Back to Kumandra

Part 4

After getting dressed, Raya went outside to have a walk through a closeby forest. As she walked, she reminisced on when those forests were filled with the Druun. She stopped at a river, just staring at her reflection in the water. She heard a twig snapped and was startled. She looked around, her heart beating fast, adrenaline ready to kick in. "Dep la?"

As Raya heard the familiar voice, she said, "Namaari?"

"Yeah it's just me." replied Namaari. "I saw when you were walking in here...but I lost track of where you were. Sorry for scaring you."

"It's okay. I'm just...taking in some nature."

"I realized."

Namaari put a hand around her waist and said, "What's bothering you?"

"Just remembering how infested this forest was with...you know..."

"Hmm...yeah it is scary to think about but as you told me last night, it's in the past. Besides, you have your Undercut babe here to protect you."

Raya blushed as she stared in Namaari's eyes with tears in them.

"What's wrong dep la?" Asked Namaari.

"You remember what I was about to tell you last night..."

"Yeah."

"Namaari...I can't hide it anymore...I...I really like you. More than just a friend."

Namaari smiled at her and said, "I do too..."

Her smile quickly faded as she examined the surrounding environment, as though she felt danger was closeby as she became vulnerable with Raya.

"Raya...later when we're alone we can talk about this... I don't feel comfortable being in the outside being so...not myself. I'm going back to home to train."

"You're already so fit with such amazing features."

Namaari smiled and said, "You can never be too fit" while raising an eyebrow.

"Alrighty let's go back home."

"No Raya...I think...someone said something about you and I... Like...mother was awfully quiet. And some of the servants wouldn't stop being so...observant. And it was irritating. Let's take separate routes home." said Namaari.

"Okay dep la. I'll see you soon."

They took their separate paths back to their respective homes. Namaari was training throughout most of the day and also helping the younger warriors to master martial arts.

After training, Chief Virana, Namaari's mother said, "Where were you earlier my morning mist?"

"I...just went for a walk mother. Is something wrong?"

"Take a shower. After dinner we can talk before you leave for Chief Benja's palace."

"Okay mother."

Namaari felt rather worried and she anxiously showered then went to the dinner table.

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