The Lost Orion- The Land of Wind

Chapter 3 - Aster

It is well quoted that 'if you truly dread something, it is bound to happen' and my life was doing full justice to the statement. I could never have imagined such a terrible end to that wonderful day.

I stood rooted to my spot staring at the figure of a strong built man standing a few feet from me. He was still wearing his travel attire and hadn't even washed his wearied face. His features showed absolute fatigue from his peregrination. Contrary to all the exhaustion, he stood there breathing heavily, glowering at me with dark, cold eyes. His hands were clenched into fists by his side. Gone were Uncle Gen, who would peck me affectionately on my forehead after a long travel. This man here looked ferocious and I knew there was no room for an apology now.

"U..Uncle G..Gen..." I stammered. I felt weak in the legs just by looking at him.

He took long strides towards me stopping a few inches from me. His towering figure made me cringe.

"How dare you Celestia!" shouted Uncle Gen. His voice was venomous. "How dare you disrespect your family!" His large hand connected with my cheek making my head turn to the other side.

Tears welled up in my eyes. He had never slapped me before. I never knew my happiness would make him this angry. Why?

"She did not dishonor your words, sir. She was just trying to make friends. Please do not misunderstand." It was Dan who spoke. He bowed low in our defense trying to reason with Uncle Gen.

Uncle gen held out his hand to him. "You have no business here, boy." His attitude was hostile. "This is my family matter. I do not discuss my personal life with strangers." Dan straightened. He looked calm but I could feel his body tense. "Stay away from her. Stay away from us." Threatened Uncle Gen. He bent so that his face was in line with Dan's. "Consider this my final warning, boy." his voice was barely a whisper but it had all the ingredients it would take to scare someone for a lifetime.

Uncle Gen held me by my wrist and pulled me to our way home. I looked back to steal a last glance of my first and presumably last friend. My vision was blurred by tears but I could clearly see a short, black haired boy stunned to his spot with his eyes fixed at me. No words left his mouth but his eyes were wet in plea.

I squeezed my eyes shut blocking his face out of my sight.

Good-bye Dan.

*****************

I sat with arms around my legs pulling them close to my body. I rested my head on my knees gazing at the bright sunlit forest through the window. My room was spic and span. It was as good as it would remain after being unused for a very long time, even though I was a usual visitor. I hadn't moved a lot after that loathsome day.

I was practically grounded after Uncle Gen caught me with Dan. I was forbidden to leave the house vicinity, go anywhere near the forest or visit anyone having any relation beyond the City of Gale. My protests proved futile, my cries went unheard, my questions unanswered and my childhood destroyed.

It was over a week and my life ran on the same monotonous track beginning at the morning tea followed by helping Aunt Chi with the chores, lunch to spending my time in my bedroom for the rest of the day. It was hard to sleep at night so I'd spend most of my time staring blankly at the ceiling or wetting my pillows with tears of the memories I could never live again.

A tear escaped my eye, refilling my heart with the pain I'd been living in for the past week. People said 'time heals all pain'. Well, I guess time had no hold on my life or my grief.

I wiped my eyes off my sleeve. The forest seemed quiet before a mini whirlwind appeared right at the entrance of the forest. Two men emerged out of thin air from the swirling wind. Their appearance was as drastic as Dan's when I had first met him. My eyes widened- Orions!!