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There you have it.

Clearly, today refused to go how I had envisioned for the past month. And if I hadn’t mentioned earlier, the blazing sun was definitely not helping either.

You did.

Damn**

Although the possibility was low, I couldn’t disregard the fact that I might’ve offended some heavenly being, such action now resulting in my current suffering.

I meant, look at me.

Please..

Silently, I prayed for forgiveness and relief, hoping someone or something would hear my plea. Either way, the fact that I had a sore back from last night’s adventure, as I decided to call it, made today’s work unwelcome. Regardless of how mom’s intervention helped, I still wanted to run away into the night, preferably never to be seen again. But I held some control over my insanity and could recognize a crazy idea from others.

Although I complained of the sweltering heat, it was somewhat expected given the time was just a bit after midday. But I could have sworn it was still determined to roast me.

Certainly, cloudy and humid weather, so I could read in a dark corner of my bedroom with a candle illuminating the space, was not too much to ask for!

That would’ve been the life!

Sweat originally drenched my face until I washed it off by the stream, but it had already soaked the neckline of my dress by then. I could even feel my arm gliding on the moisture from my pits. I squirmed reflexively.

Yuck!

I was disgustingly wet.

Dragging a hand cloth out of my pocket and across my face to wipe the sweat, I noticed that it, too, was drenched.

Double yuck!

I raised a brow, recalling how it ended up in such a state. It was when I stepped into the stream earlier…

Daphne, I hate you.

I was reluctant to leave where I laid, so I tried using the damp cloth as it was. Needless to say, the attempt was ineffective. All it did was provide a very short comforting cold before I felt the heavy moisture on my face again.

“Ew ew ew ew…” I whispered irritatingly under my breath as I realized what laziness made me do.

Peeling myself from the ground, I stomped off to the stream of water and stripped directly.

I had decided.

I was going to swim, and I didn’t care for the beady gazes of the animals on the farm. Whatever they saw, they couldn’t communicate. They would take my naked secrets to their grave. I was safe.

The geese and ducks honked and screeched at me – I was going to assume in harassment – from their abode in the pond a few paces up north of the stream.

I watched, feeling bitterness and regret as I recalled how I’d dug their ponds without rest. One would’ve thought they would be grateful they had a reprieve from the sun’s heat. Instead, they decided to become judgy when I wanted to have the same.

“We’re all living creatures, so shut your crap.” I screamed at the bastards.

Just you wait!

I cackled as I entertained the thought of starving them.

Their neighbors, the frogs, on the other hand, were quiet. I always liked them more since they preferred minding their business. They kept to themselves but were always responsive whenever I reached out.

Since they were reasonably amicable, we were all on cordial terms. Our relationship was thoroughly defined by the saying: to scratch each other’s backs.

The ducks never got along with them, though, and after a frog limb surfaced, we had to partition their territory.

I always felt those water birds never liked the size of their space. They were invaders at heart, and I always made sure to savor the death of their comrades every other week. That and they made superb soup.

The geese were the real menace, though. They had a silent danger kind of aura about them. The ducks were akin to their henchmen, who got their hands dirty while their masters watched. There was a clear divide in their status as the geese occupied one-half of the area where the water came from, upstream, leaving relatively unclean water for their servants.

Thankfully, the frogs had access to clean water too. I could care less about the ducks.

I made sure to stick out my tongue and made my best mocking expression before chucking a stone at one brown-eyed bastard among them.

Reaching the bank, I let down my hair from its binding and tossed it to the side. I wadded slowly into the water, stopping where it reached my knee. The lukewarm temperature instantly took away all apprehension from my body.

I didn’t think twice before lowering myself and resting on the slightly polished rocks that made up the bed. I allowed myself a small breath of fresh air as the sun’s heat seemed to dial down.

“Very much needed,” I murmured in bliss.

My body could feel the water flowing, and it was all I could do not to get carried away by the relief. I found grip on some of the slightly rougher stones, smooth enough to prevent a cut, at least.

The water flowed ceaselessly, allowing me to wash without worry that it would remain stagnant and unclean. It carried every ache, discomfort, and exhaustion I felt as it flowed continuously without stopping.

I lowered my head unconsciously, the water stopping just beneath my face, and shivered pleasantly as my scalp got soaked.

“I could do this all day.” I drawled with my eyes closed.

For a moment, I sank into the feeling until..

Whoosh.

