Chapter 23 - Memorable sunset

The afternoon was warm as Sharumez, Naian and Jenu rode into Vanimaq. The people there immediately took notice that they were not from around there. They kept their curious eyes on them as they rode deeper into the village. Sharumez took out the piece of paper with the address and pointed to the left.

Jenu and Naian laughed and talked while Sharumez concentrated on locating the house. Emelinia wrote that it was the white house with a red roof along the Totti road. Sharumez took notice that majority of the houses were white with black roofs so he felt more at ease. It was going to be a lot easier to find the house.

When he finally spotted a house with a red roof, he abruptly stopped his horse. This automatically made Naian and Jenu hold their horses. Sharumez looked closely at address on the house and he could clearly see the numbers despite the sign been old and rusty. He gave a faint grin when he saw that the addresses matched.

"We are here." he said and got off his horse. "I'll first go in alone and when the time comes, I will signal for you to come." he said and they agreed.

Sharumez saw that the gate wasn't locked so he entered the yard. It was a small yard with a tiny house. From his building experience, Sharumez calculated that the house had five rooms. The house was so clean and the well kept green yard complimented it. It was one of the few houses that were kept clean.

Sharumez got onto the red shiny verandah and put his feet on the doormat. He proceeded to knock three times and waited patiently for anyone to answer the door. Channy opened the door and was puzzled to see Sharumez. With her eyes, she searched to see if anyone else was with him and she saw Naian and Jenu outside on their horses.

'She must be Emelinia's mother. There's some resemblance.' he thought.

Sharumez backed away from the door and took off his hat. "Good afternoon ma'am." he politely greeted her.

"Good afternoon." she replied, perplexed.

"I am Sharumez and I am looking for Emelinia's mother." he calmly stated.

Channy's heart skipped a beat and she placed her hand on her chest. The worried and scared look on her face was more than enough to convince Sharumez that she was the one.

"I am her mother." she confirmed his suspicions. "Did something happen to her? Where is she? I have been looking for her every where." her tears were close.

Sharumez smiled at her. "Don't worry, she is alright and currently at my house in Gemhules."

Channy's face and shoulders relaxed in relief. "You are the kind man who sheltered her and brought her here safe and sound. She told me about you."

"I would like to discuss something important with you concerning Emelinia. Do you mind if we come in?" he asked her kindly.

Channy agreed to let them in and Sharumez signalled to Jenu and Naian that they would go in now. Sharumez and Jenu whispered to each other quietly in the sitting room. Naian silently examined the simple little sitting room of only three couches. Two of which were single sitters and he sat on one of them.

There was a short coffee table at the center and on the wall was a dull looking painting. Naian was taken aback when he felt his pants getting tagged. He looked down and a toothless smile caught his attention. Channy came into the room with a tray of juice and served the men. She then politely took her baby away from Naian.

"Well before I say anything, please allow me to introduce the gentlemen." Sharumez said and Channy turned her attention to them. "This is my good friend Jenu and over there is my son, Naian."

"It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Channy and this is my son Lakki. My husband Erny isn't home at the moment." she softly spoke while rocking an irritated Lakki.

"It's a pity. We were hoping to find him here." Jenu spoke up.

"It's alright, you may speak to me in regards to my daughter. I'll explain everything to him later when he returns." Channy assured them. "What is the issue concerning her?" she asked with a hint of worry in her voice.

"We are seeking Emelinia's hand in marriage." Sharumez said and Channy's jaw dropped down low.

She thought that her ears were playing tricks on her. She always hoped that a time like that would come but she never expected it to happen so soon. Channy put her baby down and looked at Sharumez astonished.

She shook her head and asked, "You are seeking my daughter's hand in marriage? My Emelinia's hand in marriage?"

"Yes we are and with your permission, we would like to have her as a wife in two weeks." Sharumez said and her jaw dropped again.

"Two weeks?" she whispered in disbelief. "Wait a minute, who wants to marry her?" she anxiously asked.

"My son, Naian." Sharumez answered her. "They have both agreed to this marriage so we are here to seek your permission as our traditions dictate."

