The rain finally settled, and slowly the downpour from the heavens turned into little run-offs on earth. As the breeze of the late summer began to sweep the valley, with it the clouds drifted behind the ridge.
" We should get back," I whispered and pushed myself off the ground to stand up.
The petrichor scent wafting in the air was a soothing balm to my senses and the only thing that filled the silence between us.
" We need to put some distance between us," I felt my eyes sting at my own admission.
" Will I still see you or you'll avoid me like the plaque?" I felt his chest press against my back, and his hands on my shoulders.
" No," I whispered," Just like you, I need time to think things through. I can't do it around you. I find it confusing," I admitted with a breath of relief, just as a ray of light pierced through the clouds.
" Take as much time as you need," He said as he kissed my hair.
" It's time," He said as he let go of me, and I felt once again the tug on my heartstrings at the loss of his touch. There was no silver lining. I was torn between letting go and holding on.
I had to make one last effort to let him go. I wasn't quite sure if I could.
" Hold on tight," He said as he helped me mount the horse," This is only my second time riding a horse," He chuckled, as he wrapped one hand around my waist.
" In that case, I think I should walk back to the farm," I said glancing at him over my shoulder, and watched him smirk at me.
" We will be fine, Lily," He amusedly said, and before I had a chance to retort he spurred the horse.
I braced myself against the saddle, as we galloped over the rolling hills of Niat Valley. Once again, I felt the wind bite my skin and a sense of freedom that I had longed for my entire life.
When the farm came into view, we dropped to a canter, and I released his hand from mine. I didn't quite dare to look at him. The longer we were together the harder I found it to let go.
Rushing through the garden, Aurora came to greet us halfway," Thank goodness you are both safe and sound," She chuckled, relieved, as Mason jumped off the horse.
" I'm sorry about Zola," I said as I climbed off the horse, guilty as a thief. It was my fault that the horse had run off.
" Oh, don't worry about it. Zola will return. She runs off every other day. I'm sure she will come back by nightfall. Come, let's get you two inside. I'm sure you're famished, and in desperate need of something hot," Aurora candidly said, as we stepped inside the farm.
" I'm Nathan. Pleased to finally meet you," The man with brownish red hair and daunting green eyes greeted.
" Lily. Once again, I'm truly sorry about the horse," I couldn't stop apologising. Zola appeared to be an expensive horse.
" Don't worry about Zola. She will come back. She always does. I dislocated my shoulder the other day trying to ride her. I'm surprised that you've escaped unharmed. Come through, this way. Everyone is having some refreshments," He said as he waved us towards what appeared to be a dining room.
Enid jumped to her feet," Dear god. I thought something was happened to you two. You've been gone for so long," Enid worriedly said as we stepped inside, and I glued myself to the fireplace.
" We waited for the rain to stop," Mason was the one to reply as he took a seat next to Enid and Thaddeus on the sofa.
" It chucked it down, didn't it? Mina is with the horse right now, and the vet going through the last checks. I'm sure you are anxious to get back home," Nathan chimed in as he offered me a plate with a sandwich on it and a cup of tea.
" It has been quite a day, " Enid sighed, sipping on her cup of coffee.
" Everything is ready. I hope you have enjoyed mooching off these lovely people, but I'm afraid that is time to get going," Will interjected in a very crusty manner, as she kept waving us off towards the door.
" Why is nobody moving? We are going. Put your sandwiches, and coffees down and go, go, go," Will carried on in a joking manner and raised her hands in surrender when everyone just stared at her.
" Will, you are my sister and I love you dearly, but you can't speak to people like that. We are not cattle," Thaddeus interjected in an admonishing tone, as he stood up and joined his sister.
Will deflated and scoffed, as she stomped her feet towards the sofa and took a seat.
" Can we go now?" Will asked as she stood up the moment Thaddeus sat down next to her.
" I'm ready to go, " I said as I pushed myself off the fireplace, leaving the plate and my coffee cup on the coffee table.
" Finally!" Will victoriously exclaimed.
" I'll see you at home," I said to Enid and Mason. I had no idea if that would be the case. I had no intention of doing so.
" I'll see you at home dear. Make sure you eat something," Enid lovingly said while Mason nodded. I said my peace to him, and at that moment there wasn't anything left to say.
We said our goodbyes to Aurora and Nathan, and we made our way to the car with the horse box attached to it. It was a perfect ending for a day that had started in the worst possible way