A cold breeze suddenly brushed past my nose, eliciting a yelp from me. Hastily, I sat straight and tried adjusting when I felt my grip slip a bit. Shivers ran through me as the wind blew my resurfaced neck. Soon, I got accustomed to it when the sun’s heat intervened and was just about to regain my earlier bliss.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, a soft green light flickered. I opened them to check, but it disappeared as fast as it came.

What was that?

Cocking my head to the side, I wondered. For surety’s sake, I waited a while, observing where the light had come. There were trees in the area. They all varied in size and seemed inconspicuous.

But there was one among them. It had an otherwise typical height, but something seemed off about it. Its shade and the direction it leaned in were weird compared to its counterparts. I analyzed the differences and tried to make sense of it. But I couldn’t. There was simply nothing sensible about it. But that was when a thought popped out.

Wait… is that?

There was one thing that thoroughly didn’t follow logic; magic.

A small smile broke out as I realized who it was.

“You can come out now.”

I turned away, closed my eyes, and resumed savoring the water, knowing what was a few meters away from me, or rather… who.

“Hihi.”

I received a giggle that seemed to bounce off every surface in the vicinity, encapsulating me in an alluring sphere.

“Gods, your voice is magical.” I admitted with familiarity.

Everything about her was strange and yet familiar. I could be free with this person, no matter where, when, or how I was, undressed and soaking in a river or not.

It didn’t matter.

Vmmmm.

Green light flared on the side softly, accompanied by a soft hum, and I could see it from beneath my covered eyes, a testament to how bright and eye-catching it was.

With it came an aura of life, renewal, and peace: a familiar ambiance. I opened my eye just a crack and watched.

After the light dimmed, I heard footsteps grow louder and closer. I noticed smooth legs as my eye adjusted. The unspeakable presence gave herself away when she stepped just above the water surface. Her movements seemed so natural and weightless, as not a single ripple spread out where she stepped: It was a miracle personified.

With a few steps, she stood before me with a kind smile. Slowly, she crouched, her hand descending on my head for a pat.

She spoke, “Happy Birthday, Germana.”

I was almost swept away by the spring breeze that was her voice, but I managed to muster an answer.

“Thank you, whatever that word you just said meant.” I flashed her a genuinely appreciative smile. It took the least effort as it sprang out of me willingly.

She retracted her hands, “Germana is the language of primus. It is effectively translated to sister as mortals call it.” My nose scrunched up in mock hurt.

“Somehow, I find the term ‘mortal’ condescending.” I jokingly formed a displeased expression.

Tilting to the side, she retorted, “Just as I get offended when you call me a fairy, the difference is that I am right, and you are wrong.” Her soft tone nearly distracted me.

Pleasant memories came flooding back, filling me with nostalgia.

“You look like a fairy, though. Fairies are beautiful and otherworldly, just like you.” I retorted lazily, masking my compliment from my arguing stance.

“I am certainly not a fairy. I take pride in my kind.” She harrumphed lightly.

“I hear you, ma’am!” I surrendered to her. I could never win a verbal argument with her. I had no desire to. There was no point.

“Although I am breathtaking, aren’t I?”

“For someone so old and wise, even you can’t overcome mortal vanity.” I gave a dramatic gasp before laughing harder as she gasped even more so.

“Me? Why I have no idea of what you’re going on about.” I laughed, letting out a very lightheaded ‘sure’ as she blinked innocently.

A short peaceful silence then reigned over our surroundings.

“Today makes it exactly four years since you tore your heart out to a stranger who could’ve been after something unpleasant or otherwise.”

Somehow, the water went warm, and my eyes fluttered open.

“I guess so,” I whispered after a while.

Remembering the incident, I brought my hands together, fidgeting to calm myself. “But I made the right gamble didn’t I?” I chuckled awkwardly. If I had to make a choice, I would gladly choose the same over again.

Slender, pale green arms reached slowly into the water and took my left hand. They pulled so gently, their touch heavenly without crookedness. I only knew after the action that she brought it to her lips and gave it a light kiss.

Her words penetrated my heart like a softly struck cord;

“You did well this past year. I am proud of you.”

The look of admiration she sported brought a familiar burn to my eyes, and for the first time since she arrived, I really took in her presence. Visually she was stunning, but seeing and sensing her altogether, was divine.

I didn’t think I realized how much her approval and acknowledgment meant to me.

We met when I was thirteen, fresh in pain and every negative emotion one could imagine. She was serenity, and I broke down in seconds, back then and just like right now.

“Let it out. You have every right to feel.”

And I did. I poured out every regret I’d carried since I last ‘let it out’ a year ago. I spoke of what happened earlier in the day, and her expression didn’t change.

She didn’t judge; she accepted. She loved.

She listened.