Aroma~9

Oak knew better that Lo is a womanizer. Having him around was worst than having Nod. Nod would tease her but won't go beyond out if respect but Lo is a narcissistic that can't keep his pants and hand off to every woman he is interested in. Oak had no choice but to hide in the facade of being in relationship with Nod.

"He is not far from your type my lady!" Lo argued.

"How can you say that!" Oak argued.

"You use to follow me around back since we were twelve remember?" Lo pointed.

"That was in the past." Oak retorted.

Lo eyed Hue and Stripe for confirmation but the two gave him the look that Oak is really dating the pouchy boy.

"Hey, Wonderer. Tell me it was her joke or else I will plant a bullet unto that lips of yours!" Lo forewarned.

Nod was silent and abruptly stood up.

"Yes. She even courted me!"

Oak glared at Nod as Stripe and Hue muffled their giggles.

Lo became depress for a minute and spoke.

"I got dumped!  But it's alright, there is Jenny, Georgia and Honey waiting for me."

Oak faked a laugh in support but the truth was she is insulted. Nod tightened his enlaced hand with her and was about to speak but Oak  pressed her thumb in between his own.

"What seriously brought you here?" Hue asked as the fire heated the twilight.

"Father was furious when you resigned as the school principal. He wanted to punish you by withdrawing your inheritance." Lo softly spoke.

"So you came to find me?  Then what?" Hue asked.

"Don't be selfish. Don't run away from your responsibility!" Lo stated as he bow his head.

Stripe gave out the signal toward Hue that they will leave them to talk.

Nod and Oak entered the tent and instantly Oak tried to take back her hand but Nod won't allow her as he said.

"No more take back okay..."

"You can't just leave everything to me! Just like you do, I don't want my life to be wasted for that school." Lo delivered in frustration.

"Did you tell them where I am?" Hue asked.

"No! They don't even plan on looking for you. In fact most of them celebrated when you left. I had no one in my side!" Lo professed.

"Manage my position. I can help you take it all from them!" Hue encouraged.

"No! I want you to get back with me!" Lo insisted with his voice arising.

"I can't. I don't want to. They will only use me against you." Hue stated.

"What about your hand?  How will you treat that?" Lo brought out.

Hue sealed his lips. He is still sensitive whenever his illness became the topic.

"Tell me! If they can do that to you then they can also inflict me with something more incurable." Lo resumed as he established an eye contact.

"You are right. That is why I need to support you in the shadows. If they find out that I am the one pulling the string then they won't only take my hand." Hue stated.

Lo got more baffled. His brother is right if they can manipulate his doctor they might also end up killing his reason.

Lo idolized Hue. He wanted to become like him. While they were in highschool. His brother managed the school as the principal. When his service got renown, their relatives and rivals started to plot something twisted.

His brother out of nowhere collapse and was sent to the hospital. Thanks to electromyography his disorder got enlightened.  It is called  as Nerve Compression Syndromes of the Hand. in this disorder bones or connective tissue, presses on a nerve, causing abnormalities of sensation, movement, or both. The symptoms of nerve compression syndromes include tingling, pain, loss of sensation, weakness, or a combination is what the expert says that is why his brother started to wear gloves to conceal his weakness.

Lo saw his brother got dismayed and discouraged. Lo tried his best to inspire and support him but it was useless when the enemy is still behind the curtains. Lo was unable to fathom what was wrong with his brother not until he heared how his own aunt had manipulated the food his brother has been eating. Lo raised his hand in surrender and said.

"I will do what you want except that you tell me, how did aunt Winnie took a pole from you." Lo inquired.

Hue just chuckled and said.

"I know that you already knew about it. Stop pretending." Hue notified.

"I will take your offer and I will make you proud." Lo announced.

"Yeah, thanks." Hue spoke in gratitude.

Lo bowed his head and went down of the mountain. Hue seemed more silent and passive the following days.

They were able to bring back the herb hut Hue seemed to have been left somewhere within the campfire site. His thoughts were in depth and his expression got gloomy.

Nod kept on thinking how to cheer Hue. Stripe and Oak heared his desire but the two exactly know why.

Nod went out of the field and saw the leaves falling. He smiled and talk to the children. He started to get some ideas and asked Stripe ans Oak to cooperate.

They created a light frame covered  with papers and clothes. They designed it with Hue's face. They put on a gloves as it tail and asked him to look at the window.

Hue was surprised to see a kite covered with his face. He somewhat feel embarrassed and happy. His face is being paraded on the sky. The children were cheering as they send their own kite. Nod wave at him as he mouthed the word "cheer up." Stripe put up his own kite with a pairing design and jumper. Oak created one with a glasses figure. Hue can't help but feel at ease. His mind dwelt too much on Lo's reminders that he forgot where he presently belong. Hue just watch his face flighting up toward the heavenly space. His mind now put on a good name for his dreams.