Chapter １３- The Village.

When I was in the university I got a call from my mother. She informed me that my father had an accident. That year, the fields didn't yield a good profit for him. He was already in stress. When he heard that few miles away, they are hiring laborers at a construction site. He immediately went to give it a try. He got the job there but in just three days, he fell from a height. I rushed back to the village only to find him in the hospital. He broke his hip ball as well as damaged his knee. Doctor said, he needs a hip replacement as well as a knee replacement. But the money he demanded for the operation was too high. We turned our whole savings upside down, Sold our house and shifted in this small hut, but could muster just a tiny amount that would just be enough to pay his current doctor's fee. Doctor gave us minimum of five years time to get him operated but if the operations are delayed than five years, chances for him to walk again will fall down drastically. We took a loan from our relatives that helped us survive. My mother started working on fields alone and took care of my father who couldn't even move in his bed, on his own. Whilst I went to the city and quit my studies, finding a full time job for myself. seven years had already passed and after working my ass out, I haven't even earned half of the amount. Seeing him walk had been just a dream in my eyes. I didn't expected it to come true so soon.

I ran towards my father and hugged him, He hugged me back, kissing my forehead as we went inside and my mother invited Alex and Daisy in.

"Mama, Baba, this is Alex my friend, he is the one who sent the doctors and took the expenses of Baba's operation."I introduced him as they looked at him with grateful eyes.

"Thank you so much son. Thank you so much. I not only lost my ability to walk but also lost my confidence, and an interest to live." Baba cried, "I was literally praying God, to call me back."

"You have done a great favor on us. I don't know how will we return your favor." Mom continued.

"Don't worry Aunt, your daughter is already paying for it, " Alex stated, "I mean, she will be working as my assistance for a whole year. I didn't do any favor on you, all I did was to pay your daughter's hard working money prior."

My parents smiled at him as mother said, "That is still your kindness to appoint her in your company and pay such a hefty amount in advance."

ALEX'S POV.

Sasha why don't you show him the village before the sunset, till then I will prepare the dinner." Aunt Jenny smiled.

I walked behind her as she walked on the road, swaying her hands. The slippery road was surrounded by many weeds and bushes. The ground was damp and mossy, like everyday it is watered my rain and dew. There weren't much vehicle on it, just one or two in a while. The residents were far away from each other as rice fields and plantations of avocados and cloves were splattered. Thy sky had turned orange and red, ready to set the sun.

I couldn't help but grab her swaying hand and pull her towards me. I entwined our fingers as we walked with each other, hand in hand. At first she was taken aback and tried to leave my hand but a single challenging stare at her and she is ready to face me. No matter how much she says that I am nothing for her, I know how much she is affected by me. I have seen it in her eyes, the way she looks at me when no one is watching, the way her cheeks turn red with me, I know she still love me

. After walking for a while we entered the village market. It was a little crowded as various stalls stood near each other. Children ran across the road as people passed by shopping and gossiping. As people spotted us, I saw children staring at us, as few ladies approached Sasha as they recognized her. Sasha is quite a jolly person, no matter whoever it is, no one can ever hate her, she is such a sweet heart.

What is that?" I asked pointing at a stall of candies, all I wanted now was to divert her mind.

She looked at the stall as her eyes gleamed with happiness, "A stall of candies." she probed, "Damn how much have I missed his tamarinds and raw mangoes! You want to give it a try?"

I shrugged my shoulders and she pulled me towards the stall.

"Hello Uncle , can you give us a packet of tamarind and raw mangoes with chili powder." she asked as the vendor smiled at her, slicing a raw mango in thin strips and he sprinkled it with salt and chili, before serving it to us followed by a packet of tamarind. She picked up a slice, placing it into her mouth as she squeezed her eyes at the sourness. "Try this it's heavenly." she offered me and for a reason I couldn't reject it. A strong tart flavor hit my taste buds as I groaned feeling a sizzling in my head. I cannot handle such an intense flavor of sourness. But still I tried if for her. The smile on her face was the death of me, I couldn't help but fall for her every time she smiled. I know it was wrong, I know I am committed, I know I have no right to love anyone except Daisy but my life with Sasha felt so perfect. After she returned in my life, I feel like I found myself again, I feel like living again, exploring each and every corner of this world with her. My life felt so perfect with her. All I wanted now was to break all the ties I was chained in and enjoy the moment with her.

As she was busy devouring her treats, I walked towards a bangle stall, where a middle aged ,man was sitting by amidst the colorful bangles. They were typically traditional and uncommon in the cities. My eyes imagined Sasha wearing these bangles. I chose a set of simple blue glass ones as blue is my color and I crave to see Sasha stained in my color.

