Chapter 10: Being in Your World

It's almost late afternoon and Anna keeps glancing at the willow tree from her bedroom window. She is waiting for Caspian. She plans to tell him about her past even if she herself does not fully know everything. She just needs to share to him this important thing about herself.

It feels strange that Caspian hasn't visited her for a week since the morning when he joined her family for breakfast. That was the day when she found out from her parents their secret about her.

After that long day of going about their routine in silence, Anna told Jo what she learned. Of course her best friend is the first person she would confide to.

"So, what do you plan to do now?"

Anna recalls Jo's comment. Her friend seems calm too about the whole thing. It is as if she knew Anna was really not ordinary. Her best friend has always been very accepting of Anna. Jo never has any reservations even when she sees or experiences anything unusual or strange about her.

Anna didn't give her best friend any reply because she herself didn't know what to do either.

Learning about her mysterious past made things even harder now that it was sixteen years ago. She didn't know what to do next.

"When I get back we will try to solve this together," Jo promised. This made Anna calm down a little.

But how can she solve anything? Even her Popsie and Marmee have no idea who left her in the first place. Where should she start? Are her parents still alive?

Anna plans to tell Caspian about it but unfortunately, he has not gone to their tree yet. Come to think of it, she doesn't know exactly where he lives. He only mentioned about living in the valley beyond the forest.

She does not think that it is a good idea to go to him because her parents might have the impression that she ran away. That will surely break their hearts.

Why would she do such a thing when it's her Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose who cared for her and who took her in when she was unwanted by her own parents!

Anna gives a long sigh and glances at her reflection with a frown on its face too. She feels a bit thankful for having this weirdness with her. In a way, she does not feel alone in this situation. She can talk to her anytime she feels like it.

"Put it this way. We don't know the whole story yet, right? Who knows? We might be royalty or something like that. Don't over think stuff. It's exhausting!" Anna's reflection advises her.

A movement near the willow tree catches Anna's attention. She takes a peek from her window and there is Caspian! Unmistakably it's him on his brown getup again. This made her grin.

"We have to cut our discussion short. Let's talk later. I will see Caspian first."

Anna waves to her reflection and exits her room.

She takes the steps down two at a time, in a rush to go outside.

Marmee Rose and Popsie Reed stare in surprise while she hurries to the door.

"Where are you going, Anna?" Popsie Reed asks quickly.

"Just outside, Popsie. Caspian is there!" Anna answers.

"Be back by dinner time, okay?" Marmee Rose reminds her.

Anna nods while blowing a kiss towards the direction of her very understanding parents, as she closes the door behind her.

Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose smile at each other. They are both giving Anna some space to sort out her thoughts after what she has learned about her past. They are both unhappy for Anna because they know nothing more besides how Anna came to them. As her parents, that is enough, but they understand that for Anna, it's not. She will never feel complete not knowing who she really is.

Seeing Anna excited just now is enough to make them smile a bit. They are both worried that she might run away after their talk. Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose know that Anna does not belong to them. They are resigned to the fact that someday she will eventually leave. For now, they are content that she chooses to still stay with them.

"Let's have dinner outdoors, Reed. I know you will love to watch the sunset. Anna will... She can join us, if she prefers to." Marmee Rose suggests.

"That's a great idea, honey! Maybe Caspian can join us as well. I am definitely positive Anna will be delighted."

Popsie Reed agrees.

Popsie Reed starts carrying the collapsible bench again towards the door.

Marmee Rose goes back to her cooking. Her chicken stew is almost ready.

Popsie Reed glances at the willow tree. He sees Caspian and Anna sitting under the fading shade of the tree. The light of the sun is slowly disappearing.

"Hey kids! How do you like to have dinner with a view of the sunset? It's the best in town!" Popsie Reed hollers jokingly from across the street.

Caspian and Anna shout at the same time, "Great idea!" They stand and approach Popsie to give him a hand in fixing the outdoor bench.

Anna goes inside to check on Marmee Rose's cooking.

She thought that she is really blessed with such generous parents.

Anna comes out carrying plates and cutlery with Marmee Rose behind her. Marmee Rose slowly places down the steaming chicken stew.

Both Popsie Reed and Caspian sniff with a grin. That chicken stew really smells delicious.

So there they are the four of them seated to share a chicken stew dinner with a view of a beautiful sunset. Truly, Popsie Reed is right. It is the best kind of dinner in town.

While eating, Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose can't keep themselves from stealing glances at Caspian and Anna.

The two appears to be enjoying each other's company so much that they are oblivious that both Marmee and Popsie are in front of them.

Anna is recounting her school experiences to Caspian. She talks excitedly about the discoveries she learns in her Botany course and Caspian listens very intently, catching every detail Anna is narrating.

Popsie Reed winks secretively to Marmee Rose. The two starts to get up and tidy the bench.

"You two should enjoy the view. Marmee and I can handle this." Popsie Reed tells Anna and Caspian when both attempt to stand and help them clean up.

"Thank you, Popsie for the amazing food and view," Caspian replies with gratitude.

Anna gives an appreciative smile to her parents.

When Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose finally finish cleaning up, both excuse themselves and stay indoors.

Anna gives a long sigh. Caspian takes her hand and stays silent in that fashion.

"What is going on with you, Caspian? Why didn't you visit me for a week? Is something wrong?"

Anna floods Caspian with questions.

Caspian looks at Anna and replies,

"I have been busy in the valley. I'm sorry I made you worry. Things are a bit serious there at the moment."

"I wish I can stay here with you like this," Caspian continues, while staring at Anna.

"You are so lucky to have your Popsie and Marmee and this place. It is so peaceful here."

Caspian utters looking very gloomy.

Anna looks at Caspian in deep thought. She suddenly feels her concerns may not be as big as Caspian's with the kind of expression he has on his face right this moment.

"I wish I can be in your world all the time." Caspian whispers as if in lament. He gazes at the direction of the forest.

"What do you mean my world?" Anna clarifies meaningfully.

Caspian's words somehow convey some underlying meaning with it.