Channy looked closely at Naian and she was pleased with what she saw. She saw that he was a tall, handsome and well built young man. She also observed that he was polite and respectful.

'He is the one who wants to marry Emelinia? I wonder how he was able to convince her. She is so stubborn and completely avoids men.' she thought, intrigued, with a straight face.

"Well, if they have both agreed, who I'm I to say no?" Channy smiled happily.

Sharumez smiled back at her. "The wedding, like I mentioned will be in two weeks. We shall send you a card with the exact day." he told her.

Channy thought that she was dreaming but when Jenu took out an envelope and placed it on the table, she saw that what was happening was real. Emelinia's dowry had just been paid and she was now officially engaged to be married. Channy was feeling so overwhelmed with joy that she couldn't stop herself from shedding tears.

"Please pardon us but we must return to Gemhules now." Sharumez said after she calmed down.

"It's alright. You have brought happiness to a mother's heart. Not only I'm I assured that my Emelinia is safe but I also know that she is happy. Thank you." she merrily said.

"Please don't thank us." Sharumez insisted.

Channy held the door open for them as they walked out. She watched them get on their horses and leave. As soon as they were out of sight, she jumped in excitement. She got into her house and shut the door. Her shriek made Lakki laugh and she picked him singing happily. She laughed as she twirled him around. Her laughter made him giggle.

"Your big sister is getting married to a nice boy. For once, she will be happy."

Channy looked at the envelope on the table and put Lakki down to play. Her hands trembled as she carefully tore it open. She counted exactly 6000 pearls in it and her heart dropped. That was far more than she expected. Worry crept into her mind and she sat back down with a frown.

"Could it be that they don't know that she is a seer?" She feared.

Tears flowed down her cheeks. For once, something good was going to happen for Emelinia and it seemed like it was going to fall apart. She regretted not telling them that Emelinia was a seer. At the time, she was so excited about the marriage that she forgot to mention it.

"My poor child." she stressed.

The sound of Erny, made her quickly wipe away her tears. She ran into the kitchen and pulled out a bowl from the cabinet. She put the money in it and threw the pieces of the torn up envelope in the bin. Erny suddenly got into the kitchen and startled her.

"Who were those men I saw leaving?" he sternly asked her.

"They are travellers. They were asking for directions and some water to drink." she anxiously lied.

"You are lucky that I am in a good mood because I won a lot in my game of cards." he swept about 700 pearls in her face.

"I would have dealt with you severely for entertaining men here. My house isn't a brothel. This better not happen again." he threatened her and she fearfully nodded her head.

When he was gone, Channy looked at the bowl containing the money. She had decided to keep Emelinia's marriage arrangements from him because she felt that he had no right to know about anything in Emelinia's life.

"He will not see this money. He may take it away from me and forbid me from going to the wedding. I can't let that happen. For now, I'll wait for the wedding card so that I know the address. I can't believe that I forgot to ask for it. The sooner I know where she is, the better. I'm really missing her."

****

Light walked out of the mansion and immediately met Jayniss' mischievous grin. Like Light, she refused to accompany their mother. Only Stariss and Lara went out with Nami. When Light got closer to her, she let out her hand with a smirk. Light placed money in it and she smiled widely.

"It's always a pleasure doing business with you big brother." she said as she counted the money.

Light said nothing to her and used his finger to motion the drawing of a circle in the air. With each movement was a trail of purple light left behind until a clear circle was seen. What appeared next was a portal.

"Where are you going?" she suspiciously asked him.

"That is none of your business." he blankly answered with no emotion.

Jayniss giggled. "I know that you are going to see her, Light."

Light looked her unamused. "And so what if I am? Are you going to demand for some more money from me?" he asked her with annoyance.

"Oh, not at all. What you have given me is enough. 1000 pearls isn't too bad." she mockingly whispered and he faced away in disgust. "Have fun Light. I'll cover for you." she said and Light looked at her baffled. "I'm serious." she insisted.

"You mean that you aren't going to condemn me like you usually do?" he doubtfully asked her.

