Saka stared at the small pendant, in the shape of an "S" etched in blue topaz, on a silver base, considered the lucky stone for his sun sign. At the very top, where the clasp for the pendant was, was a single small garnet dot, symbolizing his flaming red hair. All in all, it was barely an inch.
"Erm... Laika told me you believed in lucky stones, charms, and such... but if you don't like it..."
Saka quietly put it around his neck. Before he could answer Vira, there was a knock at the door.
Vira grunted. "Which idiot would knock at this time?"
It was as if there was some telepathic connection, because Maw Lava answered, "Sorry to bother you, Maw Vira, but we thought to drop by to check on you."
Vira sank back into the nearest chair as Saka rushed to the door to open it.
"Hi Saka!" Maw Lava greeted him as he walked in. If he was surprised to see Saka there, he didn't show it. Roma followed him, patting Saka on the back before walking in, leaving Saka gaping at the person standing in front of him.
"Maw Mina," he muttered.
She stood staring at him. "What are you doing here?"
He chose to not answer that. Instead, he responded with, "Please come inside."
He shut the door behind her and sat on a free chair.
The hall seemed overcrowded.
"Maw Laika informed us of what happened," Maw Mina started.
"What happened?" Saka asked curiously, wondering what tale he'd spun this time around.
Roma shook his head. "Apparently, Maw Vira fought a dangerous thug trying to protect his friend, ended up falling near the cliff, and hurting himself."
Maw Mina had special respect in her eyes. "Maw Vira, I never took you to be the type who'd stand up to people stronger than you. My respect for you has increased."
Roma jokingly asked, "You thought of him to be the type who'd bully the weak?"
Maw Mina shrugged her shoulders. "I am weaker than him."
Maw Lava burst out laughing. Roma giggled, but Vira certainly didn't look pleased. But he chose to let it slide.
"Saka, could you please get them some tea?" Saka nodded and got up.
"What is Saka doing here?" Maw Mina asked again.
Saka froze. Vira replied, "Taking care of me."
Saka smiled. But Maw Mina was certainly persistent. "Why would the student take care of you?"
"Would you rather take care of me, Maw Mina? I can send him back."
She instantly spat out, "No, thank you. I'd rather run around the field ten times."
"I'll take you up on that offer," Vira said and chuckled.
Roma was silently laughing. "Now, now, both of you. No fighting, please."
Saka brought tea at that moment. "I went with my brother to pick Maw up from the hospital. I'll stay for a while. We are neighbors, after all."
Roma intervened, "Maw Laika is Saka's brother."
"Oh, I see." Mina responded. It took her a full minute to realize what Roma had said. "Wait, what?"
Vira looked surprised. "Why, Maw Mina, surely you knew that!"
She gritted her teeth. Everyone in the room knew about it. Even Maw Lava had hinted at it to her once, but she never connected the dots. Now it made sense to her why Laika was indifferent to her. She felt irritated.
Hiding her embarrasment, she decided to chat with Saka, who though wasn't her favourite, was still the only one in the roomwho would respond without reloaded remarks. "How is your preparation going? I heard you'd be taking the entrance exam to Vayu."
Saka nodded. "Yes, Maw Mina. It's next month."
Vira asked, "Why Maw Mina? I didn't know you were that concerned about your students. Since you graduated from a Gaya Institute yourself, maybe you can sit with him and coach him?"
Roma contributed, "Indeed, I heard you were a wonderful teacher; Saka could do with some help from a person like you."
She gritted her teeth, but she wasn't the only one. Saka threw Vira and Roma a dirty stare. Maw Lava did not miss this exchange. He chuckled softly.
"Now, now. Maw Mina has enough on her plate. However, Saka can always approach her; she'd be glad to help with general advice. But Saka's choice of subject may not fall under her area of expertise."
Vira snorted. Roma forced himself to keep a straight face. Maw Mina faked a smile as she said, "Maw Lava is right. I lack the expertise in, erm, spiritual stuff."
They didn't stay back much longer, as they wanted to go home before it poured.
Maw Lava, just before leaving, commented, "Take care of yourself, Maw Vira. Rest well; you can come from next week."
Mina sweetly added, "Kids may start to think Maw Lava is their class teacher, and you the substitute teacher, seeing how you are seldom in class."
Vira wasted no time in responding to her jibe, "At least I'm grateful to still be respected as a teacher, unlike some."
Before Mina could respond, Maw Lava hastily bid his goodbyes and dragged her with him, while Roma parted ways.
"At least she felt the need to come and check on you, sen. I think it's an improvement."
Vira retorted, "Right, I was dying to be graced by her presence."
Saka giggled. Vira was at his best around Mina.
It was in the night, while they were in bed, Saka said, "I loved your gift. I never got to say it. Thanks, Vira."
Vira felt shy. He was really happy that Saka liked it. He placed a hand on Saka's cheek and said, "I am really glad that you liked it."
Saka asked him, very seriously, "Did you consider what I said?"
"About what?" Vira knew exactly what it was about. It was about Saka asking him to be his fiancé.
Saka looked at him for a minute, then shook his head, "Nothing, forget about it."