Chapter 6— MY GARDEN

"What have you from your garden today, Susan?"

David loved my garden, he'd assist me with digging and planting and any other thing whenever he had the time. I had good produce from my garden each year. All fresh fruits and vegetables. After the harvest, I'd sell them in the market and come home before noon, it was successful! I was able to support my Father and I with some money, we had enough food and veggies to eat.

"For herbs, I have lemon grass and mint", I started. "For veggies and fruits, there are spring Onions, potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers".

"That's wonderful Susan!"

"Thanks David, it's our work!". I ended with a wink.

"How's your Father today?"

"Oh! he's fine, he just left for work".

"You look radiant this morning, Susan Philip". David teased.

"Thanks David, you look good yourself!". I replied with a broad smile. "How are the cows today?"

"Good! All good", he nodded.

"So when are you leaving for the market?"

"Just about now, I'm ready, I've washed them all".

Stella came running down the hill from her house, she halted close to where we stood, trying to catch her breath.

"Hey Stella! How's today?"

"Good morning Susan, today is just right! I'm here to buy a bag of Tomatoes, two Cucumbers and three Onion cloves for my Mother". She panted.

"Alright, just a moment let me get them all for you". I began selecting and picking what she asked for from my bowls.

"That'd be $2, Stella". She handed me the money and collected a bag of her request and ran back up the hill.

"She's amazing and so pretty!" I said.

"I'll leave for the city in a few days", David put in uttered with his eyes downwards.

"Oh! It's so close". I replied with great sadness. For a minute we stood in silence just listening to our hearts, then David held my hand.

"I'll help you out of this Susan, I won't leave you, you'll see. I just need more time, more money, I'll take you to Sydney and you'll be with me".

"Thanks David, that's lovely, but do you think you'd still love me after a year or two? Maybe even more, will I still be where you can find me?".

I was so sad, I had tears in my eyes as I looked up at him.

"Hey", he softly said with his palms on my cheeks. "I don't have the answers to those questions, I'm only human, but I don't want you to lose hope, I want you to always smile, alright? If I can't come for you, I'd send someone for you someday, I want you to hold on to that okay?".

I could see it at that moment David loved me, but he was scared too and unprepared just like me, I promised myself that day to hold on to that hope.

"Susan!", he said softly and held me tightly to his chest, as he bent over with his eyes locked in mine, "I love you!"

These words made me give a sigh of relief and I smiled wonderfully. I kissed him gently for a long time.

"I love you too!". After a few seconds we released each other.

He took me to the Market on his Motorcycle. I stood there in that position watching him ride away, he stopped and turned around, our eyes met. I waved at him and we both smiled.