Episode 1
The chuckling of Peridot could be heard from afar.
The dry leaves rustled as the wind wafted softly through it.Birds chirping and bees humming.
Footsteps could be heard faintly and the snorting of horses could be heard faintly too.
Two figures began approaching the fallen log of wood which lay on the grassy ground;a pine tree standing beside it.
“let's have a seat”Peridot suggested as she and Uriah walked close to the fallen log of wood.Uriah nodded his head lightly and helped her sit before doing likewise.
Peridot and Uriah were known in the whole hamlet to be best of friends.They associated with no one else aside their parents and each other.
Peridot and Uriah used to be bruited about the whole hamlet to have a secret affair which bothered the parents of the two but they both denied having such feelings for each other.
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“so tell me perry,what are your ground plans for your future?”Uriah asked picking up a little rock on the ground and casting it in the air causing a whooshing sound.
Peridot placed her left index finger on her temple as a sign of being lost in thoughts.She thought for a moment before turning to look at Uriah whose gaze was fixed on her face.
“well,never thought of that”Peridot confessed candidly inducing a laughter from Uriah.This is unbelievable, so she's never had a thought of what she wants her future to be like?...Uriah thought.
Peridot feigned a frown as she picked up a little rock as well and tossed it in the air,causing another whooshing sound.
“You seem like you have your future planned out”Peridot stated and Uriah stopped laughing.
“of course I do,perry”
“really? Shall I know about it?”Peridot asked inquisitively.
“ Sure Perry.If I don't share my plans with you,who else will I share them with?”Uriah asked rhetorically and placed his right palm on her shoulder lightly.“i intend on becoming a great farmer with a lovely woman and three female kids”
Peridot's eyes widened on hearing Uriah's ground plan.Wow! She's never had such a thought before and wonders why.
“so you do not intend on having any male kids? I thought the male gender prefers having male kids?”Peridot asked and Uriah smiled,showcasing his white set of teeth_one of his handsome features.
“just figured out that female kids would be more useful to you...er...I...I mean my future wife”Uriah fumbled and Peridot stared at him quizzically; did he just refer to her as his future wife?
“Don't think too much Perry. That was a slip of tongue”Uriah blurted out and stood up abruptly. He intends on not telling her his true feelings for her,for the sake of their friendship.
Peridot stood up as well,her face filled with questions.
“what are you hiding from me Uri? Do you love me that way?”
Uriah shut his eyes on hearing her say that to him.No!.He can not let his feelings for her ruin their friendship.
He has always loved her since their childhood and if it means cloaking his feelings from her,for the sake of their friendship, then he sure wouldn't mind doing it.
He turned to face her.
“Like I said earlier Perry,you are not the woman I intend on marrying okay? It was a slip of tongue ”
Peridot's heart crumbled as those heartrending words outpoured from Uriah's lips.
Her heart had leapt for joy when he had mistakenly referred to her as his future wife,but now,her heart was broken.
She disguised her disappointment with a wry smile.
“We should head home now.It's getting dark already. Mother shall get worried if I stay out late”Peridot made an excuse.She just wanted to go home and cry her eyes out.All through their childhood days,she had always loved him and often times caught herself fantasising on having a romantic time with Uriah.
“Alright. ”Uriah shrugged and held her wrist as they walked out of the woods.
Peridot kept stealing glances at Uriah.He didn't seem concerned about her feelings a bit.
All this while she had thought he had a crush on her just like she had a crush on him but today,her assumptions were confirmed false_He only saw her as a friend and nothing more.
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“bye Perry ”Uriah squeezed Peridot's hand which was still wrapped in his and she smiled wryly.She pulled her hand from his, gently, and waved him goodbye as he went his way.
“You do not look cheerful my child”Kehlani said to her daughter as she stepped into the thatched cottage having a solemn look on her face.
Peridot flashed her mom a wry smile and shuffled to the earthen pot to take some water to drink.
“You had a fight with Uriah? This is good news!”
Peridot doesn't seem surprised by her mother's outburst. Kehlani never liked Uriah because Peridot always turned down her suitors' marriage proposals and Kehlani believes it's all because of Uriah.
