8 Why do people change themselves for others?

"No, your cuteness won't work here," Tala remarked, giggling.

"Why? At least tell me the reason. Why should I miss the beautiful view?"

"Hmmmm..... Because every full moon, we hold a prayer to the 'Moon'. Only the villagers are allowed. Is that fine?"

"How could that be fine? Why am I here? To know your traditions and take pictures of beautiful sceneries. Right?"

Tala seemed out of words with the stream of questions Nina fired. "Whatever!! NO, that's final."

"What? Didn't James ask you to guide and help me? " Nina yelled with frustration.

"Uncle only asked me to help with your stay. Your stay is ready, isn't it?"

Nina's thoughts stopped right at the word- 'uncle'. "Uncle?"

Tala slammed his face and scolded his tongue for slipping and uttering nonsense. "Yes, James is my uncle. Any problem?"

"Why would I have? Just a small doubt, why don't someone in the villager write the document?"

"Ufff!! I think this discussion won't be finished soon. Shall we talk while having breakfast? Czar,..." calling out his name, Tala looked at his chair, which was empty.

"Czar!" he shouted aloud.

"MMMMM!!"

Czar's voice was coming from the dining area. Both of them rushed towards the kitchen and widened their eyes, glancing at the most horrific and disgusting scene. Czar was sitting on the wooden dining table with a large bowl in front of him. The whole table appeared messy, with food particles scattered. Not only the table, but his mouth, face and fingers were also covered with granules of food.

To make the situation, more horrible, he got down from the table and came towards Nina with a handful of food. "Tala's mother's dishes are very delicious. Taste it!!" Murmuring those words with his mouth full of food and some spilling onto the floor, he brought his hand towards Nina's mouth.

"HUUUURGGEHH" she ran towards the bathroom, but it was locked from inside. Having a vomiting sensation with an empty stomach made her head and tummy spin. Only a splash of water on the face and puking the little water she drank in the morning could relieve that feeling, but the bathroom was occupied. Unable to speak, she started banging the door.

"Whose that?" Ace's voice came from inside. At the same time, Tala came running to check on her. "Bro!! Open the door. Nina is about to puke."

Nina immediately turned towards Tala, nodding her head with cheeks puffed like blowfish.

Ace hurriedly opened the door, and Nina rushed inside to spit the water in her mouth. Washing her face with water, she turned around to see Ace semi-naked. His lower body was covered with a towel, and his hair was full of shampoo bubbles.

As she started gazing at him through the watery eyes, from the chest and gradually down, "Are you done?" Ace's voice interrupted.

Changing her dirty eyes and mind's direction to the floor, Nina ran towards the door in soap water, making her skid.

Her heart stopped, and her eyes tightly shut as she began to fall backward. But to her luck, a strong hand supported her and made her stand on her feet.

"Did you plan to get hurt or become sick on the first day itself?" Ace seriously looked at her.

"Bro!! Don't frighten her!" Tala pleaded, bringing out Nina from the bathroom. Nina gazed at Ace with sad eyes along the way until the door shut with a bang.

Tears fell from Ace's eyes after he closed the door.

Czar was still eating crazily. "Thalia, show me the village and the forest. I need to inform James tomorrow." She feebly uttered.

"Fine! Let's leave him here." Tala replied, viewing at Czar, who was gobbling like a mad dog.

Walking towards the jeep, parked in front of the house, "He usually respects everyone, but this is the first side I saw him behaving rudely. Sorry!!"

Nina forced a smile as a response to his sorry, on behalf of his brother. Tala stopped as they drove silently to the bottom of the hill. "We are can view the whole village and forest from the top."

Nina followed him, recalling how Ace behaved towards her in the morning. She seemed gloomy and anxious to know the reason for his behaviour, but there was no one to help her. The only person she knew was Tala, and he being Ace's brother wouldn't help.

Halting at a point, "The radius you can see from here needs to be researched or explored or investigated by you." Blinking her eyes twice, she looked around and was astonished.

"Do you mean it?" Nina asked, wishing 'NO' as an answer.

"Of course...YES," Tala chuckled.

Scratching her neck, "I have seen the measurements that James mentioned, but... I didn't think it would be this huge."

"Don't worry!! I will help you!" He assured. "By the way, you have great stamina. You walked to the hilltop without any complaints."

Hearing that, Nina looked down and gulped hard. "Did I climb all this?" She didn't even notice that as she was completely involved with Ace's thoughts and actions.

"Let's relax for some time." Tala sat and patted on the ground beside him, indicating to sit. Nina sat down with the thought that it was the best time to know what he meant when he said that it was risky to flirt with her. Repeating every incident in her mind as she walked, she found that that the question's answer would be the reason for Ace's rudeness.

"It's very nice sitting and watching the view here."

"But we can't be here alone for a long time," Tala said, looking around him.

"Why? What are you afraid of? What do you mean that it's risky to flirt with me?"

"So, you want me to woo you?" Tala said to divert the topic as it may lead to tongue slip again. But Nina was able to catch him as his face still showed a worried and panicked look. "Don't change the topic! Something is happening around which I am not aware of."

Brushing off the question, "Let's go now." As he was about the standup, Nina pulled his shirt, making him fall hard on his butt.

"Ah!! You are way too strong, lady." He groaned.

"Will you tell me now?" Nina glared at him, holding his shirt tightly. Tala frowned, "The leader wishes to marry you to his son." Replying, he boosted himself internally that he didn't lie and at the same time didn't reveal the truth.

Nina's grip loosened as she went into her thoughts, "Is the leader that powerful that you have to listen to every word of his?"

Tala nodded in agreement and stood up, cleaning the dirt on his back.

"He must have understood that I am interested in him." she thought to herself. Nina suddenly looked relaxed and angry at the same time. She was happy that Ace didn't hate her, but felt more annoyed that he was behaving rude, afraid of that old and cranky leader.

The fact that he was ignoring her because of someone was throbbing and hurting her heart badly. Why do people change themselves for others?

As she was boiling in frustration with disappointment, Ace and Czar appeared. "I came here to show her the area she should explore. She was tired, so she sat down for a bit." Tala abruptly said, looking at Czar.

Glaring at Ace, Nina got up. "Czar, Is your father, leader for me too?"

"No...He is the leader of the pack...mmm.....villagers only."

"Good! Should I be afraid of your father, like these two brothers?"

Ace seemed confused about what was going on in Nina's brain and why she was asking questions, scowling at him.

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