Céline stood under the waterfall, her tears mixing with the water. She whispered, "I'm still filthy." She held a rock tightly, overwhelmed by her sorrow. In an anguished plea, she cried out, hurling the rock into the rushing river. "I can't bear it! Please, just release me. I beg you. I don't wish to endure this life any longer," she sorrowfully exclaimed.
Nia'le saw the anguish in Céline's eyes as she gazed at the river. To his surprise, the water began to churn with renewed force when the rock hit it. Alarmed, he urged Céline to step back, but her haunted eyes remained fixed on the turbulent current. Despite his warning, she let herself be swept away by the rushing waters, a tearful surrender to her despair.
Looking up with a mixture of relief and gratitude, Céline uttered, "It happened too fast. Thank you, thank you so much." Nia'le quickly removed his shoes and clothes, and without hesitation, he jumped into the river to save Céline. However, the current was too strong, and it swept him away as well. Nia'le lost sight of Céline as the water became increasingly blurry. But when he saw her hand floating up, he immediately grabbed hold of it and refused to let go. Nia'le embraced Céline tightly, desperately searching for a rock to cling to. Unfortunately, every time he tried to hold on, his hand slipped. Deep down, he knew that their chances of survival were slim, especially considering that the river flowed directly into the open ocean. At the end of the river lay a treacherous cliff, with powerful waves and large rocks. Anyone who fell there would have virtually no chance of survival. With dwindling hope, Nia'le resorted to prayer, surrendering to the uncertain outcome.
As Nia'le spotted a few rocks, he did everything in his power, pressing his back against them, knowing that relying solely on his hands would be futile. Unfortunately, the rocks were too small, and the strong current made it impossible for them to hold on. However, when he saw a massive boulder near the opening of the cliff, he recognized that this might be their only chance at survival. With determination, he allowed himself to collide with the large rock to secure their safety.
The impact caused Nia'le to cough up blood, and a numbing sensation enveloped him. To counter the numbness, he bit down on his own hand, tearing muscle from bone, driven by an unwavering will to fight for their lives. Tears streamed down his face, but with his soaked appearance, it was hard to discern if he was crying. Amid the struggle, his thoughts were consumed by memories of saving his sister and doing everything in his power for her, only to ultimately lose her in the end. With every ounce of strength and resolve, Nia'le embarked on the treacherous climb, his hands throbbing with pain. The fear of losing Céline, of being separated from her once more, fueled his determination. He clung to the jagged rocks, his fingers digging into crevices, refusing to let go. The weight of their lives rested on his shoulders, urging him to press on.
Nia'le worked quickly to make space for both of them, knowing their only chance was to reach the riverbank. The strong current threatened to pull them deeper into the water. He looked at Céline, unconscious and vulnerable, a stark reminder of the danger they faced. Time was running out, and he had to act fast.
Gently shaking her, Nia'le desperately tried to rouse Céline from her unconscious state. Panic surged within him as she remained unresponsive, her life hanging in the balance. Drawing upon his knowledge and instincts, he initiated CPR, tearing his clothes in haste to fashion a makeshift aid. With each compression and breath, he willed life back into her fragile body, his own heart pounding in sync with his efforts.
Gradually, Céline stirred, her eyes fluttering open, confusion etched across her face. Nia'le's heart swelled with relief as he saw the flicker of recognition in her gaze. Acting swiftly, he placed the torn fabric between her lips, urging her to remain silent. "Shut up now," he whispered urgently, his voice laced with a mixture of tenderness and determination. "I know I'm being rough, but I can't let you die."
With Céline in his arms, Nia'le looked at the wide river ahead. The distance to the other side seemed impossible to cross. Doubt flickered in Céline's eyes as she realized the four-meter leap was far beyond their reach. Yet, Nia'le refused to succumb to doubt. Summoning every ounce of strength and courage, he propelled himself forward, his muscles straining against the weight of their survival. Time seemed to slow as he soared through the air, defying the odds. The impact of their landing was jarring, the ground unforgiving beneath them. But they had made it, against all odds, to the other side of the river.
Breathing heavily, Nia'le released a mixture of relief and exhaustion. He looked down at Céline, her face mirroring a blend of awe and astonishment.
"He saved me, again," Céline whispered, her voice carrying the weight of the near-tragedy they had narrowly escaped.
However, as the echoes of relief settled, an unexpected tension enveloped them. Céline's gaze hardened, her eyes narrowing as if searching for answers within Nia'le's soul. In an abrupt and unexpected turn, she rose and, fueled by a surge of conflicting emotions, choked Nia'le.
"Why won't you just let me die?" she demanded, her words punctuated by the frustration and weariness she felt. "Why would you save me? I'm tired of you, I'm tired of this—" Her voice trembled with a mix of anger and despair, her inner turmoil laid bare.
