I've Found You

Chapter 5

Mala hung his head low and held back the outburst he so desperately needed to do.

"Why! What happened? What did you do?" Blue was staring into his eyes and trying to figure out as he was thinking.

"Stories for another time. We're here"

Blue took her eyes off Mala and looked around. It was amazing. Almost enchanting. Where Blue stood she could see lush greenery for miles. Trees, bushes, plants, you name it, it was there. Trees were bending over with ripe and juicy fruit, pink, red, blue, green, yellow, any colour you could think of. The fruit gleamed and sparkled, almost twinkling like stars in the night sky, showing glossy and smooth surfaces. Although not all were. There was lumpy fruit, soft fruit, rough fruit and furry fruit. A tremendous display of flowers was sprinkled through the orchard, showing beautiful and bright floral of all kinds.

She felt her feet moving. She was running. Joyous of the soft carpet of moss on the ground, springing in every step. Marvelling at the wonderful creation of nature. She pranced and felt the surfaces of the fabulous fruit. Picking flowers and holding them up to her nose to smell the various scents of the enchanted garden. She smiled, she giggled, she felt young and free again, as for the first time in 11 years.

All the while Mala watched. He was interested. Even though he admitted the orchard was enchanting as the girl seemed to believe, how could this be such a jubilant sight to her? She must have come from a broken childhood to believe this garden could bring joy and smiles to someone's face. She turned and looked at him.

"Go ahead. Dig in, I'm never going to eat all this on my own."

Blue didn't hesitate. She grabbed the nearest piece of fruit. It was a peachy colour and covered in yellow spots. She bit into the soft skin and juice dripped down the edge of her mouth. Her eyes sparkled with sheer delight. The fruit was tangy and sweet. The texture was smooth and inviting. She wiped her mouth clean of the sweet and sticky nectar flowing down her chin. The next mouthful she ate slower, and the next slower still, savouring the spontaneous flavour. She finished off the last scrap of fruit and realised she was quite full. She was disappointed at that because she had readied herself to taste more of the fascinating fruit that the orchard held.

She wandered back over to where Mala had been resting against a tree. He looked her up and down and grinned. "I think you might have a little something on your cheek." Blue smiled back.

"Would you happen to have anywhere I could wash myself off?"

"You're just in luck."