neni [ˈnɛ.ni] n. sand

1

Lo'ak watched as you gently patted the neck of your ilu, a small smile on your face as the waves played with your hair. His hands were shaky as he slowly approached you, his breath catching in his throat when the sun caught your eyes. The rays illuminating the beautiful blue specks in your green eyes.

As he approached you, you turned to him and greeted him with a warm smile. He tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat, overwhelmed by your beauty and the tranquility of the moment.

You noticed his unease and gently asked, "Is everything alright, Lo'ak?"

He took a deep breath and finally found his voice, "I apologize for disturbing your moment of peace, but I couldn't help but notice your ilu. If you don't mind me asking, what's its name?"

Smiling you sat back in the sand, letting the waves move your hair away from your face, "It's Neni, sand."

"Is there a reason for the name?" he asked as he reached his hand out toward her.

Humming you reply, "Not in particular."

Lo'ak smiled, "Neni, that's a beautiful name."

You nodded, "Thank you."

Lo'ak looked at Neni, admiring the color of her scales and the way you seemed so in tune with each other. He turned back to you and asked, "May I pet her?"

You smiled and nodded, "Of course, she's very friendly. Just be gentle with her."

Lo'ak approached Neni slowly, extending his hand to pet her. Neni sniffed his hand before nuzzling it gently, enjoying the attention. Lo'ak smiled, feeling the rough scales of the ilu under his hand.

"I think she likes you," you whisper before standing, the water cascading down your body as you stretch.

Clearing his throat Lo'ak looked up at you before whispering, "I wanted to say thank you too."

"Hm?" you tilt your head at him, confused.

Feeling a blush rise to his cheeks, he continued, "When the others wouldn't believe me about Payakan, you did. You defended me, why?"

Shrugging you crossed your arms, "Well, I know the feeling."

Looking at you quizically he opened his mouth to speak before your ilu began to click. He watched as you mounted Neni and grabbed your arm, "Wait."

You paused, halting your ilu from leaping back into the waves, "What is it?"

"Could I come with you?"

Smiling you grabbed his hand and pulled him onto your ilu, his arms wrapped around your waist tightly, "Don't fall off," you laughed, and then dove into the sea.

The cool water surrounded you and you breathed a sigh of relief as Neni sped up, the scenery passing by so quickly you didn't notice when the reef faded away to open water.

Feeling a tap on your shoulder you turned to see Lo'ak staring at you, his yellow eyes reflecting the rays of the sun from the surface.

"You're amazing," he whispered, his eyes still fixed on you.

You chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious under his intense gaze. "Thanks, but I'm just me."

"You're amazing," he whispered, his eyes still fixed on you.

You chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious under his intense gaze. "Thanks, but I'm just enjoying a ride on my ilu."

Lo'ak shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "No, I mean it. You have such a deep connection with your ilu, and you're so free and fearless in the water. I mean, you even came to save me that time with Payakan, it's amazing."

You blushed, feeling a warmth spread through your body. "Thank you, Lo'ak. That means a lot coming from you."

The two of you rode in silence for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of the sea. The sound of the waves and the gentle breeze were the only sounds around you. You could feel Lo'ak's arms around your waist, holding you tightly as Neni carried you further out into the sea.

After a few minutes, Lo'ak leaned in closer to you, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have something to tell you."

You turned to face him, curious as you brushed a piece of seaweed out of your hair.

"What is it?"

He took a deep breath before continuing. "I've been wanting to tell you this for a long time, but I haven't had the courage to do it. I like you."

You felt your heart skip a beat at his words, and you turned to face him fully, a stunned expression on your face. "Lo'ak, I...I don't know what to say."

He looked at you with hopeful eyes, waiting for your response. You could feel the weight of his words, and you knew you needed to be honest with him.

Feeling your heart race a mile a minute you leaned forward and shut your eyes without thinking, your lips meeting in a quick kiss before your ilu rushed to the surface.

As you broke the kiss and surfaced, you looked at Lo'ak, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. He looked back at you with surprise, but then a smile slowly spread across his face.

"I take it that as a yes?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

You nodded, still feeling a bit breathless from the kiss. "Yes, Lo'ak. I like you too," you said playfully splashing him.

He let out a whoop of excitement, and hugged you tightly to his chest, laughing. He really had been overthinking things.

As you rode on your ilu back to the shore, you felt a blush creep up your face, wondering what your family would think as his lips met yours again.