Charades

Chapter 12

     Indira and I were out shopping around the market, grabbing fresh fruit and vegetables for the meal Ronan would make for dinner. Indira was scanning the baskets of fruit in front of us, her eyebrows furrowed and her tongue sticking out as she thought. I watched her, smiling at how focused she was.

     "Excuse me?"

     I jumped at the sudden deep voice of a man. Turning around, my eyes widened as before me, was a tall man with broad shoulders. He had brown hair and hazel eyes, and he was smiling, his eyes lit with joy.

     "Yes?" I said.

     Indira turned to face the man and she frowned. Her eyes narrowed at the man, but the man continued to smile.

     "I've heard a rumour around town that you're looking for a job," the man said. "My name is Aaron. I own a flower shop nearby and I was wondering if you would like to be the seller there? We could use a pretty face like yours."

     My eyes widened at his offer. Finally. Finally someone wanted to hire me.

     "This isn't some weird way of you hitting on her, is it?" Indira asked, crossing her arms over he chest.

     "No, I'm happily married," Aaron said, chuckling. "Well, what do you think?"

     "I would love to take the job," I said. "Thank you."

     Aaron extended a hand towards me and I took his hand in mine as we shook hands. His eyes were lit with joy and I was grinning, thrilled to finally have a job. I enjoyed fishing with Ronan, but to have an actual, stable job like this, was thrilling.

     "Thank you," Aaron said. "You'll start tomorrow."

     Aaron nodded before he turned around and walked off, and once he was far enough, I squealed. Indira laughed at my reaction and I clasped my hands together, excited.

     "Finally!" I exclaimed. "Finally I have a job! This is incredible."

     "I'm happy for you," Indira said. "Congrats, Amara."

     My smile was so wide my cheeks were hurting. And for the rest of our shopping, I couldn't stop smiling.

*****

     Indira and I were walking back home. I held a basket of fruits and Indira carried bags of vegetables, and Indira was chatting away, telling me about how her school friends asked her to go on a trip with her next summer, but she feared what Ronan would say.

     "Ronan would let you go," I said. "I know he comes off as strict, but he wants you to be happy. I'm sure he trusts your friends."

     "I don't know," Indira said. "But, hopefully."

     Indira grew quiet for a moment and we walked in silence. Indira seemed deep in thought and I took in my setting, noticing the way the sun was setting and how the cool air was rushing past me, leaving me shivering at the feeling.

     "The search is going to begin!" a woman exclaimed. "The soldiers are coming! Beware everyone. The soldiers from Narakha are coming to Edolas to see if the princess is here."

     My heart jolted and I whipped my head to look at the woman who was screaming. She was a middle aged woman who was poking her head out of the window of her house. Her black hair was streaked with gray and her blue eyes were cold. She looked panicked and I slowed down my walk as fear blossomed in me. A few people had also stopped walking to look at the lady.

     "The rumour is that whoever finds the princess will win a grand prize," she shouted. "So watch out for the princess! Because if you find her, you will be rewarded heavily."