The Forest
Summer 1920
The next day, they returned. Eadrickk’s eyes widened; Ifunayla’s mouth fell open. Where there was once a gentle stream, was now a waterfall. Water cascaded down and over the rocks.
The early morning sun filtered through the trees and turned tiny water droplets into gemstones.
My trees stood taller, their leaves glistening with dew. Flowers were more vibrant, and their petals impossibly vivid.
The air was fresher, filled with the earthy scent of moss and the sweet smell of my blooming flowers.
Everything was as beautiful and magical as their love.
They approached cautiously, almost reverently. Then, unable to contain their joy, they broke into a run, splashing into the pool beneath the waterfall. Their laughter filled the air, pure and untamed. He lifted her, spinning her around, her skirt fanning out like a blooming flower. Their eyes met, and in that moment, no words were needed. They danced under the rushing waters, each droplet reflecting glowing happiness.
My waterfall became their secret haven, a sanctuary where they could be together, away from the judging eyes of the world. It was a place that only they could access, a secret that I guarded fiercely. The soil beneath my trees knew the unique shape of their footsteps, opening pathways that were hidden from others. My leaves whispered their names in the wind, guiding them and parting only for them. No one ever got close; no one was ever aware of its existence. My trails always led them somewhere else or wandered lost. It was their place, theirs alone.