THE CALMNESS BEFORE THE STORM

New morning, new day, new spirit without any regrets.

"You have not woken up yet. You really are not a early riser, are you?"

"Don't tease me in the beginning in the morning." I told her while sleeping. I'm still sleepy.

"Ok, I get it. Get it. Don't be mad now."

"Hey we have to go the forest today. We are running out of fire woods. Today you have to do tons of work."

"Ok, I understand."

"Go clean up and have breakfast."

"Ok."

I have woken by her early in the morning. She is sweet and caring. She has fallen in love with him* not me. But I shall take care of her no matter what.

"Are you done?"

"Yeah, I am finished."

"Vasu, don't go and slack off in the forest, you get me?"

"okay, okay, I don't."

"So, you are really planning to slack off, seriously I can't believe you."

And she laughed. I just looked at her and thought how beautiful it will be if she has really fallen for me and not fallen for him*. I finished my breakfast and put on my working clothes on and took an axe for chopping some woods in the forest.

"Okay, see you later."

The world is too peaceful without any resentment and any conflict. I think the village is in such a remote area that it is not affected by any outer conflicts. I wish the peaceful day may last forever.

"I have entered too deep. Let's just pick up some woods and return to home."

After 5 hours

"It took me too much time to chop and gather the woods. It can be easier if I have a bull or a cart or both."

"I have returned home."

"Huh, Cecilii is not here. It's surprising. Let me look for her where she has gone."

I saw the people are gathered in the middle of the village and among them Cecilii is present.

"Here you are, what happened? Why are everyone gathered here?" I said her carelessly. But I got frightened when I saw her expression.

"A man is heavily wounded and got into our village as refuge."

"Huh, what really happen?"

"Apparently there is a big conflict is going outside and he escaped here to be safe. But he has lost his consciousness, so we don't know anything about the matter."

"Don't worry. Once he woke up we can ask him and solve the matter. And even the worse case I am here to protect you. Don't worry too much." I assured her but deep down I was also shaken by this incident.

"Hey, has someone called for the Elder?"

"Yes, someone has gone already to call for the Elder."

People are already shaken and feeling insecure about this matter.

"Let's go home. Village elder will solve the problem."

"Ok, let's go back."

I didn't persuade the matter more and went back to home.

Cecilii was frightened deeply by that incident. I saw her serious expression and decided to cheer her up.

"Cecilii! Cecilii! Hey, are you listening?"

"Huh! oh, sorry my mind is not here."

"Are you worried about that man?"

"Yes, I am worried if the conflict will spread to all the way here, what will happen?"

"I really can't see anything bad happen to this village."

"Don't worry nothing will happen and also if in case something happens everyone will stand before it to solve the problem."

After a while she became calm but her heart is still in chaos. After the dinner she took care of the dishes as usual.

"I shall go home for now. Don't be awake for a long time and go to sleep. You have to go to the forest again tomorrow."

"Ok, I understand. Don't worry too much and Good night."

"See you tomorrow."

She left my room with a sad smile. After trying to sleep for some time I woke up and went outside.

"Huh, The wind is so cold."

The outside is cool and the night sky is clear and beautiful. The moon and stars are in an amazing harmony like the stars are representing themselves for the moon.

"What is that noise?" A strange noise attracted me towards it.

"Huh! a horse! where did you get that?"

"I was just returning to my house from the Elder's place. And on the way I saw this horse so I caught it."

"It looks majestic. It is not a wild horse. It is tamed, I think it is someone's."

"Nope, It is a wild horse. No one in the village has a horse and also no one has a horse near by village."

"Ok, I get it. Don't be mad now."

He left after we finished the talk.

"That guy is lucky. He is a fisherman but he got a horse. I wish if I also have a horse. It will more easier to carry the woods." I thought myself and went back inside my room and lied on the bed.

They say "Before a storm there is always a brief calmness." There are two strange incidents happened today. The wounded man and then the horse. I hope nothing bad will happen. After a while I got into deep sleep unconsciously.

Next day

"Ohh, it's already this late. Cecilii didn't come to wake me up today. It's unusual for her."

"Don't mind. She was shaken last night. She must be sleeping right now. I should tidy up and go to look after her."

I cleaned up myself and went straight towards her home.

"Cecilii , Cecilii."

"Cecilii is not at home right now. She is visiting the Elder right now."

"Oh, thanks grandma."

I experienced uneasiness for the first time in this life. Before I don't care about anyone and except the owner of the library from the past world no one cared about me. I was neither depressed not cheerful about it. But now in this life people in this village do care about me. It is not for me but for Vasu but I am the one who is getting all so this is the first time for myself.

"Elder, good morning."

"Are you here for Cecilii."

"Yes. I am going to the forey for gather firewoods. So I want to meet up with her before I leave."

"How thoughtful you are. But you can not meet her now. She is attainding the wounded man now. You can meet her after she finishes her work."

"Ok elder. I should be going then. I will meet her in the evening. So, good bye I will visit you again. Tell her that I came for her."

"Ok, I will tell her. Don't worry and good luck with your work."

For the first time I didn't get to see her in the morning. The uneasiness got more and more. But I ignored it and went to the forest for gathering the firewoods.

"I hope she will be all right. She is sweet and a cheerful girl but she is really has a strong mind. I should not be worried about her and do my work properly." After thinking I started to chop the wood and gather the firewoods for hoping to finish my work early and see Cecilii soon."

But who has ever known that the uneasiness of my heart will turn into a reality.