6 The woods

"Nothing serious but I had run out some herbs, someone have to get it because I'm going out from the village regarding some important issues, By the time I'm back and if you have the herbs…..I could cure your mother….other than that she is fine for now, but still the medication is needed", the shaman says to the others, while Christine is sitting beside her mother.

"I'll get it…no worries", I said it out and everyone looks at me weirdly.

"The herbs only can be found in the deep forest my dear and how are you going to get it?"

"No worries shaman, as long as I have people with good hearts over here, I'll just figure it out the way"

"She is too stubborn….urgghhhh", Mike just shrugged listening to Sherley's answer

" Guess I will be leaving for now and make sure the herbs are ready….no rush I will be back next week. Just make sure your mother is warm and she will be just fine. She just needs some simple medication….nothing serious about her…but she will be exhausted so no hard works for now yea…"

The shaman told as he move out of the house. Everyone of us thanked him. Hanska and Chayton were there too.

" Sherley, honey….we have to leave then only we will make it for the flight. Don't make a mess around and please do take care of yourself. Don't even think to go by yourself into the woods. Hanska will find a way to get the herbs. Do you copy that Sherley? Christine told her in a sharp tone.

Sherley just nodded but Nana just winked at her. Deep inside she knew that Nana trust her and she could make it into the woods. She had Chayton by her side and why would she fear?

"Hey….I know what's in your mind but you need to hold it", Chayton whispers to me as he passes by.

I just looked at him. He just could read my mind about what I was thinking. I helped Nana out of bed as the rest of the family are leaving. Dad and mom hugged me and again with the advice. Seriously I really don't even understand why mom and dad feel so hard to leave me here alone with Nana, and they always will freak out if I say that I would like to stay here longer. We just waved goodbye as I saw the blue Honda go off until it lost my sight.

Just remember that I didn't update Theresa that my family coming over there. I bring back Nana to the living room as she settled down into her favorite couch.

"Nana, do you want anything to eat….or a cup of hot tea?"

" No dear…I'm fine…just wanted to watch my favorite shows. I'm good for now", she says in a gentle smile. Her smile always melts my heart

"Nana…I'm gonna make a quick call. Will be right back yea…Chay…would you mind accompanying Nana for a moment…I need to talk to you as well…"

"No prob madam….", Chayton replied as he laughed

I just shook my head and went upstairs to my room. Picked up my phone and called Theresa.

"Hey, Theresa…I hope you're okay….how are things over there?"

"Hey my girl….everything is fine here…I'm still in the office you know…nothing much since its month-end….and…..hey give me back my phone you idiot...…", Theresa yelled on the end

"Heyyy Sherley….I missed you and you did not reply to my message…hmmm…that is why I'm on the line now", Darren snatched Theresa's phone while she was talking to me, and he was talking in a husky voice. Great…now what should I just say to avoid him.

" Heyya…..Darren…umm…I was quite busy with Nana actually and she needs me….so yeah I was going to reply to your message …..and ….urmm….busy with the chores and everything….",

I really couldn't speak harshly to myself. Darren was not a bad guy it's just because I don't have any interest in him and no matter how much I avoid he keeps trying. Urghhhh….. this has to be stopped but how.

"Oh….I'm sorry dear…but are you in an idea of coming back here? I heard you are on a long leave and I really know that you really get lost by soul if you are in that village. So nice huh over there….or is there someone special…I mean really special over there….hehe…just kidding", Darren says in a way of teasing but it seems that he is really interested to find out. I think I better confess this to him before it gets way too deep.

"Hey, Darren….there is something that I would like to tell you….and I hope you will understand me….and don't make it hard..", I sound like a jerk but at the same time I don't really wish to hurt him.

"Hey…Sher…come on…I know what you're trying to say…don't worry I just love to tease you…I know that you never looked me at that way…but that doesn't bother me…because I really like you and I do love you….even tomorrow you give me a wedding invitation... I would be the first one to be happy…. Seriously…no offense… love can't be forced so chill ya… we could be friends as usual… but remember my feeling for you will never change my dear love…." Darren says in the softest voice that I've ever heard. The way he conveyed to me was just so sweet and I never expect that he knows what I felt towards him all these 3 years.

Theresa and Darren had been my colleagues for 3 years and we had hung out everywhere together. Darren is a nice guy, protective and he never takes any opportunity for granted. But yet, I don't have love towards him, anything much as a best friend, exactly how I felt towards Chayton.

"Hey, love… .your're there?"

His voice brings me back. I realized that my thoughts had brought me far.

"Hey, Darren….thanks for the words. You know to be honest, you're a really nice honest guy and actually, you deserve a better girl than me. I know how your feelings are towards me, but to be honest, I've never felt that way with you before…..and I don't think that I will…because…. I think I belong here… in this village and about love…I'm not sure. It's just I know that something is waiting for me."

The howling sound of the wolf really made me jump. I haven't heard one howling in the noons and as if it is near. I was facing the woods but nothing spot on my eyes. I don't know what's gotten into me but my eyes were searching as if I'm searching it for years. After a few seconds, a pack of wolves was spotted and they were playing around the woods. Nop… it not them…the howl that I heard felt it was a bigger one…bigger than these one playing around.

"Sherley...that was loud"

"Sorry Darren, my village is near the woods so it's normal to hear some of the howls. Hahaha….yeah and back to the topic….no matter what Darren if you need me…I'm here as a best friend and you can count on me. Just a small request….just don't waste your feelings and time towards me. You will find a good one…better than me and that time you aren't gonna regret…trust me, bro…", I said with some laughter at the back

"Give me back my phone…..hey Sher, sorry about Darren. He just snatched my phone out of nowhere and ran into the pantry….", Theresa said as she was trying to catch her breath. It seems she had struggled to get back the phone from Darren.

I just chuckled

"It is okay….hey wanted to update you that my dad will pass my car to you…..so keep good care of it. They gonna fly to London today….and I will be back once everything had been settled down over here. Could you Theresa take over my car for some time..?"

"Hey chill girl…not a problem.."

"Sher….dodon't forget to text me okay….stay safe and take care…."

I could hear Darren yelling over the side

"Theresa…tell him I would….ermmm….I got to go actually…will call you later babe.."

"Sure girl", and she hang up the call

I just take a deep breath and look towards the wood. I notice something weird. A wolf, it's kind of huge, like really huge was staring at me. I stared back at it. But something weird I felt deep inside me as if I knew it long ago.

A few seconds I looked at it and the next moment it was gone. How did I miss it?

........................….

"I think its time for me to reveal to her who am I…I can feel the sense of her realizing about me", and the wolf when deep into the forest