It grew dark while he was lying by the riverside, his mind blank, the pot by his side. It was like a friend who'd listen to all your thoughts without judging. The stars were being engulfed by the thick, stealthy clouds as he gazed at the night sky...
He remembers nothing and yet he knew Maki's name. As if the moment he saw her, it flashed across his mind. He couldn't describe the awkwardness he felt. Everything was too weird to comprehend.
"Hah!!", he sighed, as if talking to the pot beside him, "How do I put it? It is like this moment I know nothing, but the next moment I feel I have known it forever. It's too strange. Maybe I'm going nuts."
"Oi! Idiot! You're fine lying there, but we have work from dawn," admonished a voice. Startled, he jumped to his feet and sat up straight. He turned towards the voice and saw a tall, well-built figure approaching him.
"Thanks for the morning, Kali. I am grateful to you," he admitted. Again he said something that he didn't quite understand why but, felt accurate. He didn't bother.
"Empty words don't work. You gotta show you are!" Kali grumbled as he was almost standing on top of Shui.
"Yeah, I will help you with anything you ask me. It's time I should stop fooling around.", Shui proclaimed. He resigned himself to fate for the time being. All this thinking takes a toll on his brain and gives him a headache.
"And how does sitting here with the water Maki wanted for cooking help?" Kali inquired. In a friendly tone, he continued, "Now get up and let's go home. Maki's worried."
Home! The word was comforting. Does he really have one? And are they his family? He willingly stood up and carried the pot so that the water didn't spill. Together, they set off.
The night was silent except for the occasional hooting of owls and rustling of the tall grasses. On the way, Shui gathered the courage and inquired, "What happened to Maki?" The moment the words escaped, Kali came to a halt.
"When are you leaving?" came Kali's reply in a monotonous tone.
Shui quivered. What is that about? Wasn't he supposed to be here? Isn't this his home?
"Well, don't you need to return to your distinguished business?" strained Kali.
Why would he say that? It was unnatural for the composed air he carried to get so restless. But that doesn't matter now. Why was he putting it as if he had never been part of this place? But then, what was the home stuff?
"What do you mean? Be specific! And why should I leave?" blurted Shui.
Kali's gaze softened and he looked at ease. Regaining his composure, he started, "You don't know, right? Let me tell you the fate that has befallen the kingdom four years ago." Kali narrated the incident. The rebellion that took place in the kingdom. And how the civil war killed thousands and destroyed the harvest. Everything built on the sweat and blood of the people, over the years, mixed in the smoke. And the people couldn't even mourn over the loss, as they were too busy running for their lives.
"On that fateful day, Maki was in the village near the capital and got caught up in the commotion." His voice quivered with rage as he spoke, but he went on, "That idiot even jumped into a house engulfed in flames to save a child, even when wounded..." he could no longer speak and broke down.
Shui was sweating profusely. The incident's intensity didn't bother him as much as the description. It was surreal. He could feel the misfortune like he witnessed it. Was it in that dream? His far too detailed dream felt so realistic that he dreaded even at the mere thought of it.
He vividly remembers the raging flames burning away everything on its path. The indistinct shrieks and cries of the young and grown-up alike, the chaotic scene in the village. He felt as if he had marched along those fuming villages, though what he had witnessed was a dream and things were mostly a blur. He was getting creeps of the experience of merely the dream.
He kept the thing about his dream a secret and tried to console Kali. But, he already calmed down by then. Realising they were late, they walked faster but, none of them uttered a sound.
Just when the hut was visible, Kali stopped Shui. They both could see that Maki was sitting on the door and both knew they somehow felt hesitant.
"Listen!" Kali muttered Shui's shoulder still in his grip. "I don't understand why you suddenly decided to return, but are you going to stay?" his voice was almost hushed. Since it was dark, Shui couldn't confirm but, he sensed a pleading gaze from Kali.
"Well, yes, of course," responded Shui. He didn't know why he'd leave since it didn't feel natural; for the first time, something didn't feel familiar. He felt eased. And he was certain of what he said.
Even though he didn't remember how they were related, he felt certain that he wouldn't hurt them any longer. For the first time, he felt he knew what he was supposed to do.
"Then could you ask Maki to remove her scarf and dress normally?" begged Kali. It was quite sudden, but he continued, "It is painful to watch her do all this work the whole day in those." Shui agreed with him completely. She must feel so uncomfortable with such clothes on, all day. He nodded.
As they approached the hut, Maki waved at them.
"Hey, you guys took too long for just a pot of water. Now hurry up, dinner is ready!" She called.
Shui handed over the pot to Kali walked faster and stood in front of her, confronting her. She was taken aback. Shui realised he was too close to crossing the line and backed a few steps.
"Is... is something the matter?" Maki struggled to ask, as she faced downwards. Her face red, and heart thumping.
"Look at me," Shui requested as he held her face in his hands and lifted it. "I have a request." He paused while she wondered what it might be. "Can you please dress normally, I beg you!" his voice trembled as he thought of the pain she must've faced. Yet again, Maki was taken aback. She shook off his hands and ran inside the hut.
Until now watching from a distance, Kali neared Shui and said, "Let's go in. The sky is cloudy, and the wind is strong. A storm might be coming." They head inside. ?But as Maki lay on the bed, Kali served the food for each of them and went to bed after the meal.
And since there was just one bed, Kali notified Shui that they were sleeping on the floor. Shui complied. They slept on the ground near the door between the two rooms, laying a piece of cloth beneath each.
Soon, both of them were sound asleep. But Maki was still wide awake. The clouds outside burst into rain as tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt liberated.