A Friend's Touch

"Joram!" Cynane shrieks in excitement.

Joram was leaning against the wall made of cobblestone, his arms folded, as he watches Cynane and the royal guard. He is beaming, obviously enjoying and satisfied at the 'show'.

"How are you, Cynane?" Joram replies with that sense of familiarity. Since they became close friends when they were young, he was used to calling her by her first name.

Cynane inserts Samo back into its sheath and signals for the royal guard to leave. The guard gets the instruction and bows his head before leaving the two alone to themselves. Cynane walks up to Joram.

It has been years since she last saw him. It was a few days before she entered the army. She was only seventeen at that time, and Joram was twenty-four.

"Come", Joram adds, opening his arms wide. Cynane knows what that meant. She quickens her pace and jumps at Joram like a little girl longing to hug her father. Growing up, Joram and Michal have been Cynane's closest friends. While Cynane's relationship with Michal can be described as a "love-hate" relationship because of how often they bicker and tease each other, her relationship with Joram is the opposite. He has always been so gentle and kind towards Cynane. Aside from her brother, mother and former teacher, Cynane thinks that there is no one who can understand her better than Joram. Cynane has always been confident and certain that he is a shoulder for her to lean on.

Joram wraps his hands tightly around her while Cynane buries her face on his chest.

"God, I missed you so much. How long has it been? Four years?" Cynane says to Joram.

"Yes, it has been four years. Did you get taller?" Joram asks. He suddenly places a kiss on Cynane's forehead, which takes her aback. It's not that it's the first time that Joram has done that. In fact, he would often do it when they were younger every time Cynane would cry or sleep. However, there's something different about the kiss this time. Perhaps it's the fact that Cynane is no longer that little girl that Joram used to baby. She is now a grown-up woman.

Cynane buries her face deeper on Joram's chest, terrified that he would find out that she is actually blushing from such a normal and simple act.

"I've been told that I got taller, so I guess I really did", Cynane replies.

Joram unwraps his arms from Cyanane and his eyes carefully study her face down to her feet. He nods in approval. "Yes, you're right. You really did get taller", he says, ruffling Cynane's hair affectionately.

"Who would have thought that my dear Cynane would grow into such a gorgeous and fine woman", he adds.

Cynane's face heats up at his sudden remark.

"Oh, come on. Don't tell me you've finally learnt to tease me from Michal", Cynane replies with a nervous laugh.

Joram roars in laughter. Cynane frowns at him, not getting what is it that makes him giggle like that.

"You really think that I am teasing you? Since when did I ever tease you? I am not Michal, Cynane. You know me. I always mean the things that I say. I am serious when I say that you have become a really stunning woman."

Joram takes a strand of Cynane's long silky black hair and sniffs it. Cynane becomes frozen at Joram's sudden action.

'Has he always been this touchy?' she asks herself. She studies Joram and she realizes that he looks bigger than the last time she saw him four years ago.

"Did you get bulkier?" Cynane blurts out.

"Finally, you noticed. I mean I have worked so hard to get these muscles after all", Joram replies, flexing the muscles on his arms. Cynane chuckles at him. He is still the same Joram that makes her laugh and smile.

"But since when were you here at the capital? I did not see you last night at the banquet." Cynane asks, changing the subject.

"Oh, I arrived late. I had to take care of some matters, you know, Duke responsibilities", Joram explains. After his father died eight years ago, Joram immediately took over the position of his father. At the age of twenty, he became the head of Vernan and the Duke of Wallace, the youngest nobleman to be a Duke in the entire kingdom.

"Too bad, you missed on a very important thing."

"And what would that be?"

"My Veton, I performed the Veton last night. You should have seen how the crowd went crazy after my performance", Cynane explains proudly.

"Well, I already expected that you would do great in your performance. After all, you are an amazing swordsman and the better dancer out of us three", Joram says, referring to him, Cynane and his cousin Michal.

"Though, I am sure as well that it was not the only reason the crown went crazy", he includes, winking at her.

Cynane gets what Joram is trying to imply by those words. "Oh gosh! Here you go again!" Cynane exclaims, obviously shy and uncomfortable at Joram's unusual behavior. "Have you always been this bold?"

"Verily, I just toned it down before because you were still just that innocent girl. But now, it's no holds barred since you're already a grown-up woman", Joram replies with a mischievous smile plastered on his face.

Cynane glares at him, causing him to laugh more. "You're so cute Cynane. Why? Don't you like it when I compliment you?"

"It's just that I'm not used to it", Cynane admits shyly. She may be indeed a grown-up woman now, but she is still that innocent girl inside. She clearly is not acquainted to the world of chivalry and romance.

"I'm sorry then. I'll be more careful next time", Joram answers with warmth in his voice.

"How long are you going to stay here?" Cynane suddenly asks.

"I don't know yet. Maybe a few more days?"

"I wish you can stay longer", Cynane admits.

It has been so long since they have last seen each other. She really missed him. She missed having a friend whom she can spend her time with listening to her stories and rants. She did not realize until now how lonely she actually felt. For four years, she was separated from her family and Joram. The only familiar person who was with her throughout those years was Michal. But he proved to be not a good confidante to Cynane as he was really brutal and cold to her during her training days at the camp. In fact, Cynane secretly kept the fact that Michal made her cry while she was in her training days.

"Don't worry, you'll see me more here. I promise", Joram replies, cupping Cynane's cheek gently and smiling at her - sending a cold shiver down to her spine.

"Are you married yet?" the words just came out of Cynane's mouth.

"What?"