Chapter 257 - Home In Molave 3

Hayri only allowed occasional trots until Jane dispelled her fear of falling down from a horse. Once they reached the end of the trail where signages warned them not to go beyond, they dismounted from the horse. Not far from them, they could hear laughter from the group, especially Cherry's high-pitched one.

"Jane! Hayri! Come over here," Cherry's voice echoed against the surrounding hills. The group had already laid out their mattress and feasted on the snacks and drinks they brought along with them.

Hayri and Jane spread their own blanket beside theirs while Cherry started narrating about her excitement in having been able to ride a horse. Jane gaped at her as Hayri only let their horse walk on its four legs.

"I love it when the horse galloped! I felt like an expert," boasted Cherry, her eyes bulging out of its sockets as she recalled the thrill.

"I wish Jane is as daring as you, but she only galloped with her books," Hayri replied, taking his cold drink in one gulp. He then adjusted his distance from Jane then laid down his head on her lap.

The group laughed at his joke, making Jane feel uncomfortable. Hayri must have seen her reaction that he reached out a hand to pinch her nose, placing his sunglasses afterward to shield him from the direct glare of the sunlight.

"Stop it!" Jane complained laughing, swatting his hand away, but Hayri kept on teasing her until she pinned both of his hands to the ground. She did not realize that the force she exerted moved her face closer to him. Jane straightened up and pretended to be tired once she felt him staring into her face. Hayri stopped struggling as well, but he still held her left hand as he closed his eyes

Jane felt something strange at Hayri's treatment on her lately. He was sweeter than before and more caring towards her. Yet, she tried to ignore it and refused the thought that his actions suggested a different meaning. He was just a best friend, and she should not allow another mistake to happen. It was not easy to overcome the affection she had with Ajie once it started to bloom. No one knew about her struggle in accepting that he was no longer a fiance but a brother.

After a few minutes of chatting under the tree, which overlooked the lush plains and hills below, one in the group decided to go back and do another activity. Cherry leaped to her feet and rubbed her hands to shake off the grains of soil in her hand.

"Let's go zip lining!" Cherry suggested with her loud and cheerful voice, urging everyone to stand up. In a blink of an eye, they all tucked their mattresses and food packs into their bags except Hayri and Jane.

"Louise, let's go," Jane urged, tugging his shoulder to wake him up.

Hayri replied only with a groan, so Jane shook his shoulders again.

"Guys, go ahead. I'm still sleepy. I might fall on the horse," Hayri replied in a sleepy voice, still with closed eyes.

"Okay. Don't take long," Cherry replied and shrugged her shoulders. She couldn't let her excitement die with Hayri's lack of enthusiasm.

Once the sound of the hooves faded away, Jane shook Hayri's shoulders again. "Louise, let's go. It's scary to be alone here."

"Give me more five minutes."

"Five minutes, then."

Jane sighed as she watched Hayri closed his eyes again. She looked around and then realized that they were too far away from the town below. The few buildings looked like small blocks the size of a match. The sea behind it looked like a pale outline, separating itself from the horizon. The only noise she could hear was the chirpings of the birds and the hissing sounds of some insects she could not identify. 

Jane couldn't imagine that this was the place where Ajie grew up. She liked solitude in a serene haven at times, but to live for quite a number of years without the comfort of civilization must already be sickening. As she got lost in her thoughts, a sound of rustling leaves jolted back her attention. She stared at the direction of the rustling waves, but there was no one around, even a stray animal. She started to get afraid, and she woke Hayri again.

"Louise, my thighs are getting numb already," Jane lied; there was really something strange in the environment.

Hayri forced his eyes to open up. He moved to his side, then with one hand on the ground, he lifted his body. Sitting this time beside Jane, he roamed his eyes beyond the hills and felt the deafening silence around them. He was quiet for a while, as if he got lost in his thoughts. When he opened his mouth to speak, Jane got taken aback.

"Jane, tell me. Have you moved on?"

Jane did not answer for a few seconds. She was too lost for the right words. "I must."

"That's not my question. You know what I mean," Hayri insisted, not smiling at all.

"I have because I knew it from the beginning that everything between us was just plain friendship. Adrian never promised anything even after committing to the engagement."

Hayri did not say a word for a while, but he replied with a nod. He seemed to be contemplating something.

"How about you?" Jane added to fill in the silence.

Hayri smirked and chuckled afterward. "It was difficult at first because I never thought she is married, but distance and hard efforts did some wonders. I can finally look at them in the eyes. And I learned that acceptance is the key."

"That's right," Jane agreed with a pursed smile, and Hayri held her hand. Whatever Hayri implied with his touch that made her uncomfortable, Jane forced her mind to believe that it meant nothing else.

Just as Jane was about to stand up, the rustling of the leaves got louder, and a man came out from the thick foliage. Jane's heart almost jumped out in fear as she saw that the man was holding a gun in his right hand. Hayri was also quick to straighten up and pulled Jane close to him.

"I don't mean any harm but in one condition," the man said, running his sharp gaze at them.

"My people call me Mr. Blacksmith," he continued, not leaving their eyes even for a second.

Hayri tightened his hold on Jane's hand. He knew who was Mr. Blacksmith, the greatest protector of the most active insurgents of the country known as 'The Velvet Fighters'.

"Mr. Blacksmith, may we know the condition?" Hayri dared to ask without a hint of fear in his eyes.

Hayri's expression showed that he was familiar with the movement Mr. Blacksmith was in. He then moved his eyes and glued it to Jane.

"Save my son."