Nia'le's hands clenched automatically, reacting to the emotional chaos in front of him. He felt an urge to silence her by striking her, but the sight of her tears stopped him. Céline let go of him and, instead, punched the ground in anger. Her cries echoed deep pain, while Nia'le sat quietly, watching the storm of emotions within her. "Why are you keep on making my ugly life even more miserable than it is now?" she questioned, her voice a mix of anguish and frustration. Nia'le met her gaze, his own eyes reflecting a complexity of emotions. He sat down beside her, choosing words carefully.
"What do you think Tassa and Ayamani would say if I had let you drown?" he responded, his tone measured. "Tassa cares about you, and I'd bet she would hate me if that ever happened."
Céline's retort was sharp, laced with bitterness. "Then kill yourself. If you die, she won't be able to do that." Nia'le's gaze remained steady, his response calm yet resolute. "Is dying the only solution you have? Too bad your brain ain't working like how average people's does." Céline sat in silence, her mind filled with thoughts she couldn't put into words. She avoided eye contact, her face reflecting a mix of sadness and apprehension. Nia'le, observing her gloomy expression, felt a pang of empathy. He looked up at the sky, gathering his thoughts before speaking.
"I'm not a big fan of my life," Nia'le confessed, his voice tinged with weariness. "Believe me, if you were in my shoes, you would stumble upon the overwhelming weight of it all. Céline, there's something I need to tell you..."
His voice trailed off, and Nia'le's eyes clouded with a sudden recollection. Memories from a dreadful day flooded his mind, memories he had tried so hard to bury. He hesitated, unsure if he should continue, but the weight of his past compelled him to share.
With a heavy sigh, Nia'le turned his gaze towards Céline. In a surprising act of vulnerability, Nia'le suddenly made his cloak reappear in front of them. He tossed his cloak towards her, a gesture of care and comfort.
"Maybe I just can't bear to witness the suffering of a child right before my eyes," Nia'le confessed, his voice trembling with regret. "Forgive me for saving you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" As he spoke, the sun emerged from behind the clouds, casting a warm and gentle glow upon them. The golden rays illuminated Céline's face, as if awakening something within her. She looked at Nia'le, her eyes widening in surprise, as if she had stumbled upon a familiar stranger.
"Why does he remind me of someone?" Céline wondered, her mind racing to make sense of the connection. "Someone I know, but don't." Nia'le gently draped his magic cloak over Céline's shoulders, a gesture of protection and care. He affectionately tapped her head, a small display of affection that conveyed his fondness for her. With a warm smile, he suggested, "Let's head home, Céline. I'm certain Tassa has prepared a special dinner for us."
However, Céline, feeling a sense of independence and self-reliance, removed Nia'le's hand from her head and stood up. She asserted herself, saying, "I don't owe you anything, Nia'le. Besides, I never asked you to save me back then."
Nia'le seemed taken aback, his expression reflecting a mix of surprise and confusion. "But I thought—" he began, attempting to explain his intentions.
Cutting him off, Céline interrupted, her voice firm yet tinged with vulnerability, "But what I truly wanted was to be with both of you. I longed to live alongside you, to share in your lives. Can I..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Nia'le abruptly hit her on the head, a gesture that conveyed frustration or impatience. He then stood up and continued walking, determined to retrieve his belongings. "Stop saying nonsense; you're just like Tassa," he remarked, his words laced with a hint of exasperation.
Nia'le walked away, deliberately turning his back on Céline, a symbolic gesture of distancing himself emotionally. As he moved further away, he added, "And before you say anything else, I believe they already welcomed you."
Céline stood there, her gaze fixed on Nia'le's retreating figure. She felt a mix of emotions, understanding that Tassa and Nia'le had indeed welcomed her into their lives even before she had the chance to ask.
Nia'le paused in his tracks, turning back to look at Céline, "are you coming or not? He asked.
Her eyes sparkled with joy as she smiled at him, and she eagerly ran towards him. With a playful tone, she exclaimed, "Of course I am! Otherwise, Tassa will scold you. Do you want that?" Nia'le chuckled at her remark, and together they headed back to gather their belongings.
As they walked home, Nia'le and Céline engaged in lively conversation, their happiness evident in their animated exchange. Céline couldn't help but ask about the fate of the deer they had encountered earlier. "So, what happened to the deer?" she inquired.
Nia'le's face softened as he spoke, "She was so beautiful, so I let her escape."
Céline playfully teased him, "I can't believe you, Nia'le. Are you telling me you had a thing for animals?"
Nia'le laughed, shaking his head. "No, of course not. I'm just a wholesome person, that's all."
Céline raised an eyebrow, expressing doubt. "I highly doubt that. I bet you liked that deer."
Nia'le's eyes widened in surprise. "What? No way!"
Curiosity getting the better of her, Céline persisted, "Come on, Nia'le. What did you really do to that poor deer?"
An exasperated Nia'le reiterated, "I already said it! I did nothing!"
Céline burst into laughter, playfully darting away from Nia'le. He happily chased after her as they made their way back home, their laughter filling the air.