When he thought, he was capable and strong, he had become an adult man with a mighty, charming, handsome figure, and had an athletic body posture. He started looking for the woman who was always in his mind all this times, he searched, searched, and searched. He went from one village to another, from one city to another. But all to no avail.
Until one day. He walked along a path in the middle of the forest. He just wanted to hunt small animals that could fill his stomach. He kept walking, while listening to every movement around him. The forest he was now in, was a forest that was visited by many residents or even distant cities would also come here to hunt, because here there were many animals that could be hunted. From tame to ferocious animals, all were there.
He continued to walk slowly, making sure as much as possible that his footsteps did not make any sound. Slowly, from a distance he heard a faint sound. He followed the source of the sound, and soon, he found a woman, crouching, stroking a rabbit in her arms. Unfortunately, the woman back was facing against him, so he couldn't see her face.
The woman's voice sounded soft, "You're so cute," the woman murmured while stroking the rabbit in her lap. The woman was happily interacting with the rabbit in her lap until she didn't realize the danger coming towards her.
Not far from where she was crouching, behind her was a tiger. The tiger's steps were full of caution, like a predator eyeing its prey. His movements were full of calculations, he continued to step closer to the woman, until there were only three meters left. The tiger immediately jumped high, ready to pounce on the woman. but before he had time to land, to sank his sharp fangs and claws into the woman in front of him. The tiger immediately fell to the left and hit a large tree, causing a thud. So that it immediately caught the attention of the woman, who was shocked to see what happened. She immediately stood up, ready for the threat that would come, if only the tiger could still get up and attack her again.
Unfortunately, the tiger was not only unable to move anymore, but also lying limply at the foot of the tree. The next second, the woman came to her senses, she immediately looked around, only to find a man standing stunned a few meters from where she was standing, staring at her with his eyes widened, staring intently at her.
They looked at each other for a moment, the sound around them seemed to disappear instantly, time seemed to stop for a moment. The first to come to their senses was the woman, she calmed herself down, said "Hmm Sir, were you the one who just save me?" she asked doubtfully, because until then the man was still standing stunned staring intently at her. She was afraid that he didn't hear what she said.
Kendric himself came to his senses from the daze he felt. He cleared his throat "Are you okay" the words in his mind, were not in sync with his mouth, his mouth betrayed his mind. What he wanted to say was 'I was just passing by here, and seeing you in danger, I spontaneously pushed the tiger away' but now he suddenly asked about her condition. He felt like slapping his careless lips hard. But unfortunately, that could not be done in front of the woman he had been looking for. Who was now standing in front of him. Safe and sound.
"Ah, I'm fine" she answered awkwardly "Thank you for saving me" she added embarrassed by her carelessness and negligence. Not only did she endanger herself, she also endangered the cute little creature in her arms right now.
"Ah... it's nothing, I'm glad you're okay" after he finished speaking, he saw Keisha turn to the tiger with a hesitant look.
"Is he dead?" she asked hesitantly because she didn't see any blood flowing around the tiger.
"Yes" Kendric answered briefly. His gaze never left Keisha. As if he saw something very valuable. Who was afraid that if he looked away for a moment, she would disappear from his sight.
"Hmm, are you sure, sir? I didn't see any blood flowing out of his body" this time she expressed what was on his mind. Just to make sure that the tiger was dead.
"Yes, my lady" he answered firmly in a clear voice.
"Oh... don't call me that, just call me Keisha" she replied while waving her hand once in front of her chest.
Kendric smiled widely, the same attitude still unchanged. Those words were also what she said during their first meeting, he politely called her miss, but she dismissed it lightly by asking him to call her name.
"Keisha" he said while nodding his head once towards Keisha.
Keisha's eyebrows knitted together seeing Kendric's reaction "Why are you smiling widely sir?" she asked curiously, her eyes narrowed at him, sharply.
"You're still the same as before" Kendric answered, this time he walked towards the tiger and Keisha followed him walking in the same direction.
"Before? Have we ever met sir" she asked in surprise, she didn't remember ever meeting the handsome man who was now in front of her.
Kendric smiled hearing her words. "I'm Kendric" he said introducing himself while nodding his head slightly towards Keisha.
"Kendric?" Keisha muttered while frowning. Thinking hard. But still not remembering ever hearing that name.
"The starving boy you saved from being accused of stealing food at a food store" he tried to explain, unfortunately the next sentence made his heart sink.
"I helped many boys sir, so I'm sorry if I don't remember you" she answered embarrassedly. And that was indeed the truth, how could she remember out of all the boys she saved, how could she remember them one by one. Moreover, after she saved them, she only spoke for a moment then left. Without looking back. Disappearing shortly after that.
"You have a pure heart, your eyes even though they are gray but your eyes shine brightly, as bright as the full moon at night" said Kendric doubtfully, but he hoped this time she would remember him.
Keisha just stood there, her eyebrows furrowed deeply. A moment later, her face smiled widely, her eyes sparkling "Ah… that boy!" she then scanned Kendric's figure from head to toe. "You have grown up into a mighty and stunning adult man" she praised proudly. The smile on her face grew wider until it reached her eyes. "Now I remember, your name is indeed Kendric" she concluded proudly. Her memory was not that dull to forget the boy who had filled her mind for a few days after she save him.
"What should we do with this tiger?" Kendric asked, he needed to eat, but a big tiger was too much. He was not the type of man who would carry a lot of food supplies in his bag. He would only cram in enough. In times of emergency, which made it impossible for him to hunt.
"Hmm… why don't we cut it into pieces, then sell or share it at the market" Keisha said indifferently.
"Good idea, but don't you want to keep some for your food stock at home" he suggested, because he knew, everyone who entered this forest was to hunt. Seeing that she had not caught her hunt. So, he asked, guessing and suggesting.
"Ah… you're right again, thank you for sharing it with me. Okay, set aside some for me then". Both of them laughed out loud. Then they both worked together to cut the tiger into small pieces and took them to the market.
"Kendric" Keisha's voice and the gentle caress of her hand, woke him up from his reverie, remembering the past.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" he asked with a shy smile.
"I called you several times, but you didn't respond" Keisha answered who was still sitting on his lap.
"I'm sorry" he replied softly.
"It's okay, I'm fine now, let's eat, otherwise the food will get cold and not tasty" Keisha invited who started to get out and stand up from Kendric's lap. Not only did she fail to stand up, but Kendric's embrace on her waist also tightened. "I need to sit on a chair so I can eat comfortably, Ken" she added, hoping that the handsome man who was currently hugging her would understand and let her go.
"You can still eat on my lap" Kendric replied with a naughty grin on his face.
"You're taking advantage of me" Keisha protested trying to free herself from Kendric's embrace, but her efforts were in vain.
"Let me feed you, my sweet rabbit" Kendric decided, he always liked it when she felt embarrassed like now. He enjoyed teasing her further.
Keisha could only give in, letting Kendric feed her until all the food on her plate was devoured by her, mouthful by mouthful.
They ate in a happy and harmonious atmosphere. And Kendric just released Keisha from his lap after he made sure all the food on her plate was finished.