What if the saints of old walked among us today-would we honor their triumphs, or whisper about their secrets?
Zarinna knows the weight of hidden truths. Once devoted, now marked by choices she cannot undo, she carries shame like a shadow she cannot...
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ZARINNA drew in a shaky breath and stepped closer to David. The man hadn't spoken a word to her since the previous night, and each moment of silence weighed heavily on her chest, pressing against her lungs with a tangible weight. Her stomach twisted with guilt, and her pulse drummed in her ears as she swallowed hard, summoning the courage to close the distance to the man sitting quietly on the ground.
"Manung?" Her voice wavered, barely above a whisper, as he lifted his gaze to meet hers. Slowly, she lowered herself to sit beside him, knees brushing the cool, rough grass.
"Oh, hey... what's up?" David's voice was calm, casual, but there was curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Uh..." Zarinna tried to meet his gaze, but the instant their eyes locked, her courage faltered. "I, uhm..." Her mind scattered, words dissolving like mist.
"Is something wrong?" David leaned slightly closer, and the warmth radiating from him made her cheeks burn.
"I'm sorry." The word escaped before she could stop it, trembling, raw, and vulnerable.
"What?" confusion laced his voice. "What are yo—"
"I'm really sorry, Manung!" Zarinna's eyes squeezed shut as the apology tumbled from her lips. "I'm sorry for... for what I did back in the woods. I was just... really relieved and—and..." She opened her eyes, seeking some sign of understanding. "Gosh, I'm so ashamed. I know it was inappropriate, and I probably invaded your personal space. I'm really s—"
"Why are you apologizing?" David interrupted, voice gentle but firm.
"Huh?" She glanced at him, flustered. "I... I think I might have offended you by—"
"Offended me?" David chuckled, easing some of the tension coiling in her chest. "Who said I was offended?"
"Really?" she asked, disbelief shading her voice. "You're not mad?"
David shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Well, I thought you were mad at me because..." She bit her lip, struggling for words. "You hadn't said a single word to me after... after what happened. That was so unlike you..."
David listened, suppressing the amusement that threatened to bubble over.
"Look, I'm not mad at you, Zarinna," he said softly. "I was just... worried when you disappeared. When we found you, I had to calm myself before saying anything."
"By not speaking?"
"You could say that," he chuckled. "So don't think I was mad at you. I understand."
Relief unfurled in her chest, warm and sudden. She let out a quiet breath and nodded, smiling faintly.
