Honeybee

chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

The next afternoon, Leah and Sarah took a stroll around the village as they chatted.

"Sarah watch out! Look in front! " But Leah' s warning went in vain as Sarah crashed headlong into to the man in front of her, which just happened to be Riley

"Oh god, I'm so 'sorry Riley! why is it always you? Sarah said as she got up. Hearing what Sarah said, Leah froze.

"I should be asking you that; it's like I'm targeted-" Riley stopped when he processed what Sarah said properly. Not what she said; rather the way she said it. Like she was alive again.

He looked at her face properly and the surprise he felt was mirrored on his face. Seeing his expression, Sarah laughed delightedly.

" I told you I would be fine in no time! Well my kind-of recovery is also because of this lovely lady here. Riley,meet Leah Evans .She is currently staying at my place." Riley got up from where he had fallen. He was still taken aback by the wondrous change in Sarah.

Remembering his manners with a jolt,  he took Leah's hand. She was still stiff and uncomfortable.

"Nice to meet you, Leah. I'm Riley Stafford, at your.........service..." He looked at her face closely and started. He seemed to have gone as white as a ghost.Leah could see the recognition in his eyes.

"Umm...you said you're name is Leah right? Ha-have you been here before?"

Seeing Riley's face, Sarah realized what was going through his mind.She took his hand and whispered

"Riley, it's not what you think. She has never come here before..." Hearing Sarah's reassurance, his face regained a little color. However, he was clearly still unsure, the suspicion in his eyes still remained.

"Why don't we all go inside the inn for something warm, shall we?"Sarah piped up in an attempt to crack the ice between the clearly awkward Leah and Riley.They headed towards the inn.

Once Sarah went through the door, Riley, who was behind her, took Leah's arm and pulled her aside.

" What are you- " Leah's protest was cut  off by an intense stare from Riley.

"I don't know who you are, or if you're who I think you are.But all I want to say is.......thank you.          For saving Sarah.." his eyes burned fiercely, and Leah saw how sincere he really was.

Her heart went out  to Riley

"It's okay.I didn't do anything. She saved herself." Leah said softly, and walked inside the inn.

Riley followed her in without a word. As soon as they walked in, Sarah shouted from across the inn- "Oh there you are! What on earth was taking you so long ! I thought Riley here took you somewhere else to keep you all to himself!" Riley laughed; Leah could see the relief in it as clear as day.

"Don't worry Sarah; you know I'm one of the decent sorts"

"Right of course you are, Riley."Sarah giggled

Leah looked on as the other two engaged in their playful sparring; Sarah was laughing uncontrollably at one of Riley's jokes.

Looking at her, Leah wondered-

Why did she ever need to be saved when she has people like Riley to pick her up..whenever, wherever she falls?

When she had first bumped into Sarah, she was shocked at her condition; she barely seemed alive.But here she was,in just a few days, she's totally transformed.

She's managing fine;she doesn't need me anymore.Well that's a relief

But despite these thoughts, there was a deep rooted sadness in her at the realization that she wasn't needed anymore.

Sarah had moved on.....Leah was supposed to have moved on.

But have I?

"Leah?Leah?oh dear, I think I've influenced her too much.She's lost! Leaaaaahhh!!"Sarah called out again

"Huh?" Leah started. "Oh sorry,"she said apologetically"I don't seem to be very good company I'm afraid."

Sarah chuckled. "Don't worry; I think I'm mostly  responsible for that. Oh yes, we were wondering, where exactly are you from?"

Leah's smile faded a bit, she glanced towards Riley. He was staring at her, his eyes demanding an answer.

"Umm well, I'm from a....well the place is very far from here, I'm not sure you'll know the name." Leah stuttered.

"Oh don't worry about that. I'm well known for knowing my geography." he winked at Sarah, who giggled. Despite his light tone, his eyes were still serious.

"Well it's quite far east from here...it's called......Danville..." she improvised

"Oh really? That sounds like a nice place."Sarah said.But Riley wasn't satisfied with her answer.

"Yes,of course it does; but Danville is west from here. In the exact opposite direction."he pointed out coldly.

Leah blushed. She had blurted out a random name; she wasn't even sure where it was.Sensing her embarrassment, Sarah butted in.

"Well Riley, it seems that I'm not the only one with a bad sense of direction.So, how are your sisters?" he recognized the deliberate change of topic, so he didn't probe further.

There would be enough time for that later, he decided.

The evening passed by in conversation, mostly between Riley and Sarah. Leah decided that it would be safer to keep her voice to herself.

As Leah and Sarah trudged their way back home, Sarah sensed that Leah was still uncomfortable, and the normally absent silence was awkward.

"Leah......." she started to say.Leah turned to her, expecting to see suspicion or distrust on her face. But all she saw was a smile.

"Wherever you come from, whatever you did, however your past was, you are my friend.And that's all that matters. So don't worry," she squeezed Leah's hand ."it doesn't matter to me."

Leah looked down as her throat constricted. And they continued to walk home. When the warm lights of the cottage was visible, she finally manged to force it out.

"Sarah," she said in a voice husky with emotion. Sarah whipped around as something in her heart fluttered.There it was..that thing so familiar...so warm.....she could not identify what exactly it was, but she felt she had known it for her whole life.

Tears were streaming down Leah's face

Leah leaned forward to kiss Sarah gently on the cheek, and whispered in her ear.

"Thank you Sarah........my little honeybee." the last words were nearly inaudible. What are you saying! a part of her brain screamed at her.

But now she ignored it; what was speaking now was her heart.

She backed away to see Sarah staring at her with an expression full of shock, disbelief, confusion, heartbreak......yet the hope she felt shone out of her face the most.

"Thank you Leanne."she murmured.

The last thing she saw before she collapsed was Michael running out of the cottage and Leah's shocked face above her.