3. Valentine's Day

"Have you ever been to a Bougenville celebration? It's a famous celebration around my village. My village is not far from this forest. Only children aged twelve and over are allowed. There everyone can dance, sing and everyone has fun." Jerk enthusiastically explained and Merle just shook her head.

"I haven't been to any celebrations since I was a kid." Merle looks very sad.

"Too bad, okay! I'll be here again, we're friends now, huh?" Jerk promise.

Merle nodded even though she was filled with fear because she had just met the child. For her it doesn't matter if the boy plays again, at least Merle has someone to talk to.

On the third day, of course Jerk came again with some toys, there was a clay doll that had been clothed, there are toys made of wood, from embroidered patchwork and filled with cotton. All of them he gave to Merle. Merle was very happy and Merle still didn't dare to go out, they only talked through the window.

Once, twice, until they met many times, it turned out that Jerk always Be kind and never forget to come with a gift for Merle. This makes Merle even more believe that Jerk is a good boy who can't possibly have bad intentions towards her. Merle is getting closer to Jerk.

"When can you get out of this house? Come on, let's play outside for a while, I'll take you back to your house," Jerk said to Merle.

Merle shook her head, still unsure, "I'm afraid of being punished. My father said so." Merle still hesitated.

"What if we will serve the sentence together if you do get punished? I will say that I took you away. Then, one more week there will be a Bougenville celebration. You'll like it." Jerk didn't get tired of flirting with Merle with a lot of excitement, there seemed to be some interest in the young man who was growing up. Merle always looked charming, she was a princess, but Jerk didn't know about it, even Merle didn't say it.

"Then next month there is a Valentine's Day event, it was a very beautiful and joyful day, filled with all kinds of flowers. All teenagers from their teens attended the event. There was a gift exchange event, giving each other surprises, eating special food, then filled with singing, dancing and spending time until the morning having fun. It's all about youth themed."

Jerk's offer was enough to awaken Merle's excitement and curiosity. She smiled at the thought of an event that never happened in real life.

****

Merle and Jerk laugh happily when night falls, it turns out Jerk's plan to take Merle to the Valentine's event that he promised.

"Hee hee, I didn't expect to be able to break through the window in the middle of the night, Jerk! It feels like my soul is so loose. I'm so happy!" Merle laughed excitedly.

"Haha! I'm also surprised you can violate this rule. Even though you've been sticking to that rule for four years, trust me. Life outside is really fun. You'll definitely like it!" said Jerk as he tightly gripped Merle's cold hand.

They only use lighting in the form of oil lamps. The lamp is in the form of a container filled with oil and has a funnel in which a wick is placed to control the speed of combustion and keep the flame from burning all over the surface of the oil, enclosed in a thin transparent glass tube.

"I'm also glad you believe in me. Don't worry, the forest is safe, even though the night is so dark, but everything will be fine," said Jerk gently calming Merle's nervous heart.

"Are we coming to Valentin's show, Jerk?" Merle still hesitated.

"Of course, it's once a year. It's a lot of fun," replied Jerk.

"But ... I don't have a present, you said that this is a gift exchange event, right?" said Merle.

"Don't worry, I've prepared gifts for you. One for me and one for you." Jerk handed her a gift box which Merle didn't know what was in it.

Merle didn't want to know what's inside of the gift or even Jerk's present. What she felt was sparkling with emotion for now because she was so happy.

She broke the rules the first time, her youth was turbulent and his curiosity about the outside world was intense. They walked with gusto for an event that sounded very interesting according to Jerk's story. Of course Merle left while all the guard maids were fast asleep. Jerk also promised to send Merle home before morning so she wouldn't be caught.

The excitement of a place that is quite large is accompanied by a large yard decorated with beautiful colorful flowers. "It's true what Jerk said, this place is so lively and beautiful. So many people being happy and all of them mostly in pairs," Merle muttered to herself with excitement.

"Please cover part of your face with this cloth," Jerk ordered, handing her a piece of cloth.

"Why, Jerk?" Merle was wondered.

"Hey look! Who did the carpenter bring? Probably the massage therapist's daughter. Hahaha!" chirps a boy as Merle and Jerk pass him.

"Hahaha, or maybe she's woodcutter's daughter, who else would want to go with him?" the other chatter made Merle uncomfortable. She covered her face from nose to chin according to Jerk's request.

"Who are they, Jerk? They insulted you?"

"Leave them alone, they make loud noises in empty barrels. Children of nobility, but lack of manners." Jerk kept walking past them.

Jerk's eyes and their eyes stared at each other cynically. Merle looked at them too out of curiosity, but looked down in shame. This was the first time she had come to an event in a crowd like this, since Merle remembered that when there was a big reception or event at Dhemous's palace, Merle was always hidden in the room. She grew up to be a fainthearted, shy, and unfettered girl.