing became difficult.

"Alright, enough mama. You have made your point." Sharaina curtly said.

Naian laughed hard at Sharaina's response.

"Oh, shut up Naian." Sharaina pumped her fist at him.

"I have refused. Let me laugh at you in peace. If you can drink like a man, you might as well take it like a man when people are laughing at you." Naian teased Sharaina and continued laughing.

"It would make me so happy to see you go completely sober, Sharaina." Akirexer added salt to injury. "Now I am hoping that Light becomes my son-in-law."

"Mama!" Sharaina blushed.

"He is the only one who has managed to keep you away from alcohol so far. Your father completely failed to do that but Light has done it with ease." Akirexer continued, her tears of laughter at the base of her eyes.

"Alright, I'm out of here." Sharaina stood up. "I can't sit here while you two mock me."

Sharaina strutted into the house with her eyes closed and nose in the air. She continued to hear Akirexer and Naian's laughter as she made her way upstairs to her room.

****

Emelinia listened to Sharumez and Jenu chat as she shivered. Neither of them bothered to ask who she was nor did they tell her who they were. They instead acted as though she wasn't there with them. The only time they paid attention to her was when they gave her a blanket to keep herself warm.

They came to a stop and both men got out. Emelinia chose to remain in the carriage and held herself tight. The cold weather was getting worse by the minute. After a while, she peeped out of the carriage and saw Sharumez and Jenu sitting by a fire. Sharumez caught her peeping and she fearfully turned away.

Emelinia's heart raced as she listened to Sharumez walking to the carriage. The sound of him knocking on it startled her and she squeezed the blanket tight, shielding her face away from him.

"The fire is ready. You are welcome to join us." Sharumez kindly said to her and next thing Emelinia heard was him leaving.

After a long debate in her head, Emelinia decided to get out of the carriage. The cold had become unbearable for her. When she got out, both men had their backs turned to her. They were chatting and roasting a wild bird they shot earlier. Emelinia's stomach folded and growled at the sweet aroma. She hadn't eaten anything since morning.

She found her way to the other side of the fire and sat down. Keeping her nervous gaze down, she took in the stares from Sharumez and Jenu. Emelinia's stomach growled again and she salivated at the delicious brown flesh of the bird above the fire.

Jenu cleared his throat, Emelinia turned to him without a second thought. Her eyes set on the plate he was handing over to her with a smile on his face..

"Thank you." Emelinia contented with a nod.

It was mushroom soup.

Emelinia didn't like mushroom soup but she ate it like there was no tomorrow. For the first time in her life, it tasted like a five star meal that royalty was only worthy to feast upon. She didn't mind that it was a little cold. All she wanted was to fill her empty stomach.

"Here, have some bread too." Jenu offered her a plate of bread.

"Thank you," Emelinia thanked him once more and continued to eat.

The whole time Emelinia was eating, she didn't notice them look at her and exchange glances at each other. When she finished her meal, Jenu gave her some water to drink and she quenched her thirst. Emelinia put the bottle and plates aside and looked at the two men before her.

"Aren't you going to ask me who I am?" she asked and there was silence. "Well, aren't you?"

"We were going to ask you." Jenu began. "But we thought it would be best not to pry on your privacy." he finished and Sharumez nodded his head.

Should I tell them about who I am and that I am running away from Queen Lavila? Emelinia asked herself. No, I can risk telling them who I am but not about the queen. They seem kind but they may turn me away in fear or hand me over to the queen for a reward.

Emelinia cleared her throat, "My name is Emelinia. May I know who you are?"

"I am Jenu and this is my best friend, Sharumez. We are heading to Gemhules." Jenu kindly stated.

"Where are you headed?" Sharumez asked Emelinia.

Emelinia faced down, "I am going to my home village, Vanimaq."

"Really? That's strange because the cart you were on was on the route to Lano." Jenu said, puzzled.

Emelinia nervously rubbed her hand and Jenu was taken aback. Sharumez shook his head at him in disapproval.

"It's okay, dear. Please take no heed to what I just said. I meant no harm by my words." Jenu reassured Emelinia.

"Traveling alone is dangerous especially for a young lady like you." Sharumez said. "Tomorrow morning you will travel with us to Gemhules. Once we get there, we shall see about how we can get you to Vanimaq. After all Vanimaq is only two hours away from Gemhules." Sharumez said and added some more wood to the fire.

"Thank you." Emelinia leaped with joy in her heart.

"You can sleep in the carriage tonight. There's an extra blanket on the black bag. That should be enough to keep you warm for the night." Sharumez added with a warm smile. "We will sleep here by the fire."

"Oh, would you look at that." Jenu suddenly said with excitement. "The toki is ready." he poked the bird with his fork and happily looked at Emelinia. "I hope you still have room for it."

Emelinia nodded her head with a faint smile. She felt fortunate that she came across Sharumez and Jenu. At least for once, luck was on her side for a change.