Astilbe

CHAPTER 1

The leaves are dancing and dust is blowing against the car as Zylie gazes outside of the window. It is a sunny afternoon and the heat is creeping in the car; It really is summer. 

" Are we there yet?" Zane, her younger brother asked out of boredom while slowly sliding down in his seat. Their mother is quietly reading a magazine in the shotgun seat while their father is steering and closely watching the road ahead while humming a tune.

" For the 5th time Zane, I said we are almost there" her mother tiredly responded as she flipped through the magazine.

"Ugh that's what she said" the boy muttered under his breath as he continued to count all the houses they passed. They are currently heading to visit their old man which is quite far from the city.

After driving for a few minutes they finally arrive at their destination. As they were greeted by the old big front gate and antique gate lamps on both sides, they slowly drove through the entrance and parked in a corner. Zane immediately hopped out the car and stretched his arms up in relief. Zylie then followed his brother out and observed the unfamiliar place. A few steps ahead are an old yet well kept  two floor house with a big back garden full of flowers and trees. The siblings walked to the 2 big front doors and decided to go inside first. As they walked in, they were greeted by a big living room.

"Finally!" Zane exclaimed as he rushed and dove to a black sofa 

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"Mooom? Why is there almost no signal here?" Zylie suddenly cried out while frantically swiping through her phone. She shoved the phone to her mother’s face to show her concern. “But you know that I have to call Michael later, I bet he’s waiting for my call”

"Just bear with it Zylie and by the way, you always call each other everyday so what's the rush? But if you really want to, maybe try finding a good signal spot?" her mother suggested while unpacking groceries on the kitchen marble countertop. Her dad was still unloading the luggages from the car trunk so she couldn't ask for his help.

Zylie crossed her arms in annoyance while pulling her eyebrows together and squinting her eyes. "Aish! Why did I even bother to come here" she replied back.

" Zylie! I already told you that your grandfather is not feeling that well so that's why we have to come and visit here" her mother contradict as she put her hands on her hips getting irritated by her daughter's constant whining. 

"Why don't you go to the back garden and accompany your grandfather? Also bring this tea" her mother suggests while sliding the wooden tray on the marble countertop to Zylie's direction.

"Good idea! Go bring Zane with you" his father also suggested when he overheard their conversation in the kitchen. He came in the kitchen while carrying two bags in both arms.

"But dad!"

" No buts. Go '' her father ordered her while pointing at the tray with tea. Zylie took the tray while dragging her feet at the living room where her brother is. Her mother shook her head because of how her daughter is acting out and continuing to do her task. In the corner of the room, there is the black sofa where Zane is sitting comfortably while playing on his phone.

"Zane, they said that we should go and accompany grandpa" Zylie lightly nudged his brother's leg using her feet to get his attention.

Zane grunts in annoyance and quickly glares at his sister's disturbance. "What? Can't you see I'm doing something? Why don't you go alone." he answered back to his sister while agitatedly pressing his phone, getting into his game.

" Dad ordered us to," she replied back with a smug expression showing on her face, knowing that her brother is scared of being scolded by his father.

"Tss fine.." he replied with a defeated face and slowly followed her sister.

They both have their ways in the back garden where they see their grandfather, who looks like he's resting on a wheelchair. Getting closer at the old man they notice that he is staring into the bed of flowers in front of him.

" Grandpa, we brought you tea" Zylie said while approaching the elder. After setting the tea in the small table beside the wheelchair. The old man seems like he went back to reality and finally noticed his grandkids presence.

" Thank you dear" the old man thanked her while showing a gentle yet weak smile on his face. The garden is very peaceful; the birds are chirping and trees are creaking in the wind. The garden is mostly decorated by beds of different flowers, but what gets her attention is the feathery flower which mostly dominates the area.

 "This is an odd flower.." Zylie commented while slowly lowering down and curiously examined the strange flower to which his brother also followed.

"Yeah, The whole garden is covered with these weird flowers. Grandpa what is this?" Zane questionly asked while touching the flowers in weariness.

"This is called Astilbe, also known as false spirea. I'm not a fan of this particular flower but I know a person who does" the old man answers after a while.

He sips his tea then continues to talk in a calm and soothing manner." She is someone who is beautiful and a strong person. Her smile makes the world stop for a second to admire her beauty. Not to forget her beautiful platinum hair that radiates under the sun and her almond shaped eyes which always makes me daze in awe " he added while holding the tea in his lap. The siblings find it intriguing and become more curious about the said person. 

As they both watch him smile unconsciously there is also something hiding behind his expression, and they can both obviously see it.

"Grandpa, Can you tell me more about this person?" Zylie asked furthermore and scooch closer to the chair and look up to the old man in anticipation.

The old man chuckled, "This is going to be a long story.." putting the tea back on the small table on his other side.