Once you're finished, you put away all the dishes and tried to wash them the best you can. You gave the scraps to his chickens, which they gobbled up immediately.

When you went back into his wooden home, a bright, orange light flashed from the front.

"Huh?" You walked out of the front door to see a massive flame burning away. You identified Mayanka's bulky silhouette standing in front of the fire. He seems to be throwing something into the scorching monster.

You stalked towards him, curious about the things he's burning.

Once you can't get any nearer without alerting him, you squinted.

"...the big news really messed him up, huh." He's burning the baby clothes and baby bottle he found.

It confused you. Usually he wouldn't destroy things just like that, despite unable to have a baby, there is still some uses for them.

"Maybe he doesn't wanna be reminded about my infertility..." You grimaced, watching him cry with such a face devoid from any emotions was unnerving to say the least.

You inched nearer and nearer, trying to see what else he burnt. "How did he manage to get the fire this huge and in such a short period of time?"

You went too near that Mayanka noticed you.

He sniffled and wiped the tears away before approaching your form. You're distracted by the flame licking the air.

"Gah!" You jumped when a strong hand firmly clasped your shoulder.

You turned around to see Mayanka staring at you with a pair of saddened, bloodshot and puffy eyes.

"Oh! Uh..." you don't know what to say. Mayanka wrapped his arm around your shoulders.

He pressed a kiss on your forehead as he ushered you back into the cabin.

——

Regardless of your disability, he still treated you the same. You're fed with ample amounts of food, he brings you with him to forage, he would play Sepak Takraw with you...

Except... now he doesn't force himself onto you.

It's the seventh day and he kept up with his abstinence streak. You're still the small spoon and he's the larger one. However, his member isn't erect or stiff enough to cause you discomfort. Therefore, you could sleep relatively well for the entire week.

It baffled you to no end. What exactly was the reason for his predatory behavior last few months? Was it really all because he was desperate to have a child of his own? Was it not because of years of sexual hunger?

Why did he even bother to keep you alive? Why is he still wasting his resources to care for you, a woman who literally does nothing to help out?

Millions of questions ran through your mind, what if you conceived his child, will he still feed you or will he neglect you? Would he be a good father?

Would Mayanka rape his own flesh and blood?

You knew if you were to bring his child into this world, it would mentally break you. As a mother, you can't defend them against their overpowered father, you can't provide for them in the wild... you're practically useless and that is devastating to your sanity.

What was he before all of this? Did he have a job? Was he educated? Does he have parents?

You hated how he is shrouded in a thick fog of mystery. You cannot figure him out nor do you know what he's thinking about. Everything about him is arcane.

All these uncertainties made your head spin. You rather not think of it when you don't have the answer.

Currently, Mayanka is weaving something again with numerous rattan strips.

You kept yourself busy with the Sepak Takraw ball while your island companion carried on with his project on the patio.

Frankly, you're bored. No games, no internet, no TV... being stranded on an island with a rapist sucks. But you rather be bored than be sexually abused.

You threw the ball on the ground. You don't want to play with it anymore. Mayanka momentarily looked up to check on you.

You're now mindlessly kicking the sand, showing that you're in a bad mood today. Mayanka could easily guess that it is due to boredom, he used to be like that for a while.

He's a little concerned about your slouching.

"...(y/n)." He called.

"Huh?" Mayanka (rudely) gestured you to come over. You hated when he wags his finger, it made you feel like a dog.

You begrudgingly did, when you're a few feet away from him you stopped and asked, "What?"

He patted on his lap.

"You want me to sit there?" You asked, crossing your fingers behind your back, hoping that you're wrong.

"Sit." He verbalized.

"I should teach him how to say please and thank you." You pursed your lips as you hesitantly parked your rear on his lap, trying your best to avoid his crotch.

Mayanka sets his unfinished craft down and then pressed his hands against your back.

"What are you—" you yelped in surprise when he began massaging it. His thumbs firmly dug into your flesh, kneading them to release tension.

You let your shoulders sag as he rubbed them in small, circular motions. The hilt of his palm loosened the knots in your stressed trapezius.

"This is... nice." You experienced mild dissociation from your mind and body. You couldn't think of anything due to the relaxing backrub you're receiving.

Your eyes are blank and your mouth is slightly open, everything in your body went limp at Mayanka's skilled touch.

His strokes aren't random, you recognized his techniques and rhythm, they're practiced by masseurs back in your city. They're standardized with the perfect amount of pressure applied, he must be trained in this.

What was he? His abilities and knowledge do not match up, he's a professional basket weaver, he's a professional masseur, an experienced carpenter and a gynecologist?

Your companion eyed your 'sedated' state. He sighed before pressing a gentle kiss on your neck, you did not realize what he did.

His brilliant eyes stared out into the horizon as he let his hands work on its own.

Tears pooled in his eyes, making his eyelashes glisten in the sun.

A single teardrop fell on a rattan strip, giving it negligible moisture.

His thoughts are in a tangled mess.