Reader and douma both entered the consultation room specifically designed to consult with followers. The room was huge. A huge stage covered with futon and pillows was laid in front of the middle wall.
It was decorated with net curtains and pretty pearls and stones. Curtains were all tied up in middle making cute flares.
In front of huge stage, four small low chairs are placed. It is definitely divine. No wonder this set up makes people feel better. They might think person sitting infront of them is worth listening to.
"You should sit there, Reader chan." Douma said smiling pointing to the stage. Even though she felt wierd sitting up there she still nodded. It is necessary after all.
How would followers will react if they know that there cult leader is not the one giving advices today? Will they take her advice seriously? Will they take her seriously?
She shook of those thoughts and went upto stage and sat there awkwardly. She was trying to not laugh out. She is feeling out of the place. But, there is no going back. She haves to make douma loose bet.
Douma sat beside her on stage. She gave him confused look. "Why are you sitting here? I thought you would be sitting a far and judge." She asked him while he smiled at her fondly.
"Why would i sit a far when i can sit right here? I want to sit beside you." She rolled her eyes at his choice of word.
She shifted a little to side so there can be space between them. To her suprise he did too. She smiled a little at his action. Soon people started to come inside. She was skeptical at first but to her surprise followers didn't mind and were actually happy to receive advice from her.
"Reader san, I am really blessed to receive advice from you. I am eisho. Me, my dad and sister, we live in a small house. We are really struggling. My dad is sick. He was only provider. I am just so overwhelmed with situation. I can't take care of my father and work simultaneously. My sister do most she can but she is still young." A small boy not old more than 15 was desperately searching for some advice and guidance.
She was feeling a little sad for him. He is suffering a lot for his age. She smiled at him. "You are doing great in your age for your family. What is your father suffering from?" She asked. He smiled sadly and answered. "We don't know for sure. We don't have money to visit doctors."
Her eyes softened and she nodded in acknowledgement. "And where do you work?" He answered again. "A restaurant near our village. I don't earn much we can barely afford two time food." She looked toward douma. "Douma, can you bring a paper and ink please?"
Douma was confused but still made his someone fetch it for him. She took paper and wrote a address, name and number in one and wrote a letter. She stood up and walked upto eisho.
"Take this. You can take your dad to this address. This doctor will look upto your dad's health. Don't worry about expenses. Just give this additional letter to him."
She slid the paper to him while patting his shoulders. Her family doctor will definitely take care of them. Every expense will be covered by her. He started crying in silence and thanking her again and again. She just shushed him.
"You are just a child. You shouldn't be going through this. Think of this as a second chance. Take care of your father. Educate yourself and your sister. Make yourself and your sister capable of depending on your ownself."
With that her first session was sucessful. She returned to her place. She smirked looking at Douma who was just staring at her wide eyed. 'Can she do this? Giving them extra support other than advice? But, there was no rule actually. Anyways, Reader chan handled it greatly.' He thought.
Still he smiled at her. She started her second session. A man in his mid twenty entered accompany with a young women not old than 23. They both sat infront of her. Don't know why but she feels weird vibe from this man.
"My name is Daizo and this is my fiancé suita. We were engaged by our parents 5 years ago. We didn't knew each other that much. I soon went to foreign country. Now that i have arrived, i wanted to marry and settle down. But, she is denying to get married to me." He angrily explained situation.
Reader turned to suita who was looking very sad and done at the same time. "What about your side?" Reader asked her. "I didn't agreed to engagement at the first place. I was forced by my dad. I don't want to marry him."
"Does it matter? I want to marry her that's all matter." He remarked angrily. Reader understood the situation very clearly. "So you still want to marry her without her consent?" Reader asked him. "Her father already gave her to me. Why she will be giving consent?" He angrily barked.
Reader gave him deathglare that literally could kill. "Why? It's because she is person of her own and has brain and soul of her own. She can live her life however she wants. You or her father are no one to rule her life." She said in very calm voice.
Suita was now looking at Reader with tears in her eyes. Looking at her as she is her saviour. "Daizo san! You look in your mid twenties. Old enough then why don't you make relationship with love and compassion instead of threats and forces? How would you feel when same happens to your sister? A man who controls and threatens your sister?"
Daizo was deep in thought at mention of her sister. He shook his head in deep thought. Finally looking up with heavy realisation in his eyes. "I am sorry. I was caught up in my anger over rejection. I am ashamed." He bowed deeply.
This line really was surprising to everyone including Douma. How come this hothead person listened and realised his fault? Douma was not sure but he felt a weird satisfaction in his chest.
"Daizo san, it took your sister to be in that position for you to realise what's exactly wrong. Sorry to say, but you need to spend time rethinking your compassion and understanding of situations as a human." He nodded looking guilty.