Peridot downed two cups of water and slumped on her bed feeling emotionally weak.
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On the other hand,Uriah plonked himself down on the bench feeling enervated by his father's remonstration.He's begun with his clamoring on settling down with the daughter of a very rich farmer from the next hamlet.
“Uriah,you shall leave Peridot as your future lies with Sofie,and that's final”Zachary,Uriah's father said with finality and stormed out of the cottage.
Roxanne, Uriah's mother walked in,wearing a concerned look.
“I'm tired of your expostulations mother,please I need you to leave me be”Uriah shot at his mother and stood up.
Roxanne held her son's shoulders lightly as she made him face her.
“my son,I know how you feel...”
“No you don't mother.Why can I not make a decision for my self mother? Why do you and father have to make decisions appertaining to my life,for me? Am I not of age mother? ”Uriah quavered and exhaled deeply.
Roxanne sighed and made to pull him into a hug but he pulled away immediately.
“I'm not getting married to anyone mother,tell father,I said that”
“Is it because of Peridot my son? She's no match for you My son.She is just a pauper...”
“Stop it mother!!”Uriah hollered,for the first time though.
“Uriah!!”Zachary barked from the doorstep.Dang! Uriah has crossed the line.It is reprobatory for a child to yell at his or her parents.
“how dare you yell at your mother?! cursed be you,cursed be you!”
“please my lord...”
“Enough Roxanne!. You spoilt the lad and he has started exhibiting unethical characters.He yells at us.What we never dared to do to our older siblings let alone our parents,you must marry sofie ,Mr Kurt's daughter and that is final.Now get thee out of my sight!! ”Zachary bellowed and Uriah stormed out of the cottage in anger.
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The clouds seemed dark and has darkened the night with it's darkness except the flickering lanterns which hung outside the cottages which gave the night a little dimness.
There was only one person whom Uriah could be with in times like this_Peridot.
Uriah sighed after recalling how he had almost told her about his feelings for her.He ought to tell her soon or she might get married to someone else.He wants her to be his forever and no one else's.
The only way he could achieve that,is by confessing his feeling to her.
“i pray she accepts me”Uriah prayed in his heart.His boots trudged into the pathway that led to Peridot's house.
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Peridot's thoughts were interrupted by the familiar whistling sound.That was the only way Uriah communicated with her to open the door and come out without having to knock on it,and only Peridot understood it.
She leapt out of the bed,rushed to the window and found her prince charming standing few inches away her window.His masculine features could be faintly seen as a result of the poor illumination from the lanterns outside the cottage.
Peridot tiptoed out of her room,rushing to the door.She took her time opening the door so it doesn't squeak as Kehlani was snoring but any unpleasant sound could wake her up.
After successfully unbolting the bolt of the wooden door and pushing it open without it making a squeaking sound,Peridot stepped out of the cottage and jogged towards Uriah who stood like a statue.
“You came”Peridot whisper-screamed and hugged him passionately. Uriah stared at her in astonishment,that was the first time they were sharing a hug.What's come over her??
“Hug me back”Peridot whined with a pout and Uriah chuckled.After all,she would be his in no time,he thought.
Uriah wrapped his arm around her in a tight hug.
“Peridot?”
An old woman's voice could be heard feebly.Peridot looked back in fright and caught the frail figure of her neighbor,popularly known as ma Susanne. She was hobbling towards them with a lantern in her free hand and a stick on the other hand which she used in supporting her frail legs.
“oh no,ma Susanne is such a rumormonger. Let's get out of here quickly ”Peridot whispered to Uriah.Uriah nodded and held her wrist and they began running away.
Ma Susanne tried hastening her steps but it felt like she was in one position as her legs were too weak to move.She was 95 years old already but never stopped being a tattler_always getting Peridot in trouble.
“I think she must be seeing that boy again.kids of nowadays neglect the doctrines on decency and morality.cursed be them,cursed!”Ma Susanne said with disgust and paused just in front of Kehlani's door.With the stick in her hand,she plants a knock on the wooden door.
There was no response.She knocked again and could hear faint footsteps.
“It's Ma Susanne, Kehlani ”Ma Susanne said and the door went open.
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TBC
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