Four days later, the morning of the festival dawned. The venue was a breathtaking canvas of flowers and decorations, the open-air setting merging seamlessly with the natural beauty around it. Anisa and her team, who had been hired to create several live paintings of the event, were already in position. Most of the preparatory work had been handled by Udin, Nazim, and Seyda over the past few days, leaving Yugh and Anisa with supervisory roles. ✨
With two canvases set up, Udin and Seyda had begun their live paintings, aiming to capture the bride and groom amidst the vibrant environment. With Nazim overseeing them, Anisa found a moment to slip away, seeking a breath of solitude to clear her head.
She wandered, mindlessly absorbing the surrounding beauty, until her foot slipped on loose gravel. In a heart-stopping instant, she lost her balance and tumbled toward a steep drop. Her hand shot out in pure reflex, grabbing onto a protruding tree root, her body swinging violently over the precipice. Looking down at the sheer depth below, a primal terror seized her. 🕳
"Oh god, is anyone there? Please, someone help me!" she screamed into the unnerving quiet, her voice echoing faintly. A sharp, tearing pain shot through her gripping hand, but she clung on with desperate strength.
Minutes later, Yugh arrived, his face paling at the sight. "What happened to you? I heard a shout from this direction, that's why I came," he said, his voice tense as he scanned for a way to reach her. 😥
"My foot slipped. I'm holding onto this! Please, pull me up! My hand is giving way, I'm scared, I'm going to die!" she cried, her voice breaking with sheer panic.
"Don't you dare say that! I'm getting you out. Do NOT let go!" Yugh commanded, his voice louder, firmer than she had ever heard it. He quickly assessed the crumbling edge, knowing a misstep could send them both tumbling. He lay flat on the ground to distribute his weight, inched forward, and stretched his arm down. "Give me your other hand! Now, Anisa!" 🗣