Ruth: Reimagined

Dibon

🍁🍁🍁
Dibon
🍁🍁🍁

If you're reading this Mahlon. It means we made it out alive. That's a relief to know. It also means I've decided to stay behind in the palace. I knew Mahlon that if I ever were to step foot in that palace again, it would be harder to run away. Destiny calls, I guess. I have kept some money for you to start a new life. To live a comfortable life. I hope this keeps you well, I wish you and Ruth the very best in life. Love your wife, endlessly. I've seen you work with wood, like a mam who's found his purpose. Build your legacy, Mahlon. I've taught you all you needed to know.

—Sir Amos.

~🍁~

Mahlon left.

It was the morning after he brought Ruth home. She woke up alone, searching for Orpah, but she was nowhere to be seen. Getting ready, she stepped out of the door, still feeling like an unwelcomed guest, not even comfortable enough to feel like she had the right to step on the floors.

“Ruth, my dear?” Naomi had called from the hallway.

“Good morning, Lady Naomi” Ruth bowed, and Naomi chuckled softly.

“You should say goodbye to Mahlon before he leaves.”

Her heart stilled. At her reaction, Naomi’s brows furrowed.

“Has Mahlon explained nothing to you? This boy. We’ll fix this problem right now.”  Naomi was led towards a room, pushing open the door.

Stepping into Mahlon’s room,  Ruth spotted him immiediately, and there he was packing.

“Mahlon.” Naomi said, and then she gave her son a look.

His eyes flitted to Ruth, then Naomi, and he sighed, nodding. The door was closed behind them, Naomi leaving. The silence that remained almost seemed imposssible to break.

Mahlon stopped what he was doing and  sat on the bed. He met eyes with Ruth, patting the space next to him.

Ruth settled beside him, then spoke, and vulnerably so, hating it.  “You’re leaving?”

Releasing a breath, Mahlon turned to face her. His eyes held hers, and he cupped her face, caressing her cheeks.

“I’m going to prepare a place for you.”  He kissed her forehead. “A house that you will make a home. Where we will spend our life, where we will raise–” a spark was lit in his eyes “–our children.”

“Why can’t I go with you?”

Mahlon shook his head. “In my culture, that’s not how it works. We’ve already broken a lot of practices and traditions, with your parents not being part of this, and the time frame and—” you being Moabite.

He didn’t  say it, but she saw it in his eyes.

“Orpah has gone back home. Chillion has gone to pay the bridal price, and then he will meet me on the way. Since your home is now mine, you’ll stay here, with my mother, till I come back.”

Ruth still didn’t fully understand, but she withheld her concerns and fears. Mahlon had already done too much for her.

“When will you be back?” She asked, searching his eyes.

His gaze was certain and honest.

“I will be back.”

Mahlon kissed her, his lips meeting hers, firm, and soft. He he held her, closer as he breathed her in, and she exhaled into his embrace into his love.