Ombte was stiff, I can't tell if it was his nervousness, or if he was really stiff. I looked at his face that seemed blank to even the festival. He just stared straight. What was he thinking about?
"Ombte?" I asked.
He turned to me with instant nervousness.
"Princess?"
"I'm happy to get a chance to walk with you, are you enjoying the festival?"
"Yes, I'm not quite used to the lights and lively atmosphere. Back at home it's quiet. You enjoy the peaceful sounds of the trees and the wind." His eyes soften when he talked about home.
He seemed peaceful. I wonder what was the real reason he wanted to be here. Maybe he wanted someone to spend his time with.
"Maybe one day I could feel this peace you speak of." He looked at me with a smile.
"I hope as well." We stopped to face each other and he gave me a warm smile.
I felt safe with him, as if there was no worries.
"Aza! There you are." I saw Ahkmad ahead of us. "Me and Nezhii was looking for you."
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Well we normally do our wishes at this time remember?" To believe Ahkmad is still holding on to this tradition at his age, can feel unbelievable.
"Oh, right, we did do that." I playfully scratched my head.
"I also invited Ratuk, he remembered doing it with us a couple times." I looked passed to Ratuk who looked at me eyes of happiness.
"I'm sure Aza doesn't remember that anymore Ahkmad." He said to him.
Did I really forget him? And if I did why? I feel he would be hard to forget with the personality he has.
"Fine, lets make our wishes. Ombte you should come." I turned to him.
His face flushed red when I looked at him and he looked hesitant.
"Sure." He managed to let out.
We all found a perfect roof to climb up to get a good view of the festival under the sky. Ahkmad climbed up with Nezhii on his back like a little kid, Ratuk climbed and reached out to help me up. Though I had a moment of hesitation, I grabbed his hand. I felt as I was pulled through the air by a swift wind. As he pulled me up I felt my face heat up. We were so close to each other I don't know what to do. I quickly turned to Ombte with a smile and offered my hand as well. He widened his eyes at me as if he saw one of the Gods. He reached to grab my hand but instead Ratuk reached and hurled him up.
"I thought I would be a better strength option." He said with a naughty look. "You're as clumsy as a cub taking their first steps." He said.
At that moment it felt like Deja vu. Those words, I have heard them before. As I closed in on my own thoughts, I remember those same words from someone.
> Aza's Flashback
"Ahkmad! Your always hero it's not fair!" I cried.
"Fine if you can catch me and prove to be faster, I'll switch places with you."
I gathered all my courage and tried to run as fast as I could. I face planted almost immediately.
"Aza are you alright?" I heard Ahkmad ask from far away.
How was I ever going to get stronger if I can barely take a step. My eyes filled quickly with tears.
"You're more clumsy than a cub taking their first steps." I looked up to see a hand reach out to me.
That purple hair and those eyes that were like magic. Ratuk.
> The Present
"Ah! Ratuk! The one who helped me up when Ahkmad was cheating the race." I said aloud.
"Cheated?!" I heard Ahkmad exclaim.
"Your just now remembering?" Ratuk said with a hint of sadness.
"Yes, but a lot of years has passed, surely you forgot me after a while."
"Why am I the cheater just because I won, that wasn't cheating it was the nature's calling!" Ahkmad was still fussing.
"Not one bit." Ratuk said as he moved closer to my face.
A hand flew in front of me. It was Ombte.
"You keep getting into Aza's face as such, it's quite rude, and inappropriate." He stated.
I can see Ahkmad and Nezhii from the side turned into each other as if they were watching a lover's quarrel. How childish.
"I think it's normal given we are childhood friends."
"I wouldn't exactly say childhood friends, more like Ahkmad's friend." I said thinking harder if we ever spent any other real time together.
"Really, how much more do you intend to reject me." He said with an embarrassed face.
"Oh come on guys! It's the Sand festival we should be enjoying the time!" Ahkmad draped his arms over both Ratuk and Ombte.
Nezhii pulled me to the edge of the roof and we all looked up.
"Let's all make our wish before the stars run away from all the lights that are blasting from here." Ahkmad said.
I closed my eyes. I couldn't figure what to wish for, there was still much I didn't understand. What should I want? I peaked open my eyes, and I saw Ratuk looking up to the sky with his eyes opened. It seemed like there was little stars surrounding him. Those magic like eyes fit into the night, they were beautiful. He was beautiful, I couldn't deny that. For some reason I felt a tightness in my chest and hard pound as if my heart was trying to catch my attention. For some reason I couldn't take my eyes off of him, He turned to me, with the same smile, and I instantly closed my eyes out of shyness. Though I knew I wasn't truly hidden, I couldn't bring my self to open my eyes. I think I wish to find the reasoning behind these sudden feelings I have been experiencing. Though it is a wish that is not grand or exotic, the simple answer will help me find at least some answers to help contribute into finding myself.
"Should we all head down to watch the villagers imitate the story of our kingdom?" I asked.
Everyone agreed. And we all headed down. As we join the crowd, I noticed Nezhii looked off to the side and she looked frustrated. I followed her eyes to see Adam in a dark alley in close range with one of the villagers. He had his fingers intertwined with her hair. What a beast. It seems his intentions are far more plain to see that what I thought. And here I thought he was misunderstood. Nezhii never looks at others with such eyes, Maybe I too shall keep an eye on him.