It may be a teasing criticism or compliment from Arlo, Seeing Sky's reaction, Sam preferred to slip off again.
After the Staring game, Arlo spoke, "Don't you think your reaction is too strong towards me?"
Yes! She knew that. It wasn't like she wanted to behave like that. In fact, she knew well how much she was also getting affected by it but she didn't know how else to react to him.
"Are you expecting me to sweet talk with you?" Her tone wasn't cold as before but it had no emotion.
Arlo didn't show any reaction on his face but seeing his downcasting eyes Sky felt bad. Then she softened her voice, "Let me take it slow. I need time." She couldn't understand why she every time didn't like to see him blue.
Arlo gave a slight nod and saw her going towards Joe. He knew something was amiss but he couldn't get hold of it. Even though he didn't want to think about what she had written in her diary, her behavior made him think she had somebody in her heart who she hadn't moved on yet.
Festival was started off with prayer standing in front of a big tree little away from huts. Sky got a VIP position everywhere due to her headgear. Initial she wasn't comfortable then she got used to it.
It was followed by their traditional dancing, folk song, food, water game on the river, special talent exhibition followed by the dinner. Sky had to pose here these other than candids.
Sky had to be in the same dress throughout the day and by evening, she started to feel cold. Somebody passed her shawl which looked like silk but it was thick and warm.
After dinner, Sky finally got to remove her heavy headgear from which her neck was paining. She returned everything first before sitting to remove her nonunderstandable hairstyle.
Seeing her frustrated look untying her hair, Arlo helped her. With duo's efforts, it took them more than twenty minutes then her hair was bird's nest.
"Brother Joe! They ruined my hair and my neck. (fake sobs)" Making a pitiful face she untangled with her fingers first then with a brush.
Her soft, silky hair had become messily volumized hair. She braided and sat quietly cursing the hairstylists. Suddenly feeling a warms touch on her back of the neck. Sky jumped off in fright and sighed seeing Arlo.
"Don't tell me that you were trying to strangle me?" Sky asked patting on her chest.
Arlo pulled her to sit, "You said your neck is sore."
"Oh!" Arlo used only his thumbs curling the rest of the finger and massaged two pressure points in circular motions.
Joe stood up and excused himself as he had some work with the other four and left.
Sam also stood up saying he was going for a walk.
"Sam! the whole day we walked around. What are you going out for? I will come too." Sky quickly said.
Sam replied with a straight face before exiting, "I want a peaceful walk, not your chatter."
"Hey!..." Sky saw him exiting and her voice faded slowly. "...I can walk silently."
Arlo knew they just gave a random excuse but he had no plan to talk or do anything. Because, the lesser the talk, both would be fine.
Sky was dead tired. She had cupped her face, supporting both hands-on legs, sleepiness overtook soon. Sensing it, he woke her up and helped her to get into her sleeping bag and zipped.
She soon fell asleep. Arlo went out, took out his cigarette and realized lighter was in his bag. Instead of going back, He went near fire camp and lighted it. He took a sniff as he went around fire camp and noticed Sam sitting playing with his mobile.
The latter saw a cigarette in Arlo's hand and vaguely said keeping his eyes on mobile, "Sky! doesn't like it." Sky had kicked him out of the car when he had smoked before driving her home.
Arlo paused for a second before throwing cigarette to fire including the packet. He didn't usually smoke, it would be very rare. But after hearing Sam, he decided to quit.
That night hardly any of those slept except Sky and Sam. Arlo had hundreds of things in mind. Joe and the group were discussing till three before sleeping for an hour or two.
The next day they checked out the place. Sky had to give her shampoo and body wash to the ladies who were asking numerous questions about how she took care of her skin and hair.
She wasn't treating her skin or hair anything special. So instead of replying, she gave it and left. On the way, she continued to gather tiny flowers and leaves.
The return route was planned by folks which were difficult but they took two days to return to their place instead of two and a half.
It was eight in the evening when they reached the car. Everyone's phones were buzzing receiving week-long messages.
Sky had received a location and message from David saying there was a recuperating place which was a manor. It was just an hour of distance for their current location.
Hearing them saying to take motels or drive throughout the night, Sky asked Joe, Sam and Arlo calling them aside. "Brother Joe, Dad has a manor nearby." Sky said and showed the location. Since their plane was next day night, they could rest and leave.
"Okay, We will go there. I will ask these to settle in motels for the night." Joe said and left towards teammates.
They agreed and left. Sam asked in the car, "Sky! You bought a villa in country Y when you opened a branch. Why manor this far from the city?"
"According to Brother Jai, Dad buys a new place or places on my birthday every year. This must be one of those. If I ask anything to him, Dad brushes off saying ' You will get know soon. ' He is filthy rich and good at squandering money."
Joe and Sam laughed at her lines and looking at her expression. She was saying as if David was a spoiled rich brat who was wasting his money on casinos or on women.
Seeing Joe laughing, She narrowed her eyes at him, "And your friend wanted to buy me for just three villas, few shares and a billion. He is such a dumba*s."