Nika stood before the ornate mirror, her fingers deftly combing through her hair. The final buttons of her freshly acquired floral cotton shirt were secured with a sense of palpable delight. With a graceful leap, she landed on her plush bed, casting an admiring gaze over the bedspread's warmth, which felt like a soft, velvet embrace.

On her bed, three sets of new attire lay neatly arranged, a generous gift from the stern yet surprisingly benevolent Officer Sarin. Nika, innocence and excitement radiating from her, regarded them with wide-eyed enthusiasm.

The first set consisted of vibrant home t-shirts and comfortable pants; the second included a chic shirt, a pair of jeans, and a snug hoodie; and the third, a mesmerizing evening dress, unlike anything she had ever seen before.

Memories of the shopping expedition with Sergeant Sarin played vividly in her mind. She couldn't forget his shy demeanor when he requested assistance with her undergarments, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment. Standing way outside the changing room, he would ask: "Is it OK? Does it fit?"

"What is 'OK'?" Nika had teased playfully, feigning ignorance.

"You know, the... the clothes you wear underneath! Your undergarments!" Sarin stammered.

"Ah! You mean my underwear! Yes, they're great! Do you want to see them?" Nika quipped mischievously.

- No! No! No!... It's ok! It's enough that you like it!

Officer Sarin, maintaining his distance outside the changing room, displayed a noticeable lack of confidence or desire to inspect her clothing choices. Finally, the store manager intervened, enthusiastically suggesting a dress for her to try on.

Emerging from the dressing room in that alluring dress, Nika couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and beauty. She casually presented herself to Sarin, asking for his opinion.

Officer Sarin's initial surprise and his ensuing loving smile were difficult to conceal. While his words were few, saying “You look alright.", his expression and his blushed chicks spoke volumes

Shopping was only one part of their day. As noon approached, they stumbled upon an Italian restaurant, where Nika's wistful longing for pizza led to their next adventure. Yesterday's memories, still fresh and vibrant, had now culminated in these newfound clothes and her much-enjoyed pizza. She couldn't help but think, "I should have teased him more!"

This notion made her giggle, setting her at ease. She closed her eyes, and the image of the ancient tree she cherished so much materialized in her mind.

The wind gently tousled her hair, leaves caressed her skin, and in her mind echoed the words, "I miss you, wise tree! In these lonely years, you were my dearest companion."

A sudden doorbell disrupted her reverie. She hurried to answer it, finding two military officers waiting. One was a middle-aged woman, Officer Mahsa, and the other was the untrustworthy young man she had seen at the headquarters.

"Who is it?" Nika inquired.

"I am Officer Mahsa, Sergeant Sarin's deputy, and you already know Officer Kian. Please open the door," Mahsa requested.

Confusion gripped Nika as she knew Kian but had never met Officer Mahsa before. Reluctantly, she opened the door.

Mahsa and Kian settled on her living room sofa, and Nika fetched them tea. As Mahsa scanned her surroundings, she commented, "It seems she knows her way around the house! Look at this place! It used to be a mess!"

Kian responded quietly, "I don't trust her."

Nika returned with the tray of tea and biscuits. Kian, in a hostile tone, stated, "We're not here for tea and biscuits."

Mahsa intervened, took the tray from Nika, and said, "Sit down, dear. We just want to talk to you."

Nika, her nerves rattled, took a seat. Mahsa, gentle and reassuring, began, "I am Sergeant Sarin's closest friend. He's told me all about you. To be honest, I was skeptical at first, but now that I've seen you, I've changed my mind."

She continued to praise Nika, mentioning how Sarin's mood had improved since she came into his life. Then, she added, "We came here to thank you and see if you need anything."

Nika was a little confused, yet she answered eventually: “No! Thanks! Everything is great…... except...”

Then she bit her tongue, but it didn’t take long for her to try and continue her sentence: “Can I ask you a question?”

- Yes, dear?

Nika hesitated but finally asked, "What happened to Sergeant Sarin's fiancée?"

Kian and Mahsa exchanged glances. Mahsa replied, "Perhaps you should ask him yourself. He's a very private man. I'm sure he'll tell you all about it when he feels comfortable."

Mahsa's efforts to win Nika's favor were evident, with Kian playing the role of the bad cop, opposite to Mahsa’s good cop act. Unaware of the tactics, Nika couldn't make sense of it.

“By the way...” Mahsa announced, facing Kian: “Give it to her!”

Kian took out a relatively small box from his shoulder bag.

“What is this?” Nika asked, taking the box and immediately opening it. Inside the box was a brand-new smartphone.

- Oh my! It is so pretty. Are you really giving it to me?

- Of course! Just a tiny gesture, A small gift from the team! I hope you enjoy it!

-Thank you! It's so pretty! I never had one!

Nika held the delicate cell phone in her hand and her eyes almost welled up. She was so delighted and grateful at the same time. A few minutes later. The officers left.

At the entrance, after leaving the Sarin’s flat, Mahsa opened the car’s door asking Kian: “Did you activate the tracker?”

“Do you even have to ask?!” Kian replied ever ominously.

P.S:

Hello everyone, I’m a writer and a manga artist, and this is a piece that I’m working on. Later on, I’m going to put my art as well, piece by piece, for everyone to enjoy. I’ll welcome critiques, but plz don’t be too harsh.

Here is the link to the picture comic (manga) I'm currently creating, feel free to visit and leave a comment, subscribe, etc.

https://tapas.io/series/Grand-pine-princess/info