The Incident - The Dog
He remembered that incident too. But not as a fragment, and not as a dream. Clearly. She had wandered away.
Careless.
Fearless.
Just like before. And trouble found her. The dog had been huge.
Dangerous.
Untrained.
He had seen it first. From a distance. He didn't think. Didn't hesitate. He ran after her.
He remembered the part where she had fallen vividly. With her small body hitting the ground.
The fear in her eyes could not be hidden. And in that moment...
Something inside him had snapped.
Not fear.
Rage.
Uninhibited rage to tear the dog apart, if it so much as touch her. They say a lion often identifies its equal. It must have sensed the rage, and fury in his disposition because as he stepped in front of her.
The dog lunged. He didn't move. Didn't retreat. Because he had already decided once... In another lifetime...
I will protect her.
Even if she never knew. Even if she forgot.
The dog had stopped. Not because he was stronger. But because he didn't break. And he stood there, until it retreated. Only then, did he realize his hands were shaking. His heart pounding. He turned slightly, And saw her, looking at him. Not clearly. Not fully. But safe. He didn't wait for her reaction. He helped her to stand up while she continues staring at him.
Then she started sobbing dramatically while removing her pendant, she claimed that she will give him anything he asks any day in order to repay him for saving her. The pendant was probably meant to be a....
token or
maybe a password
or a key to unlock the promise.
Whatever it was meant to be, he just couldn't contain his joy
And as he left the Song mansion after proposing marriage, he believed he had another thing to hold on to, until it was time to claim his bride.