At Noah's Shop....
The scent of herbs spread through the air as Noah was arranging some into small wooden boxes.
She was meticulous, taking her time, carefully arranging the dried herbs she had kept from the previous days. There was a big shelf at the back of the main counter, where the glass jars were neatly arranged. She was busy arranging them until she heard the doorbell rang.
As the door opened, a familiar figure stood in the entrance.
"Hey Noah!", a cheerful voice was heard.
Noah looked at the door; eyes widening, with a surprised look. There was Rachel, her childhood friend, who had come to visit her.
Rachel's doe brown eyes looked at Noah happily and her slightly wavy chocolate hair matched her temperament perfectly. Altogether she looked warmer.
Rachel walked toward Noah with a beaming smile, her steps slow and careful. Seeing her smile, it was refreshing for Noah.
Noah put down what she was doing and rushed towards her with joy. She accompanied Rachel to sit in the chair placed in the center of the room.
As Rachel was pregnant with her first child. She was already five months along, her belly was starting to show a little even with her baggy kirtle.
Rachel also had a special glow on her face which made her even more adorable. "She must be eating well", Noah thought.
"Rachel, did you come alone? Where is Max?", Noah asked her with concern as she sat next to her.
Rachel resting comfortable said, "He left because the inn keeper called him urgently. He must be busy with the repairs at the inn."
"Let me pour you some tea you must be tired", Noah said, ready to stand.
But Rachel made her sit by grabbing Noah's hand gently.
Rachel replied, "No, I am fine I just want to talk to you. I couldn't see you these days and I miss coming out so much."
She sat still holding Rachel's hand.
"So, you don't miss me; you just miss going out, huh?", Noah said in a teasing tone as they looked at each other.
Rachel who saw through it said, "Darling don't be upset. You were the first person I wanted to see, so I came to find you.", in her husky voice.
They giggled a little. The atmosphere couldn't have been better as two friends caught up after a long time.
Noah continued asking, "How are you feeling now? Has your morning sickness gotten better?"
"Yes, See I even put on some weight.", Rachel showed Noah her cheeks with cupping it with both her hands, looking a little down.
"You look beautiful, more beautiful", Noah replied swiftly.
Rachel who knew she meant it, blushed a little.
Rachel, a little embarrassed with a hinge of blush on her cheeks said, "The herbs you recommended were useful Noah. We also asked the village doctor as you advised. He told us there was no problem with the herbs."
"So", Rachel paused for a moment, now frowning a little said, "I am having a good time except for facing my mother-in-law every day."
"That's good.", Noah replied.
Rachel was irritated for a moment as she mentioned her mother-in-law.
That's nothing new they never got along well. At least Max had her back every time they fought. He became skilled at handling them at this point. Seeing that Rachel was upset, she must have had a tough time.
But Noah noticed another thing. Rachel was conscious of her weight. She read in a book that pregnant women undergo a lot of changes both physically and mentally.
Also, lot of them do feel more self-conscious of their weight when pregnant. Most of them want to look good for their husbands.
Apparently, this kind of behavior is not good for the mother. She knew Max was not that kind of person, who treats Rachel carelessly. But still, Noah wanted to be sure.
"Does Max treat you well?", she asked Rachel.
Rachel said in a complaining tone, "He is good but sometimes he is being too much."
Rachel suddenly energetic continued, "When I told him I will be here for some time, he wanted to come along. I told him I will come and go by myself. But he wouldn't listen. Ever since I became pregnant, he wouldn't leave me alone and let alone go outside. I was so bored at home."
Rachel was pouting a little while complaining.
Noah replied, "Hey this is not what you said when you were lovers. I have been there for all your couple fights. This this more like you flaunting your love here."
Noah shook her head in disbelief. But it's nice hearing Max being supportive.
"As the saying goes married life do hits different.", Rachel said in a soft playful voice, with her gorgeous smile.
Suddenly there was this lovely look on Rachel's face. Noah starred at Rachel for a moment.
The look on her face was a view she was familiar with in the past. Noah have seen it, felt it and cherished it a million times. It was the kind of expression you make when you are in love.
Her smile vanished a moment. Noah put out the small spark instantly without igniting it further.
Thankfully Rachel didn't notice her expression as she was lost in her own world.
"You lovebirds are always inseparable.", Noah chuckled, returning to her light self.
"You don't understand rather I should say, fighting chicks.", said Rachel.
Her comment caught Noah off guard, and she let out a laugh genuinely.
She never fails to surprise me 'Rachel and her wild imaginations'.
She was always expressive and lively. She was the type of person that brings a smile to your face whenever you think of them.
Then Rachel added, "If we speak of lovely couples, Uncle and Aunty are the best pair I have seen".
Rachel got excited and continued saying, "Remember when we were young, how we used to say one day we will also be in love like them. Has there ever been a pair like..."
Rachel paused for a moment as she realized what she had just said.
"Why am I so stupid?", Rachel thought.
Noah who was not surprised replied, "Yes, they were the sweetest, right?", with a calm smile on her face.
Noah's reply was nothing but calm. On the other hand, Rachel's face became pale in an instant. Her heart was filled with worry as she watched Noah.
Only the sound of splashing water was heard, as Noah poured her a cup of water on the table.
Noah handed her the cup. As she cannot hold back her worry any longer, she looked at Noah's face with a troubled look.
Rachel asked, "Noah, Are you okay? I shouldn't have mentioned it.", while clenching the wooden glass in her hand.
Noah without any hesitation said, "It's okay Rachel; I am fine now."
"You don't have to be on eggshells while mentioning them. In fact, I am so happy that I am not the only one remembering how loving they were."
There was no change in her expression while saying that. With the reassuring words Rachel calmed down. She drank the water...and the clunk sound was heard when she placed them on the table.
Comforting silence filled the room following.
Rachel has always known how painful it was for Noah. So, in these years, she was always careful about anything related to them. But seeing how Noah didn't react at all, she was relieved.
Rachel was lost in her thoughts as Noah called her. "Rachel, are you okay?", Noah asked.
"Yes, I am", Rachel nodded.
"Then I will be going, Max must be back. See you, Noah.", Rachel said.
Noah bid her goodbye, "Be careful on the way."
Rachel waved her hand and walked carefully. Her was face dropping, opposite to her usual self.
Because deep-down Rachel knew that even if Noah says it's okay, this is still a painful topic for her friend. Rachel sighed a little and walked home.
Once Rachel left, Noah just sat there and leaned back in the chair as her mind drifted away.
"It should be okay, right?", she mumbled.
"I am way past that point to feel any pain now. But I do have to admit, it's still hard talking about them.", Noah accepted.
Noah couldn't forget how her world was perfect once. She couldn't get over the warmth she experienced. Even before she knew it, Noah was lost in memories of the past.
Her past was nothing grand. She was just living her life with her family. Her parents were simply kind, hardworking and loving.
But Noah thought she had everything. She never knew it was only a fleeting moment in her eternal pain.
From the start, was everything meant to end this way.