Holiday's almost over and I will be back home soon. I won't be able to see him again for a long time. How I wish I could stay here with him forever.
"Keera," he said as he show me out of the forest, Astra in tow, Astra is Ayyu's pet, a Siberian husky. "Why don't you take Astra with you. I'll give him to you as a gift."
"Hmm? For real?!" I jump in excitement. I've always wanted a pet.
"Sure," he said patting Astra's head.
"Thank you!" I'm so happy right now. Then I looked at Astra and said, "Astra, will you come with me?" Ayyu laughed and Astra just wagged his tail and bark.
"Uhmm,,,,,Keera, well you come to the Winter Festival with me?" He asked.
"Winter Festival?"
"Yeah, it's a festival celebration of the forest guardians to honor the Great Goddess, Nakee. When you were little, I thought you might get scared, so I didn't invite you. But tomorrow night, can you go with me? I've wanted to go with you for a long time."
"I'll go!" I said excitedly.
"Meet me at eight at our usual place, then."
A festival for the forest spirits? I thought. "Will I be able to get in? I mean, it's a festival of the forest spirit. So, can a human take part in it, too?"
"Don't worry. On the outside, it's not very different from a human festival. It's suppose to mimic human festivals, after all. And I'll protect you, Keera." He leans in the tree as he waited for me.
I looked up at him. "When you say things like that, it makes me want to jump at you." I teased.
"Do it, then," he said. "Seriously."
I was left speechless.
⭐⭐⭐
When I get home, Mom asked me where I got Astra and told her that Ayyu gave him to me. And she just said 'ok'. She never let me have a pet of my own before for no reason. But I guess she's okay with it now.
⭐⭐⭐
I'm looking for an outfit to wear for the festival tonight when my mom called from downstairs.
"Keera! Keera! Will you bring this sandwich to your grandma in the garden? I'm in a hurry."
"Got it, mom. Just a sec."
I hurried to the dining room as soon as I get dressed to get the sandwich for Yai.
"You're going to the festival?" My mom asked as she saw me in a traditional attire.
"Yeah," is just my short reply.
"But your dad's gonna be here tonight, why don't we wait for him and we can go together?"
"But I already promised my friend---"
"Ayyu? This boyfriend of yours, I want to meet him. Why don't you invite him over for dinner tomorrow night?" Mom said.
Boyfriend?! "What? Mom, he's not my boyfriend!" I said almost choking on the water I'm drinking.
"You don't have to be shy about it."
"Mom!"
"Okay, I'll go now. Take care," she said then, kissed me on the forehead.
Then, I brought the sandwich to grandma and get ready to meet Ayyu.
