leep. It was when a cold voice called my

" Arashi

e was inches away and from this close, he looked mesmerizing. His smo

were very close. I could feel his warm breaths on my skin

village." He said, "The carriage won't

lly as my heart p

sure you can walk a bit more?"

walk." I nodded again t

e and took out our luggages with him. I neared the c

e carriage's stairs as my kimono

hung in his strong arms against his chest. Butterflies flattered in my belly and I went sti

ith an irritated voice killin

the chauffeur and paid him. The chauffeur bowed

whole area as if hiding the village from an unknown threat. Clouds flicked here and there as if balls of tattered cottons while sun rays sneaking out of them. Lambs and

lingered in my nostrils as

nk the world was so ugly. If it weren't for Ara

a blessing in my life but as he had t

ell on Arashi, they nodded. Arashi returned the gestures as we went further. Most of them wer

his childhood in this village wit

ng inside me. Was it because they weren't giving me distasteful l

hen his eyes fell on him he g

o you too,

and with a smil

man was making clay pots as he looked up and nodded.

id, "Yes, Mr Hiro. I was aw

r you since my elder son may ha

nt to the house as I

happen and w

s swell to lessen the pain." The man stood up as he wiped his dirt

er sweat in her cloth and said with a crying fac

eg then I will take him to my house for treatment." He gave the poor lady as

me and said,

I heard a weeping and as A

carved pots. Small to large, they were very pretty. Then I heard the boy weeping lo

worried if he really broke hi

dy and her husband. From their faces, I assumed

added, "It's just that his muscles got sprained. He must be

well then?" Th

till then don't pour cold water, use hot water instead and Mr Hiro, " he looked at the small man standing beside him, "I

days will it take f

eek or

about to give him when Arashi retorted, "Oh

nds, "Please at least take this

ave it back. "I can't. Please

going to back down as he pointed at a beautiful clay pot w

gave in and nodd

e said, "Mr Hiro and Mrs H

them and Arashi with a flustered fac

man clasped her hands and looked at me with the stars

me his wife but my belly fille

day. Please, excuse us." Arashi looked at the man once aga

le most probably winked at me and pointed out their thumbs in t

shi and the sides o