Arabella watched in silence as Ara became bitter due to loneliness. Yet, even so, the river nymph kept waiting for Ferdinand despite the advice on her to forget about him and mate with someone else.
More time passed and the river completely dried up as Ara died one day, thinking that Ferdinand had fooled and abandoned her.
* * *
Arabella woke up in Ferdinand's arms. He was already awake and was just watching her sleep as he usually does.
"Good morning," Ferdinand greeted her with a smile. But after her long dream about him and Ara, she was somewhat annoyed with him.
"Good morning," she did her best to smile and rolled over. She turned her back towards him so he wouldn't see her whatever expression she was making right now. After all, he had become good at reading her.
She still felt bad for the river nymph who had waited for so long for a single visit that could spark hope for her. But it did not happen until she passed away.
