The morning sun spilled softly over the village, brushing the mud walls and thatched rooftops with a golden glow. The air smelled of damp earth and fresh grass, and the faint scent of jasmine drifted lazily from the courtyard flowers. Somewhere far away, a rooster crowed, answered by another in a slow, steady echo. Life in the village moved at its usual rhythm, but Yuni felt a tension in her chest that made every sound sharper, every shadow longer. Today was important—semester exams.
Aeris waited outside Yuni's home, her satchel slung over one shoulder, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet.
"You look nervous," Aeris said, tilting her head with a teasing smile.
Yuni adjusted her braid and tried to smile back. "I'm not nervous… just thinking. I hope I remember everything. The last paper was tricky."
Aeris laughed softly, a sound that seemed to push away some of Yuni's anxiety. "We've prepared. We'll manage. Even if we fail, at least we fail together."
Yuni chuckled, a little tension slipping from her shoulders. "Together," she echoed.
The two girls walked through the familiar lanes. Early morning sounds filled the village—the chatter of women fetching water, the clatter of pots, the distant laughter of children chasing each other barefoot. The goats bleated lazily, and somewhere a dog barked a greeting. Sunlight fell in stripes across the uneven paths, making the dust glow gold.
By the time they reached the school, their stomachs were fluttering with a mix of anticipation and dread. Students milled around, whispering and flipping through their notes. Yuni and Aeris exchanged glances and drew a deep breath. Together, they stepped through the school gates, the smell of chalk and old wood greeting them like an old friend.
Inside the classroom, Yuni took her usual seat near the window. The sun made a warm rectangle across her desk, illuminating the inked words she had practiced over and over. The teacher handed out the exam papers, and for a few heartbeats, Yuni felt the weight of expectation pressing down on her chest. Then, the scratch of pens on paper began, and the world shrank to the letters, numbers, and formulas before her.
Time stretched and twisted as she worked. Sometimes she paused, chewing the end of her pen, listening to the faint sound of Aeris writing beside her. Occasionally, she peeked outside. The crow hopping across the roof seemed almost like a signal to keep moving, to stay focused.
At last, the exam was over. Yuni let her pen drop with a soft thud. She leaned back in her chair, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Done," she whispered.
"Done," Aeris echoed, laughing softly. Relief washed over them, mingled with the familiar fear of the unknown.
The walk home was slow, the sun climbing higher and warming the dusty paths. They talked about the exams—the questions that had twisted their minds, the ones they had answered easily, and the ones that had made them panic. Each step was punctuated with laughter, sighs, and quiet reassurances. The village seemed brighter than ever, as if mocking the tension they carried inside.
When Yuni reached her home, something felt different. Her courtyard, usually empty at this hour, held two strangers sitting politely with her parents. Papers lay on the ground between them, along with small bundles that looked like ledgers. The air smelled faintly of horses, leather, and the dust from the roads they had traveled.
"Yuni, Aeris," her father said calmly, gesturing for them to sit. "We have guests."
The girls exchanged nervous glances. The strangers stood, nodding politely.
"Good morning," one said. "We've come regarding your animals. Your father mentioned you might be considering selling some of them?"
Yuni's heart skipped a beat. Lili, the gentle brown cow, the goats, the chickens—they were part of her world. "Sell… them?" she whispered. Aeris squeezed her hand, grounding her.
Her father nodded. "Yes. With the move to the city approaching, we cannot keep everything. We must make difficult decisions."
Her mother's voice was soft, tinged with sorrow. "We have always cared for them, but life in the city will be different. We cannot bring everything with us."
The traders spoke next, explaining prices, conditions, and how they ensured the animals would be placed in good homes. Yuni's stomach twisted with anxiety.
"What if Lili doesn't like the new place?" Yuni asked, her voice trembling.
"She will be cared for," the trader replied gently. "We make sure the animals go to families who understand them."
"And the goats? And the chickens?" Aeris asked, her voice soft.
"All will find new homes," the second trader assured. "We will return in a few days to take them. You may say goodbye properly, in your own time."
Yuni felt a heaviness settle over her chest. She wanted to run to Lili, wrap her arms around the cow, and never let go. Yet a part of her understood. Change was coming, and there was no stopping it.
After the traders left, her father drew them close. "I know this is hard," he said, placing a hand on Yuni's shoulder. "Your exams are still not over. Once they finish, we will leave for the city. You will see new schools, streets, and faces. This is for your future."
Yuni nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. Aeris stayed close, whispering, "We'll get through this. Together."
The afternoon sun grew stronger, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Yuni wandered toward the stable, where the animals were grazing. Lili's gentle eyes met hers immediately. Yuni knelt, stroking her coarse hair, whispering, "I'll miss you, Lili. Always."
The goats nudged her fingers, the chickens clucked softly, and Yuni let herself linger, pressing the memories into her mind. She thought of the city, the exams, the journey ahead—thrilling, terrifying, and sad all at once. 🌿💔🐄
Night fell, and the stars blinked overhead. Yuni and Aeris sat in the courtyard, silent but together. Her father joined them, speaking softly about the city, the journey, and new beginnings. Her mother placed a comforting hand on Yuni's shoulder, and her brother leaned against their father, eyes wide with curiosity and worry.
The wind rustled through the trees, carrying a sense of inevitability. Yuni hugged her knees, thinking of every moment spent in the village—the laughter under the neem tree, the scent of fresh rotis, Lili's gentle lowing. 🌸✨
"Will everything be… okay?" Aeris whispered.
"We'll find a way," Yuni replied, stronger than she felt. "We always do."
Yuni lingered in the courtyard long after the traders had gone. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in strokes of orange and purple. The scent of dust and grass mingled with the faint sweetness of jasmine, carrying memories she wanted to hold onto forever. 🌿🌸
She knelt beside Lili once more, brushing the soft fur with slow, gentle hands. "I'll never forget you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The cow lifted her head, eyes calm and trusting, as if she understood every word. The goats nuzzled her fingers, and the chickens circled lazily, pecking at stray grains. Each small sound echoed in Yuni's chest, a melody of the life she was about to leave behind. 🐄🐐🐓
Aeris sat beside her, quietly, letting Yuni have this moment. "It's okay to be sad," she said softly. "It doesn't make us weak. It just means we care."
Yuni nodded, blinking back tears. "I know… I just… I've never had to say goodbye like this before."
Her father appeared at the doorway, hands resting on the wooden frame. "Soon, we'll all be together in the city," he said gently. "It will be different, yes, but different doesn't mean bad. And we'll make it ours."
Yuni exhaled slowly, pressing her palms into the warm earth. She let the memories of the village—the laughter under the neem tree, the scent of fresh rotis, the soft lowing of Lili—sink deep into her heart. She didn't know exactly what awaited in the city, but she knew she carried this home inside her, wherever she went. ✨💛
The stars began to peek through the twilight, twinkling like distant promises. Yuni stood slowly, looking around the courtyard one last time. She whispered softly, almost to herself, "Thank you… for everything."
And in the quiet of the village, under the first hint of night, she felt a gentle hope stir—a knowing that the road ahead was calling, and that she would walk it with courage, with Aeris by her side, and with the heart of her home tucked safely within her. 🌌💫
🖤🖤🖤
That's the end of Chapter 6! ✨ Since the journey is just getting started, I'd love to hear your thoughts—what do you think awaits Yuni and Aeris? Drop your impressions in the comments! 💫💭