Chapter 6

ONE WEEK LATER 'I knew I would definitely find you here" Reika looked up from the sea of flowers before her, wincing instantly at the sharp pain of the sun flashing into her eyes. 'Sorry" the person apologized and the next thing she knew, something was placed on her head, instantly shielding her eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. When Rieka opened her eyes, she was met with the bright and eager green eyes of Phillips. 'Phillip" she flashed a smile at him, placing her hand on the straw hat that Phillip had placed on her head. The young man exhaled and a pink blush spread on his neck, his neck getting redder than the red rose flower beside him, which was being swayed by the slight wind. He rubbed his neck and chuckled nervously. 'I didn't see you in your house when I came over so I….trailed you here" he explained. Rieka nodded in understanding, patting the dress she was wearing. This field of flowers was the only beautiful and Serene place in the whole village, besides it was closer to the small cottage she lived in so she wasn't surprised that he could find her so easily. 'Here, have this" phillip suddenly said, thrusting a brown paper bag into her hands. Rieka took it and opened it tentatively, her eyes widening at the amount of food inside. 'You didn't have to…." 'It was my mother, she was worried that you wouldn't have anything to eat for the next two days cause of the ceremony" Phillip said in one breath. Rieka who was about to reject the food, lowered her hands, a look of melancholy on her face. 'Send my thanks to her" Rieka said. 'Or…you can say that to her by yourself, Talia is having her fiancee over so my mum is making a big feast" he offered with an eager look on his face. 'I don't think so, I'm busy" Rieka rejected flatly. 'Busy?, with what?" Phillip asked, persistently. 'Doing things at home" 'Really?, is that all you can come up with?, and I promised my mum to bring you over, she would be so disappointed if I show up without you" Phillip said in a low voice. Rieka sighed, she looked down, staring at the large field of flowers, filled with different colors and species of flowers. 'Okay, when are we leaving" … 'Everyone!, I managed to drag Rieka here" Phillip yelled out immediately as he and Rieka stepped over the high threshold of the large house. Their was the sound of children screaming and playing and men jesting with each other. Rieka's finger tightened around the bag she was holding as she tensed up. Phillips who she was following, didn't notice what was wrong with her. 'Good day" Phillip greeted the group of men that were seated in the hall of the house and discussing. Their was silence as they noticed Phillip and Rieka. 'Phillip my boy, finally brought a young lass home?, you and your sister have left your mates in the shadows" a big bellied man roared. His eyes trained on an uncomfortable Rieka. 'Ahh, not that uncle Jacob, this is an employee at the bakery and a good friend of grandma, mum invited her over" Philip explained, a shy smile on his face. Taking this as her cue, Rieka greeted immediately 'Good day sirs". They all nodded at her. Talking about how she was a beautiful and rare female. It seemed that Phillip noticed how uncomfortable she was standing in the midst of the men so he coughed a bit respectfully. 'Uhm, father, i would take my leave now" after saying this, he grasped Rieka and pulled her into the a corner of the house. Once they were out of earshot. He released her, an apologetic look on his face. 'I'm sorry if they made my you uncomfortable, my uncles are just built that way" 'It's fine" Rieka said. Phillip heaved a sigh of relief, then his face brightened up. He led her towards a large room that was emiting smoke from it's chimney, Rieka was sure that it was the kitchen. 'My mum is definitely In the kitchen with my sister and the others" Rieka didn't know who he meant by the others but she just nodded her head 'What about Grandma?" She asked 'Grandma is in the garden, do you want to see her now or you want to…." 'Lemme see your mum first and thank her for the food" Rieka said. Phillip nodded with a smile and the both of them walked into the kitchen. 'Mum! We are back!" He yelled. The blonde haired woman who was bent over the large pot of bubbling soup turned sharply. Her eyes lightened up when she saw the two of them. 'My stupid son finally managed to do something right" the woman said, she cleaned her hands on the small towel that was pinned to the apron before walking towards them. Mrs Adams was such a beautiful woman with her shimmering blonde hair and green eyes, her son, Phillip had also taken after her. 'How are you my dear" she asked, pinching Rieka's cheeks with her warm palms. 'I'm fine" Rieka said, her heart thudding loudly. She couldn't understand the warm feeling in her heart, but looking at the beautiful Mrs Adams wearing nothing but a plain brown dress and kitchen aprons with a warm smile adorning her face, she yearbed for something she knew she couldn't get. Motherly love. At that moment, she missed and resented her mother. 'Hope Phillip delivered what I gave to him?" She asked, holding Rieka's palms. 'Mum!, don't you trust me at all?!" Phillip who was standing beside whined. 'Close your mouth and let the lady speak" she shushed with a glare. Phillip clamped his mouth and made a fast zipping motion. Rieka chuckled quietly at the antics being displayed by the mother and son before her. Just as she was about to open her mouth and speak. Their was a loud squeal, then a scream and a hiss of pain. 'Watch out!"