Another Love

Chapter 6

"Breathe in" Tay'ra says.

She was sat opposite Jake, both sat on a rock, near the sea.

Just the two of them.

Jake takes a deep breath in, letting it settle until Tay'ra gave him the instructions to breathe out again.

He takes a breath out, his concentration being completely on Tay'ra.

"You must slow down your heartbeat" she says to him.

He nods, repeating the steps, breathing in for ten seconds, before breathing out again.

Tay'ra lays her hands on him, on his chest, gently.

"Breathe in" she says to him.

He does so, as he watches her, not being able to take his eyes off her.

"And breathe out" she says to him.

He breathes out but his breath was shaky.

He could not help the way his heart was beating. He didn't know how to control it.

How we could tame it.

Not when she was so delicate with the way she touched him. Spoke to him.

"Jake. Your heart beat is fast" Tay'ra says.

"I'm sorry" Jake replies.

She smiles, "it's okay. Just.. try to concentrate. Slow down your heartbeat."

He nods, "okay."

Tonowari is watching from afar, noticing the two.

It was the first time he had seen Tay'ra look comfortable with another man.

Apart from her father, and Tonowari himself, she had never been comfortable in teaching another man.

Yet she was so close to Jake.

Not a space between them.

Nor did she look tense or angry.

Did she.. like him?

"See, you are getting it slowly" Tay'ra smiles as she looks at him.

"It is all thanks to you" Jake replies.

They both look at each other and smile.

"What are you looking at?" Ronal asks Tonowari as she's walking in Tonowari's direction.

She looks forward and sees Tay'ra with Jake.

"She is going to regret being friends with him. Everyone is going to regret this" Ronal says.

"Ronal. He has not done anything to us" Tonowari says.

"My sister is too sweet. I expected her to be dense, but certainly not you Tonowari. He will betray her. He will break her heart" Ronal says.

"Tay'ra is growing up. She is not a child. You must let her grow up and learn her ways in life. You can not protect her all the time" Tonowari says.

"I am not saying that" Ronal says.

"Then do not breathe down her neck. Let her do what she must. Whatever happens, it is all in the hands of the Great Mother" Tonowari sighs.

~

"How do you wish to spend your evening?" Tay'ra asks.

"I was hoping.. with you?" Jake asks.

"Me?" Tay'ra asks.