''Woman!'' called the man in a flat tone, ''I hear your heartbeat very clearly... I know you're scared, but I don't think you have a choice but to follow me now!''

SREK

Anindira was confused, but her alertness made her unable to accept the young man's outstretched hand just like that.

The young man's forehead frowned when he saw Anindira actually stepping back, showing her rejection of the help offered by the young man.

ROARRRR

Just as Anindira's feet were about to take another step back, she was startled by a strange sound that sounded like a roar. Immediately after, suddenly, the roar echoed in response to each other, as if telling that behind Anindira there would be a more tense atmosphere than now.

BRAK DRAG BRUK

This time the roar was accompanied by a deafening thunderous sound. Even the ground where Anindira was standing seemed to vibrate.

Anindira's body trembled, she wanted to scream in fear, but her voice seemed to be stuck in her throat and couldn't come out.

Anindira held back the pain in her chest, holding back the incredible horror. Hearing the sound of some creature or what was happening in the forest behind her. The things she didn't know felt very scary, making Anindira think about all that. Several things crossed her mind.

''What was that just now... not just one... there are various things behind that I don't know what... But, what is clear is that I know right now. No matter how it looks... the creature in front of me is clearly human. At least, this one can be discussed even though I don't understand what he's been saying since earlier...''

Both logic and instinct were saying the same thing in her heart at that time. Between calming herself from the extreme fear that was hitting her chest. But, also holding back the feeling of horror from the figure of the strange young man in front of her who was no less tense until her legs felt stiff and couldn't move.

"To me, he looks like a grim reaper, but at least he and I can communicate with each other. At least that's it for now, the rest is up to the situation. We'll see how it goes later!" Anindira exclaimed in her heart. Suddenly, her legs felt like they had new energy, stepping forward.

Anindira immediately held the hand of the man in front of her, who was muscular and took cover behind her.

"Sir!" Anindira called, ''Please help..." Anindira said in a pleading tone.

The young man was shocked when Anindira grabbed his hand and held it very tightly. But a moment later the young man finally bent his body, half kneeling in front of Anindira.

The young man saw Anindira's expression with her face looking pale. Her eyes were pleading, like the eyes of a kitten abandoned on the street asking to be picked up.

One of the young man's hands gently rubbed Anindira's two hands that were holding his fingers tightly. Anindira could clearly feel how rough the surface of the young man's palms were like sandpaper holding Anindira's back. However, Anindira's heart felt that the big hand that was stroking the back of her hand felt sincere.

The young man got up and gently held Anindira's hand, leading her away from the place that the young man knew would be very dangerous for Anindira.

''I think you're calm enough now...'' said the young man. After some time, they walked side by side while continuing to hold hands.

Anindira could only look at the young man in confusion. She clearly heard the young man talking but did not understand what he was saying.

Finally, the young man stopped his steps because he knew that Anindira had been looking at him but not answering his words since the beginning of their meeting earlier.

''What's your name?'' asked the young man, ''Which village are you from?'' asked the young man again with a flat face, his sharp gaze looking at Anindira even though it seemed like he was avoiding making eye contact with Anindira, ''I'll take you there...''

Anindira still didn't understand what the young man was saying, but the young man who avoided eye contact with her could be felt very clearly by Anindira.

Anindira was still afraid of the young man, but the young man's behavior of avoiding eye contact with Anindira made her curious.

''What's wrong with him?'' asked Anindira in her heart, ''I don't know what he's thinking, but why does he always look away? Come on, that behavior is impolite when talking to other people!''

Although the young man avoided eye contact with Anindira, he could feel that Anindira was judging him now.

''I ask you a question,'' the young man said, still in his flat tone, ''Can you answer so that we don't waste too much time.''

Like before, Anindira still looked at the young man with a confused expression. Even so, Anindira's sharp gaze probed the gestures of the young man in front of her.

"A-anu... Sorry sir, I... I don't understand what you're saying?" Anindira asked the young man.

''What did you say?'' the young man asked.

This time the young man was surprised. This was the first time Anindira gave a clear response from the several times the young man tried to talk to her.

Anindira tilted her head slightly, responding to the young man's question with a confused expression.

"You... where are you from, I don't understand what you're saying at all?!'' the young man asked while tilting his head to look at Anindira, ''Not only me... but you also don't understand what I'm saying, right?!"

Anindira still gave the same response. Confused but still alert, watching the young man in front of her.

''Sir, I have absolutely no idea what you're saying... but, I guess you're just as confused as I am right now.''

The two stared at each other, the young man who had always averted his gaze. He was careless, because he was curious. He looked at Anindira, looking directly into Anindira's sharp black eyes.

At the same time, Anindira was also stunned to see how beautiful the unique sapphire blue eyes were twinkling, even though the atmosphere was currently dim because it was dusk.

DEGGG

Suddenly the young man was shocked, it was clear that he gasped even by Anindira.

''Crap!!!'' the young man shouted in his heart, ''Damn fool. I was careless!''

At the same time, Anindira held her chest. She felt like something had suddenly entered her heart but didn't know what.

It was different with Anindira. The young man in front of her knew very well what was happening. What's more, seeing Anindira's response, although not sure, he could guess that the young girl in front of him also felt the same way as him.

''Woman, do you know what you just did to me?'' asked the young man firmly, ''I am a sapphire, I will not let you go no matter what!''

Anindira still did not understand what the young man in front of her said, but the impression the young man gave Anindira this time was different from how he spoke before. Anindira did not understand what was happening, but she felt that the young man was giving her a warning. And, for some reason, Anindira did not feel that she did not like the warning from the young man.

''Your leg is injured, I should carry you!'' exclaimed the young man, then immediately lifted Anindira's tiny body, ''Night is coming soon, we have to hurry!''

"Ahh!... Sir what are you doing?!" exclaimed Anindira in panic.

Anindira asked with a worried face because she was surprised, and also felt uncomfortable.

"Sir... please put me down!" Anindira exclaimed, struggling in his arms, but the young man did not hear her and continued walking, ignoring her.

*****

Chapter 4 First Conversation

You might like