However, as Ingrid observed the healer's expression and witnessed him repeatedly activating his gift, a growing sense of nervousness consumed her. His perplexed face seemed to stretch further by the moment, intensifying her pounding heart and causing an ominous sensation to ripple throughout her entire body. An air of anticipation hung in the air as she anxiously awaited his response.
The man's gaze shifted upward, locking with Ingrid's as he sought to convey his message. After a brief moment of eye contact, he averted his eyes downward, shaking his head in a disheartened manner. A sigh, tinged with a sense of resignation, escaped his lips. "You see, my gift is limited to repairing and scanning internal organs. So, unless the person requires such intervention, there is little I can do," he explained.
Ingrid nodded, comprehending the healer's explanation. They had chosen him based on a recommendation and affordability, considering the presence of others with similar gifts that manifested in different ways. The healer's modest fee aligned with what they could afford, making him the most suitable choice.
Sensing the rapt attention of Ingrid and those gathered around her, the healer felt compelled to share further insights. "However, when I activated my gift and attempted to probe her body, I sensed something else within…"
Meldra's impatience got the better of her as she interjected, "Like what?" Her eagerness hung in the air, pushing the healer to clear his throat and resume speaking despite the interruption. "I cannot say for certain, but the only instances when I have encountered a sensation like this are..." However, a wave of uncertainty washed over him, leaving him hesitant and unsure about whether to share his thoughts.
Ingrid's impatience grew, mirroring the mounting desire within her to express her thoughts. However, before she could interject, the healer swiftly resumed speaking, sensing the urgency in the air. "I have only encountered this sensation in pregnant women before," he divulged. "In such cases, my initial advice would be for them to refrain from exerting themselves, while I prepare some herbal remedies for them to consume. However, in this particular situation..."
He paused, exhaling a deep breath as if grappling with the weight of his words. "I am at a loss," he confessed. "It is impossible for a woman of her age, who has already lost her fertility, to be pregnant." The healer shook his head in bafflement, his frustration evident. "As you can see, I am perplexed. I simply do not know what to do."
The room fell into an eerie silence as Ingrid's eyes locked with the unusually subdued Celia, her gaze then shifting to meet Meldra's defeated expression and slumped shoulders.
Breaking the silence, a sharp clearing of the throat echoed through the air. Grandma Derry's voice pierced through, her words carrying a hint of amusement, "Are you suggesting that she's pregnant?" The healer vehemently shook his head in response, dismissing the notion as absurd. "No, I'm merely stating that her internal organs give the sensation of pregnancy. However, I cannot confirm such a thing since it is preposterous to consider in the first place."
Upon hearing the healer's words, Ingrid felt she had heard enough. She turned on her heels and retreated to their room, grabbing five Kalna fruits before swiftly returning to the main room.
Ingrid extended the fruits towards the healer, her eyes fixed on him as she spoke, "Here, this is your payment." The man, lost in his thoughts about Grandma Celia's condition, was caught off guard by Ingrid's gesture. He looked at her with surprise before shaking his head in refusal. "I'm sorry, but I can't accept this. It wasn't what we discussed," he said, his voice filled with hesitation.
Ingrid's eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing deeply as a sense of confusion clouded her expression. "Isn't this the price we agreed upon?" she questioned, her mind racing to comprehend if something had suddenly changed in their negotiation. The man quickly clarified, shaking his head once more. "No, it's not that. What I mean is, I haven't truly done anything yet, and I don't even know the nature of her ailment. So, I don't believe it's fair to accept such a significant payment," he clarified, dispelling the misunderstanding that had formed in Ingrid's mind.
Ingrid's decisiveness shone through as she shook her head resolutely. "If that's the case, you have nothing to worry about. Consider the remaining fruits as an advance payment for our future treatments," she stated firmly, pressing the fruits into the bewildered healer's arms. She had heard stories about the healer's exceptional character, which led her to choose him over their regular healer. This time, they needed to approach the situation with utmost seriousness and caution, as it demanded their full attention and careful consideration.
Realizing there was no way to decline the additional fruits pressed upon him, the healer reluctantly accepted them, tucking them into his bag beside him. He then shifted his gaze toward Ingrid and the others, his voice filled with a mix of gratitude and professionalism as he spoke, "If that's the case, I will take my leave now. Remember to reach out to me when the need for further treatment arises." Ingrid and the rest nodded in agreement, appreciating the healer's understanding. With a final nod, the man rose to his feet, turned on his heels and made his exit through the door.
The moment he departed, a heavy silence descended upon the group, as if they were collectively digesting the sudden revelation that only they were aware of. Each person was lost in their own thoughts, except for Grandma Celia, who immediately reclined on the ground, folding her legs beneath her and exposing her shapely thighs. Taking deep breaths to steady herself, Grandma Celia finally gathered her composure and directed her gaze towards Ingrid, her eyes flickering briefly to Meldra and their other hutmates. With a voice tinged with weariness, Celia spoke the truth they had been avoiding. "Now that it's been confirmed, there's no need for us to deny it any longer," she said.