"To be honest, I don't fully understand the whole drama with mama and your engagement." she shrugged her shoulders. "But one thing is for sure, the happiness I see when you return home after a day with Sharaina is none I have ever seen before. If she has that much impact on you then who I'm I to judge?" she ended with a wink.

Light laughed softly. "You have really surprised me with your words." he admitted.

"Go away now goodness. Don't you know that it is rude to keep a lady waiting? Plus your portal is ruining the lawn."

Light saw the burning tips of the grass. "Oh, you're right." he grinned. "I'll see you later." he said and disappeared into the portal.

****

Sharaina sat in the shade of a tree as she ate a triangular orange fruit. Before she knew it, she saw Light stepping out of a portal. He immediately smiled at her but she didn't smile back. She just tilted her head and looked at him with eyes demanding an explanation.

"I'm sorry I'm late." he apologized.

"No, time for that." she got up and picked her empty basket. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you." she said.

Light followed Sharaina as she gracefully led him up a hill. He watched her load her basket with different types of fruits. She looked so beautiful as she chatted and giggled. Her golden hair bounced off her back as she scouted for more fruits. He liked how she brushed it off her face with her cute and soft fingers. Sharaina suddenly stopped in her tracks and this puzzled Light.

"Close your eyes." she playfully told him.

"No, why do you want me to?" he laughed softly as he eyed her suspiciously.

"You won't know unless you close them. Come on, close your eyes."

"Alright."

Light closed his eyes and felt Sharaina's warm and soft hand hold his. She carefully led him up the hill while reminding him not to open his eyes. Finally they came to a stop and she asked him to open his eyes. Light was completely amazed with what was before him.

Behold was the most beautiful view he had seen in a long time. He could see the whole of Gemhules and it was astounding. When he spotted the mansion, he chuckled and Sharaina laughed with him. Sharaina sat down and opened the basket. She handed a round red fruit to Light and he took it. He then sat down next to her.

"Thank you for bringing me here. The view is so beautiful." he warmly said and she smiled at him.

"I love coming here sometimes just to look out. It always calms and refreshes me you know. When I was little, my father used to bring me up here to watch the sunset." she beamed as she spoke.

"Look, the sun is setting now." she excitedly pointed.

Light admired the sunset for a little while and averted his eyes back to Sharaina. He failed to take his eyes off of her. He lovingly looked at her as she marveled at the sunset. Light then remembered his engagement. His mood dropped and a frown took over his face.

"Sharaina, I have something to tell you." he said.

"What is it Light?" she asked him with eyes full of concern.

'The only female friend you should have is your wife.' his mother's words echoed in his mind.

"Light, are you okay?" Sharaina leaned closer and Light just silently looked at her.

'Liss and Mayla are convinced that I have fallen in love with you.'

'Well, have you?'

'I don't know... maybe? I think I have.' the conversation they had the previous night echoed next.

"Light, what is it? Please tell me what the matter is." Sharaina pleaded with him.

'The happiness I see in you after a day with Sharaina is none that I have seen before.' Jayniss words played in his mind.

Light gently held the side of Sharaina's face and gazed into her bright eyes. "My happiness is with you." he finally said.

He leaned closer and kissed her. His kiss caught her by surprise so she froze. His kiss was so gentle that Sharaina felt weak and submitted. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Upon feeling her kissing him back, Light pulled her closer and the two shared a breath taking passionate kiss as the sun finally set.

****

Sharumez sat in the living room with Akirexer and Alainara. Naian was upstairs in his room whereas Emelinia was cooking dinner in the kitchen. Akirexer listened attentively as Sharumez explained everything that happened in Vanimaq. He spoke loud enough for Emelinia to hear him.

She had mixed feelings over Channy because of what happened between them. She convinced herself that Channy didn't care about her because she didn't go looking for her. She just found it difficult to believe that Channy was so emotional about her marriage.

"Oh, so you didn't meet her husband?" Akirexer asked.

"We didn't and judging from what Emelinia told us about him, it's good that we didn't." Sharumez slowly answered.

