"This place is a bit deserted and poor compared to S City. I bet you don't like it here, right?" Kevin looked up at the sky and thought the air was fresh. Unlike big cities, life in this place was slow and quiet. Staying here was like staying in a paradise which could make people feel very comfortable.
"No. Actually, the place doesn't matter. I'm happy as long as I am with you," responded Leena before looking at the very few and scattered bungalows in the distance. She did not know that there were people living in such houses two hundred kilometers away from the city.
"Let's go!" Contented with her answer, Kevin smiled gratefully and carried all the groceries they brought with them. It was a puzzle to Leena why Kevin shopped for so many goods from the supermarket last night. She got no idea of what he was up to at all.
"Let me help you," said Leena as she reached for some bags Kevin was holding. She wouldn't mind giving him a hand with those heavy bags.
"No. I can handle these." Kevin moved the groceries away from Leena as he refused. They had to climb the hillside before them and he wouldn't want Leena to get tired. It was lucky that she was wearing flat boots today since he didn't think that high heels would make their journey easier.
"Are you sure about that?" With a mischievous stare, Leena turned her head to Kevin's handsome face.
"Yes, I am sure. I don't have the gut to lie to you anyway." The man shook his head at Leena resignedly. In fact, he came here every year and was so used to doing it. Even if he was busy sometimes, he would still find time to come to this place again.
"I know that you dare not lie to me." Leena picked up an unfamiliar grass and waved it in the air like an excited child. She was following Kevin closely and didn't even bother to ask about where Kevin was taking her. She loved Kevin and she just simply wouldn't mind wherever they went.
"You're right. Didn't you say that you were a super-woman? How dare I oppose a super-woman?" Thinking of what she had said, Kevin could not help but make fun of her.
"You bet! How far are we going to walk?" Leena felt that the road was bumpy. She had a struggle to walk, so she asked.
"Well... About half an hour. Are you tired?" Kevin glanced at her. Apparently, the main vehicle in this place was the carriage. Local villagers used carriages to pull goods, so people usually walked.
"Is it a market where we just got off?" Curiosity was all over Leena's face as she asked. She saw a lot of things on sale in that place just now. Although it looked crude there, the goods were of a wide variety.
"Yes. Villagers from dozens of miles around here usually go to that market to buy some groceries and meat." Kevin patiently answered every question she asked.
"It sounds very inconvenient," said Leena with a frown. She was used to the life in the big city and couldn't imagine this kind of lifestyle.
"Yes, but they are used to it. The local villagers are very simple. They only hope for their family to live a safe and healthy life." As Kevin spoke, a figure came to his mind and made him sigh softly.
"Is this what people say about wanting nothing?" Leena looked at Kevin as she walked, wondering why he was here.
Probably. Be careful!" It was when Leena suddenly tripped over a rock and Kevin caught her just in time. All the groceries in his hand fell to the ground.
I'm sorry," said Leena in horror. She should have fallen badly if he had not held her fast.
"Careful, okay? You will be grazed by the small stones on the ground if you fall down. I'm telling you, that will hurt." Kevin frowned as he squatted down. His mouth was shut when he began to pick what had fallen to the ground. Fortunately, it was a fine day today and it wasn't raining. Otherwise, their groceries would surely get dirty.
Let me help you." Leena squatted down too to pick up their things from the ground. She was really sorry about the accident she had caused.
The air in the country was crisp and fresh. As they were walking side by side, their shadows grew longer behind them as they were hit by the afternoon sunlight. Their love was like their shadows as it grew constantly.
A few minutes more and Leena was already dying of exhaustion. It was then that they stopped by a humble bungalow. Compared to the sparse houses before, the houses on the place were now closer to each other. This could be a small village. Their arrival attracted many locals' attention and it was really easy to see the curiosity on their faces.
"Are we there yet?" Leena looked at the house and thought that it was really shabby. A rich lady like her had never seen such a house. She didn't hate it. It was just she couldn't imagine how life was in a house like this.
Yes. Let's go in." Kevin gently opened the door of the house. The house was so battered that it squeaked as he pushed it. It was the creaking sound that caught the attention of the person inside the house. Soon enough, an old lady came out as she walked happily towards them.
"Kevin, it's you! I thought you weren't coming today." The old lady said loudly. She might look old but she was sure in very good health.
"Mamie, I'm sorry. I am late today." An apologetic smile crossed Kevin's face. Bringing Leena with him this year made him walk a little slower than usual. It used to take him only half an hour to get here alone. However, it took him more than an hour since he needed to consider his wife too.
"It's okay. You're too busy. I'm so glad you come to visit me. Who is this girl? She is so beautiful!" The old lady asked happily. Rural people were very simple. Thus, she just asked what was inside her mind immediately upon seeing Leena.