Her Eyes

Seven

Hot water splashed in the large bathtub that Esmae sat in. Her knees were curled close to her body and she slapped the surface of the water, loving the sounds it made when her hand came into contact. Soap suds surrounded her in the bath, snaking around her naked body and filling the tub. A light citrus scent filled the bathroom, and she relaxed each time it filled her nostrils.

Unlike the times when she was a leaf, she didn't float above the surface elegantly as gravity pulled her weight down. It was one downside of being human. Another was that she had to bathe every day if she wanted to continue smelling nice. She never had to care for hygiene or anything of the sort before, but now, her senses were heightened and even the smallest change affected her.

Nikolaos sat behind her on the edge of the bathtub, wearing shorts, and placing his feet in the tub, Esmae's body sitting between his legs. He focused on her long hair, gently detangling it with his fingers with the help of shampoo and other hair products. He fought his mind that dared him to gaze at Esmae's naked body, not wanting to abuse the immense trust she had in him. It was either that, or she didn't understand the concept of nakedness and the need for clothes. Still, he didn't assume anything.

It was evening, and they ate dinner earlier once they returned from the mall before organizing everything they bought. Well, it was mostly Nikolaos rearranging things around his cottage and making space in his large bedroom for her. Esmae simply followed him around like a puppy and held items for him when he couldn't do it himself. While Nikolaos worked, she took the time to admire the entirety of his home, basking in the warm evening sunlight that shone through the windows.

She stared at the several pieces of artwork he had lying around his home. From paintings of nature to pottery and of course photographs. His house was colorful, the wooden objects being a beige color and pops of red, blue, yellow, orange, and green decorating the sofas, chairs, and many carpets he had on the floor.

Outside his home in the backyard, he had a small patio with potted plants and flowers. Esmae loved the patio the most as she could see the forest that stood around them and feel the sunlight and the cool breeze that passed overhead. Summer didn't seem as hot as it once was when she was a leaf. It was one perk of being human.

"I asked you this before Esmae, but where are you from?" Nikolaos asked, cutting between the calm silence. Esmae stopped splashing the water and looked behind her at the human she favored before turning back to the suds.

"... Don't know," she replied, huffing. It wasn't a big deal to Esmae because she knew what the life of a leaf was. She was meant to die by the time winter arrived, but unlike her many siblings, she stayed stuck to her mother for 21 years. "When I flew with the wind, I heard many words, but all different," she expounded, remembering the different languages she heard throughout her travels.

There were different accents, tones, laughs, curses, and cries, but she never stayed in one place for a long time, so she never learned anything. When she arrived in England, she was stuck because of the twig, so she picked up a few words from the leaves and bushes, but they never made much sense to her.

"Really? I guess if you traveled around a lot with the wind, you would hear different languages," Nikolaos commented. "Did you have a favorite place?"

Esmae hummed, thinking back. There were many places she visited. Some for only a brief moment while others for a day or two. "There was a place. Little kids ran around, laughing loudly even though it was hot outside. They looked so happy," she said absentmindedly, swirling her fingers around her legs, feeling the smooth skin.

Nikolaos laughed to himself at the simple memory. Children having fun together. She was so pure and kindhearted; he could listen to her talk all day.

Her memory reminded him of his past in Greece when his many cousins would play around together, causing a loud ruckus. He rarely joined in, but he found solace in their happiness.