Chapter 15: Rin is back

Everyone decided to meet up near the shrine on Saturday. Rin took the first boat which was at five in the morning.

As weekend services were done by Laika and Saka, it was agreed Roma and Vira would pick her up.

They sat at the dock, waiting for Rin's boat. The sun was rising, making the sky seem like it was on fire. They chatted happily.

"So Roma, you've been here throughout your life?" Vira asked. As invested as he was with his students, he extended the same amout of support and concern for people he genuinely cared about. He wasn't the nosy sort, but people could lean on him whenever they wanted to.

Roma nodded. He stared at the sky and the sea. "My mom is from the mainland . So I do go to to the other side often, I spend my vacation there with my grandparents and cousins. So I know the roads of the capital city like the back of my hands. My dad is from here though."

Vira's eyes smiled. "How did the meet?"

"It's an interesting story." Roma laughed, and continued. "My mom came to visit the Apām temple to get lord Apā's blessings for her college entrance exam."

Vira was listening. "Go on."

"And she got lost and ended up in my father's rice field."

"Ooh? Was it love at first sight?"

"Love? My foot! He thought she was a thief and chased her through the fields."

"Oh no!" Vira burst out laughing, imagining the scene vividly.

"That wasn't the best part. She ended up twisting her leg and falling."

"Uh-oh.. it wasn't a smooth introduction."

"It was anything but smooth. She ended up missing her boat, and ended up sleeping at my dad's place."

"He was weary of the Mariners, having heard that they looked down upon the Islanders. So he refused to as much as smile at mom."

"Then what happened?"

"Mom was equally fierce to him. She ignored him, but was an angel towards my grandma."

"So when did they fall in love?"

"Oh! Much much later." Roma smiled.

"My dad felt guilty for what happened to her leg, and he went with her to drop her at her place."

"Wow! That's a super gentlemanly act!"

"Indeed, it softened her towards him. And they met each other many times after that, sometimes at her place, sometimes here, after visiting the temple. It took them six years to realise they were in love. They still are."

Vira's eyes showed warmth. "That's good to know. Good people deserve happiness."

Roma looked at him, surprised by the comment. While nothing seemed off about it, the tone Vira said it in, was ladden with sadness. Vira's face did show any expression apart from a gentle smile. So he thought maybe he imagined the tone.

"Enough about me, Vira, now you tell me about yourself."

Just then, they spotted a boat at the horizon.

Vira pointed at it and said, "Do you think that's Rin's boat?"

"It should be, it's almost time!"

It was Rin's boat. Rin jumped out, carrying a small backpack. She saw Roma and Vira and ran towards them.

She jumped on to Vira and tightly hugged him. Rin was short, probable 5'3 at best, but she was a fierce little tiger.

"Sen! I missed you so much! I came to this god forsaken land because you were there. Imagine how surprised I was when I found you ditched me!"

Vira gently patted her head and laughed. "Now, now, you still have me, I'm just a call away."

Roma gaped at them. He had been Rin's best friend over last twenty five years. She has punched him to show her affection, her anger or her irritation. Never once had she hugged him because of happiness.

"Rin? Are you pretending to be a girl in front of sen Vira?" He asked, genuinely curious about her weird behaviour.

She got off him and stretched her hands. With a bright smile She said, "Roma! Come here."

With a smile he went close to her but she squeezed his neck with her arms, clinging to his neck." Acting smart with me are we."

"Stop stop! I can't breathe. I'm sorry! Pause!" Roma choked. Vira couldn't control his laughter.

Roma had his bike, so Rin sat behind him while Vira had his bicycle. They reached Vira's house.

"You guys catch up, while I go make us breakfast. We'll go to the temple after that."

"Sounds good. Vira, just let me know if you need any help."

Vira shook his head, smiling. "No worries. Guys enjoy."

Rin said, "Let me cook sen, it's been a while I made you something."

Both Vira and Roma said "no!" with so much of fear in their voice, one who didn't know the context would assume, she had said something unimaginable.

To both of them, she had done just that. Rin was a nightmare in the kitchen.

The one thing that Musketeers had prayed for is that Rin should get a boyfriend who should be able to cook. They did not want to end up hiding a murder to cover up for their best friend.

Rin sulked, but she didn't argue. "Only because I'm tired from travelling, I'm letting you guys off the hook this time."

Roma responded, "I shall bow 11 times in front of Lord Apā to show my gratitude."

He got a friendly punch on his shoulder.

While they were waiting for food, Roma initiated conversation. They spoke on general things for sometime. Then Roma asked, "So you had your first class on Thursday right? How is the new school?"

Rin was thoughtful. Then she replied, "Nightmare!"

"Why? What happened?"

"I'm a middle school teacher, and I bumped into this high schooler who is the perfect bully material. What a twisted fate! We ended up having a showdown. I'm dreading next week, to be honest with you "

Roma patted her. "You've handled us, everyone else is going to be a piece of cake!"

She smiled. "I hope so!"

Vira walked in with the plates. "Eat and tell me if you liked it. And Rin, remember, none of us will be quiet if someone hurts you. If someone makes you shed at single tear, that will be their last day on this planet."

Rin nodded her head and smiled. She knew how well she was loved by all of them.

She thought back to the time she and the high schooler had their minor stand off. She felt pulled towards him like the moon to earth. She didn't need their help to tame her wild beast, she could do it herself. She smiled wickedly to herself.

They freshened up, packed their bags for the overnight stay, and started.

Vira feared walking up and down the stairs, but Roma took him through a side gate which allowed them to cycle all the way to the top.

"Is this some secret path?" Vira asked. There was no one in sight.

Rin laughed. "Uncle Karn had this made for the old people, most outsiders don't know of it. This leads you directly into the mountains and the forest, so it is a bit dangerous as well."

"Oh!"

"There is another thing," said Roma, "people here are superstitious. They believe the stairs symbolizes difficulties they undergo in life to reach the shrine which is heaven, bliss, God.. So they believe this hardship will be acknowledged by the higher powers who will grant them their wishes."

"Aah!"