Chapter 017 Change Clothes
Halvir got out of the river after catching three big fish. After bathing and catching fish, Halvir climbed to a drier place, put the cleaned fish on a leaf and gathered twigs to make a campfire. Anindira, who had also finished bathing, immediately climbed up following Halvir.
''You didn't change your clothes?''
Halvir was surprised to see Anindira soaking wet with her old clothes that were torn here and there.
''Ehmh... that... later at home, I'll change clothes,'' Anindira answered while looking down shyly.
''Why do you have to wait until later?'' asked Halvir with an unhappy face, ''Did you forget to bring the clothes I gave you earlier?!'' asked Halvir probingly, ''Don't you like them? I'll find another one later, one that suits your taste...'' said Halvir in a slightly high tone but still trying to maintain his intonation so that Anindira wouldn't be afraid.
''Kak Halvir, sorry... No, it's not like that,'' said Anindira in surprise, ''I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you...'' said Anindira again with a worried face, ''What you gave me is more than enough. I'm very grateful, I sincerely say it,'' said Anindira, explaining, she was afraid that Halvir would be offended by her actions, ''It's just... That... Here...'' said Anindira with her head lowered and her voice stuttering, she was embarrassed because she had bothered Halvir a lot.
''What's wrong?'' asked Halvir, he felt sorry for seeing Anindira nervous, ''Come on, tell me!'' said Halvir firmly, ''I won't know if you just keep quiet,'' said Halvir, who then shouted to remind Anindira to say whatever she wanted.
''Um... Kak Halvir... That... There's no place to change clothes here, I... I don't feel comfortable taking off my clothes in the open place,'' said Anindira, answering with a blushing face.
Anindira's answer shocked Halvir and embarrassed him at the same time. He forgot that Anindira was a woman.
So far, Halvir had been so comfortable with Anindira that he forgot that the person he was with now was a woman, not a man. He had lived alone for more than forty years, not used to the presence of other people. Moreover, so far, most women have always seemed uncomfortable with him. He didn't interact much with women and even avoided them, except with Ezra and Zia.
''No, that... I'm sorry Anindira, I... really forgot...''
Halvir was awkward with embarrassment even though his face showed almost no expression.
Halvir immediately got up and looked here and there, then took Anindira behind a large tree with lush bushes.
''Change your clothes here!'' Halvir shouted in an order, ''Don't worry, I'll be on guard here!'' Halvir added to Anindira, then stood in front of her.
''Here?!'' Anindira shouted, answering Halvir while frowning.
''Um!'' Halvir exclaimed, answering with a nod, ''You'll get sick if you don't change your clothes soon. Don't worry, I'll guard you here,'' Halvir continued.
Anindira's forehead wrinkled even more, her face sour and her eyes slightly bulged. She looked at Halvir with an unhappy expression, then snorted very sharply in annoyance.
Halvir could clearly see that Anindira was in a bad mood right now. But, he casually ignored it. In Halvir's culture, Anindira was his. But Anindira, who came from another world, didn't understand that.
''Why?!'' Halvir exclaimed, he didn't understand, but he knew Anindira was upset with him now, ''If you don't talk I won't know...'' Halvir continued, because Anindira was silent and just stared at him with an annoyed face while continuing to grumble.
''I'll... I'll change clothes, but why does Kak Halvir have to be here?!'' Anindira asked curtly.
''If I'm not here, how am I going to take care of you?!'' Halvir replied casually and innocently.
''AAHH!!'' Anindira screamed with a frustrated face, ''Annoying!'' Anindira exclaimed. She was getting more annoyed seeing Halvir's innocent attitude, ''That means Kak Halvir will be the one to see me?!''
''What's wrong with me seeing you?'' Halvir asked in response to Anindira's statement. Still with his flat face, which was without any feelings of guilt.
Halvir could clearly see that Anindira's emotions were in a bad state. But his ego as a man ignored it because he felt he hadn't done anything wrong.
''HA?!'' Anindira exclaimed furiously! Between anger and confusion, Anindira responded to Halvir, who looked innocent even with his handsome face, ''OF COURSE IT'S WRONG!!!''
''Does it have to be said as clearly as possible?!'' Anindira exclaimed in her heart. She was really annoyed with Halvir's behavior now, ''Why does it have to be explained? Shouldn't he know that women can't be NAKED IN PUBLIC?!''
''What's wrong if I'm your guardian, Anindira?!'' Halvir said firmly.
''Hah?! What is a guardian?... What do you mean? What?...'' Anindira asked in her heart, she was annoyed and wanted to end this debate, ''Ah!... Never mind…''
''OKAY!'' Anindira exclaimed curtly, turning Halvir's body so that he stood with his back to her, ''Don't turn around before I give permission, understand!''
Halvir just nodded at Anindira's command.
After a long debate, they finally sat in front of the fire and grilled fish.
Anindira wore Halvir's top which looked exactly like an oversize housedress on her small body. Anindira kept raising her collar, which always went down and showed her shoulders, because her shirt collar was too big.
''Sorry, hold on a little, I know it's uncomfortable... I'll prepare everything you need as soon as possible,'' Halvir said, showing a slightly gloomy face seeing Anindira's discomfort wearing her oversize clothes.
Anindira could only nod with a feeling of shame and a hurt heart. If this were in her world, she would definitely reject it. But now, this is all she can do to survive. Reluctantly, she has to face the wall to accept everything, relying entirely on Halvir, who is in fact a stranger to her.
Three months of traveling in the forest gave her more than enough experience and lessons. No matter how strong she is, she will not survive even a day alone in the forest.
During the three months, they did not face a smooth journey without obstacles. There were many wild animals lurking and ready to prey on them at any time. Not once or twice were they blocked by wild animals on their journey. Even several times, Halvir had to face packs of wild dogs, as well as packs of wolves that always ended up leaving several wounds on his body.
Even if there were Anindira's older brothers, they probably still would not survive. The size of the wild animals here is bigger than the size of the animals in her world. Anindira saw a group of mammoths. Even Sabertooth has been blocked and ended up being skinned by Halvir. There are also squirrels and rabbits, so one of their mainstay food menus while in the forest.
The more Anindira realized the state of the world, the more Anindira was bound and dependent on Halvir. For three months, Anindira began to realize the feelings in her heart. Day by day, admiration grew in her heart, not only because of his strength, but also because of his character.
Many times Halvir was naked in front of Anindira, it was clear that it always made Anindira's heart beat fast. However, Halvir only made physical contact when necessary. More to keep Anindira comfortable. In the end, it formed an admiration that made her fascinated.