Laundry day. My favorite day. The smell of freshly washed bed sheets and pillowcases, my heart bloom in a flowery mood.
Ever since the heart-to-heart talk with Khittan, things have been getting better. I still have some time to talk with Jun. Even celebrates his team's music chart win. Khittan seems to be very supportive as well. He even suggested I make a mini banner when I told him I was having a video call to celebrate the team.
I sense a great signal between us; me and Khittan. We understand each other even more than before. I feel much better with or without him around. He finally understood my need to live in simplicity. So, no more maids and bodyguards that tail me 24 hours. I am free even though I am stuck at this mansion.
My issues with my family seem to be in a daze. Still, I'm waiting patiently for my freedom. Being kept in this mansion makes me value freedom and life even more than before. Every day is meaningful, unlike what I used to be. Never have I ever wake up every morning and wonder, what's in my schedule for that day.
Khittan... Still paying a visit, at least thrice a week. To ensure my well-being, check my food stocks or... Just talking and spending time like two adults. There is no title in this relationship; it's never been a couple nor a best friend. Just two people who respect each other's space and place.
I put the laundry basket on the ground, and straighten the fabric by swatting those wrinkles away. It's good that this mansion still has an outdoor clothesline. Having fabric dried by the Sun kills germs and improves the quality of the bedsheet.
I stroll along the clotheslines and make sure every sheet is neatly placed on the line. I brush the fabric with my finger, enjoying the morning sunshine. And then I remembered that I needed to collect the sheet that I washed yesterday at the other clothesline area. They must be dry by now.
I almost forgot and left them too long under the sun. So, I should better hurry!
I pull the red sheet from the end of the clothesline towards the other end of the clothesline. As I move to the other side of the clothesline, I hastily put the chest on the basket, never paying attention to my front.
The wind blows. The sheet flutters and brushes my face. I dodge it while chuckling, trying to fight the wind that blows.
That's when my eyes lock onto someone. A person who stands in front of me. Right at that moment, somehow the cloud overshadowed the sun and the air seemed chilly and a bit dark.
I can hear my heart beating hard. And voices behind my back.
:::
"Malady! Stop running!"
The foot moved even faster and slicker than before. There were shoe prints everywhere on the sandy ground. I could see a small gate just right in front of me.
"Malady! Stop!"
I chose to ignore the calling. Try to make my escape from the compound. It's been three days since they kept me in my room. I wanna go out and meet my friends, enjoy the lantern festival in the town.
Today, I'll make it for sure!
I saw a small area. A tall wall divided us. There was a small gate. I know, as soon as I pass this gate, I'll guarantee my freedom. Sneakily, I push open the gate and duck myself inside the area.
The compound of my house was huge till I didn't even know what is it in this area. There were lots of juts and silks arranged on the table under the floating house. That small house was supported by lots of pillars. There were two, or three lines of huge urns being arranged at the other side of the house.
I guess I'm at the fabric house. I have never been to this site before. Everything looked fresh and bright. There's a huge urn of dye, waxes, and lots of wooden plates scattered on the ground. There were clotheslines where they hung the fabric to dry. It's colorful like a splash of color at the sky.
"Malady! Lady Karin!"
I quickly took a hide between the fabric at the clothesline. They might not have noticed me by now. I ran in tiny steps and kept looking back just in case they managed to find me.
"Ah!" I yelped a bit when I felt like my body collided with something. I turn around with a worry in my face. They might find me now!
A man, in a purple outfit, looked at me puzzled. I almost tripped my own feet when he managed to grab my waist and save my ass from kissing the ground.
That's when he pulled me tightly into his embrace. Our eyes lock each other. I could feel the heat of his breath grazing my forehead.
"Lady Karin!" the voice was getting near. My eyes round while looking at the man. He slowly turned my body to the other side, now my back was facing his body. Then, he turned his body so his back facing the voice that coming towards us. He cupped my mouth with his huge palm so I wouldn't make a sound.
"Lady... Your Highness!" the voice halted. He turned his head to the side.
"What are you doing here?" his voice sounded dark and grim. I had goosebumps just to hear the vibration.
"We... We were looking for a lady. I mean, Lady Karin. Have you seen a lady passed by the area, Your Highness?" it's my nanny. I could recognize the voice immediately.
"No," the man replied in short.
"What are you doing here, sire?" the guard inquired.
"How dare you question me?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness!" fear sipped in, making me feel chill to the bone.
"Leave," they immediately fleet the scene once he dropped his dictate. When he noticed no one was there, he slowly let me go.
"Thank you," I bowed at him a bit. When I look up, I can see his clear and fair skin with a pair of slanted eyes. He looked like a cat. The cute one. Fiesty but cute.
"Are you Lady Karin? Or her maid?" he asked. I fidget a bit. Unable to talk. Maybe I got lovestruck because my heart fluttered so bad right now!
"I gotta go now..." I quickly turned around and was about to leave.
"Wait!" I flinch a bit when I hear his deep voice. Slowly, I turned around and faced him.
"You dropped this..." he handed me my fragrant pouch. I carefully took the pouch from his hand.
That's when our fingers touched each other. And...
:::
"Karin?" I blink my eyes. Khittan is looking at me while smiling wide. I didn't notice that I was holding his hand. He was trying to hand me the pillowcase that fell on the ground.
"Karin..." he grazes my cheek with his other hand. I held a deep sigh. Seems like the moment passed by in my mind just now somehow missing in those memories and nightmares that I had before.
Is he the same Khittan that I met before? He seems too kind compared to the one who used to torture and kill me in my nightmares. How should I conclude this?
Thunder trucks. Looks like it's about to rain soon!
"Khittan, help me with these!" he nods, quickly gathers all the dry laundry, and places them in the basket. I pull the plastic sheet that covers the clothesline with damp clothes. My cheek feels the drops of rain.
"Let's go! Hurry!" Khittan grabs my wrist and drags me into the house. We got caught in the rain for a moment before safely entering the house.
"You're wet!" I chuckle while looking at Khittan. He shakes away excessive water from his body. I grab a dry towel from the basket and rub his hair so he won't get the flu again.
He stares deep into my eyes. Maybe too deep. I was about to move my hand when he grabbed my wrist, pulled me closer, and kissed me on my lips. It's too fast and in brief. I couldn't act properly.
Time stops around me. That's what I feel now.
I don't know what kind of magnetic power possessed me. Maybe he too. We lean closer, inch by inch. Khittan caresses my cheek and nods in tiny as if he asks my permission to continue.
And just like that, I nod back.
He places his lips softly against mine. Nibble my lips in care and caution. I give my respond by sucking his bottom lips a bit. He tilts his head, holding my jaw delicately while enjoying himself with the deep kiss that he initiated.
We keep kissing while standing in front of the open entrance, with rain as our music background. Because of the height difference, he needs to bend down his back to reach my lips.
We pull back when we had enough of it. He gazes into my eyes. I could see sparkling in his eyes. Or maybe his eyes began to glass a bit. He stands straight, let me go slowly.
"Khit?" I stand there in a puzzle. His sudden change makes no sense. He fleets from there, ignoring my inquiry.
Khittan's strange act draws me in. What's in his mind anyway?