She inserted a white kerchief in the slits of the window a few days ago. It was a signal she used to send when she wants Ren to come. It has been days since the Lidelse's visit. Today, he took her signal. It was a siesta afternoon. Quiet and calm. Ren was there on the roof of the upper storey of the Casa like before.

Thumping. Something is thumping again inside Sal. Like before, Ren was seated near the cistern, peaceful and quiet as a cat. On Sal's neck hung the locket he gave her. She touched a finger on its metal lid. Not now, she will not give it up now. He stood.

" Ren," she called. It was only then that he walked to her window. Like he was waiting again for her sign. His feet walked on the roof like a bird on land. His gaze was heavy. It must be full of words and hurts she caused him. But when he was a breath away, Sal felt her heart jump again.

It felt wrong to react that way. She took his hand and placed it on the locket on her palm. In response, he lightly patted his left hand on Sal's hand. He gave it a long look.

" Do you want to hear a story?" he asked. Sal fought the urge to say yes. He used to tell her stories for comfort, the way a mother does to a child.

" I missed your voice." Sal said with bated breath.

It was only the window that separated them. Ren did not mind the steepness of the roof he was standing in.

" Close your eyes, " He was holding both of her hands.

"The little sparrow never knew flight, or the sun or even the clouds. For she was imprisoned in a small and dirty cage. Suddenly, a bright sound pierced the silence. It was from a bird with white and black fathers, dancing with the wind. It was beautiful, oh so beautiful. The little sparrow never knew flight, or the sun or even the clouds until that moment. She flapped her wings.They do have strength! She flapped her wings, again and again. Upon opening her eyes, The little sparrow was dancing with the clouds."

It was finished. He still held tightly to her hands. " You can open your eyes now."

And when she did, it was a surprise. Sal's bare feet was freely stepping on the roof of their Casa. It must have been impossible! To walk outside her room on her own.

Ren smiled so bright that the skin around his eyes wrinkled. He removed his shoes and wiggled his toes. Why, he must have been imitating her. He then guided her sight to the city beyond them, onto the never ending sky.

" I thought I will never see this." Sal exclaimed. The world outside was beautiful. The air was free and birds chirped and flitted on one side of the house. From the view above, she can see a handful of people below. All busy in their own goings about. They looked like ants in their smallness as seen from above. It was wonderful.

" Free. You are more free when you are like this." Ren's feet shamelessly dangled. Sal imitated him. It seemed like it was only yesterday when she would steal glances at him during his family's visits. They were not allowed to see each other until the wedding ceremony. To the knowledge of the Cuore, only the yellowing veil is the face Duren knows of Sal. Their meeting was by chance. A chance Sal was forever thankful.

"Can we stay like this forever?"Sal asked. Her head was nestled onto his shoulder. Ren even adjusted himself for her.Sal pressed her hand on the locket still on her hand. 'Should you stay with me?' must have been the right question.

Many times, she questioned if she should still own the locket. She straightened herself and traced a line on Ren's cheeks, going to the tip of his nose, to the little wrinkles beside his brown eyes, down to his nape with few premature graying hair. It was like dying if she did not memorize him

For a few moments from now, she would need to come back. The Signor personally checks on her. Forever watched. Ren only stared at her whispering a few words she could not process at the moment. He would tell her to lay off her burden. All of them. Ren still held her hand. Sal closed her eyes and angled her head a closer to his face. Little by little. Freedom. Ren. Only her Ren.

It was wrong! Sal heard the Signor's words in her mind. 'You don't deserve to be my child'. He will not like this. He would be angry.She wrestled herself away from him leaving him with the locket without a word. Restraining herself from looking back, Sal headed straight to her room.

"Sorry."

It was Duren.