Maruna ran to Aryan. But his steps were restrained by the village elder.
"Where are you going, Maruna?"
"Elder!" Maruna found it difficult to control his feelings of being so happy. "Aryan!"
"I know," said the elder. "But you just came back from fishing, didn't you?" she glanced at the fish on the ground that Maruna had just dropped. "Take a shower first, your smells fishy!"
When Aryan was bounced again by Rumansi and his friends, he twisted in such a way, then landed a few steps near the elder.
Maruna laughed out loud, Aryan went straight to him, and they hugged like two long-separated brothers.
"Maruna!" Aryan said.
The elder could only smile and shake her head.
"Don't worry, Elder," said Rumansi, who suddenly stood to the right of the elder. "Aryan already feels a part of us. The fishy smell won't be a problem for him."
"Don't pretend to teach me!" snorted the elder.
But the elder's sullen face was only met with laughter by everyone.
*
