The old Church and yew-trees

The two lovers, hand in hand peers around the New year's celebration bustling in the small town. The town which they had come to know as Ararie.

The aura here resembled that of the 1800s.

Peaceful life, people humble and sweet.

After their breakfast with barely anything going down Neva's throat, now they wander around the little town.

The giddy happy tribe dances beside the swan sculptured fountain in the middle of the street. Hand in hand, round and round.

Children's laugh, genuine smiles on the aged, the mystical harmonies echoes and circles the air of the town of Ararie. The daily stress of life could be hold over for tomorrow, for now they rest, live and love the present, heart serene and mind cloudless.

The field of wildflowers now wears a withered meadow. Naked were the luscious great trees. The remnants of abandoned chary nests of the nuthatch and wren.

They flee again, for the crisping, quivering wind of the winter bites the flesh.

A fair on the withered meadow, under the burning sun the droplets of dews on the dry grasses gleams, appearing alike crystals to the eyes.

The earth seems beautiful to Neva's eyes.

Yet on the same terrain resides humans with ugly hearts and deranged minds.

Her heart bleeds, one cannot cry in public.

Somehow the feelings overwhelms and tears streams down Neva's eyes.

Now the couple stands at the arcade.

She had been wanting to be back at their homestay bridge cottage. While Rhett insisted on having a look around the fair.

Her hush tears went unnoticed by him as he focused on playing and winning for her.

The sagging bags on both her hands contained the prizes he won for her. Now it was the game of archery.

His arrow a sure hit to the target.

The middle aged owner of the game wipes off sweat his forehead, tremendously anxious. The weather chilly but the owner felt it was extremely hot. The customers lining to be next gazes at Rhett in awe.

They had finished visiting four different arcades with different games, with each games winning each secured prizes.

Rhett treated this owner very poorly. In his arcade he played five games and won each one of them. Just this second he won his sixth one.

"Alright alright, have mercy son. It is enough." The owner fearful of his business drying out appeals.

Rhett raises an eyebrow at him. Saying nothing he hands the owner back the bow and arrow. Making the latter sigh in relief.

He then glances down at his forgotten fiancee. She wipes her tears with the back of her palm. Couple of bags in each of her hands. His orbs widens in realization and guilt.

He was so absorbed in winning for her, he thought she might be happy if he won prizes for her. Completely feigning ignorance that what she very much need right now could be his company.

"Angel. Let's go hmm." He says and gets the bags from her. She strings their eyes. He smiles down at her as she nods.

As they were turning to leave the owner calls them out, "Dear customers don't you want this?"

Both of their heads turn to know what he meant. The man stuffed Rhett's prizes in two free big beige jute bags. He dangles them gesturing at the items with his eyes.

"Oh." Rhett realizes and walks to the owner.

"Thanks." He willingly gets the prizes. The owner smiles at Rhett as he quickly gets back to Neva's side.

"Let me carry some." Seeing his hands busied with large jute bags she offers a hand.

"It's fine." He assures only for her to grab couple of them from his hands.

He shifts the remaining bag in his right hand to his left hand and intertwines his free fingers with Neva's vacant ones.

"What are we going to do about all this?" In a light tone, motioning at the featherweight goods she queries him.

He gazes down at her. "Whatever you wish. It's yours."

"Hmm."

---

The glimmering landscape on the sight now fades. This part of the town holds a solemn stillness.

Neva's eyes sights an old church. The low wood fences guards the compound, the rugged elms surrounds and beneath those the yew-trees stands tall and green on either side of the entrance.

She stops walking as he asks her sudden halt with his eyes.

"Can we go in there for a moment." She hopes he would say yes, and in her eyes he reads her desire for solace.

In the south was the Church, he peers and scans the area around. A quiet still later, he cracks the stiffness in her heart. "Alright."

He guides her inside the compound. The wooden fence on the gate open, for it was the New year. The more the occasion special the more the visitors frequent.

As their feets shuffle through the dry fallen leaves on the ground, it produces a crisp crasp sound. They saunter their way to the Church and a few steps later makes it to the archaic Church.

Few lamps lit illuminating the dark surround.

Unexpectedly there were no human around.

She takes a seat on the front bench. Facing the altar. He gets seated beside her and sees her hands attached and head bowed.

Her eyes veiled, she prays with the lips closed.

His lips purses for he rarely ever visits the holy place. He joins his hands and bows his head and veils his eyes. Saying, thinking nothing. With imperfect words and gratitudes he mirrors her manners.