Chương 19: Book 1; Chapter 18; Reunion (1)

While holding this girl in her embrace, Rainee thought that over and over again, faith proved itself to be a tricky thing. She didn't have anything to do in this place, nor did she plan to come there. Just the classroom felt a little bit too suffocating that day, and she told everyone who came to attend that today session would be outdoors, and she walked out to look for a suitable place. This remote and rarely used square was in her mind.

To see that someone had taken it for training caught her attention, and she immediately recognised the girl from that little encounter a few days ago. She waved her class to stop a bit further away and watched this exercise with interest, and was very pleased with what she saw. So this girl really paid very close attention to all she had taught her the other day. Also, even on her own, she managed to put aside all the troubling worries and anxiety. Her heart was now calm and peaceful in the moment.

Very sad but also very calm. This sadness was good. The one that Rainee would call relieving, not restricting. And the girl wasn't trying to suppress or minimise it, nor did she try to inflate and flare it up. She was sad and allowed that sadness to flow through her as it was supposed to do. Very good. Actually, it should be said extremely good, as usually it takes many months of practice until someone in a state that this girl was in, manages to do so. What was her name? Anniet.

Nice name, but sadly didn't suit her anymore. Name that was already becoming a ghost of the past. Rainee stood in silence, admiring Anniet's moves, that were smooth but also full of small details. She nailed it perfectly. Those parts that her attention was brought to. Time to give it a slight extra push, a few extra touches.

Without a word, Rainee walked closer and, while blending into motion, straightened the girl's back, which was slightly hunched and twisting too much, resulting in an uncomfortable angle in her arm. The girl recognised her immediately at the very first touch, which in itself was a pleasant surprise; the reaction that came after was something Rainee neither expected nor was prepared for. The girl glomped onto her so badly as if her life depended on it.

Not out of neediness but just simply because she truly, madly missed her. That deep sadness of losing someone dear was floating around the girl all the time; it could be sensed from far away. But these days, most people were carrying the pain of loss, which was actually the primary motivation for them to come there to look for a new life, a new start. So it wasn't something standing out from the crowd to draw attention. But thinking back, she didn't have this feeling of loss when they met for the first time.

So all this sorrow really was from missing her… That was really touching. Not many people have surprised Rainee that much throughout her life. She knew what it is to love and to be loved, what it is to miss and to be missed. But it usually came from people who knew her. This girl didn't know her at all. There were many, many people who needed Rainee this badly. If Rainee were to allow this neediness to enter her, it would consume her immediately and would suck the joy of life in no time.

But this wasn't what was coming from this girl. She just simply, sincerely missed her, not because of neediness but because of love. To be loved so strongly by someone was a truly precious and wonderful gift. And to receive it from someone you just met brought an additional surprise.

"What happened?" Rainee asked Anniet.

"You couldn't find me?" Anniet just nodded her head in response, confirming Rainee's guesses. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Class dismissed for today," Rainee said aloud.

"We will continue tomorrow." These words didn't pass unnoticed by Anniet, and she lifted her head to look around, wondering to whom they were addressed. Behind Rainee, a few meters away, there was a bunch of people looking at her with curiosity. She looked at Rainee, back at these people, until she realised that this must be Rainee's students. And they have been dismissed because of her interference… As a confirmation, a young man expressed his dissatisfaction:"Why is the class cancelled?

Can't you meet with your friend after class?"

"I am sorry," Anniet apologised rapidly.

"I didn't mean to interfere."

"You have to stop apologising for things that you didn't do," Rainee interrupted, gently wiping away tears from Anniet's cheeks.

"It brings nothing but confusion." Then she turned back to the man who spoke.

"Marcus, I doubt you miss my history teachings so much that you cannot wait until tomorrow."

"Why do you have to teach history?" the same man wouldn't give up.

"It is obvious that you know so much more than some history. Isn't that why we're all coming to your classes?"

"I am coming to these classes because I love history lessons," one woman disagreed with him.

"Me too," a middle-aged man agreed, "but I can wait until tomorrow. It is interesting, but I am not in a rush to hear it all. There are many other things to do, and the girl is obviously under stress – she needs help."

"History? That's what you are teaching?" Anniet asked, thinking that this man got it completely wrong; she was not under stress – on the contrary, right now she was as happy as a human could be. Everyone spoke at the same time, bringing up questions but leaving little time for answers. Rainee answered Marcus first.

"I think history is a very fascinating subject, it might be about the past, but it reflects on today's behaviour, twisting current understanding, especially when what is believed and what actually happened doesn't match." Then she turned back to Anniet.

