CHAPTER 126: UNDER THE DRIZZLE

"Is it not too late tonight for you to be leaving?" Ava’s husband asked worriedly, but Ava simply shrugged.

"You don’t have to worry, husband. I’ll be fast. Remember, midnight market is the cheapest because the sellers want to sell their goods quickly before going back home to get other groceries for the morning market," she explained.

Mr. John just stared at her worriedly even do what she said made a lot of sense. Surprisingly, after that incident, her husband had turned into a changed man—so caring, making sure everything was done.

They talked, and she realized the only difference between them then and now was communication. They were now truthful with each other. Even though fights still happened sometimes, they reconciled.

"You know it’s drizzling," he said. He just didn’t like his wife going out in the middle of the night because of cheaper goods as this village was not as safe as people thought. Even though he had to admit the things really were cheap and she always brought back lots of change... he was still worried.

"You’ve got umbrellas, don’t you?" she asked calmly. Mr. John nodded, stood, and walked to the door. He removed a small umbrella and handed it to her. She took it.

He opened the door, and the wind flew into the room, making his body shiver lightly. His face grew more worried. Ava quietly adjusted the jacket she had worn which belonged to him, fixing it properly on herself.

Ava moved and kissed his cheek lightly.

"I’ll be back, husband...in fact, earlier than you think this te I don’t have much to buy," she assured him, and he nodded.

Just as she stepped out and he was about to close the door, she turned. He noticed and opened the door again, wondering if she had changed her mind. Ava then spoke.

"Husband, I’ve changed my mind."

Mr. John nodded now satisfied as he opened the door wider, but Ava remained where she was and spoke again.

"How about you join me?" she asked.

Mr. John’s eyes widened, then he nodded a smile widening on his lips.

"I’ll be back, wife. Let me wear my jacket," he said quickly, moving inside as of scared she might change her mind.

Ava began to laugh, her eyes widening in surprise. She couldn’t believe she was acting like this already—smiling at her husband’s cuteness.

She had realized and knew habits now were good, his breath was fresh, and he had changed well during the past month.

He even seemed taller now...maybe because he usually went for local exercise four times a week. She had also noticed when he removed his shirt that his tummy had gone flat and he had grown packs.

She hadn’t thought he would even do that until she saw his muscles, and when she asked, he explained. She was so proud.

Her thoughts were cut short as he arrived wearing a jacket she didn’t even know he had. She found herself admiring him—yes, she was.

Mr. John, noticing her stare, scratched the back of his neck as his face flushed gently.

"Is there something on my face, Avy?" he asked.

Ava shook her head, laughing softly again. He smiled, stepped out, and gently closed the door behind him, locking it before sliding the key into his pocket.

"Let me help you with the umbrella," he said calmly.

Ava nodded and handed him the umbrella. He opened it just as the drizzle continued.

"Husband, are you sure about this? Remember, it will be cold...not to mention it might rain harder," she said.

Mr. John simply nodded. "Oh, Avy, if rain falls, it will fall on us both. I don’t mind."

Ava smiled knowingly. "You know tomorrow is work, and we’ve already stayed together until midnight—no rest for you."

Mr. John laughed, holding her shoulders with one hand while keeping the umbrella in the other. As they walked, Ava’s hands wrapped around his waist.

"I forgot to tell you...tomorrow is my day off," he said.

Ava laughed and lightly hit his chest.

"No wonder you’ve been so happy today. But too bad tomorrow I thought we would have our private time..I’ll still make you rest," she teased followed by a wink.

Mr. John stayed silent as his face flushed. This was one thing Avy had learned about her husband—most times when she talked to him or teased him, he blushed, and she loved that. She also noticed he had quit drinking beer, which she was very glad about. He had said if he drank, he wouldn’t see the signs in his muscle building.

They walked through the streets, lantern lights on the roadside helping them see far ahead. The rain began to fall more—though not harsh, but steady as the soft pitter-patter on the umbrella brought sense of soothing and calmness in them. Ava then spoke softly.

"Why do I feel like the rain is falling heavily somewhere else?"

Mr. John turned to her, curious.

"Is there a reason why you think so?" he asked, tightening his hand on her shoulder when the wind blew. He was glad her jacket was cozy enough.

"I don’t know. If I recall... when we were younger and played under the rain, and then it suddenly stopped or reduced ...when we asked my father why, he said the wind blows it to the other side. While it reduces in our village, in another village it would be harsh—so harsh." She turned to him, their gaze locking, and then they both smiled.

