Chapter 37: How Did It Turn Out Like This?
Arnacia stepped out of the uncomfortable wooden carriage only to find herself in front of a lodging, so ordinary they must have passed a bunch of such wooden shacks. Alongside her stood Naomi, the green-haired girl who had talked nothing but about the room they would share tonight.
On the way here, the useless chatter did fume Arnacia, but what could she do inside the carriage that shook insecurely on every pebble the wheel met? The motions that lasted all day had slowly filled her body with sickness and stiffness. Now she stood on stable ground, but body still felt like crumpled paper that was slowly expanding.
"Arnacia, let me help you." Naomi jumped out of the carriage and immediately supported her friend.
Arnacia felt her legs were free of half the weight when she rested her hand around Naomi's nape. She slowly walked towards the lodging door with the help of the well offered support. But the next moment, something felt off. Her burrows frowned as she tried to find the source of this discomfort.
Roughly, everything looked normal. Naomi once had rested on Arnacia's waist. Well, she was supporting, so it could be dismissed as normal. But her other hand was just below Arnacia's left breast.
Whenever Arnacia lowered her body, Naomi's hand was ready to feel the fall. It could just be a coincidence, as the touch was very subtle most of the time. Arnacia thought it was a deliberate action. She wanted to rebuke this damned green-haired pervert, but felt like she would puke on opening her mouth.
The journey to Vanyawn village was longer than expected. Additionally, nights brought over the danger of wild animals and bandits. Tonight would be much needed rest.
Eventually, the two friends stepped inside the lodging. At the counter sat an old man sat with a face that could barely hope of anything better. He wore a white shirt that had lost all its color and brown pants. He heard the entrance door creak. It was like music to his ears. He abruptly stood up to greet his customers.
"Naomi?" The old man's face lit up. "You have grown up a lot since the last time I saw you," he said.
"Uncle Jack, you say that every time we meet," Naomi said. "Can you get us a room?"
"Single room, single bed." Old man Jack looked at the other girl. She was the same as the last time. "Arnacia, I suppose. She looks to be in terrible shape."
"She needs some rest."
"Well, the lodging is completely empty. My customers have decreased again."
"Uncle, I don't have money for a two-bedroom," Isabelle signaled the old man with her eyes.
"I can't help it then." Old man Jack awkwardly said. He would try to give the best room to Naomi, even if there were customers. And that too for free.
"I have a lot of money." Arnacia couldn't take it anymore. But the words came out like money-yyyyyyy as she bent down and puked right on the spot.
"We have some money," Naomi smiled wryly while rubbing Arnacia's back. "Uncle, please add extra to the cleaning charge."
Old man Jack did not know what to say. He had only charged Naomi four years ago when she visited with her grandfather. The business was shaky back then, and he offered to sell the lodging to Shilo. But the offer was rejected, and he had not seen Shilo for four years.
"I will take Arnacia to the room," Naomi said. "Uncle, please bring our bags and here's the money." She secretly handed over a letter.
Old man Jack sighed as he walked outside with the letter in hand. He was scared to open it. Every time Naomi brought a letter, he felt overwhelmed that it would be the final one. But this time, he was sure that it was the last letter from his friend, Shilo.
If he wanted to name his other friends, then he would be just making them up. Four years had gone by in a flash, just like his life that passed like a fast burning candle. He looked at the carriage and the lonesome evening. Autumn would arrive soon, another autumn.
***
The old windows rattled as the evening winds knocked. Inside the room, Naomi was sitting beside the only bed in the room. She was not on the bed, only her face rested on it alongside Arnacia.
"I know what you can do," Naomi said, as if an idea struck her. "Right now, the nauseating feeling would have lessened. All that is left is annoying stiffness. It will go away once you take a bath."
"I bet you want to take a bath with me," Arnacia said. She was resting on the bed with her arm covering her eyes.
"I do, but you can go ahead." Naomi plainly said. She got up on the bed as Arnacia left and buried her head inside the pillow. In her excitement, she had not noticed Arnacia's condition. This realization slowly chipped away her happiness.
Her thoughts were still for a while, but then she thought she smelled Arnacia from the bedsheet. She giggled and imagined kicking the door of the bathhouse and launching herself at Arnacia. A cozy feeling filled her body as she imagined hugging her childhood love. Unaware, she slipped into sleep.
It was late at night when Naomi suddenly woke up as if lightning struck her. The light of the room was off and she felt no Arnacia on her bed. Panic, pure chaos! At least she could hallway light, seeing through below the door.
She ran towards the door and headed for the counter. Old man Jack was dozing off in his chair. He had a subtle smile on his face. But then a loud sound broke his sleep.
"Uncle," Naomi slammed on the reception table. "Where's Arnacia?" she urged.
"Oh, Naomi, she asked for a different room."
Only after hearing this did Naomi calm down. Her head dropped, and she started giggling. This was no problem at all.
"Give me the keys," Naomi asked, as if she had every right to.
"I prepared food. It's in the kitchen."
"Give me the keys." Naomi said again.
"Wait a minute." Old man Jack handed her the spare keys. He had never seen something like this in his life. But right now, her mind wanted to think about something else, about the letter.
Naomi took the keys and headed towards Arnacia's room. She stared at the keyhole and then thought about how it was only Arnacia and her in the lodging today. The mischievous smile on her face only widened.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
FLYO
FLYO I am going crazy.
~
OML, how did it turn out like this. I sat on my chair thinking about writing Arnacia’s worries and expectations of her new home.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone