TOGETHERNESS

016 Togetherness

As they usually did every day, Anindira would sit on Halvir's lap with his back facing him while Halvir held Anindira in his arms. Anindira, who is used to Halvir, enjoys the attention without being awkward.

''Anindira,'' called Halvir, opening their first conversation at Halvir's house.

''Dira...'' Anindira said, looking up at Halvir even though she couldn't see anything at the moment.

''Hmh?!'' Halvir exclaimed in surprise. He didn't understand Anindira's meaning.

''Dira, that's my favorite nickname at home,'' Anindira answered, she smiled to herself while stroking Halvir's hand that was clutching her shoulder, ''You can call me like that...'' continued Anindira, still doing the things she usually does. while sitting with Halvir as night falls.

''So that's your special nickname?!'' Halvir asked.

''Yes... My family always calls me that,'' Anindira said happily.

''Okay…'' Halvir said with sparkling eyes, ''You want me to call you that?!'' Halvir added with his lips curved very high, if only Anindira could see Halvir's happy smile at that moment.

''Of course!'' exclaimed Anindira answered, nodding happily.

Three months since Anindira and Halvir met. And from now on, Anindira calls him Havi. That was his nickname, especially limited to Anindira calling him.

Halvir and Anindira were used to spending time alone together, especially at night. The moment of togetherness became more beautiful because of the deep silence of the night in the forest.

''Dira...'' Halvir called softly, ''You talk a lot with Hans, you also call him big brother just like you call me,'' he continued again, placing his chin on Anindira's shoulder.

''Yes?'' Anindira answered but in a questioning tone, ''Is there something wrong?'' Anindira asked carefully, considering she was in a different world now, ''You two look the same as my brother...'' said Anindira continued.

Again, Anindira spoke in response to Halvir by looking up at him. Anindira did not know that her face was almost against Halvir's, making Halvir surprised and blush.

''You like him?'' Halvir asked in a slightly different tone, feeling that Halvir was uncomfortable.

''Havi?!'' Anindira called in an astonished tone of voice, ''I'm surprised by you, just for today, you've asked that question twice, so what?'' Anindira asked innocently.

''You speak very easily to men,'' Halvir replied in a disappointed tone.

Anindira had no idea that Halvir was showing his feelings of jealousy so clearly.

''Havi, is there something wrong?'' Anindira asked, frowning, ''I was just talking to them… isn't that allowed?!'' Anindira added to clarify.

Anindira didn't know that in this world a woman keeps her distance from men.

It was all done because there was a bond that would lock them up without them being able to control it, *Imprint. Both men and women instinctively guarded themselves against being imprinted carelessly. Because of that, many women will always look down on them when talking to men. Women are more likely to ignore a man who tries to talk to them if they don't feel like having a relationship with him.

Of course, that is very different from the ethical culture where Anindira was born. They will be friendly and greet each other even if they are strangers. In the unwritten rules of hospitality from where Anindira comes from, when speaking, looking away from what else turns face, is impolite.

''Nothing…'' said Halvir, indifferent but also with very firm intonation, ''But, they have to be able to bring me down first,'' he said again, continuing in a haughty tone, full of confidence.

''Why does it have to be like that?!'' Anindira exclaimed, she didn't understand the meaning of Halvir's words, ''Havi, I know you are strong, but being too arrogant is not good…'' Anindira added in a firm tone.

Having a father who is a Psychology Lecturer at a well-known university and also a mother who is a surgeon, plus a simple lifestyle because she has grandparents who come from the village. Of course, Anindira was always taught humility.

“Havi, we can't live alone. Don't know when there will be a time when we need help from others. So it would be better if we always maintained good relations with others, especially since they all come from the same village as you...'' continued Anindira.

Anindira, who is only sixteen years old, confidently advises Halvir, who is at the same age as her parents.

Halvir smiles hearing Anindira's long speech. He thinks Anindira doesn't know anything. However, he was quite surprised that she could say such a wise thing.

''You are indeed similar to Ezra…'' Halvir said, who then hugged Anindira even tighter, ''Okay, I know what you mean.''

''Eum...'' nodded Anindira, ''Well, it hasn't even been two days since I entered this village, you also know, apart from you I haven't met anyone in the past few months...'' continued Anindira wanting to clarify, because her instincts told her that she should do it, "Brother Hans, it's the only person who has ever spoken to me through you, I spoke to him because he was the first person you met, a moment, after entering the village, that's why I assumed that you trusted him…'' continued Anindira explaining, ''Am I right?'' asked Anindira later, confirming it to Halvir.

''Yes, you're right…'' Halvir replied. Once again, he was surprised. Anindira could see everything in detail, ''Unlike most other people, somehow I match with Hans, I'm quite familiar with him, even though he looks like that. However, he was a persistent person and wasn't one to be easily distracted by other people's words. Because of that, I quite like him…'' continued Halvir, explaining what his relationship with Hans was like.

