Chapter 11

We stayed like that until my burns subsided and now that the wind hit, it felt like someone had poured ice on it. It was cool and not painful at all. I felt relaxed and Arashi put down my legs. 

He got up and took off his robe and shoes as he went to the well and cleaned himself. He took a barrel full of water and went behind the house as my eyes followed him.

He spread water on the crops. There were many small plants and beside them there were vegetable crops growing slowly. Carrots, cabbages and many as I got near.

"Have you planted them yourself?" I asked.

"Yes, I cultivate so I don't have to go buy from the market. It is far from here although some villagers help me from time to time." He put down the bucket as he added, "Mr Hiro's older son helps me with these."

Then he paused for a moment as his eyes followed his barrel and then went to the big barrel that stayed near the well. 

"So, he was trying to pull the big barrel..." He mumbled to himself as I looked at him with a pair of questioning gaze.

He pointed at the large barrel and said, "That must be the reason why he got muscle pain."

"He was trying to pull the barrel?" I asked, "What was he doing here?"

That barrel was large that even I could not pull it with all the power I had. And for a child, it was impossible.

Arashi sighed, "I had asked him to take care of my crops and plants while I am away. Maybe he thought taking the larger barrel would make his work faster." 

A small smile crept on my lips as I thought of the child's innocent stupidity. But he had taken good care of the plants as they sparkled with water bids on them. He kept his promise even though he had injured himself.

Arashi came back to the house and said, "Listen, there are some things you need to know before making yourself at home" 

I nibbled on my sleeves nervously. "Rules?" 

I hoped he wouldn't tell me not to go outside of the house. Because in my house I wasn't allowed to go outside, meet their guests and sit with them at the same table they ate. 

"No, not rules." He thought for a moment and began, "Well, maybe some rules but that's for your own safety." 

I nodded. 

"Also..." He looked at me as if he was collecting his words. "I don't have much to offer. As you can see, I do everything by myself and I expect you to do the same."

I nodded obediently. Well, I used to do everything so it wasn't a problem for me.

"And this place is old and cranky. I have fixed it but sometimes it gives problems. So I hope it would not bother you because you have lived in a good household with elite lifestyles." 

"I...I haven't lived an elite lifestyle..." Before I could stop myself, my words flew out of my mouth as Arashi raised a brow. 

"What do you mean?"

I looked down and contemplated the situation if I should tell him about the real side of my family. I took a deep breath and decided I should tell him before he assumed that I lived a great life in my father's abode.

"I have always lived in maid dorms as long as I can remember. As a daughter of a concubine, my father or the rest of the family members never treated me like I was one of them. I wore what I was given and ate what little food left after everyone was done eating." I looked at him with a small smile and saw he was surprised.

"I— if you think I lied about having my very first gift, I can assure you that I was never given new things. Not that I can remember." I looked outside as my smile still lingered on my face and I said, "No matter how old the house is, it is the most beautiful house I have ever seen. And if it breaks, I will fix it with you."

And it was a little promise from me to Arashi. I would always take care of it alongside him. He wouldn't have to do everything now that I had come. 

At that time, when I looked into his eyes, I saw a spark in them. His eyes became gentle and the corners of his lips curled up as he nodded. The surprised face he had a moment ago was long gone. 

It was the first time I saw him with a smile. A genuine smile which could melt anyone's heart as it melted mine. He looked even handsome and I was having a hard time looking away from him.

In this whole house, he was alone and taking care of it all by himself. But I promised myself that he wouldn't be alone anymore. 

"Then it's alright. Make yourself at home while I put your luggage inside." He took the luggages as he said, "Your room would be opposite of mine if something happens just in case."

I blinked my eyes and asked, "What will happen?"

"It is a forest after all. Anything can come from it. Like, ghosts or animals..." Arashi hung his words in the air as a gap parted my lips.

"G—ghosts?!"

"Yes, when this village wasn't here, I heard people were killed and buried here..." Arashi said as his face darkened and by now my hands and legs froze. I gulped down the knot that appeared in my throat.

"T—then how can you live here all by yourself?" I asked worriedly.

"Who knows..." Arashi shrugged and looked at me with a grim face, "Maybe I was too accustomed to them."

And then he left as I looked around the house with a pair of scared eyes. Now that I think about it, the house was old and empty with only Arashi and me. A shiver ran down on my spine. It did look haunted and it must be a perfect place for the g—

Wait! What did he mean by accustomed to them? Who were 'them'?

Sometime later, we both freshen up and took our baths as the sun hit noon.

Arashi and I sat in the large room just beside the veranda. He brought out some plates and placed the food which he had packed previously.

We ate in silence and he asked me suddenly, "Do you want to visit the shrine? It is not far from here."

"Yes, I would like to." I nodded and excitement rushed through me as I had visited a shrine only once. "Where is it?"

"Up in the mountain behind us." He chewed on his food and added, "Then we will go there tomorrow. Rest as much as you can. You must be tired."

"Yes."

But then I recalled, he didn't mention the rules. I forgot to ask him completely and decided to ask him in the evening.