Belle counted the seconds to each raindrop coming down from the crack in the roof. Her hut had somehow survived this week's rain. Only one shingle fell and a large tub sat beneath it to catch the rain that fell through. From her spot on her bed, she could hear her father snoring peacefully in the other room. She fiddled with her hair, eyes sneaking glances at the figure dozing off next her. She replayed the events of last night in her head again, still uncertain that they actually happened. She was scared if she blinked or fell asleep, the person would disappear and everything would have just been a good dream.
Adam had asked for her forgiveness. Raw, unopened Adam, soaking wet with his feet covered in mud, he sloshed his way through the empty village, calling her name out in front of her hut until she finally opened a window.
"I'm not talking to you."
"Then just listen." His normally gruff voice was gone, and he sounded so uncertainly confident. "I'm sorry."
It wasn't the sorry that had surprised her. It was the number of dark circles she could see beneath his ocean eyes. It was the drenched hundred dollar clothing, the soiled thousand dollar boots. It was the desperate way he had called out her name, in the sincerity of his plea. This cold-hearted man had lost face. The one thing he had dared to keep up.
She was quiet for a while. He closed his eyes, hanging his head for a second before straightening up and gave her the harshest and most heartbroken eyes.
"Forgive me."
FORGIVE HIM. Everything seemed to scream at her. Even her neighbor screamed at her.
"JUST FORGIVE HIM, YOU IDIOT!"
Belle stared at the tub, now full, the surface constantly being disturbed every two seconds by a raindrop, creating ripples. She jumped when the man next to her sneezed. She hushed him; petting is unruly golden brown hair. Of course, she forgave him. She couldn't imagine another soul becoming her go to. Fights were stupid. They had such little time together, why waste it on petty grudges?
Adam mumbled in his sleep. Belle watched him breathe. She chuckled, still thinking her dad's pajamas looked awfully tight and uncomfortable on him, but he couldn't sleep without anything on after being drenched in the rain. She stared at the tub a little longer before deciding everyone's going to want some tea and soup when they wake up. Adam sneezed again and Belle slipped off the bed, pulling the covers over his shoulders. She hummed to herself as she walked towards the tub. She lugged it towards the kitchen, holding on to that private smile.