Falling for the Olo'eykte

✧Chapter 4: Finding out the truth

Azura's POV

Once I finished preparing Anek for dinner I started with myself. As I combed my hair I saw out of the corner of my eye how Anek was struggling with a strand of hair that was tangled in his favourite earring. He pulled it continuously with force making the knot ten times worst than it already was. I laughed at his stubbornness, standing up I walked to him and took his hand in mine to keep him from pulling "Let me help you"

With gentle movements, I untangled the hair from the earring. "Done" I said when I finished, he smiled at me and thanked me for helping him. "You should change that earring, you've had it for a long time. Wouldn't you like to have a new one?" "No, I like this one. Besides, you gifted it to me and that makes me love it even more" "I can gift you another if that's the problem. One that has your favourite colours instead of mine" I insisted "I have already said no, having your favourite colours in my feather is like always having you by my side"

At this confession my heart melted, it reminded me of what he had told me the day I gave it to him "If I wear it, it's like you are protecting me wherever I go". Looking at him I put a strand of hair behind his ear so I could rest my hand on his cheek. "You know I will always be by your side, right?". Anek nodded as he closed his eyes to enjoy the softness of my hand on his face.

I kissed his forehead, "Help me put the ornaments on my hair so we can go to the Great Hall. I'm sure Zygmunt is grumbling at our tardiness". Anek laughed, he began to grab my hair and insert the ornaments one by one into each strand of hair. "Zygmunt is like a Fkio. His looks are scary but once he is fed he can be very nice".

I burst out laughing, shaking his hair I said "It's an incredible comparison, but we better keep it between us. Okay, hì'i tsamsiyu?" "Mmhmm" he nodded with an innocent smile. "Now let's go before the angry Fkio comes to hunt us" I stood up and walked towards the exit of our kelku. "Do you think he will be angry?" he asked as he approached my side to hold my hand "We're talking about Zygmunt and his intimate relationship with food, I'm sure he is hysterical right now"

We walked hand in hand through the Great Hall, before reaching our table we passed in front of Toruk Makto's. The family was peacefully eating their food unaware of our presence. Suddenly Tuk raised her head immediately seeing Anek, she excitedly waved at him and he waved back with the same enthusiasm. Next to her was her oldest brother, he was so focused on eating that he hadn't noticed who his sister was waving at.

Lifting his head our eyes met, his mouth was covered with utumauti juice. I laughed at the sight, he was completely clueless which made it even funnier. His facial expression showed surprise, it was clear that he didn't understand why I was laughing. I pointed to him and then at my own mouth to make him understand his situation. At the realisation, he quickly wiped his mouth with his hand looking down in embarrassment.

Finally reaching our table Zygmunt looked at us with a frown, "Why have you taken so long? I'm starving". Anek and I looked at each other with a knowing smile and sat down in our respective seats. "We had some difficulties" I lied "You can start eating now". Zygmunt pounced on the food and began to eat as if he had starved for years.

Looking away from my hungry friend, I adverted my eyes towards my brother who stared vacantly at his food. "What's the matter Anek?" raising his head slightly, his shy eyes met my gaze as he played with his fingers. "May I invite Tuk over? I would like her to join us". Zygmunt choked on his food at my brother's request, subtly I stared angrily at him for his reaction.

"Of course, invite her over if you wish. But make sure to ask for her parent's permission too" "Yes!" he exclaimed happily as he jumped off his seat to run to his friend's table. His joy brought a smile to my face, my brother finally had a friend to trust and I couldn't be more grateful to Eywa.