I pulled her towards me and slid down these sparkling blue bangles in her wrist. She blushed moving her wrist to let them rattle.

"Aren't you John's daughter?" The vendor asked.

Sasha gave him a nod and her usual smile.

"You have grown up to a beautiful girl. And you look so perfect with this gentlemen. It feels like a pair made by God. I pray that God keep you both always together."

I saw Sasha's smile falling as she faked him a smile and turned her back towards me. She walked ahead, playing with the bangles.

"Sasha," I called her out but she snapped at me, "What is with you Alex, why do you bother me so much."

I felt a pang of hurt in my chest, when he just wish to forget everything and make things like before, she have to mess up everything. But can I blame her for that?

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DAISY' POV.

I can't believe Alex brought us here, in a village! I thought we will be going to an amazing place that would be so luxurious an beautiful. I thought I would post thousands of pictures of this vacation and every one will be jealous of me but hell, I was wrong! Alex brought me in this poor village . I my social media fam will know about it they won't stop trolling me.

We stepped into their hut. Our car was bigger than this place. I saw Sasha and her parents doing an emotional drama. Why are villagers so dramatic?

The chair they offered us was so hard that it literally ached my butt. I saw Alex chit chatting with JOhn, Sasha's father as Sasha laid on her mother's lap, on the rough mat. An emotion of love flickered in my heart as I missed the motherly love but that instantly got replace by hatred as my mother's face flashed in front of my eyes. Shoving out all her memories from my mind and I sat there idle listening to the manly talks going on between John and Alex. Boring people. I tried to open my Snapchat for the hundredth time but it didn't load. GOD! In the world of 5G how can they live on a weak 2G network that is also wavering around. I fanned my face with my hand, wiping the beads of sweat on my upper lips. Isn't it the start of winter? How can this village be so hot! I looked up at the ceiling fan that was spinning slowly. There are no air conditions or air coolers just this ceiling fan that I guess is working since hundred years. And now it's here just for show. I arched my back as it hurt, our car is more comfortable than this house.

Finally I stood up and approached Alex, "Car keys please."

He raised an eye brow and me and I just pouted, "I feel so hot, i can't stay here anymore. Please."

He handed me the keys and turned to John, "Don't take her seriously, she is a pampered brat." he commented, "She cannot feel the beauty of the ancient things and the solace in fresh village air. After all a monkey doesn't know the taste of ginger." I stomped my feet before flipping my hair at him and storming out of this hut. How dare he talked to me like that. I groaned as my foot dug into the pool of mud, Can't they make roads. Poor people! Stumbling towards the car, I removed a bottle of Bisleri water, pouring it on my feet, trying to wash off the dirt.

"Do you need any help?" I turned to face a light haired guy, wearing spectacles. His hair was relatively black, but one could see the brown streaks of his hair shining in the sun. For a second I was impressed by him but as my eyes landed on his clothing, I felt furious. He wore an old fashioned strip shirt paired with a grandfather styled pants. I shook my head, ignoring him and trying to wash off the mud without touching the dirt. I punched the car door in frustration. Pulling out an another bottle, I was about to open it when I saw him, placing my feet on his lap. I was taken aback as I furrowed my brows at him. He removed my stilettos and cleaned my feet with a dap handkerchief. He spilled some water on my feet, from a pot placed besides him, before wiping it dry with an handkerchief that he just removed from his pocket. After washing my heels, he slid it into my feet as if I am Cindrella and he is my prince charming. I always dreamt of Alex being my prince charming and helping me wear my heels. But the truth was, Alex was under the spell of Sasha and this guy was a poor, annoying villager. I saw him getting up adjusting his cap but before he could leave, I removed a 100 dollar note from my wallet and offered it to him. "This is for you!"I said before shoving the note in his now empty pot.

He took the money and gaped at me, His brown eyes digging holes into my skull, grabbing my wrist, he place the note on my palm before, closing my fist with his fingers, "Keep your money with you! We pay the favor with a thank you not by these pieces of paper." he hissed and before I could react, he vanished into the woods. Seriously, these poor people are so annoying. They need money but their drama of self respect never ends. Now look at Sasha, she has been manipulating Alex for his money. The bloody gold digger! I would have bashed her out if it wasn't for Alex. I sat in the car, and sanitized my hands first. How dare that cowboy touch me! If I see him again, I will knock off his face. Adjusting the seat I slumped into the world of dreams.

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