"I don’t know why, but I actually believe that now. Funny, because back then I thought he was just playing and never took his words seriously, even though I pretended to take it seriously... I wanted to be the better daughter because I felt my sister would take my shine from me."

She stopped talking and looked away.

Mr. John brushed his hand gently on her shoulder.

"You don’t have to worry, Avy. You are a good person," Mr. John said, and Ava couldn’t help but smile.

"You’re trying to make me feel better... at least convince me more," she replied, and they both laughed as they walked. Finally, more light began to show, they had arrived at the market.

A smile landed on her lips. There weren’t many sellers, as the rain had made most of them take shelter under a shade, but even in that shade, it was bright and, of course, hot as well du to the lots of candles or maybe warm. Candles were lit, and people were shouting, trying to convince customers to buy.

"You are such a beauty...buy this butterleaf! It helps wash the system and is also medicinal," one seller called out.

Another shouted, "Buy five fish, get one free!"

For some reason, Ava felt proud as many people stared at them, the couple.

She stopped as Mr. John closed the umbrella, still holding the handle. Since they were now under the shade, it wasn’t needed. They walked toward the pepper sellers.

"There’s no onion as well," Mr. John said. Ava turned to him curiously, surprised by his words. He shrugged, scratching the back of his head.

"I was planning to prepare soup for you last night, but I realized the onions were finished."

Ava’s heart warmed. She didn’t even know what to say—she felt so happy, and the fact she had no idea about this made her feel like tearing up. She had come here because she was planning to make soup tomorrow.

"Thank you, Johnny," she said. A few passersby and customers who heard her couldn’t help but stare. Mr. John’s face flushed hard at his new nickname.

"Give me pepper," Ava said, and the lady seller nodded with a smile.

"The one I have is two pennies," the woman replied.

Ava shook her head, tugging on her husband’s sleeve for them to leave. The seller’s eyes widened, and even Mr. John looked surprised..two pennies was really cheap for the amount of pepper there.

"This is pepper season one reason why it should be cheap. I have a lot in my farm. I only came here because my farm is far and the rain... well, it was a hindrance. But don’t worry, I’ll go there," Ava said, and just as they began to leave, the seller called her back.

"Sorry, Mrs., how about you take it for one penny? I’ll add extra."

Ava moved back and shrugged. "Go on before I change my mind. Let me consider you...it’s already late..you know what, replace the extra with onion."

The woman smiled, and Mr. John just stared at Ava as if he had seen her in a new light. She made him admire her even more—the kind of face that said, I really had this rare gem and almost messed up months back.

The way Ava handled the situation showed her experience in the market system.

It was quite impressive.

Just as the lady began packing the pepper, another seller spoke.

"I heard the queen has delivered."

Ava’s eyes widened, and she turned her gaze to their discussion as he curiousity piqued.

"Yes, but we don’t know the gender yet. I’m guessing the king wants to keep it to himself. I don’t get why he’s so overprotective of her. Is it because of her beauty? I don’t like it," another woman said.

Just as they were about to continue, Ava cut in, making heads turn.

"Exactly...that’s your opinion, which does not matter. In fact, why are you talking? Last I checked, your husband divorced you because he caught you sleeping with the neighbor’s husband."

A gasp echoed through the market as the place fell silent, but Ava continued.

"You lack shame. And should I say—you’re not just stupid but useless, because the same neighbor’s husband you slept with complained to the other neighbors about your odor..." she deadpanned.

The place stayed silent. Ava took the pepper from the other lady’s hands, paid her penny, and began walking away with her husband.

Immediately after they left, whispers echoed through the market.

"Honey, I’ll pluck the vegetables that in our farm outside... those people have spoiled my mood." Ava spoke as that was what she wanted to buy next.

Mr. John nodded calmly, more than impressed by his wife’s audacity.

As they walked, they began to hear the sound of horses..more than one. Mr. John held Ava tight, the umbrella now open in his hand, his grip tightening around it.

When horseback riders were heard like that, it usually meant nothing good.

And then they came into sight. It wasn’t one... not two... not even five.

The horsemen, like guards, rode up and stopped in front of them. One man handed Mr. John a letter, which he took silently no words were made.

The horses began leaving, the water on the ground splashing gently.

Ava was curious, but just as Mr. John moved to open it, they heard noise...loud noise, and as they turned, to their horror—people were running.