STORIES FROM THE PAST

Diwana was still in the middle of the story, with the very attentive Eron intently staring into her dark chocolate brown eyes, when they heard the front door squeak open. They both turned towards it in unison, already knowing who they were going to see.

"Hello, we just finished putting all the ingredients of the beef stew inside the Dutch oven and the potatoes are done too. Do you mind if we join you guys so we can listen to the story, too?"

Diwa's eyebrows knitted together while Eron couldn't help but smile a bit at what he heard.

"Erica, how did you know…" the widow began.

"Well… I did kinda hear you…" Macky answered for his older sister, in a sheepish tone.

"From the kitchen? I don't think your ears are that sharp…"

"No… I mean, sorta… " the young boy interrupted awkwardly, "I kinda took some wild thyme and marjoram from the side of the house because Erica asked for some and… well…"

Di's mouth fell open, "You mean, you eavesdropped on us, Macky? That's not exactly a nice thing to do…"

"No, no… I overheard you saying stuff while I harvested the herbs… I didn't stay to listen, honest!"

"Are you sure?" asked the mom as her eyes narrowed again.

"Yes, mama you know I always tell the truth…"

Eron was the one who interrupted Macky this time. "I believe you Macky, and I'm sure your mama does too. Right, Diwa?"

Diwa swiftly turned and stared at the man beside her. She was slightly amazed but also irritated that the newcomer was trying to take her adoptive son's side. 

It was almost comedic but the homeowner started wordlessly 'talking' with her new renter through facial expressions, mostly using her eyes and her curvy rose-colored lips. 

For the sake of our readers, here is a summary of their thoughts as they had their wordless convo; which was quite cute because of how they could understand each other well despite their silence.

Diwa: I do know he tells the truth but he shouldn't have eavesdropped!

Then it was Eron's turn to do the same; with raised eyebrows, pleading looks and twisting lips.

Eron: I'm sure he just got curious because we're saying their names. Sorry for that though, me and my big mouth.

Diwa: Fine, I guess I was a little harsh on him.

Eron: You ARE welcome.

Diwana then slapped the new boarder's upper arm, making sure she avoided the bandage at the crook of his elbow. The Charmer laughed and feigned being hurt just so he didn't get into more trouble.

"Ow…" the muscular man reacted while pretend-wincing, which made the woman feel sorry for him just a bit. 

"Sorry, but you're just so cheeky, Eron Camden," Di countered with a slight pout on her face.

"Whoa, you know my last name?" The Charmer said, his eyes widening.

"I read it on your ID when you paid your advance and yes, I do know how to read, thank you very much!" Di announced, slightly irritated at how Eron was reacting. "I'm not stupid, you know..."

"I never said that, Miss Diwana, I'm just surprised that you remembered it…:"

"Of course, I should remember it, you're my renter now and I should…"

"Oh, I thought it was for another reason..."

"What did you say?"

"Ahem… Are we okay with listening to the rest of the story, or not?" Erica decided to ask loudly; even if their two now-favorite adults were bantering with each other, and oh how they really were liking it...

"Pweeeeassse? We'll keep extra quiet… even if you're telling our part of the story," the youngest begged in her sweetest and cutest tone.

"We will just listen to you, mama, promise; since we already told you everything before. Just please let us stay..." begged the most masculine among the three.

Diwa had to smile at the pleading trio, but of course, she kept them in suspense with half a minute of silence... "Oh, alright. Just go back to your seats then."

The children cheered while scrambling to their chairs in record time. At their speed, one would think that they were offered free unlimited ice cream instead of a story…

Well, this story was close to their hearts anyway so to them, it's much better than ice cream.

And to Diwa, it felt the same way.

+++

As if the night felt the mood of the children, thunder started to roll and lightning started to light up the sky. None of the kids were afraid of thunderstorms but even if they were, they were too worried about Diwana to worry about anything else. 

The scare factor of an angry stormy sky was totally lost on them.

"Wait, wait… let's not use the attic's main door to get downstairs. We can use the secret doorway that goes straight to our parents' bedroom instead!"

"Oh riiiight! That's a great idea! We can surprise the bad man that way. Well, if it is a bad guy…"

"Alright, let's look for that door. It's behind that closet over there, right?"

"Yes, but we all need to put our backs into it to move it. Come on, guys!"

And just then, Diwa screamed again… longer this time and more terrified.

"Sister, brother, let's hurry! Diwa is really in trouble and we have to save her!"

"Ok, ok… everybody just hold on to the closet and use all your strength to move it to the right!"

"GOT IT! Everyone get into position… On Go, everyone… 3… 2… 1… GOOOO!"