Shui woke up early the next morning. As he left his bed and approached the front door, he was greeted by the vibrant morning sun and the tranquil beauty the forest offered. The storm from last night had passed. What remained was the brilliance produced by the vividly blooming flowers and the rejuvenating smell of the earth. To top it all off, the little droplets on the leaves decorated the trees hence transcending the already radiant forest.
It was a blissful start. He thought. Maybe he could turn over a new leaf and live with them peacefully. He sat by the door and was wandering in his thoughts when a voice called out.
"Oh, you woke up!!." Shui looked towards his left and saw Kali returning from somewhere. He noticed that he was carrying a bag rested on his shoulders, while an axe was tied around his waist with a piece of cloth.
"Hey, where'd you go this early in the morning?" Shui inquired as Kali put down the bag by the door and was untying the axe.
"Some wood for cooking. Maki said that there wasn't much left, so I thought I'd collect some woods before I left for work." Kali replied.
"Now that you say that, where is Maki?"
"She went to the river. It is her routine to bathe and cleanse herself every morning prior to starting the day." Kali said as he unloaded the damp pieces of wood and laid them on the ground to dry. As he did, he continued,
"You know she is really stubborn, I keep telling her to let me handle the washing and all but, she wouldn't let me."
A soft wind was blowing, and accompanied by the cheerful chirping of birds, the day sure seemed promising. As Kali finished the task and sat down by Shui's side he started complaining about how Maki behaving like a spoiled brat. How once when she was to bring food to him but, stopped to play with little cats on the streets. And when she fed his food to some stray dogs and when she reached, just two buns were left. Shui intently listened to his 'Maki didn't deliver the food" tales. Well, it wasn't an exaggeration when Maki said that Kali was fond of his meals. Shui grinned within as he remembered.
Kali sighed. "But I love her a lot." Replacing his earlier childishly complaining tone was a calm and soothing temperament. "She'd always been my little sister, but, ever since that incident, when all that was left was smithereens, and we decided to live away from the village and the capital, she's been more like a dautghter to me." Kali smiled and looked in the sky, as if mumbling by himself. Shui saw that gleam in Kali's eyes. The age difference between them was evident, even Shui himself must be much younger than Kali and yet he treated him like a friend.
He felt a sense of guilt. Not that he remembered what kind of relations he shared with them but, no matter what he'd forgotten, It is crazy stupid to have left them both. Well now was not the time to dwell in some past he lost memories of, so his resolution to help them and be with them was firmer.
"Kali," with a firm tone, Shui started, "I've decided to search for work. I mean I must not sit by idly when you guys're working so hard."
"And look at you, you're old man!" Shui added with a grin.
"Taste my fist and you'd know if I'm old." smirked Kali. They both laughed heartily.
"So, how do you plan to start?" Kali was first to get back to the conversation.
"As of now, I don't know exactly, you got any ideas?"
After thinking for a while, Kali responded, "You might as well go to the capital market, there are all sorts of shops and businesses. The shop I have rented for my little business is also a part of one of the big market chains of the capital market."
"Yeah, sounds good." Shui asserted, "I should leave soon." He stood up.
"Actually, it is still too early. Ever since the new laws were initaited, the market around the capital is not to start before noon." Kali grumbled.
With a look of disbelief, Shui turned towards Kali to confirm if that was supposed to be a joke. But, his eyes didn't look like they were in the mood. Well, if it is true then it is no joke for someone who makes a living through business and trade.
"One must be an idiot if he doesn't understand how the world works and passes such laws." blurted Shui.
"You shouldn't say something like that even if we live in the outskirts of the capital and the town." Both Shui and Kali looked about at the direction, and as they'd already realised, it was Maki.
Shui smiled at her as she approached them while Kali stood astonished, his mouth agape. For the first time in almost 4 years did he see his beloved little sister walk confidently without a scarf or those ridiculously long-sleeved dress. She was wearing a traditional dress, much to her liking, the one with roses and chrysantheum woven on it by expert hands. It was her favorite dress, Kali recalled and also the last piece of work their mother had left before the palgue robbed them of her. A tear rolled down his cheeks, unnoticed. His heart felt light as if a heavy burdened was off of his chest.
"Shui! Do...does this dress look good?" Maki inquired, her tone almost quivering.
"Why, yes it indeed does. The dress looks especially good on you." Shui walked closer as he said that, oblivious of the effect of the words.
Maki's cheeks turned red, though her scars didn't let it be displayed, it didn't escape Kali's eagle eyes. As Shui reached close to remove a petal of a wild flower entangled in her hairs, Maki revolted and rushed inside the house. Shui couldn't understand and concluded that maybe she wasn't comfortable with him and so, he moved away. Only Kali knew what was going on. He burst into laughter. He was happy? Wrong. He was insanely happy! Although he's known his sister all too well, this new side of her amused him. He was too happy to contain it. And so burst out in laughter. Shui, utterly confused turned to Kali to ask what was so funny. Realising Shui was oblivious, he didn't push it. He dismissed it by saying that he was too happy to see Maki dress normally and couldn't contain it. That was convincing to Shui, though it was part of the truth, but, the actual fact lay way beyond that.
Finally Kali regained his composure and said, "As the capital market is not opening till noon would you like to help me with some chores?"
Shui confessed he would be glad.