Shattered mirrors

Chapter 4

"What was that?!" I scream.

Cerya immediately scrambles to her feet, running over to me.

She confirms my suspicion. "I heard someone yell Arena, like a shriek or something."

"I don't understand." Hatoro injects.

He looks, yet again, confused.

"We heard a voice shout my name." I inform him.

"Oh. That is...Strange." Then Hatoro adds, "Thank you, Arena."

"No problem." I say.

It's like a cycle: Hatoro's confused, I help, he thanks me, I say you're welcome. Huh.

* * *

After teaching Hatoro the words teacher, teach, teaching, school, class, classroom, sink, car, car keys, household, keys, doctor medicine, and business, I feel exhausted.

I plop dramatically on the couch.

"Oh Cerya, I'm exhausted." I whine, then realize Cerya isn't even in the room.

Jasmine! I haven't been able to talk to her much. Poor little Jazzy. She's probably super bored.

I get up and start searching for her. Not behind or under the couch. Not by the Tv. Into the kitchen...Not under the counter. Not in the fridge. (She actually has hid in there before.)

* * *

Finally, I go in the hallway to find Jasmine sitting by Hatoro, comforting him. He's looking as a picture. He looks sad.

"It's okay." Jazz assures. "You seem like family to me. You'll always have me and my mom."

"Thank you Jasmine."

Then, he adds quietly, "I hope to marry your mother."

I feel a pang of guilt for eavesdropping, so I go back into the living room.

Yes! He wants to marry me, I think to myself.

Just then Cerya walks in, seeing me daydreaming.

"Arena, what's up?" She asks giggling.

I sigh, mumbling quietly, "He wants to marry me. I need to teach him as much English as possible."

"I'm so happy for you!! That's amazing!! Oh Arena, that's great!!"

Cerya holds my hands.

We hug, both happy.

* * *

I sit with Hatoro in my room.

"It's crazy to think we've been together for almost a year." I comment.

"Yes, it is." Hatoro agrees, nodding once.

"You know, you're really doing great with English. Good job, Hatoro. I know, it's hard. But I can help."

"Thank you for everything, Arena. Really."

"Hey, I'll do it for you. Because I love you." I say.

"I love you too."

The room is silent for a moment.

I break the silence by clapping my hands one time.

"Okay! Are you ready to learn some English?"

"Yes."

"Kay. Let's start with...hmm...Clap."

"Clap?"

I clap my hands.

"That's a clap."

I clap once more.

"Clap. It's called clapping my hands. Can you clap?"

Hatoro slowly claps softly.

"Good! Can you say it?" I ask.

"It."

"No," I laugh. "The mean the word I told you..."

He grins. Then says, "The word I told you!"

"Hatoro! I mean the word clap!" I laughed even harder as I said this.

"He puts his arm around me and says "Clap."

"Thank you. " I smirk.

I put my head on his shoulder and wrap my arms around him.

"I love you, Hatoro."

"I love you, Arena."

And the world fades away, seeming as perfect as it ever could be.