Through Seeds and Beyond

Day 2-The Breakthrough

Antonio's grandpa looked a little uncomfortable hearing all this. Back in the days, both of them—Paul and Alfred's grandfather—had been very close. At the age of thirteen, Paul, along with his uncle, had traveled to Manchester. They were mainly engaged in trade back then. Meanwhile, Alfred's grandfather, being a farmer, would often visit Greater Manchester, and that's where their friendship grew.

Even though there was a nineteen-year gap between them, they had been more like friends than anything else. Paul smiled faintly as he recalled those days when he and Mike, Alfred’s grandfather, would argue endlessly about football — Paul was a die-hard Manchester United fan, while Mike supported Manchester City, a team his uncle also admired.

From Paul's words, Alfred was now convinced that his grandfather and Paul had shared a deep bond. Realizing this was his best chance to uncover the mystery that had been haunting him, Alfred decided to approach the topic carefully. In a low voice, he asked, "Grandpa, could you please help me decode this?"

Saying this, Alfred handed over the map he had found inside his grandfather’s old suitcase.

At first, Paul seemed confused, turning the map around in his hands, examining it from different angles. Seeing his puzzled look, Alfred began explaining everything — how he had discovered the map, the letter his grandfather had left, and his intention of setting out on this journey.

Antonio, sitting nearby, looked a little uneasy hearing about such secrets suddenly unrolling before them.

Paul, after listening to Alfred carefully, slowly closed his eyes and remained silent for a couple of minutes. The room fell into an awkward silence, with only the ticking of the old wall clock breaking it. Alfred and Antonio exchanged glances, unsure whether Paul would say anything.

Finally, Paul opened his eyes and said in a serious tone, "Listen to this carefully. It’s very important."

Taking a deep breath, Paul continued, "This map is actually pointing to a town named Platres, near Limassol in Cyprus. There used to be a small library there called 'Bizim Yerimiz', which in Cypriot Turkish dialect means 'Our Place.' It was more than just a library — it was a secret place where many things were exchanged, including knowledge that could be dangerous in the wrong hands."

Paul paused for a moment, as if weighing his words. "The main librarian there, when I last visited, was a man named Mr. Marshall. He was young, sharp, and very agile — a man who knew far more than he showed. If he’s still alive and the library still stands, he might be able to help you understand what your grandfather wanted to convey."

"Just present yourself to him. If he remembers me or Mike, he will guide you further. But remember, this is not something to be taken lightly,"Paul finished, looking Alfred deep in the eyes.

Alfred leaned forward, *"Grandpa, couldn't you help me more? Don't you know anything else about this?"* he asked, his voice filled with a mix of desperation and hope.

Paul shook his head slowly, a trace of bitterness on his face. *"There are things better left unsaid for now," he replied quietly.

As there were still some hours left before Alfred’s night train, Paul suggested they all get some rest. Alfred, feeling mentally exhausted, soon drifted off into a short sleep. After a while, they all shared a simple meal of soup.

The evening passed with a few more conversations — mostly casual — but Alfred couldn't shake the feeling that Paul was hiding something. Yet, he felt thankful that at least his next destination was clearer now.

As time ticked by, Alfred got ready to leave. Paul, Antonio, and Antonio’s grandma all came to bid him farewell. Antonio decided to accompany Alfred to the railway station.

On their way to the station, Alfred expressed his suspicion, "I think Paul knows more than he told us."

Antonio nodded. "Maybe. But he’s an old man now, Alfred. Perhaps some memories are too painful to share,"* Antonio said gently.

Finally, they reached the station. The cold wind blew gently as the night deepened. Alfred's train was expected to arrive at 11 PM. As the clock struck 11, the train whistled in the distance, approaching right on time.

Alfred turned to Antonio, "Hope we meet again — maybe in England next time."

"Sure, Alfred. Take care of yourself," Antonio replied warmly.

With that, Alfred climbed onto the train. Luckily, he managed to get a window seat. The train began moving slowly, and Alfred waved a final goodbye to Antonio, who stood waving until the train disappeared into the night.

As the train gained speed and the night got darker, Alfred leaned back with a deep sigh. The clock had already passed eleven, and his eyes were heavy. Soon, the rhythmic motion of the train lulled him to sleep, carrying him toward a destiny that was still unknown.