While you're building a very sloppy sandcastle, the banana leaf umbrella was taken away from you and something was placed on your head.

"What—" It's the rattan hat Mayanka was making earlier! It's wide and large, giving shade to your body.

"(Y/n)." You looked up to see him walking back to the cabin. His hands are occupied with the dried Limu and the banana leaf.

You scrambled back up on your legs to follow him.

—

He sure is resourceful. Mayanka used the banana leaf to cook some rice.

It's lunch time and today's menu is banana leaf rice with a side of (partially) dried, salted Limu seaweed. Not too shabby for a survivor, it's pretty tasty.

Which confused you, where did he get the rice? You don't see any marshes nearby that can be used to grow rice.

Maybe he harvested it somewhere, deep in the jungle. He's storing his rice in a burlap sack after all, so when he runs out of stock, he'll just pay his personal rice farm a visit.

He gave the scraps to his chickens.

You wanted to ask him about himself. He's a man shrouded in mystery, but the language barriers and the fear he instilled in you prevented it from happening.

"(Y/n)."

"Yeah?" You faced him.

He held your hand and gently lead you outside again, now he's carrying a machete with him and some sort of... backpack made out of rattan.

No, it's more like a basket with shoulder straps. Looks like you're going foraging with him today.

He handed you a basket too, but it's smaller and you can't carry it on your back. There is a small handknife in it.

The road is not for the faint hearted. It was jagged with small rocks, dried leaves are hiding its presence and the ground isn't leveled. Even with your shoes on, you could feel it poking against the sole of your feet.

You frowned when you saw Mayanka navigating through the tough terrains barefooted. Nothing seem to affect him at all.

You, on the other hand, struggled to find your balance and footing. Mayanka had to wait for you and help you in some areas, you're glad that he's patient.

—

You wheezed and panted, going up that hill took a chunk of your energy.

Mayanka only stared at you with a raised eyebrow. He did not even break a sweat.

"(Y/n)."

"What?" You replied in between gasps.

"Salak."

"Huh?"

"Salak." Your eyes darted towards the area he's pointing at.

A tree, with many, many teardrop shaped growths caught your eyes.

"That's Salak?" He nodded. You don't know what it is.

Mayanka lets go of your hand to pick some 'Salak' fruits from it. With one swift slice, he removed the entire bunch and dumped it into his basket.

"Eat." Said Mayanka as he handed two of the Salak fruits to you. It's skin resembles those of a snake's, it's 'scaly' and brown.

You're tired of his one word commands. But what to do? He knows very limited english and you knew very limited vocabulary of his language.

"How?" You asked, slightly distressed.

He began peeling the skin like a boiled egg, revealing a white, fleshy pulp. He bit into it, it sounded like he's eating an apple.

You watch him consume the white flesh as you began peeling your own Salak fruit.

"No eat." He presented you its' seed, resembling a stone. He threw the seed away.

"Okay." You then bit down on yours. It tasted sweet and acidic, a taste that you've never experienced before. Texture wise, you don't know if you like it or not, it's like eating a waxy apple.

Once you're done with one, you disposed the seed too.

Then you caught him staring at you with his arms crossed.

"What?" You retorted.

"Eat." He was referring to the remaining Salak fruit in your basket.

"But I'm full."

"(Y/n)." There was a warning tone in his voice.

"Thanks, but I'm good."

"" He raised his machete threateningly.

"Sorry!" You squeaked.

You gulped and began peeling it again, what is his problem? Why can't he let you do what you want?

Mayanka lowered his weapon and softened his eyes at your obedience.

Once you finished the second Salak fruit, he held your hand again and continued the journey.

You wonder what is he looking for.

"Can you understand me?" You asked Mayanka. He ignored your words, so you took it as a no.

"Dumb bitch." You cussed. Mayanka shot you a side eye, but there wasn't a trace of offence in his face, only confusion.

"I don't know if you not knowing how to speak English is a good or bad thing. I guess it's pretty bad cause we can't understand what we actually want. But now, I'm just glad that you don't know I'm insulting you. Damn you to hell, Stupid piece of shit, I hope you get bitten by a cobra. You Jungle Asswipe, bet your parents left you here because they don't love you. No one likes you. Rapist scum, go kill yourself. I hate your guts so much, I wish you're castrated. Such a pretty name but such an ugly personality, whore."

Your tone and facial expressions do not match your harsh words. You made sure to sound friendly and 'curious', your facials muscles relaxed so that you won't be perceived as angry.

You're just happy to let some steam off.

Mayanka thought that you're just rambling to yourself, or asking questions he cannot understand nor answer. Therefore he ignored it. If you were to call him by his name more than once, he would stop and try to understand you, thinking that it's something important.

Good thing you did not mention 'Mayanka' at all.

______________________________________________

A/n: Salak.