''Besides, Hans is also a very nice person. I see him like my brother, you guys seem to be the same age…'' Anindira said later.

''I don't know about your brother, but I know Hans… I'm ten years older than him,'' replied Halvir.

"Hm?! Really?!'' Anindira exclaimed surprised, ''You look as old as me,'' Anindira continued, ''Eum...my oldest brother, he is twenty years old, how old are you?'' Anindira asked then.

''Your brother is much younger than Hans, and I'm already forty-five years old,'' answered Halvir casually.

''Lies!'' exclaimed Anindira, answering in disbelief.

''Dira, I'm not a liar,'' said Halvir, sounding soft but firm intonation.

Halvir immediately made it clear, giving his clarification. As a Beast Man who always upholds his honor, of course, a liar's words would irritate him.

''I'm sorry Havi,'' Anindira replied sincerely, but she also firmly reaffirmed her thoughts, ''But why do I feel like you're playing me? ten years younger, meaning Hans is thirty-five years old. Are you guys playing Black Orchid like in the movie Anaconda?!'' Anindira exclaimed in disbelief and still wanted to ask for an explanation. That was one of the stubborn traits that she always liked to observe.

''What is ''Black Orchid''? '' asked Halvir.

''Eternal medicine, which can keep you young!'' shouted Anindira curtly replied.

''Ah! Meaning in your place, is it called like that?'' replied Halvir casually. He was even more amused by Anindira's expression, which was even more sullen because of annoyance.

''Ha?!. Is it true that there is?” Anindira asked. Now she was very enthusiastic, but a moment later her face was sullen again.

''Yes, even though you can't call it immortal, indeed, you always look young…'' replied Halvir, who was even more weeping seeing Anindira's ridiculous face.

''Havi!'' Anindira called out curtly, ''Am I that stupid?!'' Anindira exclaimed with bulging eyes, ''Happy to make me look stupid?!'' Anindira continued.

Anindira then immediately got out of Halvir's arms, changing positions so that they were facing each other now. Even though, even though she was in that position, Anindira still couldn't see anything in the darkness of the night.

"Havi... are you happy to see my stupid face?" Anindira asked again, lips pouting even more in annoyance, ''You must be happy, being able to see everything in this darkness, can you see it now?! I'm annoyed…'' Anindira exclaimed in a curt tone, her expression was very ugly, letting out her frustration.

''Hahaha...'' Halvir laughed, not laughing, but it was clear he was laughing, though only his voice could be heard by Anindira.

''Havi!... You're laughing?!... You mean, you're playing me... Evil, you're making fun of me, I almost believed…'' Anindira cried, whining while shaking Halvir's shoulder.

Again, her face got closer to Halvir's, there was barely any distance between their faces, making Halvir lose his temper.

CUP

A short kiss landed on Anindira's lips.

Anindira, who was whining, suddenly stopped, she froze with her face heated up. Anindira was surprised because she was happy to receive a kiss from Halvir. In the past, let alone kissing her, holding Anindira's hand without permission could be slammed by her, considering she holds a black belt in Jujitsu.

Halvir immediately grabbed Anindira by both shoulders, spun her, and made her sit down in the starting position.

Halvir was afraid that if Anindira kept looking at him like that he might lose control. Because it was dark, Anindira didn't even know that Halvir's face was now emitting 'smoke', his skin was as red as boiled crab.

''Dira!'' Halvir called in a very soft voice, vibrating behind Anindira's ear, ''I'm not fooling you, I'm forty-five years old, and Hans is thirty-five years old, that's true, and not making this up...'' said Halvir explaining, ''In your place ''Black Orchid'' here, it is *green Amber... And, I laugh not because I'm fooling or playing with you. But, because of your expression, you look really cute. What's wrong if I laugh? I'm happy when I'm with you because it's comfortable when I'm with you, that's what makes me laugh…'' said Halvir continuing, he still pressed his jaw on Anindira's shoulder.

''You're the first for me, moments with you, hug you, talk to you, I enjoy it... You make me smile, Dira. I want you, but, not in this way... later, when you understand everything, be my mate!'' Halvir muttered to himself, this time, his forehead against Anindira's shoulder.

Halvir's breath continued to caress Anindira's neck, his voice sounded erotic in her ear, his hand continued to cover her shoulder, and the other one wrapped around Anindira's stomach.

Anindira is confused and agitated, but Halvir's embrace makes her freeze. Anindira is conscious but her soul seems to come out of its shell. Has it gone somewhere?

His mind blank, he heard Halvir speak but had no idea what he was talking about.

Halvir felt very happy at this moment, the silence of the night made Anindira's heart beat erratically, making the room that was usually quiet, where there was only Halvir alone, now feel boisterous even though there was only Anindira alone.

Noticing the change in Anindira's attitude, Halvir smiled. He then got up and took off his clothes. Changing himself into the form of an animal, then bringing Anindira, who was 'sleeping in a conscious dream' to sleep right away.

**