033. Quid Pro Quo

Bandung, Indonesia
Jalu’s face tightened with distress after the call with his father. His gaze, sharp and intense, mirrored the edge of a heated blade, simmering with unspoken fury. He stared at the locked screen of his device, his hand trembling slightly as if resisting the urge to hurl it against the wall. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes had been observing him all along. The sudden shift in his demeanor stirred a quiet concern within Liriénka, her instincts immediately sensing the storm brewing within him.
"Is there a problem?" the girl asked cautiously, her voice barely a ripple in the tense air. "I don't want to be a burden."
Jalu quickly turned, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. It wasn’t right for a host to lose his composure in front of guests, he reminded himself.
"The first man who spoke to you earlier was my father," he explained, his tone carefully controlled. "We don't get along well."
He stood up, stretching his body as if trying to shake off the lingering tension, deliberately avoiding the inquisitive gaze of the niylath girl, who was almost entirely submerged in the water, her eyes steady on him.
"You'll be staying here for a few days, maybe longer," he continued, running a hand over the back and sides of his closely shaved head, contrasting with the longer, rollable top. "Since I've been living alone, I might get a bit too talkative."
Liriénka's soft smile remained as she absorbed Jalu's sudden change in tone. His concern for her well-being was unexpected, yet it helped to ease some of the unease she had felt earlier. Despite the shift, she chose to stay silent, recognizing the tension that still lingered beneath his outward composure.
"You don't talk much, do you?" Jalu spoke again, trying to break the silence. But before she could respond, his eyes suddenly widened with realization. "Ah! You must be hungry!"
Jalu half-ran into the house, leaving Liriénka watching him with a newfound sense of relief. The tension that had clouded her thoughts eased as she realized her rescuer wasn’t as angry as she’d feared. With a deep breath, she turned her attention to the surroundings, taking in the unfamiliar environment. She had no idea how long she would be staying, but one thing was clear: this place would be her refuge, at least for now.
The backyard had the potential to be a serene haven, but neglect had taken its toll. Liriénka's discomfort grew as she observed the leaves scattered around the pool, which had once been a strikingly beautiful man-made stone lake. She couldn't ignore the mess, so she climbed out of the pool and, without hesitation, started gathering the dry leaves with her hands. The task provided a small sense of purpose in the unfamiliar surroundings, offering her a way to contribute while she waited.
“There are still a few—” Jalu’s words cut off abruptly as his eyes widened at the sight before him. Liriénka was diligently gathering dry leaves, stacking them as though preparing for a bonfire. But what left Jalu standing there, speechless, was not the task itself.
The niylath girl, clad in a thin white t-shirt and dark blue basketball shorts Martin had given her, was soaking wet, and the contours of her form were unmistakably visible. His gaze faltered, and with a flush of embarrassment, Jalu quickly averted his eyes. He hurried back inside the house and reemerged with something in his hand, his movements brisk and purposeful.
“Wear this.”
Liriénka startled as Jalu slipped a thick black hoodie over her head. Her initial surprise melted into curiosity as she looked up at him. The hoodie, slightly oversized even for Jalu, swallowed her frame entirely. Its hem fell to mid-thigh, and the sleeves were long enough to almost reach her knee, though she held them up with her slender fingers.
“I apologize if what you saw bothered you,” Liriénka said, her voice soft with a hint of embarrassment.
Jalu shook his head. “I should be the one apologizing for not providing you with proper clothes sooner, Liriénka.”
Jalu moved back into the kitchen and returned with a large plate piled high with an assortment of fresh fruits. He casually sat on the grass, pulled a mango from the plate, and began to peel it with practiced ease. He sliced off a piece and extended it toward Liriénka.
“What is this?” Liriénka asked, holding the fragrant, golden slice up to her face, her curiosity piqued.
“Mango,” Jalu answered with a grin. “It’s one of the fruits of this world. Try it! I hope you’ll like it.”
Liriénka hesitated, then took a tentative bite. Her expression shifted as she tasted the mango, a burst of sweetness and flavor surprising her senses. Her eyes widened with delight, and she looked at Jalu with a shy, appreciative smile. The mix of gratitude and enjoyment on her face brought a genuine smile to Jalu’s lips. He watched her reaction with a sense of satisfaction, finding her enjoyment both endearing and amusing.
As Liriénka savored the plate of mango slices, Jalu headed back to the kitchen. He reappeared with a new assortment of fruits: two freshly peeled mangoes, three crisp pears, and bite-sized chunks of pineapple. With a cheerful smile, he set the plate before her and watched intently as she sampled each fruit.
Liriénka’s reactions were a mix of surprise and delight as she tasted the new offerings, her eyes lighting up with each new flavor. When she had finished sampling everything, Jalu leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face.
"You must have a lot of questions," Jalu said, breaking the silence. "I also have many questions for you."
His gaze was steady, revealing both curiosity and an openness to understanding her better. The gesture of sharing fruits had created a moment of connection, making the impending conversation feel less daunting.
Without uttering a word, Liriénka's gaze remained fixed on Jalu. In that moment, he was struck by the clarity of her eyes, as if they were windows to an untouched soul. Their intensity was reminiscent of a baby's innocent stare, probing and unassuming. The effect was jarring; Jalu felt a pang of discomfort, as though the purity of her gaze was exposing his own flaws. Feeling dirty and despicable, he averted his eyes, his gaze falling on a plate of discarded fruit peels.
Sighing, Jalu broke the silence. "Quid pro quo."
Liriénka blinked, her head tilting slightly in confusion, an innocent gesture that made Jalu chuckle softly. The sight reminded him of dealing with a child.
"We'll take turns asking and answering questions," Jalu clarified. "It’s a way for us to understand each other better."