Her Season

Chapter 3: Encounter

Aunt Lucy stayed by my side the whole night. She tapped on me gently as I closed my eyes in the middle of her reading. It was miraculously a peaceful sleep.

I woke up the next morning alone in my bed. I had already sensed that something was unusual. Something is missing. I got it now. What’s missing are the morning hugs and kisses my parents showered me every time they woke me up. Will I be able to experience it again? Was it too much to ask Aunt Lucy for that stuff?

The decorations on the ceiling caught my attention. They were stars of different sizes glued into a pattern. Were they already there yesterday? If so, I failed to notice it. Maybe because I was so occupied with my own thoughts as Aunt Lucy does my bedtime story.

A small knock was then heard from outside. Slowly, the door opened, revealing Aunt Lucy. She smiled as she fully entered the room.

"Hi." She greeted me while walking towards my bed. “Good morning, Swan. How was your sleep?”

I rose and just smiled at her.

“Do you feel like doing anything today?” she asked as she tucked some strands of my hair into the back of my ear.

I shook my head a little, which made her sigh.

“Okay then, would it be fine if you helped me with my garden?” she tried again, adding some excitement to her voice.

Once more, I just nodded as an approval. I, myself, don’t even know what's keeping me from talking. I used to be zestful and talkative. My parents raised me as an accommodating child who was always cheerful and welcoming. But ever since that day I woke up at the hospital and asked for my parents, it feels like my will and ability to speak and interact with anyone has been gone as well.

Will Aunt Lucy eventually get tired of me? I hope not. I know she’s not used to seeing me this way. I am not either. I don’t want to be stuck like this forever. But how?

“Great! But let’s have breakfast first before anything.” She said, which interrupted my thoughts.

We then headed to the dining room. The table has a lot of food. Much more likely a feast than a breakfast for two. Served are all my favorites.

“I don’t know what you want to eat now, so I just asked Nana Dahlia to prepare all your favorites.” Aunt Lucy explained, smiling.

She assisted me again to my seat before settling on hers, still smiling.

“So, what do you want to have first?” she asked while gesturing to the food on our table. I swiftly scanned the table before pointing to the toasted bread near her.

“Um, okay. What else?” She inquired again, then put some toasted bread on my plate. “I heard you usually eat cereal for breakfast?”

Yes, that’s right. I loved to eat colorful cereals for breakfast. But this toasted bread is tempting as this was what my parents used to usually have.

Since I didn’t say anything, Aunt Lucy resumed putting food on my plate. She added some bacon and egg to my plate too. She even poured milk on my glass and made sure I started eating before she grabbed hers.

Aunt Lucy talked about what she was planning to do with her garden while we ate. I only nod and eat. She is an architect too, like my mom. Only that her forte was landscaping, while my mom was into interior design. Aunt Lucy designed our garden while my mom worked on the design of her house.

“Right, I will show you the designs I have after we eat.” She suddenly exclaimed with enthusiasm. “Would you help me choose the design that suits my garden the most?” she asked, to which I responded with a nod.

After breakfast, Aunt Lucy guided me to her library where she showed me the designs saved on her laptop. The layouts were all perfectly made and will suit her garden well.

She explained every detail of the designs as we looked from one piece to another. As well as her inspiration behind her every creation.

For me, they were all faultless, but the one that caught my attention the most was the constellation-inspired landscape design. It was detailed with star patterns that look very suitable with the plant’s arrangement, especially at night. The pathway was sketched like a big and small dipper that would be lighted through downlighting or moonlighting.

The layout also has a patio that can accommodate a good number of people. It was designed to be placed on the best spot in the garden for stargazing.

I got so hooked up with the outline that I didn’t notice that Aunt Lucy was also staring at it earnestly.

“Do you love this?” she asked while slowly touching the design through the monitor.

I nodded.

“Your mom suggested the theme of this design.” She said in a low tone. “I was so hesitant at first, but she encouraged me and even volunteered to check on the layout once I was done.” She narrated with a faint smile.

I remained quietly listening as I intently stared at the masterpiece.

“I was so excited to finish this and show it to her to get her feedback.” She added slowly. “She constantly bugged me regarding the progress of this design, as she’s more exhilarated than I am. I promised to show it to her personally on that day because I wanted so much to see her reaction live.” She paused to sniff.

I anticipated her next words, but nothing came. We both remained silent. As if this will heal the wounds that we both have.

“I’m so glad that you liked it.” Aunt Lucy talked again after a few moments. “Thank you, Swan,” she said while tenderly touching my face.

“Thank you for being alive.” She finished her words as tears started to roll down her beautiful face.

And, for the first time after that incident, a single tear rolled down from my eyes. She hugged me tight just like her whole life depends on it. I did the same as I felt that mine corresponded to hers.

