Heidi sat on the local carriage with Mrs. Doris as her Little hands clutched the small bag she brought along with her. She had saved few coins and she planned to get something in the market.
Her eyes shone with pure excitement and happiness.she could barely stop herself from peeking outside through the small window of the carriage. It was also her first time on a carriage.
Soon enough, the carriage came to a halt. Heidi peeked out of the window and she looked at Mrs Doris, "are we at the market?" She asked impatient to come down.
Mrs Doris smiled and patted her head, "yes Heidi, this is the local market"
Heidi smiled and Mrs Doris helped her get down from the carriage.
The weather was cool and merchants hawked their wares shouting over each other to attract passer-bys. The smell of spices and different delicacies wafted through the air. The market was crowded as this was the local market where most commoners visited.
In the middle of the bustle, Heidi stood beside Mrs Doris, wide eyed and filled with wonders.
Mesmerized by the colors, sounds and smells, Heidi felt excitement rush through her veins. Every step she took felt like a revelation.
Mrs Doris smiled as she watched the look on Heidi's face.
Heidi's eyes fell on an odd looking candy, "what's that Mrs Doris?" Heidi asked.
"It's a cotton candy" Mrs Doris said, "do you want one?" She asked when Heidi continued to look at the candy.
Heidi nodded, "yes please"
Mrs Doris patted her head and bought one for her.
Heidi's eyes Wandered to and fro as if she was trying to capture every single detail.
Heidi eyes fell on a small group of musicians performing at a side of the market. A lot of people had gathered around the musicians as their tunes were extraordinarily good.
" Can we go?" Heidi asked tugging Mrs Doris's gown.
Mrs. Doris shook her head, "I'm sorry Heidi but we have a lot to buy and the clouds are beginning to change"
Heidi's face fell but it was quickly replaced with excitement on seeing a jewelry stall. It was nothing fancy as the commoners couldn't afford such expensive jewelries.
As Heidi and Mrs. Doris passed by the jewelry stall, something caught Heidi's eye. Two beaded bracelets, simple and colorful, sat together in a display.
Heidi couldn't resist picking them up, turning them over in her hand. The vibrant red and green beads shone in the sunlight, casting tiny rainbows on her skin.
"These are beautiful," she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. "I think they would make perfect friendship bracelets, don't you?"
Mrs. Doris nodded, her own smile mirroring Heidi's. "They're perfect.
Heidi smiled and said,"Then, I would give one to you and take the other"
Mrs Doris shook her head, "not me, you have to find a friend"
"But I have no friends" Heidi muttered.
Mrs Doris patted her head once again , "then you find a new friend".
Heidi nodded as she slipped the bracelets into her pockets.
"I'll be right back Heidi" Mrs Doris said, " stand in front of the jewelry stall. I'll get something and be right back".
Heidi nodded and watched Mrs Doris enter deep into the bustling market.
Soon enough, it began to drizzle and Heidi tried to find shelter beside the jewelry stall but the rain got even heavier.
Heidi sighted a shelter far-off and she ran towards there.
Viktor walked gently through the markets, his steps barely noticed. He had dressed in commoner's clothes to avoid unnecessary attention. He loved stepping out of the castle once in a while and only wanted to have a walk in the market.
He enjoyed the market breeze until he felt a drop of water hit him and soon enough, it began to pour.
He entered a shelter and sat down to rest as he closed his eyes and crossed his legs.
He had barely began to rest when he heard someone sit on the bench beside him
Heidi's eyes fell on the boy who sat beside her. He closed his eyes and crossed his legs and if not for the commoner's attire, Heidi would have addressed him as a prince.
Heidi continued to watch the boy as he seemed indifferent about the rain.
Heidi wondered if the boy has been chased out of the house as he seemed lonely.
"Are you alright?" Heidi asked but she received no response from the wierd boy who sat beside her.
Heidi was the least discouraged by the look on his face, " I'm Heidi and you are?"
For the first time, Viktor opened his eyes which fell on Heidi before he said, " that's not necessary."
Heidi's mind went back to the friendship bracelets that were in her pocket. She wondered if she should give one to him.
Heidi brought out the bracelets from her pocket and said, "I bought these friendship bracelets and I was wondering if you would like one"
Viktor's eyes fell on the bracelets before he shifted his focus back to the rain, " we are not friends"
Heidi pouted a little, " then be my friend just for 5 minutes. I promised Mrs. Doris that I would give this to a friend"
Viktor raised his brows as he watched Heidi. She was amusing and quite interestng.
"Alright then, just 5 minutes" Viktor said and Heidi nodded in joy
A beautiful smile adorned her lips as she gave Viktor the bracelet.
Viktor's eyes fell on the shiny bracelet. He was only trying to keep himself company with Heidi. It wasn't that he cared a bit about the bracelet which he slipped into his coat.
Heidi's eyes sighted a butterfly and she gasped in excitement. The butterfly flew around very close to her. Heidi stretched her hands to catch it but the butterfly flew away. Heidi stood up and followed the butterfly but she soon lost the butterfly.
She sighed in disappointment and walked back to the shelter.
When she got to the shelter, she was astonished to find out that her new friend was not there anymore.
Heidi felt even more disappointed, "5 minutes is yet to be over,". She said as she picked up her own bracelet and slipped it into her pocket.
She came out of the shelter and looked around but she couldn't see him.
"Heidi!!" A voice called and Heidi turned to see Mrs Doris.
Mrs Doris hugged her, "where have you been?"
Heidi smiled, " I made a new friend but he's gone.
Mrs Doris smiled back at her and said, " as long as you gave him the friendship bracelets, you'll find him one day"
Heidi nodded as the excitement in her eyes came back. She wondered if she would ever meet this mysterious stranger again.