Sam patiently kept teaching Loir how to swim, holding him carefully whenever Loir lost balance. The two soon forgot about the lesson and began splashing water at each other, laughing so loudly that the empty pool echoed with their voices.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Yuni stopped in front of her house and slipped inside her mom's beauty parlour. The moment she entered, two neighbour aunties, who were getting their hair done, chorused together,
"So, Yuni, we heard your family got a new tenant! And they say the boy is really handsome!"
Yuni froze.
"How do you even know that?" she demanded.
The aunties gave a smug smile.
"Sweetheart, we live in the same neighbourhood. Of course we know!"
One aunty stood up, walked over, and patted Yuni's shoulder with a too-friendly grin.
"Listen, Yuni, you should invite your tenant to our house one day. He seems like such a nice boy."
Yuni frowned.
"Why would our tenant go to your house?"
The aunty sighed dramatically.
"You know I have a daughter, right? She's at the right age for marriage. So tell us, what does your tenant do? What kind of job does he have?"
That was the last straw. Yuni's cheeks puffed in anger as she snapped,
"Why don't you ask him yourself? Why are you asking me?"
Without waiting for a reply, she stormed out of the parlour. Behind her, the aunties kept calling her name, and even her mom called out,
"Yuni, there's food in the fridge! Warm it before eating!"
But Yuni didn't stop. Head bent, eyes burning, she walked straight ahead—until she bumped right into someone's back.
"Ouch!" Yuni rubbed her forehead, ready to scold. "Can't you even watch where you're going—"
She looked up, and her words froze. It was Elis.
Elis smiled.
"Hey now, you're the one who bumped into me. Why is your nose all red? Were you crying?"
Yuni quickly turned away, her voice sharp.
"Nothing happened! Just… just go marry the neighbour aunty's daughter. Why should I care?"
Elis blinked in confusion.
"What? What are you even talking about?"
Yuni's eyes glistened with tears. She bit her lip, whispering,
"Just go marry her."
Elis stared, completely lost.
"I really don't understand what you mean, Yuni."
"You don't have to," Yuni muttered, shaking her head. Her voice cracked, and she turned as if to leave.
Right at that moment, one of the neighbour aunties walked over and clapped her hands together.
"Oh, Elis! Perfect timing. Listen, this Sunday, come over to our house for dinner."
Yuni's chest tightened. She quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile.
"You all talk. I'm going home. I don't feel well."
The aunty frowned.
"What's wrong with you now, child?"
But Yuni didn't answer. She walked away quickly, shoulders trembling.
The aunty turned back to Elis.
"So, Sunday evening, don't forget. Just you. We'll be waiting."
Elis hesitated, then gave a polite smile.
"Sure… but can I bring Yuni along too?"
The aunty clearly didn't like the idea, but under Elis's calm gaze, she reluctantly nodded.
"Fine… bring her if you want."
To be Continued....