Chapter 15: Chapter 15

I hear his apology through the door. I cannot see him though to know if it is real. My father blocks my view. I do not want to see him, but it would have been nice, I think. Just hearing his voice when I thought I never would again make my heartbeat faster. I walk away from the door and go back to my room.

Sometime later my father knocks on my door. He enters my room and leans against the door. “The boy has gone” he informs me. I nod my head. There is not anything for me to say. Father was right. I lay down on my kang and father exits my room. I wonder if Draco really is sorry. Why didn’t he show up last midday? I have so many questions but after how he made me feel, I am not sure I want the answers.

~Two days later~

Father and I are just sitting down to eat supper when there is a knock on the door. I look at father and see that his face looks curious. He was not expecting anyone. He goes to the door and opens it. “Hello sir, I am here to bring Io her first gift” I hear Draco say. My pulse speeds. He really came back.

“She doesn’t want to speak to you. She doesn’t want to see you” I hear my father repeat.

“I understand, would you just make sure she gets this gift. Again, tell her that I sincerely apologize. I will be back again in two days’ time” he tells my father. I see my father’s arms raise as he accepts something from Draco. Then he closes the door sits a package on the table and sits back down for supper.

My fingers twitch to open the brown papered gift as I stare at it. If I open it does that mean that I accept him courting me? I am not sure I want that again. I felt so much pain when he abandoned me the first time. I pick up my utensil and begin eating my food. The entire time I chew I stare at the gift wondering what could be inside.

“A gift is meant to be opened. They come with no obligations” my father says still looking at his plate.

I ponder the statement as I eat the rest of my food. I guess that means that if I take it, it does not have to mean I am being courted. I decide I will open the gift. I take my plate to the sink and gather my fathers because he is finished.

“Sit, open your gift dear. I want to see what he has chosen. I will do the dishes” he states. As he rises, I bring the package closer to me on the table. I rip off the paper and smile at what I find. It is the book we had a brief conversation about when he walked me home the first time. I rub my finger over the title which reads “The Story of the Stone.” Draco called this his favorite book. When I open the cover, I see a cherry blossom has been pressed into the seam of the book with a note. “To my future bride. May you find as much joy in this book as I have. I’m sorry.” My eyes water a bit at his words.

My father reenters the room and gasps. I look up to see him staring at the book. “Do you know what that is. It is the first book that has ever been printed in our language. It is a story as old as time but talked about much.” He exclaims. He looks so happy and shares my joy. We both love to read, and I know it has been a while since he got to read an actual book. It is a fine first gift, I think.

“Would you like to read it once I am finished” I offer. He nods his head eagerly.

“I would enjoy that very much. I have heard the story many times but never got to read it” he says. “Perhaps the boy has good taste after all” He states.

He bows good night and goes to his room. I take leave to mine and sit on my kang with my book in my hands. I open the cover and run my hands over Draco’s words. Maybe he is terribly sorry, I think. I do not know if I am ready to forgive him yet. Perhaps in two days’ time when he returns something will have changed. I open the book and begin to read.