Togetherness

Chapter 020 Togetherness

''Kak Halvir, is there something wrong?'' asked Anindira, frowning, ''I'm just talking to them, is that not allowed?!''

''There's nothing wrong with that,'' replied Halvir indifferently but also very firm in his intonation, ''But, they have to be able to take me down first!'' added Halvir with an arrogant attitude full of confidence.

''Why does it have to be like that?!'' exclaimed Anindira in surprise. She did not understand the meaning of Halvir's words, ''Kak Halvir, I know you're strong. But being too arrogant is not good!'' added Anindira in a firm tone.

Having a father who is a Psychology Lecturer at a famous University and also a mother who is a Surgeon, plus a simple lifestyle because she has grandparents who come from the countryside. Of course, Anindira was always taught humility.

''Kak Halvir, no matter how strong a person is. They will not be able to live alone. Who knows when there will be a time when we need help from others? Therefore, it would be better if we always foster good relationships with others. Moreover, they all come from the same village as you.''

The teenage girl confidently advised Halvir, who was almost half a century old.

Halvir smiled when he heard Anindira's long advice. This was the first time a woman who was still a teenager could say something wise.

''Of course I know that. You may not understand it yet, but this world has shown it many times. I am *Sapphire, but I can't be alone... before you come, maybe yes I live like that. But now, I have to think about it...''

Halvir's long answer felt deep and meaningful, but Anindira still didn't understand it. Moreover, she couldn't see Halvir's expression at the moment.

''You are more like Ezra than Zia. Even so, I still don't like it when you are too friendly with other men. You have to know how to keep your distance, no matter whether they are my friends or not!''

''Um...'' Anindira nodded, ''Kak Halvir, it's like this... It hasn't been two days since I entered this village. You also know, that apart from you, I have never met anyone before since entering this world,'' Anindira continued, wanting to clarify, because her instincts told her that she had to explain it, "Kak Hans, he is the only person who has ever talked to me through you, I talked to him because he was the first person you met. A moment after entering the village, that's why I assumed that you trusted him very much... Am I right?!''

''Yes, you are right. Unlike most other people. Somehow, I get along with Hans. Friend, you could call him that. I am quite familiar with him. He is a persistent person and not someone who is easily disturbed by other people's words.''

''I don't know about Kak Hans. But I trust your judgment. You introduced him to me because you believe he is good, so I have no problem with that. I also see him as my brother. You two seem to be of the same age.''

''I don't know about your brother. But I know Hans. I am ten years older than him.''

''Hm?! Really?!'' Anindira exclaimed, looking surprised, ''You two look the same age to me,'' Anindira continued, ''Um... my oldest brother. He's twenty-one years old. How old are you?'' Anindira asked then.

''Your brother is even much younger than Hans,'' Halvir replied with a chuckle, ''I'm already forty-five years old.''

''Liar!'' Anindira exclaimed in disbelief.

''Dira, I'm not a liar!'' Halvir exclaimed softly, but his intonation was firm.

''Sorry, Kak Halvir,'' Anindira replied sincerely, but she also boldly reaffirmed her thoughts, ''But why do I feel like you're playing me?'' Anindira asked probingly, ''If Kak Halvir is forty-five years old, and Kak Hans is ten years younger, that means Kak Hans is thirty-five years old. Are you guys playing Black Orchid like in the movie Anaconda?!''

Anindira didn't believe it, and still wanted to ask for an explanation. That was one of his stubborn traits that he always liked to observe. That trait was also possessed by Hans.

''What is ''Black Orchid''?'' asked Halvir curiously.

''Eternal medicine, which can make you stay young!'' answered Anindira curtly.

''Ah, so that's what it's called in your place?!'' answered Halvir casually. He was increasingly amused seeing Anindira's expression, which was getting more and more sullen because of irritation.

''Ha, is it true?!''

Anindira was now very enthusiastic but a moment later her face became sullen again.

''Yes, although it can't be called eternal. But it makes you look younger than your current age, that's true...'' answered Halvir, who was increasingly grinning seeing Anindira's silly face.

''Kak Halvir!'' Anindira called out sharply, ''Am I that stupid?!'' Anindira asked with glaring eyes, ''Enjoy making me look stupid?!''

Anindira then immediately got out of Halvir's embrace, changing positions so that they were now facing each other. In fact, even though that was the position, Anindira still couldn't see anything in the darkness of the night.

''Kak Halvir, are you happy to see my stupid face?'' Anindira asked again. Her lips pouted even more because of annoyance, ''You must be happy, being able to see everything in this darkness. You can see now, that I'm upset, do you?!'' Anindira exclaimed in a snappy tone, she had a very ugly expression, venting her annoyance.

''Hahaha...''

Halvir was clearly heard laughing even though it wasn't a boisterous laugh. But that was something that Halvir would very rarely show.

''Kak Halvir, are you laughing?!... You mean, you're playing me... Mean, you're playing a trick on me, I almost believed it!'' Anindira exclaimed, whining while shaking Halvir's shoulders.

Again, her face moved closer to Halvir's, there was almost no distance between their faces, making Halvir lose his patience.

CUP

A short kiss landed on Anindira's lips.

Anindira, who was whining, suddenly stopped. She froze with her face feeling hot. Anindira felt surprised because she was happy to receive Halvir's kiss.

Halvir immediately held both of Anindira's shoulders, turned her around and made her sit back in her original position.

Halvir was afraid that if Anindira kept staring at him like that, he could lose control. Because it was dark, Anindira had no idea that Halvir's face was now emitting 'smoke' with skin as red as boiled crab.

''Dira!'' Halvir called in a very soft voice that vibrated behind Anindira's ear, ''I'm not fooling you. I'm forty-five years old, and Hans is thirty-five years old. That's true and not made up!'' Halvir exclaimed, explaining, ''In your place there is ''Black Orchid''. Here there is *green Amber... I'm not laughing because I'm fooling or playing with you. But because I saw your expression. You're funny, adorable. What's strange about me laughing? I'm happy when I'm with you. It feels comfortable when I'm with you. That's what made me laugh out loud,'' Halvir continued his words with his jaw still attached to Anindira's shoulder.

Halvir's breath continued to caress Anindira's neck. The vibration of Halvir's voice lulled her ears. His strong hand continued to cup her shoulder and his other hand wrapped around Anindira's stomach.

The romantic physical contact made Anindira nervous with a pounding heart that almost made Anindira's breath hitch. Halvir's hug made her body feel frozen. Anindira was conscious, but her soul seemed to come out of its shell, going who knows where?

She could hear Halvir talking, but her mind was blank and couldn't catch what Halvir was talking about.

Halvir felt very happy right now. The silence of the night made Anindira's heartbeat erratically, making the room that was usually quiet now feel noisy even though there was only Anindira alone.

Realizing the change in Anindira's attitude, Halvir smiled. He then got up and took off his clothes. Transforming himself into an animal form, then bringing Anindira, who was 'sleeping in her lucid dream', to immediately go to real sleep.

*****