Chapter 713 A Group Of Children
For the time being, Clarissa knew that she should be safe where she was, but she had no idea how Nora would be.
She was worried and feared that something bad might happen to Nora.
The woman host was lost in her thoughts for a while.
She felt sympathetic when she saw the woeful look on Clarissa's face, and said, "All right, I'll get someone to go over to where Uncle Jasper lives tomorrow. If the situation allows it, I'll ask someone to bring the young woman here."
Hurriedly, Clarissa interjected, "How about I go with them?"
The woman's smile stiffened and retorted, "My dear, what are you worried about? We saved you and your friend. We won't hurt you. We can meet her in two days time. Are you worried we'll harm her?"
Her sudden change in manner baffled Clarissa.
Clarissa wondered if she had offended the woman.
If that was the case, Clarissa knew that she could not ask anymore since the woman had turned down her request repeatedly. She was a guest at the woman's house, and she did not want to be rude to her.
Seeing her dejected look, the woman tried to comfort her.
"Don't be sad. Outsiders are not allowed to enter Uncle Jasper's village. Your friend is lucky that they're willing to save her. Usually, they don't bother with outsiders."
Her answer sounded strange and mystified Clarissa.
Without another word, the woman went out of the house before Clarissa could ask further.
It did not take long for the woman to come back in after making arrangements with the villagers.
"I've arranged with them. Don't worry. Tomorrow, someone will go and find out if the young lady is your friend. By the way, can you tell me your name so that I can tell them afterward, or do you have a photo of yourself for your friend to recognize you?"
Clarissa pursed her lips and did not want to reveal her real name instinctively.
Instead, she used a name that Nora would recognise to be her.
"My name is Maxi."
The woman looked surprised and replied with a smile, "Is this a nickname? Okay, it's okay. I'll let them know. If she is your friend, I'll ask someone to bring her over."
Then, she went out again.
Clarissa sat there, waiting for the woman to finish making arrangements until she came back in.
Then, the woman suggested to her, "It's getting late. Why don't you go to rest in that room? If there's anything else, we'll talk about it tomorrow."
Clarissa nodded and used the wall for support to go back to her room.
She could see that the night was dark as she tossed and turned on her bed, finding it hard to sleep.
Outside the house, insects were buzzing. Those sounds could only be heard in the countryside.
Clarissa could smell the dampness from the bed as she struggled with the uneasy feeling in her heart.
At this moment, it was pointless for her to keep on thinking.
She did not know how Nora was doing or if Nora was injured. Her fervent hope was that Nora did not run into those assailants.
As she thought about this, her eyes closed. What happened during the day had left her exhausted. Although she tried to stay awake, she dozed off in the middle of the night.
When she woke up the next day, it was already mid-morning.
Clarissa opened her eyes and saw a group of children with dirty faces standing in front of her bed.
She almost leapt from her bed in fright.
"You guys..."
"Hee hee—"
Clearly, the children came from the village. When they saw her wake up, they did not shy away from her but instead looked at her with smiles.
Their innocent stares assured Clarissa that they meant no harm to her. They were probably curious, and it took a while before she gradually relaxed.
It was natural for her as a mother to have affection for children.
Then, she asked them out of curiosity, "What are you doing here? What time is it now?"
The children could understand her questions, but kept quiet.
One of the older-looking children answered, "Aunt Anne asked us to keep an eye on you. It's, uh..."
He paused and turned back to look at the sun through the window. Then, he continued, "...probably nine o'clock now."
Clarissa was speechless.
She could not believe that there was no clock or watch here.
Although she did not know what it was like to be poor and that there were poor places in the world, she had never thought there could be a place that poor.
She pushed the blanket aside, sat up, and asked.
"Is Aunt Anne the woman who saved my life yesterday? Where is she now?"
"She has gone to the mountain and will be back at noon. Where are you going?"
One of the children answered and asked at the same time as Clarissa was putting on her coat to go out to wash her face. She was disappointed to learn that Aunt Anne would only be back at noon.
Then, she asked the child who answered her, "Last night, Aunt Anne promised me that she will send some people to the next village to find my friend. Have they left yet?"
The child was wide-eyed with confusion at her question. After thinking for a moment, the child nodded.
"They have set off early in the morning. Be patient. They will be back in the afternoon."
It was a relief to hear that, and Clarissa felt more at ease.
Then, she thought that it was a little strange that there were so many children around her.
Not knowing what to say, she blurted out, "Come out here with me. Don't stand there all the time."
The children laughed merrily and joined her outside.
Outside of the house, she could see the entire village clearly for the first time.
It was almost the same as she had imagined. The bright sunshine shone all around and she could see mud houses everywhere.
The back of each house was a compound with a low fence for rearing poultry. There were also some cows tied up by the side of the road. The cows' excrement scattered around gave off an unpleasant smell.
Clarissa stretched herself and sighed as she stood at the door.
"Life here must be tough," she thought to herself.
The children did not leave, but stayed around her and looked at her.
The way the children stuck to her was embarrassing for her.
Their strange and pitiful eyes touched her heart. She searched her pocket but there was nothing delicious or interesting.
When she parachuted, she lost all her belongings. There was nothing that she could offer now.
After thinking for a while, she asked, "Have you had breakfast?"
"Yes, we've eaten."
The little children answered in unison.
Clarissa rubbed her tummy and added with a smile.
"I haven't eaten yet."
"Aunt Anne said that you can cook if you are hungry. There is rice in the kitchen."
One of the children's answer took Clarissa by surprise. She looked in the direction he pointed and asked, "Is that the kitchen?"
"That's right."
She mused and walked over to the small room where he pointed.
As they walked, she asked, "Since you all had breakfast, how about some snacks? How about I make rice cakes for you?"
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