Chapter 3

Irina walked out of the library, feeling down and angry. Even though she had reached the exit door, she could still hear their yells clearly.

Home wasn’t the right place to be in right now. She needed time to be alone to clear her mind and calm her fuming heart. The forest was perfect for it, as always.

Thus, she strode through the arch bridge and then turned left. Walking straight into the dense forest. The event in the library was still fresh in her mind.

She felt betrayed. As the library’s loyal member, she knew all the library’s staff because she had visited it regularly. So, why they’re not considering her to be one of them instead of that stranger man?

With crumpled mind she set foot on the forest ground. Breezy air blew gently over her face. Telling her that she was on the right path to the river. Half way, where soil ground gradually became green with soft wild grass.

Irina’s mind repeatedly played the event in the library, but as soon as the scenery changed, she took off her shoes unconsciously. She didn’t notice that a black cat stared at her with its green eyes.

Bare foot, she started to walk towards the river bank. While the black cat surprised that she was ignoring it. Then it started to call her, and still, she didn’t hear it as she kept on walking.

When its high-pitched voice reached her ears, she looked down and gave the cat an apologetic smile. Taking the cat into her embrace, she carried it and resumed walking.

Sitting on the stony river bank with both feet dip into the river, she put the cat on to her lap then started caressing it. She felt fresh, the water current was rubbing her feet. Slow ambiance slowly made her mind in peace.

Meanwhile, the cat felt comfortable on her lap. And by the stroke of her hand, the cat lulled to sleep immediately.

It was peaceful, serene, and quiet making Irina and the cat liked to stay that way for hours. Until the mid-day bell sounded from afar. And her stomach growled.

She woke the cat up. “Hey, little friend.” Her hand stroke its head gently. “Wake up. It’s mid-day already and I need to go home.”

The cat opened its eyes, looking lazily at her.

“I’ll come back again. I promise.” She said again. Blinking then she laughed at herself upon realizing that she was talking to a cat.

The cat understood then hopped down from her lap. Standing up, she dried her feet with the inner fabric of her dress. Putting on her shoes. She blew a kiss to the cat before walked out of the forest.

Soon, she passed the arch bridge in a state of switching from running to walking fast. But then her pace slowed, she recalled how she got out of the house earlier. Unladylike through the window. A vain effort to make her dream come true.

And now, it was not a wise move if she went straight home without anything to offer as a gesture that she was sorry. Perhaps, if she brough something, her father would want to listen to her failure story and pitted her, then forgive her.

Yeah, that was what she was going to do. Buy something for her father. Better, buy his favorite fruit. It was decided then, so she firmly took a turn to the market.

In front of the fruit stall, she stood on the corner, trying to decide which fruit she wanted to buy. All of them looked tasty. Well, her father liked apple, all kind of apples. There were five different red apples and two kinds of green apples.

She tried to remember which apple her father used to buy. Narrowing her eyes like the apples had wronged her, she decided that her father had no preference for apples. It seemed he liked them all. That’s good, then. She just needed to buy the cheapest apple.

“Have you decided yet, child?” The seller’s hoarse voice startled Irina.

Irina looked up and saw middle-age woman smiled sweetly at her. As a frequent buyer, Irina knew the woman and the other way around. So, she returned the smile.

“I have. Which one is the cheapest?”

“The greens.” The woman pulled a knife then sliced one green apple into four slices. She handed Irina one slice. “Taste it. It’s still fresh. The farmers dropped by with one large crate of this apple in the morning.”

“Oh…” Irina took the slice then put it into her mouth. Juicy, sweet and sour combined together.

“What do you think?”

“It’s ghooo…hooodd.” Irina groaned, making the older woman laughed.

“But it’s not the cheapest.” The seller pointed the crate next to which she gave Irina a slice. “Ten cents higher than those. From two days ago.”

Just ten cents, thought Irina. “Alright. I’ll take it. The new one.” She said with hand inside her bag, rummaging it.

“Half bag as usual?” Irina heard the seller hoarse voice, but she couldn’t make a respond immediately, still busy looking for her purse.

Irina frowned because she couldn’t find her purse inside her bag. That was odd, she had put her purse along with the two books which was now had returned to the library. She remembered it clearly. Why was it gone? When? Where?

A frustration gasp escaped Irina’s mouth as flash of memory crossed. Previously, when she reached the river bank, she had thrown her bag randomly. Perhaps, her purse also thrown out of her bag. Damn!

The seller watched Irina closely as she didn’t reply, a moment later, she was a little startled hearing Irina’s sudden gasp. And now, Irina let out a heavy sigh.

“Is there something wrong, child?”

Irina sighed again. “It is.” She replied unexcitedly. “I’m sorry Madam, I can’t buy your apple today. I lost my purse somewhere.”

Relief filled the seller’s eyes. She thought Irina was sick or something. Then she responded. “It’s alright, child.”

“I’ll come back again later with the money.” Irina bid her goodbye when an unfamiliar man’s voice cut in.

“I can buy the apples for you.” Said the man.

Turning sideways, Irina saw the new librarian stood before her. One of her brows lifted unconsciously.

“You can return the money if you didn’t want taking them for free.” Said the librarian again. “Although, I don’t mind buying you apples.” He grinned.

Furrowed deeply, Irina almost couldn’t believe her ears. This thief was really something and overconfident. She ended up shaking her head.

All of the sudden, the furrow turned into a sweet brilliant smile, puzzling the new librarian.

Still with the same smile, Irina responded. “No, thanks.” Then she took one step closer to the man as she whispered. “The thief’s money is always bad money.”

Not waiting for his respond, Irina left. After taking few steps, Irina passed by Mrs. Letty, the other librarian. She was mad at her too.

“Hello, Irina.” Greeted Mrs. Letty.

Irina didn’t stop, but she greeted back. “Hello.” Curt and harsh.

Faintly, Irina heard the seller’s hoarse voice. “I wonder why, but she is a nice girl, and usually she doesn’t behave like that.”