CHAPTER 77: BONDING

"Here goes nothing." I mused to myself, touching and retouching the oversize sweater I was wearing.

This was the first time after all that I would be going out without a bra and panties. And I needed it to be not so obvious. Not that I could change anything with this touching here and there, not that there was anything to see.

The sweater was big enough to hide my breasts and long enough to cover and even pass my buttocks region. I doubt I would be tried for offensive dressing on the first day. Wheew. I couldn’t wait to go shopping.

Does the community have a mall?

I have seen the clothes that Peter and his family wear, and although they are quite good, they were not in the league of the Dolce and Gabbana collections. I haven’t seen their entire wardrobe though, but at least I have seen Diana’s.

Did the villagers make their own cloth? If that was so, they would just be taking my measurements, right? And if that was so, then I wouldn’t be seeing the clothes for a week.

No. Hopefully no.

If I remember Diana’s letter clearly, she had mentioned that this cloth was all they had for me, right? So, surely there must be a shopping store, where I could get a couple of clothes, even if they were the least hand me down wears(second hand clothes/fairly used clothes).

I needed to get a job too, even if it’s part time. I touched my pocket out of habit to take out my phone and put it down on my inote so that I wouldn’t forget, but the emptiness of the pocket reminded me that my phone was back at my pack, probably forgotten.

I sighed, and wiped off imaginary dust from my nose, before tuning on the tap so that I could rinse the plate that I had just used. I knew that Laura would not be bothered if I didn’t do this but I knew she would be happy if I did. After all, she hadn’t restricted me like last time from entering the kitchen.

This morning actually, I noticed a freeness to her movements around me. Peter had probably spoken to her.

Thanks Peter. You are a darling.

As I cleaned the dishes, I sighed watching the spare vegetable flakes go down the drain; the food had been so delicious, especially when I had combined the noodles with the side dishes. I have never tasted noodles so interesting. It was good that this community had found me, at least they were good with food.

Let’s see what their environment looks like. I thought, keeping the plates in their proper racks before leaving the kitchen.

I sauntered out of the middle hut to the outside, hastening my steps when I saw Peter tapping his foot on the ground as if he couldn’t wait to be out of the compound; I could read the impatience on his face. I wouldn’t call it impatience though, since he had already been waiting for a long time.

"Finally...we can be going now." Laura said, being the first person to sight me and all. "We have to be fast though, we are already late for the meeting. Maya, how are your legs? Do you think they are up for a long walk?"

"Yeah,and I have you both to thank for that. I answered with a smile, sure that my answer had been the perfect one when the couple smiled widely and beckoned on me with their hands, simultaneously, to walk faster then.

I found it endearing that they didn’t move an inch till I got to them.

"The meal was delicious, right?" Peter asked, making sure to wink at me, before he turned aside to open the picket fence gate.

The man sure knows how to hold a grudge. When I had debated with him over his wife’s food the previous day, I had only relegated the debate to dinner, not breakfast. The guy should give it a rest. I thought, pouting, a bit taken aback when Laura released a loud bout of laughter.

I darted glances between the couple, wondering what was wrong with them, seeing that Peter had joined in.

I waited till they were down from the high, before asking them why they were laughing. Were they laughing at me?

"Don’t mind us, Maya..."(oh well, I sure do mind) "Peter had told me about your bet over my food yesterday. And so when he winked at you, and you gave a pout in return, it had been so funny. You are so funny, I can see why my little daughter likes you. And I am so happy that you are recovering well." Laura mentioned, placing her hand on my shoulder, her eyes filled with laughter, and something else, acceptance.

It felt freeing to me, that she had finally accepted me into her household; I felt I could fly then. This was good news. I thought, unable to hold in the wide smile that broke out on my lips.

"You know, Maya, I won the bet...what do you have for me?" Peter asked, and I shook my head, chuckling. This dude was really something.

"I will get you an earthworm." I answered, laughing loudly when Laura broke into another laugh. She flung her hand over my shoulders, and dragged me forward, the way a friend would do, not minding that we were just leaving her husband behind.

"It seems to me, Maya, that I might be a competitor of yours." Peter mused, shaking his head from side to side, chuckling as he closed the picket gate, and strolled behind us, faster though, in order to catch up with us.

If his wife had heard his statement, she didn’t indicate it, rather she looked on ahead whilst telling me how the meeting might go, and what to expect.

But I heard him. I knew what he meant too. And even though it is funny that he would be competing for his wife’s attention, and Diana’s, it was also unsettling, that I had bonded so fast with this family. What happens when it was time for me to leave?

I don’t want to break any hearts, seeing that I already have a taste of what that negative emotion feels like. I don’t want that on anybody else, well except Adam and his brothers.

But wasn’t it inevitable?