The smell of lunch filled the small kitchen, steam rising from the pot as Samansa stirred the soup with a long wooden spoon. Next to her, Rima was chopping vegetables, and I — Rozelia — was arranging the dishes in preparation for the meal.
The atmosphere was calm and pleasant.
Outside the kitchen, in the backyard, my father leaned with my younger brother Daril, both busy around the old tree, trying to finish sawing its trunk before noon. We could hear the sound of the saw rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
My mother wiped the sweat from her forehead and said:
"This tree has resisted for far too long."
I replied,
"Yes… that's true."
We had no idea that saying goodbye to it would be like this…
Suddenly, the sound of the saw stopped, followed by my father calling out loudly — more like a shout than a call:
"Samansa! Rima! Rozelia! Get outside, quickly!"
We froze for a moment.
Then we all moved at the same time.
We ran outside to the yard in panic, and there we saw my father and Daril pushing with all their strength on the tree trunk, trying to guide it so it would fall away from the house.
Father's face was red from the effort, and Daril planted his feet in the ground, trying to stay steady.
Father shouted as he pushed:
"Come help us before it veers off!"
We ran toward them without hesitation. I grabbed one side of the trunk as best as I could, while my mother and Rima took their places near Father.
The trunk was heavy… heavier than I imagined.
I pressed with all my strength, but my body shook from the effort.
Father said in a hoarse voice while pushing:
"Come on! Use your mana!"
We exchanged glances.
Me… I didn't have any mana at all. I had used all my magical energy yesterday helping Lady Lara in the field.
Daril and Father had already spent their energy on the yard work and sawing the tree all morning.
I said quickly, panting:
"I have no mana… I used it all yesterday in the field."
Daril replied wearily, trying not to step back:
"Neither I nor Father have mana left. We've been using it all morning for the garden work."
Father turned to Mother and Rima, saying between strong pushes:
"Then… Samansa! Rima! You two use all your magical power."
Mother exchanged a glance with Rima, then both shook their heads slightly and focused.
I felt a gentle force spread around them, a small push added to our collective effort.
The trunk began to move… but not enough.
Mother said, pressing with all her strength, sweat running down her face:
"It's… too heavy…"
Rima shouted:
"Just a little more… a little more!"
But the tree, as if refusing to listen, began to lean slowly…
then faster…
and at the completely wrong angle.
Father suddenly shouted, his voice piercing the air:
"Get out of its way!"
We all jumped back, running carefully and fearfully, as the massive trunk crashed toward the house.
Just a few seconds…
then the sound of destruction roared.
Wood splintered. Glass shattered. Dust flew in every direction.
Rima's room… and Daril's room were completely destroyed.
I stood watching the scene, my heart pounding fiercely, unsure if it was from fear… or shock… or a strange feeling that this day would change everything in our lives.