As I swung open the door and stepped into the hut with Grandma Derry, my body instantly froze in astonishment at the sight before me.
There, gathered at the centre of the room, were Ursa, Miss Lyra, and Grandma Vivian, their attention focused on an unfamiliar woman. She was pregnant, her slender figure emphasized by her condition, and I couldn't recall ever laying eyes on her before.
'It looks like she is Miss Lyra's visit...." I was about to think, but Grandma Derry immediately exclaimed, "Tina!" Her surprised tone caught me off guard, and I nudged Grandma Derry forward, urging her to approach. Together, we made our way towards the group, and I quickly retrieved my tulga and put it on before settling down on the floor beside Ursa, grateful for a moment's rest after standing for so long.
It was obvious from the expressions of Grandma Derry and Vivian that they were familiar with this woman. As she shifted her gaze from Grandma Derry to me, a glimmer of recognition flickered in her eyes, confirming that she knew who I was. However, despite her familiarity, I remained clueless about her identity.
Once Grandma Derry settled down, her slightly damp tulga caught some attention, but she effortlessly provided an explanation, claiming it was because she took her time cleaning me up. Tina and Miss Lyra seemed easily convinced by her explanation, but Grandma Vivian silently scoffed at it.
Meanwhile, Ursa's eyes continued to dart back and forth between Grandma Derry and me, as if searching for answers.
Sensing Ursa's curiosity, I wrapped my hand around her shoulders and pulled her closer, whispering softly into her ear, "I will explain everything to you later, okay?"
Although she initially seemed reluctant, her face immediately softened a bit after I planted a kiss on her cheek, and she nodded her head in understanding.
Shifting my attention away from Ursa, I surveyed the others and realized that they had been observing my every move intently. Lyra wore a wide, beaming smile that threatened to showcase all her teeth, while Grandma Vivian and Tina, Miss Lyra's visitor, had more reserved smiles gracing their lips.
"Ahem!" Tina's throat-clearing voice caught everyone's attention, causing us to turn our gaze towards her. With a smile on her face, she directed her words specifically to me. "When Lyra informed me that her daughter had found herself a good partner and mentioned his name, I never imagined it would be the Orion I once knew," she chuckled, her hand delicately covering her mouth.
"But it seems I was mistaken. So, Orion, do you remember me?" Her eyes sparkled as she locked her gaze with mine.
Shaking my head in response, I immediately replied, "No, I'm sorry, but I don't think I remember you." My eyes took in Tina's distinct features: the sharpness of her round face, and the stylish bob haircut that set her apart from the other women present. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be in her late twenties.
When I shifted my gaze to the three sets of wooden bowls arranged in front of Ursa, Lyra, and Grandma Vivian, I couldn't help but notice the reason that had initially caught me off guard upon entering the hut. One bowl still contained what seemed to be milk, while the others showed signs of residue, indicating they had been emptied.
"Haaaaaa..." Tina let out a disappointed sigh, as if deflating in disappointment. "Grandma Vivian has already told me about your memory loss, but considering how you used to come to my hut and beg me to have kushi with you, I thought you would at least remember," she said, raising her right hand and tracing it from her shoulder to her fingers.
"Am I getting old?" Her light smile suggested that she was trying to lighten the mood.
Her attempt worked, as Grandma Derry, who was sitting beside me, stifled a chuckle and proceeded to explain the situation. She revealed that Tina was the previous owner of the empty hut in our compound, but she had moved out because she was now pregnant and needed to be closer to the farm for the healers to attend to her and prepare her for childbirth.
When Grandma Derry finished, Grandma Vivian instantly chimed in and continued from where she had left off. She explained that Tina had come to visit her mother and father-in-law, along with her partner, and had also brought them some breast milk.
Once they had finished explaining, I nodded in understanding, recalling the conversation I had with Grandma Ingrid about someone named Tina before our steamy session in the hut, while she pretended to clean it.
Nevertheless, I looked at Tina and shook my head apologetically, saying, "I'm sorry for not remembering who you were."
Tina immediately shook her head and responded, "Don't worry, since you had some memory problems, I perfectly understand the situation." With a warm smile, she placed her left hand on top of the right side of her traditional tulga and offered, "Do you want some milk? Don't worry, I won't ask for any payment. Besides, I've heard that breast milk can help with one's memories, so just give it a try and let me know if you notice any effects later."
Inwardly, I gulped at the unexpected offer of her breast milk without any trade or negotiation. "Alright, I'll give it a try," I said, realizing this was a chance to taste something other than Kalna fruits or the tasteless Vylkr vines.
Tina nodded and then opened up the top of her traditional tulga, allowing her breast to hang freely in the air. She held onto it firmly before taking one of the empty wooden bowls and positioning it under her nipple, pressing her breast lightly.
Meanwhile, I observed attentively as her plump breast was squeezed like a soft pillow, resulting in a drop of white liquid staining the tip of her nipple. Mesmerized by the sight, I continued to observe as the tiny drops transformed into a steady stream of white milk, flowing effortlessly into the bowl, resembling an open tap.
