PERMISSION TO TAKE A BATH

025 Permission to take a bath

The sun still had a tinge of red because it had just shown itself, but Anindira had already opened her eyes. Usually, she would laze around in Halvir's arms, but this time she couldn't. She got up and opened the window. The cold cool air immediately hit her face and made her shiver. But, she didn't close the window and instead enjoyed the morning view even more. Slowly the sun continued to rise and began to radiate its heat. Zia, who had covered her whole body when Anindira had just opened the window, now started to take off the blanket. Slowly, she got up and sat on the side of the bed.

''Did you wake up early?'' asked Zia, who was still semi-conscious and rubbing her eyes.

''Yes,'' answered Anindira while looking back at Zia's window.

''Why are you up so early?'' asked Zia, complaining, then turned her back to the sunlight coming through the window, ''You can sleep again, wake up later at mealtime…'' continued Zia lazily while pulling the blanket over her head.

''When to eat?!'' Anindira exclaimed in surprise, ''That means it's almost noon…'' she continued with Anindira's forehead creasing at Zia's words, then immediately approached Zia on her bed.

''Eum... it's still too early,'' replied Zia, who was drowning in the blanket.

''You didn't take a shower in the morning?'' asked Anindira after patting Zia's shoulder.

''No,'' answered Zia while shaking her head under the covers, ''Later, when it's hot, I'll take a shower.''

''Zia!'' Anindira called whining, ''That's not good,'' while trying to open Zia's blanket.

''What's wrong?'' asked Zia with an annoyed face because her bedtime was disturbed.

''Your habit!'' exclaimed Anindira, grunting angrily at Zia, ''Come on, wake up!'' she continued while shaking Zia's body.

Zia, who was still half asleep, was confused by Anindira's words. Seeing Zia, who was still not fully conscious, Anindira lightly patted Zia's face so that her spirit would quickly regroup.

''Hey, come on, get up!'' shouted Anindira, commanding firmly, but laughter could be seen on her face, ''Come on, let's freshen up!'' said Anindira.

Zia forced herself to get up while a sigh was visible on her face. She was lazy.

''You said you wanted to look like me,'' said Anindira, coaxing, ''Come on, be diligent! Don't be lazy!'' exclaimed Anindira, again seducing her to wake up soon.

''What does this have to do with?'' asked Zia, whining with an irritated face because she was too lazy to get up early in the morning, she was not used to it.

''Of course, it's related!'' Anindira exclaimed, bringing his face closer to Zia, ''So, let's get up!'' Anindira shouted again, seriously looking at Zia, ''Let's freshen up, so you can hear my explanation clearly…'' continued Anindira persuading Zia while trying to lift her up.

''Uuhh...'' sighed Zia, frowning at Anindira, ''Okay...'' Zia answered, giving in to Anindira's stubborn persuasion even though Zia was still lazy.

''Dad!'' called Zia, ''Dad!'' called Zia again because, after waiting for a while, no one came. ''Are you there?'' asked Zia, continuing the call, while stepping out of the house.

A few moments later, Ruvi appears and goes down to meet them both.

''What's wrong, Zia?'' Ruvi asked, patting Zia's head gently, ''Mischa is out hunting,'' continued Ruvi while stroking Zia's head.

''Ah! Ruvi's father'' Zia greeted him with a smile, ''Help us go down and accompany us to the river, would you?'' asked Zia then.

''But, it's still early Zia, what are you going to the river for?'' asked Ruvi, confused by Zia's request.

''Wanna take a shower,'' answered Zia innocently.

''Shower?!'' Cried Ruvi parrot with a surprised face, ''It's still very early. You will catch a cold…'' continued Ruvi later.

''But, I want to be like Anindira, she has good skin...'' answered Zia, whining in the typical style of a girl who is spoiling her father.

''You can't!'' shouted Ruvi firmly, ''You could get sick later,'' continued Ruvi, forbidding.

''Anindira is okay…'' said Zia carefully, ''He is healthy, he has good skin and his hair is the same as you men, not lumpy like mine,'' explained Zia while making a pitiful face to be allowed.

Because they already have a partner, they never pay attention to other women. So, it's not surprising that Ezra's partners didn't realize that Anindira was slightly different in physical appearance from most women in this world. When Zia started whining and explaining, then Ruvi could see more clearly if what Zia said was true. Anindira's physical appearance, however, is still much better than other women in general.

''Eum...'' Ruvi thought while pretending to squint at Anindira, ''Anindira, is that true?'' asked Ruvi probingly.

''Yes,'' nodded Anindira replied, ''That's what was taught to me…'' she continued with confidence.

''But women can get sick from the cold,'' said Ruvi, still refusing to give his opinion gently to Anindira.

''But, uncle, in my place, all educated like this. Not only will our appearance get better, but our health will also be maintained,'' explained Anindira, not to be outdone.

''But, Anindira... The cold is a dangerous thing for women. Not a few women died from illness after the cold. I don't want that to happen, you women are weak, I don't want to take risks,'' replied Ruvi, clearly rejecting Anindira's argument.

Anindira realized Ruvi's concern, but she didn't dare to push too far, because Anindira also knew that knowledge in this world was still too primitive. Finally, Anindira and Zia argue, resign, and no longer argue with Ruvi.

''Okay uncle, sorry...'' Anindira answered while bowing to Ruvi, who was older than her.

''Eum… alright then… fine, it's okay, you girl can go to the river. But, I will keep an eye on both of you,'' said Ruvi, moved to see how polite Anindira was.

Ruvi is also happy, because Zia looks very familiar and can accept Anindira. Seeing two teenage girls getting along, he couldn't resist their desire.

''Anindira, are you used to doing that?'' Ruvi asked while stroking Anindira's head.

''Yes,'' nodded Anindira with a smile, ''My grandmother and mother did it too.''

''I'll take you to the river, but not to bathe... I still won't allow you to bathe!'' exclaimed Ruvi, seriously warning them both, ''Bring coats and shoes! I'm afraid you're cold.''

''OK…'' they both answered in unison happily.

Ruvi was exasperated at the cute behavior of the two girls in front of him.

''You are so happy that Zia got a new friend…'' Ruvi said to himself, looking at his mate's only daughter. ''Thank you Anindira, this house is much livelier now.''