"What did you think I was teaching?"

"Martial arts," Anniet answered honestly.

"Martial arts?" Marcus interrupted again.

"You can even teach martial arts!?"

"Sure, she can," Anniet answered instead, not understanding what question it was.

"If all doors have opened for her, she can teach anything she wants. Isn't that the rule?"

"All doors?!"

"But how is it possible?"

"I didn't know it was possible." Voices sounded around, and Anniet understood that she had said something that wasn't for her to say.

"I am sorry," she looked at Rainee with her eyes wide open, filled with fear and distress. She has done it again! She just opened her mouth and brought a problem. Now she was stressed! Not knowing what will happen next.

"I didn't know it was a secret…" she added in an apologetic voice. If she were able, she would go back in time and cut her own tongue out, just for this one time.

"You have to stop apologising for things that you didn't do," Rainee said in a way as if she hadn't said the same thing just a moment ago.

"There are no such things as secrets. You should feel free to speak all you know at any time."

"If it is not a secret, then why have you never told anyone about it?" Marcus asked, his face clouded in disbelief.

"Nobody ever asked me," Rainee said simply.

"Then why did you tell her?"

"Because she asked me."

"Why would she ask you such a thing?"

"Because I wanted to know," Anniet couldn't believe all this questioning.

"Is that why you don't like teaching? Because people are rude and demanding?"

"Pretty much," Rainee smiled at her again.

"With the only correction – I do like teaching."

"How is it 'rude and demanding'?" Marcus looked at Rainee with his sharp eyes.

"Didn't you yourself say repeatedly that we all should speak freely what we think and only what we think?"

"Yes, I did, and I stand for it," Rainee agreed.

"You should always speak only what you think and not what you think that others want to hear. But one isn't opposing another. A person can be honest and truthful, while being rude and demanding at the same time."

"Then what are you saying? Is it good to be rude and demanding or not?"

"Well, that's an easy question, and even you yourself know the answer. It is never good to be rude and demanding."

"Then I shouldn't say what I think? I should say something nice instead?"

"Then you would be lying. I prefer rudeness over lies all day long," Rainee smiled at him.

"Then what am I supposed to do?!" Marcus was losing his patience. People who were standing close to him suddenly dispersed, some leaving this place completely, some just moving aside, the same as picnickers would scatter at the sight of a stormy cloud. Rainee was untouched by this upcoming storm.

"In your quest, you should always be truthful and observe what effect it has on those surrounding you. This is the only way to meet, recognise, and understand yourself. Finding and understanding yourself is the only key that will unlock the door you want to walk through."

"What if I don't like the effect I have on those who are surrounding me?"

"Then you have to change."

"I am trying to change!"

"No, you are trying to pretend to be someone that you are not. It is not the same. Pretence doesn't require you to recognise yourself, it requires you to observe what others demand and to act accordingly. You are already very good at it. But this skill cannot take you to the place you want to be."

"Then what do I do? How do I change? What even is that change?"

"It is up to you to find this path; I can only point the direction and describe how it feels to walk on it. I cannot walk it for you."

"Can't you walk this path with me?"

"I can," Rainee confirmed.

"As soon as you step on it and want my company, I can walk it with you. But first you have to find the path. I cannot drag you onto it. Come," she said, turning towards Anniet, "I want to show you something."

"So you are leaving?" Marcus frowned.

"Yes."

"What about class?"

"It has been dismissed."

"Can I come with you?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You are not interested in my personal life, so it wouldn't be anything to your interest."

"I can learn."

"Interest is not something that can be learned." While talking, Rainee picked up a wooden sword from the ground, took Anniet by the hand, and was already moving away.

"I want you to teach me martial arts!" Marcus shouted from behind.

"Out of the question," Rainee said without even looking back.

"Why not?"

"Old John is a martial arts teacher here."

"Old fart doesn't know anything!"

"Old fart is the best swordsman in the kingdom and the best teacher you will ever meet. He knows way more than I do. Take the privilege of learning from him instead of shunning away."

"So you will just go?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Free will, Marcus, free will. Everyone is entitled to do with their own time and life what they want."

"What about my free will? Why yours counts and mine doesn't?"

"Excellent question," Rainee turned at him over her shoulder.

"You think about it carefully, make enquiries if needed, and tell me tomorrow where you got it wrong." None of these questions made Rainee stop or even slow down. By now, she and Anniet were a good deal away, and Marcus didn't say anything anymore, just stood waiting until these two disappeared behind a corner.