"Sine, cut the veggies like this, okay? We want to make sure you don't hurt your fingers," Mella instructed gently, guiding her little brother's hands as they chopped vibrant orange carrots and earthy brown potatoes for their hearty stew.
"Like this, sis?" he asked, concentrating intently as he sliced through the vegetables with a surprisingly steady hand.
Mella beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. "In no time, you'll be better than me!"
They shared a warm smile, but it was quickly replaced with concern as their mother lifted the lid off the bubbling pot. Her expression faltered, revealing her forgetfulness as she placed a hand on her round belly. The doctor had told them she was expecting twins, and the little family was adjusting to the changes. "Oh my, it seems I've forgotten to tell your father to fetch water for the stew tonight," she sighed. "How about we munch on some oranges instead?"
"Mama, I'm a big girl now. I can get the water so we can have dinner!" Mella declared, raising her hand with a determined glint in her eye. "When Daddy comes home, he'll be full too."
"Are you sure?" her mother asked, her voice tinged with concern. However, just then, Sine's stomach grumbled audibly, adding to the urgency of the situation.
"Mama, I promise I'll be quick! Sine and I always go with Daddy, so I know exactly where to go. It's just across the riverbank, and I'll be back in a jiffy!" Mella reassured her, her confidence shining through. Before her mother could voice any further worries, she dashed out of the house, a bright smile lighting up her face. "Don't worry!"
"Rufian!"
The large, white-furred dog lounged comfortably, his husky and sheepdog mix evident in his fluffy coat. At the sound of his name, his ears perked up, and he looked at the woman he considered his mother with loyal eyes. "Protect Mel, get the water, and bring her home quickly," she urged.
Rufian sprang to his feet, sensing the urgency in her voice. Just then, Sine ran over to him and hugged him tightly. "Hurry home so we can all eat dinner together, Rufy," he said earnestly.
With a cheerful bark, Rufian bounded out of the house, a dependable guardian on a mission. He was not just a pet; he was a beloved member of the family, trusted and respected for his loyalty.
As she strolled past her neighbors, they greeted her with warm smiles, and she waved back cheerfully, her bright and innocent grin lighting up her face. "I'm helping Mommy and Daddy get water!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"You are such a good girl! If I ever have a granddaughter, I would want her to be as sweet and kind as you, dear Mel," one of the neighbors, affectionately known as Gramps, remarked.
"Thank you, Gramps!" she replied, her heart swelling with pride.
Continuing her journey, Mella hummed an adorable melody, feeling a swell of pride as she carried her empty bucket, convinced she was a big girl now. The excitement bubbled within her, but as she ventured away from the village entrance, her little legs began to ache with the effort. Just then, the cheerful bark of her pet dog, Rufian, pierced the air, and her face brightened with delight as she spotted him bounding toward her.
She ran to him, embracing him tightly, feeling the warmth of his fur against her cheeks. Rufian barked joyfully, then plopped down, panting happily.
"Are you going to carry me the rest of the way? Thank you, Rufian!" she giggled, climbing onto his sturdy back as he rose to his feet, ready to trot alongside her toward the gentle flow of the river.
Softly, delicate snowflakes drifted down from the overcast sky, swirling gently in the chilly air before landing on the little girl's forehead. Each flake, unique in its intricate design, melted almost instantly against her warm skin, creating tiny droplets that sparkled like diamonds in the muted winter light. The girl, with her rosy cheeks and wide, bright eyes, looked up in wonder, completely captivated by the serene beauty of the winter landscape surrounding her.
"Look, Rufian! The snow is falling softly from the sky," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight as delicate white flakes danced in the chilly air.
-
The man returned home after a long day at work, the door creaking softly behind him as he stepped into an unusually quiet house. A gentle warmth enveloped him, but the silence felt out of place. He glanced around and noticed a wooden bowl filled with intricately cut vegetables on the kitchen counter, while another bowl brimming with fragrant spices lay beside it, accompanied by chunks of marinated meat. Ordinarily, the lively sounds of his little girl and their exuberant dog, Rufian, filled the air, making every corner of the home buzz with energy. The absence of their joyful chaos struck him as odd.
With a growing sense of unease, he ventured into the bedroom where he found his pregnant wife nestled against their younger son, Sine. The soft rise and fall of her breathing indicated she was still in the embrace of sleep. He approached her gently, shaking her shoulder ever so slightly to rouse her from her slumber. "Dear, where are Mel and Rufian?" he whispered, concern etching itself across his features.
"They went to fetch some water for supper," she murmured, still drowsy, a hint of worry flickering in her eyes despite her attempts to mask it. Doubts nagged at her—had allowing their little girl to go alone been the right decision?
"It's getting late," he replied, a trace of urgency in his voice.
"She will be back any moment. Rufian is with her and would do anything to protect her," she reassured him, though her gaze drifted toward the window, where fading light painted the sky in shades of orange and purple. Just then, a flash of brilliant purple light flickered outside, startling them both and igniting a spark of worry deep within their hearts.
What's that sound?
Mella carefully scooped water into the large, gray tin bucket, filling it to the brim. As she finished, a sudden crack of thunder echoed across the sky, startling her and making her turn her head abruptly. She noticed that the gentle snowflakes had ceased their descent, and she looked up, her heart racing.
"Rufian," she called to her faithful dog, "it's going to rain soon. We should make our way back home before Mother and the others start to worry." With a quick motion, she climbed onto his broad back. Just then, a flash of purple lightning illuminated the sky, briefly blinding her. Moments later, with Rufian galloping forward, they reached the outskirts of their village.
As she dismounted, disbelief gripped her heart. The village that once buzzed with life now lay eerily silent—completely vanished, as if it had never existed. Her buckets of water toppled to the ground, forgotten as tears began to well in her eyes. She ran through the empty streets, her steps aching with familiarity as she desperately recalled where her home once stood. Memories of neighbors, friends, and teachers flooded her mind, along with the faces of her beloved family: her mother, father, little brother, and the twins who were soon to arrive.
Suddenly, Mella tripped over a rock and fell hard onto the cold ground. Rufian barked beside her, but as she scrambled to get up, her world felt even more surreal. The spot where her house should have been was nothing but desolate emptiness. She lay back on the ground, gazing up at the sky, tears streaming down her cheeks, her vision blurred. Through her tear-streaked eyes, she stared at the moon, its pale light offering an eerie reminder of what she had lost.