Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Today will be a lonely day. I will not get to see Draco. On a normal day father and I go to the fields together. Today is the day however I know he must go into the other village to replenish other supplies. As I ready for a day of work, I can hear him through the wall preparing for his journey also. When I exit my room he is gathering the bags he takes to the village. They make bringing back goods so much easier.
“Do you have enough for everything on the list father” I ask him.
“I will make sure Io. I always do” he says. He kisses me on my head, and we go in our opposite directions. Along my walk my mind wanders to thoughts of Draco. Yesterday with Him was amazing. I am glad I decided to give him a chance to explain. The anger I felt somehow seems silly now that I think about it. However, his way of apology left little to be desired.
The kiss this time was different. The way my body nearly curled around his as he kissed me makes me blush even now. It seems such a terrific way to end our time together. I wonder if he would be willing to answer my questions since no one else will. The girls in the village I have talked to say to make love is a wonderful thing. They have remained scarce in the details however, believing that I am too naive to hear them. I have thought about it though. Many in our village do not commit such an act until there is a definitive agreement on marriage or until the marriage itself has taken place.
I reach the fields in no time at all seeing that I am the last of the females to arrive. I rush to grab my water gathering basin to head to the river. As I begin one of the many journeys I will take brining water to the field, I think of ways to broach the subject with Draco. After all he has more experience than I do. He must know the answers.
Draco
I decide to walk toward the shops to see if there is anything in them that will catch my eye as a gift for Io. Perhaps a heartfelt gift can be something I see that reminds me of her. When I reach the food stands my stomach growls. I realize that once again with my thoughts of Io occupying my mind I have forgotten to eat. I decide to purchase a pastry to appease my hunger. As I chew the sweet treat I think about how much Io enjoyed the food on Hanami. That is when the idea hits me. However, in order for it to work there are a few people I must convince to help tomorrow. As I begin making my rounds I see Homura talking to the man that sells fish and decide that he would be a great person to help me with this gift. I approach the stand to tell him my plan.
“Hello. sir….. Homura” I correct myself. At my greeting he turns to me and nods his head in greeting. I wondered if I might have a word with you” I say.
He accepts his fish from the seller and places it into a bag on his shoulder. I see that he carries many bags. “I was just about to begin my journey home. You may walk with and talk if you wish.” He states and turns away from the shops. As I walk beside him I begin my pitch.
“As you know tomorrow I will be bringing Io another gift. I have an idea, but it is something I would like your help with sir.” I say to him.
“What do you in mind Draco” he asks.
“Well, I was searching for a way to show Io how I feel about her. A way to prove to her that even with our different stations in life we can still be together.” He looks to me and nods as I continue “I thought it would be a clever idea to bring food that she hasn’t tried as a way of a picnic. I would like it if we were to do something with the whole village as if it were one of your celebrations. What do you think?” I ask him as I explain.
When he pauses I think for a moment that he does not like that idea. However, when I look closer I see that his chest moves rapidly as if out of breath. I reach to take some of the bags he carries to lighten his load. I take all but a few so that it will not be disrespectful to him as a man. “Thank you for carrying some of the bags. Sometimes I forget that I am not as young as I once was.” He begins. “I think you have a promising idea on your hands and my daughter enjoyed the food from your village. It is a lot to put together in such a short time. Do you think you can manage?” He asks as we begin walking again.
“I have already begun to make the arrangements. I just have no way of getting the people of your village to attend” I inform him
“Ah, so you wish me to invite them. Does my daughter know of your plans to do this” he asks.
“No sir. She does not. I had hoped it to be a surprise. In a way I want her to see it as your villages blessing for our union.” I swallow as I say. “I do understand if it is not your blessing though” I add.
He thinks on it a bit as we walk. Many minutes pass by and when he speaks again we see his hut in the distance. “I will talk to the others and see if they are willing to come. However, I will need more time before I give you my blessing. What time did you wish for everyone to meet?” He asks.
I cannot help but to smile at my plan coming together. “We always meet around midday after my studies. I told the shops I have chosen to have the food prepared for that time. They send the food by wagon so shall we say shortly past midday.” I offer.
“That is well. Tomorrow there is little work to do in the field. So many will be home early” he says. When he begins to enter his home, I stay on the porch as he puts down his bags. He returns to gather the bags I carry and bring them in.” I wait for his second return prepared to leave. Before I can speak he does.
“My daughter is everything to me. She is the only family I have left. From what I see you make her happy like I have not seen. Continue to do that young man and someday you will gain my blessing.” He says staring into my eyes. I nod and bow goodbye.
As I pave up the hill I think of the last shops I must visit before the day is done. There is still so much to do to prepare for tomorrow. At least I have made headway with her father I think. That makes the day end on a good note to me.