Sharaina walked into the living room and greeted her parents. She sat down and drifted away in her thoughts. She didn't realize that she was blushing as she reminisced about what happened with Light. It was official, they were more than just friends. Sharaina blushed a little more and smiled to herself. Sharumez and Akirexer noticed her odd behavior and they nudged at each other.

"Sharaina, is everything okay?" Sharumez asked her but she didn't answer. "Sharaina." he raised his voice.

"What-huh?" she asked, startled.

"Is everything okay with you?" he repeated his question.

"Yes, everything is fine papa." she smiled warmly at him.

Naian heard Sharaina's voice and left his room. When he got to the living room, he asked Alainara to call Emelinia. She was taken aback when Alainara told her that Naian wanted to see her. Emelinia turned off the stove and followed Alainara to the living room. When her eyes met Naian's, she became a little nervous. Sharumez and Akirexer wondered what Naian was up to.

"Now that you are all here, I can finally do this."

Naian towered over Emelinia and she felt uneasy. He reached into his pocket and she held her breath. Naian pulled out a beautiful silver ring with a red diamond. Emelinia gasped and Akirexer smiled proudly at the ring.

Naian held out his hand to Emelinia and she nervously put her hand on it. Her hand was shaking so he held it gently and she calmed down. She held her breath as she silently watched him slide the ring on her finger.

Naian was surprised that it fit her perfectly. A smile lingered on his face and it stunned Emelinia. That was the first time he smiled at her. Her lips curled into a smile and she shyly tucked her hair behind her ear. Next thing that happened was the whole family happily talking to each other at the same time. Emelinia listened to them with a smile on her face.

****

Light got home and found his mother and father talking in the living room. He cheerfully greeted them and went up to his room. Jayniss followed him upstairs and joined him. She grinned when she saw how happy Light was.

"Judging by the look on your face, I can see that your time with Sharaina went well." she teased.

"Yes you can say that." he happily responded. "She is my girlfriend now."

Jayniss looked at him baffled. "You mean she wasn't before? Why did she spend the night here?"

"She fell asleep on my bed that's all." Light briefly stated and it was clear that he didn't want to pursue the subject any further.

Jayniss sat down thoughtfully on his couch. "You didn't tell her about your engagement, right?"

Light shook his head. "I couldn't tell her." he confessed. "Mark my words Jayniss, I will get out of this engagement and when I do, I will tell her. I can't marry Yolin. It's just not possible."

"You really love her huh?" she leaned back and crossed her legs.

"More than you will ever know." he admitted. "I can't lose her."

Jayniss went over to the bed and sat down beside Light. She put her hand on his shoulder and he faced her. "I am with you all the way." she said and they both smiled happily at each other.

****

A portal suddenly opened on the very spot where Light and Sharaina had sat on earlier. Jemi stepped out of the portal and he was accompanied by Boo and two other men. The wind blew their hair gently as they looked at the beautiful sight of Gemhules. Boo threw her cigarette and stepped on it. She turned to the two men and asked,

"Are you sure this is the place where you saw the female seer?"

"Yes it is. We even know exactly where she is." one of the men said.

Boo threw a bundle of money at him and his friend greedily eyed it. When they saw that it was less than agreed, they scowled. They angrily glared at Boo but were humbled when they looked into her deathly stare. She pulled out one of her guns wrapped on her thigh and pointed it at them.

"You will get the rest of your money after we capture the seer." she darkly said to them and they cowered in fear.

Boo turned to Jemi who was silent with his hands in his pockets as the wind blew his cloak and ponytail. His attention was on Gemhules.

"What do we do now?" she asked him.

"We will begin our hunt tomorrow." he lazily answered and Boo grinned.

"Lord Diavinx will be pleased with his surprise birthday present." Boo laughed evilly.

Thank you for reading! I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Please remember to leave a vote or comment. I'll appreciate it.

Due to my nature of work, it's not possible for me to update everyday. So, I will be updating 5 chapters on Monday and 5 chapters on Friday. That's 10 chapters per week. Expect three more today. Cheers!

Rechiana