Gentle Forest

Chapter 40

The scorching sun quickly dried the courtyard, and the leaves, once soaked, no longer released droplets when shaken. Even the raging river, in the end, would reveal its rocky bed as it dried up.

In the distance, the chaotic scene of the bridge and the crowd around it became visible. Perhaps my Dad and Mister were mixed in that crowd. The sight of excavators clearing large boulders caught my eye, resembling enemies aiming to conquer our fortress. Describing my current feelings would be painful.

I shook my head and belatedly headed to the bathroom to wash. Standing before the mirror, I was startled. My entire body was bitten and sucked, leaving red bruises, so much so that it seemed as if the previous traces were a sign of cuteness. There was only a tiny spot of blood on my collarbone, but it was too frightening to approach the mirror.

When I remembered Aiden's reckless behavior last night, I suddenly became afraid and my legs started shaking. The quarterback's stamina and sexual drive should not be ignored.

Still grateful for being alive, I stepped into the warm water. Aiden's insistence on taking a bath, even when unnecessary, now made some sense. Along with the fatigue, impurities he hadn't dealt with properly escaped my body. After the bath, I felt refreshingly clean, almost like being reborn.

Aiden was casually making sandwiches. He emphasized the need for me to eat well this time, as another bout of sickness would be irreparable. To avoid his nagging, I carefully dried my hair and joined Aiden, who was scrambling eggs. He took out a knife and delicately cut the edges of the toasted bread he had prepared. Every exertion sent a sharp pain to a vulnerable spot, making the whole ordeal comically contort my posture.

"Maybe a short walk would be better"

Aiden, expressing difficulty in enduring apologies and embarrassment, agreed. Walking made me breathless, and staying still caused discomfort all over, making any movement a challenge.

"How about a brief stroll, and then we can have this outside?"

"Sure."

Taking the initiative, I suggested the idea, and Aiden, without looking at me, nodded his agreement. His absent-minded stirring of the eggs while holding my hand in a comforting manner hinted at the ominous thoughts lingering in his mind. Without asking, I could deduce the thoughts swirling in that dark head—last night, the previous dawn, or maybe the night before that. In reality, it was my story too, but I was adept at concealing it.

Despite the awkward appearance, the final product he crafted always looked impressive. Aiden neatly placed the sliced sandwiches in a sturdy paper box and poured Dad's wine into a container. Snacks piled up like a picnic, and I observed from a distance, trying not to show my eagerness.

Aiden then gathered a load of freshly laundered clothes and headed to the yard. The warm breeze blew, but the uncertainty of how long it would take for everything to dry lingered.

Standing alone like a statue, I chose not to disturb him. Slowly entering my room, I sat on the bed. I could see the yard well through my room's window, intending to watch from there without disrupting his busy movements.

Under the blazing sunlight, light radiated from Aiden's sun-kissed skin. In a summery fashion, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and he casually wiped them away.

"Aiden."

I didn't mean to call him, but it just rolled off my tongue, just like the night we watched a movie when he called my name.

Aiden, still unaware, spread a large blanket with a casual motion. After our traces were thoroughly washed away, it seemed as if nothing had happened.

"Aiden..."