Reader turned to suita. "Suita san, What exactly is your reason to dislike this person? Why don't you want to give him chance?" She asked smiling at her warmly. Suita started crying.
"I never wanted to.....marry anyone. My dad wouldn't listen to me. I want to live my life..... separately. I want to explore this world. Nothing is wrong..... with daizo san." She admitted between sobs.
Reader turned to daizo. "Daizo san, this lady wants to live her life independently. So, i suggest you to be understanding. You are young. You you will definitely find someone for you who would love you." To her suprise daizo understood and promised to never bother suita.
Douma now realised. Maybe that satisfaction feeling was him being proud at Reader chan for handling situations so nicely. She never did this consultation thing in her life as she mentioned. But, she is so good at it.
They both were happy and content at the end of session. Like that 12 to 15 people showed up with different different situations and concern. She tried her best to solve as much problem as she can.
Most people were happy and their problem was solved in this meeting itself. Reader preferred to give some instant solution and honest opinion instead of giving them advices that will just work for some time.
She was not sure, how but most person already knew her name. She was confused. They even seemed to respect her a lot. They were listening to her every word like they are delivered by god itself.
This way session came to end and it was just now douma and her in the room. It was now around 4 pm. It took a lot. 'Goodness, this is tiring. Huhh!' She thought while stretching her limbs.
She turned to look at her sideways sensing someone. She was stunned to find Douma only a few cm away from her face. She was startled but did not move and froze at the intimate distance.
Her ears were red till now. She finally looked away and coughed. 'Why he is not saying anything and why he was so close?' She thought while coughing to get away from awkwardness.
She asked. "Why are looking at me like that?" He laughed. "I was looking at you because you absolutely did better than me. You won the bet at second and third session itself."
"Well, i tried my best. But, it's true that it's not easy to do this everyday. It will be boring for someone like you to listen people complain everyday." She smiled while smiling.
"What do you want then? Because, in my eyes you won bet." He asked. "I still don't have anything in my mind. I will save that for later." She admitted after thinking a while.
Soon they agreed to train for couple of hours before going on their third last date. Their contract is coming to end. Very soon she will be making a decision. Is she ready to think about her decision?
It's not time to think. She was so lost while training with Douma that she lost the track of time. Soon, it was 7pm. She thanked him for training her and pushing her limit.
Douma didn't understand why is she thanking him if it's part of contract? But, she is afraid if she didn't feel the same for Douma it will be unfair to him. Unfair that he had to waste his time on her, who can't love him in the same way.
Does she thought about her feelings yet? Apparently not, she doesn't want to think about it yet. She is not ready to face what will unfold is she does. 'Uhhh!! It's very tiring to think about this.' She groaned.
She went on to take another shower of the day before heading out with Douma. She wears one of the least expensive looking kimono she could find. She could explain to her parents she brought this on her way or make some excuses.
Her parents are used to her going missing for days. They won't necessarily be worried about her. As they know what kind daughter they had raised. Very stubborn, very opinionated and very talkative.
She walks out wearing orangish red coloured kimono with small flower details on hem and cuffs. It's the least flashy looking and it's still very expensive for normal kimono.
She founds douma on her way towards the main gate of temple. "I thought we agreed on meeting at the gate?" He looked like would faint with his expression. But, everyone knows demons don't knock out.
"Douma, what's with expression?" She asked. "I can't bear to look at you all dressed up with such beauty." She stared at him unimpressed. He pouted his flirting skills don't work on her.
"Seriously, this is most normal kimono i have in the room you prepared and yet so expensive. Why would you prepare this much for me? I swear, the jewellery, kimono, makeup. Everything in that room. Why would you do that for me?"
"Because, it's the least i can give you. You have given me a gift so precious, that i want to cherish it forever. You have made me fall in love with you. My first emotion and i want my every emotions to be with you even my last."
She stared at him wide eyed. The genuine appreciation in his voice was undeniable. This man really loves her no denying in that. After staring in his eyes, she saw nothing but love and dedication.
She smiled at him after a tear slipped from her eyes. The tear of joy seeing something so pure in his eyes made her heart warm. She hugged him not able to reach his neck due to his height. She simply wrapped her hands around his waist.
Douma was surprised but melt from hug. He also hugged her back. After a while she backs off. "Douma." She softly called out to him pulling her one hands in front of her. Douma gave his hand on her hand.
"I am glad for you. But, all this are materialistic thing. Love is way deep and beyond this. No pressure to you. You will understand it bit by bit. Lucky for you, you have me." She proudly announced.
They both chuckled. "Why were you crying reader chan? This is my first time seeing you cry. Are you hurt?" She shooked her head while gigling.
"I was not crying. It was tear of joy. People sometimes feel overwhelmed by happy feelings and sheds tear. I was happy for you." He looked shocked. "Happy for me?" She smiled while chuckling at his cute expressions.