Tìyawn

Chapter 9

"I need help" Tìyawn signs to Aonung.
"Almost. You just have to bend your hand slightly when you say help" Aonung replies.
"Oh right" Tìyawn tries doing it again but she bends her hand way too much.

Aonung takes her hand, doing it how it should be, positioning it in the right place, "like this."
"Why is this so hard?" Tìyawn asks, "it's like you've got to get every small detail right."

"It takes time but it's okay. You'll get it eventually" Aonung says.
"The only thing I know is this" Tìyawn says, gesturing her hand from her head downwards.

Aonung looks at her confused.
"Out of respect you know? I do it to your father all the time" Tìyawn says.
"I know but, you should say the words when you do it" Aonung says.

She nods and does it again, looking at Aonung, "oel ngati kameie."
He smiles and does it back, "oel ngati kameie."
They both smile at each other.

"She said I see you to him" one of the boys say as he's watching them train on the opposite side.
"But he's not meant to be with a girl like her" another one says.

Tìyawn looks back at Aonung, "what is happening?"
"I have no idea but everyone just likes to be in other people's business."
"Are you guys together or something?" Ateyo asks walking back to them.
"What? No" Tìyawn says.

Ateyo nods, "it's just, you guys were."
"I'm teaching her. It's nothing. Now please go away" Aonung says.
"Alright I'm sorry" Ateyo says and walks off again.
"You really don't like him do you?" Tìyawn says.
"No. I hate him. Absolutely hate him" Aonung replies.

Tìyawn laughs, seeing how much Aonung dislikes Ateyo.
-
As they're walking back to Tìyawn's marui, it's very quiet as Aonung is in his own thoughts.

"You're very quiet" Tìyawn says.
"Oh yes, sorry. I'm just in my own thoughts" Aonung replies.
Tìyawn nods before it falls silent again.
As they continue walking, Tìyawn feels something cold drip on her head.

She stops and looks up, causing Aonung to bump into her.
"Oh I'm sorry" Aonung says and looks at Tìyawn but he sees her still looking up.
He looks up to, seeing the sky turning grey.
"It's about to rain we should quickly get you back" Aonung says.

"No" Tìyawn says, still looking up.
The rain begins to fall more as she's looking up,
"It's raining!"
She gasps as smiles before looking back at Aonung, "it's raining!"
"I know. That makes you happy?" Aonung looks at her confused.

She nods and smiles, "Mo'at loved the rain. It was the best time for her."
Aonung smiles at her.
She takes his hand, running the other way.
"Hey, where are we going?" He asks.
But she continues to run without telling him where she's taking him.
-
They come to an open place, near the sea.
Tìyawn let's go, running forward, turning around as she has her arms out and her head up.
Aonung laughs as he's looking at her play in the rain.

She looks at him and laughs back, "I love it!"
As she has her back faced towards him, he sees the 'scratch' which Ateyo spotted earlier.
He sees how it's cut deep into her back and looks at Tìyawn concerned.

"Come!" Tìyawn says to him as she turns around.
She holds his hand again, bringing him forward.
She makes him twirl her around as she laughs and enjoys herself.
But Aonung stays quiet and looks at her.

She faces him, with their faces just inches away from each other.
"What's wrong?" She asks him, blinking her eyes a couple of times as the rain is getting in her way.

"You hurt yourself?" He asks her.
"What? No?" Tìyawn says.
"Tell me the truth Tìyawn. I've seen your back so just tell me" Aonung says.

Tìyawn's smile fades as she's looking at him.
"I'm sorry. I just. I" Tìyawn stammers as she's trying to speak.
Aonung hugs her, and being aware of her back, keeps his arms around her shoulders.
"Please. Don't. I need you" Aonung says.