Rahul and Malaica story was well known in town, she was promised to him when she turned 16, and he was 20. At first Rahul didn't like the ideia since they had grown up together, and he saw her like little brat, sister like.
She on other hand was fond of him since she could remember, but he always treated her like a kid that she was.
As she turned 18 her womanhood started to show, she flourished beautifully, even Rahul couldn't deny. They were to make their betrothal vows ceremony this year, however, with Master gone, the town attacks and all that happened, they never did and later with Rahul injuries the engagement was broken off.
She cried for days by Rahul's rejection, she did loved him no matter what, but he said he didn't love her.
He didn't want to be a burden to her, he was missing one hand, his legs were no longer good and she was beautiful and lively she would definitely find someone better and whole ...to make her happy, that's what he thought.
Untill the Lady came he never saw her smile, he told himself she will smile again, once everything was over, then came the news of the boss death, and more attacks came to distress the town, and hunger, he could no longer look at her, his shame was bigger than his pride.
After they went to the Lady house to get food by force, after that day he saw her for the first time smile again.
The spark that once shone in her eyes was shining once again, at that time he didn't dare to come close to her, he could only wish for her to be happy.
After a long silence Rahul finally broke the silence.
"You look healthier and happy." He had a soft smile.
Malaica heart melted, but somehow she got angry by his words. 'Do you really think I am happy, how could I?' she clenched her fists. " You should go now, I am fine. My lady was ist just worried for nothing." She said looking down, with a soft voice. She was gathering all her strength just to keep her voice steady and not to cry.
" Yeah... She can be very worrywart... " He said forcing a smile.
Before she could control anymore, tears were flowing down her face, he was talking like it was nothing, but it hurted, it hurted so much that she couldn't bare anymore to hold back her tears.
"Why... Why it is so hard for me and so easy for you" she cried not caring anymore.
He turned is face, he couldn't bare to see her cry, the urge to hug her would take over him, he would not have anymore strength to keep his resolve to let her go. He smiled almost bitterly and said almost in a whisper. " I am sorry I broke your heart..." Before he could finish she stepped forward and raised her fists against his chest started to punch him as hard as she could. She wasn't doing much damage since he had alot of muscles, and compared to him she was almost only bones.
He just stood there against the door and took her punches.
She kept punching and he could only whisper he was sorry.
" I wish you had broken my heart, at least I wouldn't love you anymore".
All his strength he was using to hold himself back were not enough against those words. He held her in a hug, as she fought to punch him, but he kept holding her. She cried in his arms like she never cried before, they fell on the floor until she cried herself to sleep in his arms.
He didn't dare to move, whenever he tried to do so, she would whine in protest.
He just gave up and sat there with her in his arms.
He didn't know how long had it been since they were in that position. Malaica had already woken up, but she didn't dare to move, she didn't want to let go of that moment, she wanted to hold on to it as long as she could, even if it was for a little while.
She couldn't keep herself from moving anymore, it was not a very comfortable position after all.
"Are you awake?" Rahul asked.
"Ye-yes." She said in a low sad voice. She wasn't ready yet to let go.
After a little silence.
"Are you hungry?." He asked caressing her back up and down.
"No" she kept looking at his arm where his hand no longer was.
She suddenly pull herself from is embrace and held his arm where his hand once was and held against her cheeks. "Does it hurt?" her voice was soft, but there was no pity in her tone.
"Not today..." He said smiling in a low voice, pulling her back in her arms.
He was afraid she would hear his loud heart, but she couldn't hear anything over her loud heart.
'Could we stay like this forever please? If heavens would let us stay like this..' she was praying hard so that her wishes would come true but as good things always end...
"I am sorry..."
"No... I don't... want..."
"...I can't... Can't take care of you like this..."
" I don't need you to take care of me."
"My hand..."
"I have two of them."
He smiled. "You are stubborn."
"So are you ..." She frowned "You still have the other hand... The same hand you use hold your sword."
"And..."
"And what? Do you not want me?" She said ready to accept any answer he would give her.
Rahul was lost for words, she was woman now, a stronger one at that, she looked serious.
"I do... I really do." He smiled while caressing her hair.
"So no more takes back. Whatever happens I will support you. I am yours."
"I am yours." He reached with his forehead against hers.
At that moment their vows where made.