"It is my desire to be with you," Ai softly whispered, tickling Muren's ears with such a breathtaking voice.
They have been continuously meeting in her place because of Madam Lumen's disapproval against her.
"I have tried, love, asking mother countless times why she despises you, but she would not speak of it!"
Ai slowly caressed her lover's shoulder intimately and gently.
"Maybe she is in need of time."
"But there has been plenty of time already! We must make a choice!"
Ai stared at him with bright, innocent eyes – a woman's fragile approach to the man's heart, silently questioning and beguiling.
"We shall be together," Muren decisively said. His eyes were like that of a hawk, sharply gazing at the goal intensely with determination and resolve.
That day, Muren decided to talk with his mother one more time in hopes that the unpredictable wind might blow some unexpected turn of events, but none of those hopes had been fulfilled.
He was only left disappointed and further disheartened with his mother.
She was as still as the great war, never ending with the stubborn standing they have taken.
Muren and his mother argued and argued, pushing and pulling to one side, then to another only to return to the staggering lost land. They shouted at each other and fought with the clashing opinions, shooting like loud gunshots to the point that the guards had to forcibly enter their household to see what was going on.
They caught the mother and son yelling angrily at each other, their hearts beating without synchronization or harmony at all. The guards had to intervene in their personal affairs as it was affecting the neighborhood and the peace among the villagers.
Everyone went out of their houses with their curious gazes striking them like small shrapnel, scratching what seemed to be an unfamiliar scene.
Everyone in that block knew how much of a loving son Muren had always been and it had been truly a shock to see such event.
In the end, they agreed that the thought of nothing was always as it seems.
"You are not my son any longer!" Madam Lumen went on yelling at him. "Get out of the shell of my true and tender son! You are not Muren! It's that witch, isn't it?! That wench dared possess my dear son!"
Her blabbers were dismissed as mere ramblings of an angry old woman arguing with her son.
That same day, Muren packed all his belongings and immediately ran towards Ai's residence.
She was surprised to see him as they had not agreed to meet that day, but she was pleased.
She welcomed him with warm accommodation and delicious food.
He then explained what had happened back at their household and had to decide for himself.
He informed her that he will be staying with her forever in her residence and become her loving husband.
Such an announcement struck a bittersweet chord for her, according to her expression.
"But how about your mother?" She worriedly asked. "She must be anxious where you are staying! Have you not told her about this place?"
"But that might put you in danger, Ai. I can never let it happen."
"Oh, my dear," She cupped his face with warm, tiny palms. "Do call me Airen from now on. If I must receive thee as my husband, I shall accept the name of your clan."
"Very well, my beloved Airen. We shall be happy from now on too. I will take you on as my responsibility and love you for the rest of my life. We shall be together until our world breaks free from this great war."
"Yes, of course. And I shall love you forever too."