Magic Key

PART 34 - DECLARATION OF LOVE

I didn't miss dinner. Moreover, mama cooked asem-asem as per my request, I did miss Mama's cooking on this one.

After dinner me and Zaki leave immediately, I will return to the Wind Village.

At first Mama forbade us to leave that very night, Mama told us to wait until the next morning, but both Zaki and I insisted that the sooner the better. I don't want to stay here too long because I don't know what's going to happen in the future.

Of course there's a little bit of drama because Mama wants me to stay a while longer, but unfortunately can't. I have to leave anyway. And yes, Mama allowed me with prayers of kindness.

And now Zaki and I are on their way. The night was getting late, and the cold was getting pierced through to the bone. It's a good thing I'm wearing a thick coat, otherwise I'll freeze to death.

"Put your hand in your pocket, it'll probably be a little warmer." Said Zaki. I did it and it helped a little.

"Want a warm drink?" Zaki said to offer me.

"Yes, I can."

I saw a salesman with a wagon that read Wedang ronde not far from us. Zaki stopped next to the wagon and we got out of the car.

"What do you want to drink?" Ask Zaki again.

"Jahe milk only."

"okay."

"Sir, ginger two milk, yes." Zaki's message to the seller.

"Wrapped or drunk here?" Ask the seller again.

"Drink here, sir."

"Ready, please sit down."

"Yes, sir, thank you."

Zaki took one plastic chair for me and then took another one for himself.

I put the coat I was wearing. As soon as he got down from the car the cold got more piercing.

"It's cold?" Ask Zaki.

"Yes, it's cold."

Zaki rubbed his palms together to produce a warm feeling, then placed them on my hand before the heat dissipated.

I looked at Zaki. "Thank you." Zaki smiled.

"Are you sick too? My stomach hurts from that iron ball punch." I said.

Zaki nodded, understanding the direction of my speaker. "Yes me too. No papa, it will soon disappear by itself."

I just nodded, maybe Zaki knows better.

"Please turn on the milk." The seller put two glasses of hot drink on our table.

"Thank you." I said while nodding politely.

The seller nodded then returned to make another buyer's order. In a place that is quite quiet it turns out many riders who stop by to order a glass of warm water.

I sip the ginger milk bit by bit. This drink is still very hot but I do not overheat when drinking it because the air here is very cold.

"She doesn't look like your sister." Said Zaki starting the conversation.

I'm laughing a little. "Yes, we're only two years apart and he's more mature than me in many ways. He's more like his brother and I'm his sister."

"It looks like that too." Zaki laughed.

"You guys are so warm. I miss my parents." Said Zaki again.

"When you miss why don't you come see them?"

Zaki smiled very thinly. "Yes, I'll meet my parents later, yeah."

"D-yes." I said bowed.

"okay."

*****

After a half-hour drive, Zaki turned his car into a rest area that was not so crowded. Zaki asked me to look at the twinkling night lights of a bridge. I was quite stunned, the lights there look like fireflies. They look small glowing.

I stood on the edge of the bridge and held on to the iron barrier. Zaki followed next to me.

"So where did you know their royal gate was in my room? And is it true that we can close that gate?"

"After coming from the waterfall I arrived in a world of white. And there buzzed those voices. The point is that the voice told me to quickly get up and look for you. The voice says we're the only ones who can face them." Clearly Zaki. I nodded in confidence with what Zaki said.

Zaki grabbed both of my hands, forcing me to turn face to face with him.

"August,"

"Yes." Yeah."

"I want to keep my word, divulge my big secret." Said Zaki.

He stroked my cheek, slipped his fingers behind the nape behind my hair. The warm feeling came from Zaki's hand that stuck to my nape. Then my whole body warmed up. I'm getting stifling.

With nervousness I tried to ask what secret Zaki meant.

"What secret?"

The cup!

With a single move Zaki landed his lips to kiss me. Zaki forced me to open my mouth, he took a slow bite on my lower lip and I opened my mouth. That way Zaki passed his tongue into my mouth and removed my teeth. Zaki continued to deepen his kiss. My body was heating up along with a strange gallion like an electric shock that ran through my blood.

For a while I made it float and forget about the footing. But the next few seconds I knew this wasn't true. So as hard as I can push back Zaki's body until Zaki forced to release his grip on my lips.

"What do you think I am?" Ask sarcas.

"What?" Zaki frowned.

"You kissed me suddenly for no apparent reason."

"Is this less obvious?"

"Where does that clarity come from? Did you say it?"

"I don't kiss just anyone. I just kissed the one I love. Are you not clear yet?"

I threw away the view. I'm ashamed to be upset. He has made me misunderstand and is now back to making me float? Ck, what was the sentence earlier including an expression of feelings?

"That's what I wanted to say. I'm sorry I wasn't honest with my own feelings. I kept dodging and covering it up. When we first met I was in love, but I didn't want to admit it. Sorry I've been pissing you off all this time."

Woows. I praise Zaki in my heart. This is a pretty long sentence I've heard coming out of Zaki's mouth. Wait, is he declaring his love?

"I've been doubting for a long time something certain, and now I'm sure it's me loving you, Ayri."

Deg deg.

My heart is pounding. This is the first time I've heard a statement of love from someone. And I'm glad that that guy is Zaki.

Yes, he is Zaki. People I often praise in secret. People who can easily change attitudes are like turning the palm of the hand. People who are just sweet to their special people. Am I one of those special people?

"Is what you said true? You don't know me anymore, do you?"

"I've never messed around with anything sacred."

"But a few days ago you were still evasive."

"Yes, but now I'm pretty sure."

"Is that really love? Not because we have a bond that relates to that supernatural being?"

"Meeting you is destiny. Loving you is a blessing. While our other bonds are a record of the universe that we never know."

*****