It was so comforting to know that there are people who were grateful for my mere existence and that I survived that tragedy. Even if I, myself, felt lifeless. Just alive but barely living.

My Aunt Lucy decided to put back our plan the next day. After the heartwarming scene in the library, she excused herself and called Nana Dahlia to accompany me to my bedroom. I stayed there with the latter until lunch and only went outside to eat. Unfortunately, Aunt Lucy didn’t join us for lunch, reasoning that she was not feeling too well.

We got back to my room after eating and the same scenario happened during dinner. At nighttime, Nana Dahlia was the one who tucked me into bed. We didn’t have any storytelling this time, but instead, she hummed a song while gently tapping me to sleep.

She dimmed the lights off and before I fell completely asleep, I saw the stars glued to the ceiling glow alluringly in the dark. That was how my first day at Aunt Lucy’s house concluded.

Luckily, the next day, Aunt Lucy was feeling better. She fetched me again from my room in the morning and we ate breakfast together. She’s back to being jolly and chatty. She even mentioned that some people would come today to help us start with the work on her garden.

I am now more excited to see the design be put to life, knowing that my mom has participated in making it.

We stayed in the living room after breakfast when the people Aunt Lucy was expecting finally came. They exchanged greetings before heading out to the front yard to talk about the design and how it would be executed. I was left inside with Nana Dahlia for a while, then Aunt Lucy came back to fetch me.

“The work will be a bit messy but total fun.” She giggled as we walked towards the garden. “I’m so excited. Are you?” she asked while looking at me.

I nodded. A smile was forming on my lips as I felt truly excited about this.

Some workers started to do some digging on the ground. While others were moving some plants and displays to a safer place. It seems like everyone has their own role in carrying out the formation of the plan.

I watched them work in awe from afar as some details of the design started to be visible. It was so fascinating. Aunt Lucy gets closer to the workers from time to time to monitor the job. She’s very hands-on on this.

Work resumed after lunch and an hour of rest. Nana Dahlia was already bugging me for my nap time right after we ate, but I kept on postponing it.

“Go on, sweetie. You’ll be more amazed to see the progress when you wake up.” Aunt Lucy urged, which I reluctantly obeyed.

In the bedroom, I didn’t realize that I was sleepy and tired, not until Nana Dahlia and I lay on my bed. I completely dozed off the moment I closed my eyes. I don’t have any idea how long I slept, but when I woke up, Nana Dahlia was no longer beside me.

I got out of bed and went outside. I first saw Nana Dahlia and Aunt Lucy having their coffee in the living room. The latter motioned me to sit beside her, which I abode.

“Did you sleep well?” she asked as she kissed my cheeks.

I nodded and looked at the front door.

“Do you want something to eat, Swan?” Nana Dahlia asked.

I still just nodded and remained staring at the front door. As if on a cue, Aunt Lucy carried me in one hand while the other hand held her coffee and headed outside.

That sudden movement made me so delighted that it urged me to hug her tight.

Outside, the design was much better than earlier. Aunt Lucy explained that the work may take at least one week or so but the progress visible now is quite appealing.

I was still busy looking around when Aunt Lucy suddenly walked directly towards the main gate. There, I saw a boy who was maybe about my age holding something in his hands. I can’t visibly see in his chinky eyes if he’s looking at Aunt Lucy or me.

“For what do I owe a pleasure, little man?” Aunt Lucy asked.

“We’re back from our trip and I got you some dumplings, old lady.” The boy teasingly replied.

“Seems like you left your manners somewhere, again.” Aunt Lucy responded, trying to hide her smile. “Would you mind putting it on our dining table as my hands were still full?” she added, then turned back inside.

I was just looking at him with no emotion as he followed us inside. Aunt Lucy put me down beside the boy when we reached the front porch. Now that we’re standing side by side, I can clearly say that he’s looking at me as well. As if I am a puzzle that he’s trying to figure out.

“I’ll bring the dumplings inside. You may wait here as I get you some cookies.” Aunt Lucy said to the boy, who didn’t even look at her. He just handed the dumplings to her.

The boy didn’t take his eyes off me. And so did I. His eyes were full of curiosity while mine had nothing.

“What’s your name?” he finally asked, breaking the silence.

I didn’t respond. Aside from the fact that I am not capable of speaking now, I was taught not to talk to strangers either. Disregarding the age.

“I’m Homer Odyssey.” He introduced himself but did not receive any response from me.

We’re back to the silent staring contest when Aunt Lucy finally comes back.

“Does she not talk?” Homer now looks at Aunt Lucy and asks.

“Of course, she does. But not to ugly people.” She answered, poking fun at him.

He then rolled his eyes in response to Aunt Lucy and threw a dagger look at me before running back to where he came from.

So much for a first encounter.