As Sein admired her hard work, her ears picked up something in the direction of the fields, where the girls were working. It sounded like Kin La’s voice but she couldn't make out the exact words. 

Sein rushed into the house and said to Ungyi, “I am going to the fields to see Kin La and Thiri. I will be right back.” 

As soon as she heard an acknowledgement from Ungyi, she took off.

Before Sein reached the field, there were two silhouettes in the distance walking slowly on the road. When she drew nearer, she saw it was Kin La and Thiri. 

She hastened her pace and cried out, “Kin La! Thiri! What’s happened?”  

Kin La had her arm around Thiri who appeared to be distraught. Seeing Sein, Kin La brightened up and called back, “Sein, Thiri’s hurt herself.”

Thiri had been breaking up large stones for the small wall they were constructing. However, in a moment of distraction, her hand slipped, sending the hammer crashing down on her thumb. It was red, swollen and angry. The girl looked to be in obvious pain despite putting on a brave face.

“Thiri, come,” Sein said with concern. 

A genuine wish to ease the girl’s pain stirred within her, and she realised this was her chance to test her healing abilities. She might not have done much in her past life or achieved anything remarkable, but now she had the opportunity to make a small difference. Even if it was something as small as healing a swollen thumb.

“It’s alright. I can still move it,” Thiri said, holding out her thumb. “Ow ouch!” She gave a grimace of pain.

Sein pulled out the cloth she’d used to dry her hands, carefully cleansing it as she infused it with her spiritual power, making sure it was as hygienic. 

“I have this which has been blessed by Spirit of Cloth,” she said.

“…”

“…”

The girls merely blinked at her. They didn’t know what to make of it. Sein continued to explain, “The cloth has healing properties. Let me see if it will help, Thiri.” 

She took the girl’s hand in her own, her touch gentle as she wrapped the cloth around the thumb. Clearing her mind, she created a blank canvas, focusing solely on the task. She imagined the pain fading away, like droplets of water evaporating under the sun, and visualised the thumb healing, the damaged tissue knitting together and inflammation melting away. Within seconds, Thiri’s eyes widened.

“Did it work?” Kin La asked her sister.

Thiri nodded, too astonished for words. Sein pulled away the cloth from her thumb and the swelling had completely disappeared. 

Thiri gasped, “How on earth did you do that?”

“Spirit of Cloth,” Sein said simply.

“Really! I thought Spirit of Cloth looked after clothing needs. This spirit also heals?” Kin La exclaimed. 

She took the cloth Sein was holding to examine it closely.

“It seems so,” Sein responded.

“That’s amazing!” Kin La said, then glancing at her sister, she continued, “You scared the living spirits out of me. You’re a lucky girl Sein had the healing cloth. Why are you so clumsy today? It’s not like you.”

“That’s because I…I’m…” Thiri didn’t finish her sentence. She glanced away as if recalling the moment.

“You were gawking at lover boy, weren’t you!” Kin La exclaimed, having worked out something from her sister’s reaction.

“No I wasn’t looking at that stupid boy!” Thiri retorted, folding her arms in defence. “He’s so annoying! I was giving him my death stare.”

Kin La seeing her sister back to normal, continued to tease her, “Don’t be shy. You’ve got eyes for him, huh? He likes you, you know.” 

Thiri rolled her eyes. “I can't hear anything. Sein, is my sister speaking to me?”

Sein chuckled, feeling a little giddy from reaping the rewards of her achievement. A wave of exhilaration surged through her, tinged with a deep sense of accomplishment. A rush of feel-good energy flooded her veins, invigorating both mind and body. So this was what it felt like to make even a small difference in someone’s life. Her desire to heal others began to bloom.

Word of Spirit of Cloth’s healing powers spread quickly across Sagyo. Many elderly villagers came seeking relief for their minor ailments, leaving pieces of fabric on the spirit’s altar in hopes of her blessing. 

Sein obliged, imbuing the cloth with her power. In return, the altar became laden with offerings of food, a gesture of thanks from the grateful villagers. As prayers continued to pour in regularly, she realised power did not come solely from worth or deeds, but from how many believed in her.