BLAMELESS SORROWS

15. Business trip.

Heri Points of View.

I stand by the beautiful cosmos garden, feeling overwhelm by its beauty.

I have been here for a lot of time now, but the beauty of this place never fail to amaze me.

The subtle and gentle beauty of the flower, the so familiar yet unique scene it have is so spectacular that it look magical.

I was standing there when Galen appear looking as handsome as ever.

Dress in a black dress shirt half tug in in his black jeans, finishing it by a black boot with a sunglass on. He look extra handsome today. He look so distinctive and strikingly standing out besides the subtle backdrop of the flower, making my heart flip right and left looking at him.

Galen: Ready?

And he look at me seemingly innocent but his shining charm says he knows it all, all the affect he has on me.

Heri: Iam afraid of looking too ugly standing next to you, shall we travel differently?

When I said that he roll his tongue inside his mouth like he always do and chuckle softly.

Galen: I was afraid I will lack behind cause you look a bit too beautiful, but Iam relieve knowing that I have your approval.

I chuckle at that, he too have a way with words. He never fall behind.

Heri: Okay then, since you acknowledge my beuty as well, I won't be intimidated anymore. Let's go.

And I raise my hand not really comprehending fully what Iam doing. But nonetheless Iam glad I did, cause the moment he out his huge cold hand in mine, I was glad that I can make it a little warmer, even though it is just by a bit.

And like that in a blink of an eye, our surrounding change from the beautiful cosmos garden to the Red leaf tree in the extreme side of Iklu, which exist in the other world.

With that we went to the keepers home, hands still attached.

The keeper is an old man, who keep taps on whoever come and go from here for security purposes. But then again, it's not like anyone can leave without Tilbe help anyway so it's just a secondary resort for security.

Actually the red leaf tree and the cosmos garden is connected through Tilbe power. And that is the only thing which is connected between the world and Iklu, thus only with that can someone leave. And that need Tilbe permission, she can know when someone is there by the garden and can know if she will let us out or in or not.

But the travelling is not taht strict, anyone can go out and in without any price and quite easily. It's just that, coming in is the hard thing, as no one from outside is allowed in so that part will be the hard part and is when security is really needed.

Beside this is taken care of by Tilbe even on her unconcius state, he power is strong enough to control it without much effort, so the keeper is not really that needed.

Rather he is here to take care of thing like if something bad happen or anyone need help while being on this side of the world then he will help them. That is his main job.

Anyway as we step out of the forest, his huge mansion stand right there, the forest being his back garden like thingy. As we went inside he was sitting there by the door and waive at us excitedly while I look at him confused.

Heri(whisper) : Galen, he is not your family right?

He look down at me a bit confused but nonetheless shake his head in a no.

Heri: Then why is he so happy to see you?

I know for a fact that he is not waiving at me cause I really don't know him that well and because Galen also wave back happily as if they are long time buddies.

Galen: He is the one person closest to being your father-in-law, so be ready.

And then he walk ahead and hug the keeper joyfully while I choke in my own spit hearing his word. Say what now? Father-in-law?

I also went and greet the keeper.

Heri: Hello uncle, nice to meet you, Iam Heri Awor.

Keeper: Please call me grandpa Kip, Iam too old to be called a uncle now my child.

I smile at him once more, and said willingly.

Heri: Then I guess I have myself a grandpa from now on.

He laugh heartily at that, his white hair shinning with the light while his brown eye looking full with wisdom and experience. His well fitted suit and the black cane giving him a silent grace which nothing can compare to.

Kip: Then I guess I have a grand-daughter now. I thought I will never be able to see this brat if mine getting married in my life, but I guess I was worrying for no reason. You were hiding a gem my boy.

And he pat Galen on his back looking at him proudly while I cough violently shock by his comment. Father-in-law to grandpa-in-law in no second, and why the he does all of them keep on talking about marriage. We literally have been only on a date once.

Galen hiding his huge grin come by my side and pat my back to stop my coughing. While I glare at him as much as I can without grandpa seeing me.

Galen: You will scare my gem away at this rate, grandpa Kip. Please, I put do much effort in making her my girlfriend.

Another violent cough, girlfriend.

Girlfriend? Since when was I his girlfriend?

He laugh softly while patting my back, while I look at both of them flustered.

Grandpa: Quickly give me a glass of water.

And with that a worker there give me a glass of water which I greedily drank it all.

Grandpa: You okay now?

I nod in a yes, giving him a small smile to show that Iam alright.

Wow this is so damn embarrassing. I mentally facepalm myself, man where is all my cool when I need it.

Galen: Anyway grandpa, I will be back later on when Iam done with my business. Both Heri and me have to go to take care of some business.

I nod along, so willing to get out of this flustered situation. I will come back later all prepared and with all my story straight, and will greet grandpa properly then.

Grandpa : What nonsense!

And he stomp his cane to make his point while I look at him a bit surprised.

Grandpa: My grand daughter visit me for the first time ever. And this brat is trying to make me the uncultured one, not even giving me a chance to serve her something to eat.

I look up at Galen, looking forward to his reaction in how the situation is turning out. He is standing there, with an expression of disbelieve while looking at grandpa.

Galen: Hey! You are not even willing to serve me a cup of tea whenever Iam here and always chase me to go back home. And now to Heri, grandpa this is discrimination. And also you just met her now!

I look up at him shock, that is the point he get from everything we just discuss?

Grandpa: Heri, you won't mind spending some more time with Grandpa, will you?

Grandpa royally ignored Galen which make him keep on staring at grandpa Kip in disbelieve while I chuckle at their little drama.

Heri: I will love to.

And I too meant it, spending time with elder and having a meal together bring a joy that can be replaced by absolutely nothing in this world.

So with that we all sit down and the person who gave me water before come back and serve us with warm tea an different kind of snacks.

Grandpa: Since Iam old and live all alone, I dont usually keep many snack, so I hope you are okay with this child.

I mean, there are about eight different type of snack there. From cake to cookies to beautiful colour rice cake, to bowl of fruits to different kind of biscuit, to just made dishes.

If this is little, I don't know what is grand anymore.

Heri: This is much more than enough, thank you for the food.

And I take a small plate and start eating the rice cake, munching on this heaven like existence.

Galen: That cake and the rice cake is made by grandpa himself, it's taste good right.

I nod my head eagerly unable to speak as my mouth is full and said wow with my hand, making grandpa laugh with happiness gleaming in his eye.

Grandpa: Iam so glad that someone is else to enjoy all the things I made.

I smile at that, and this time take a bite of the cake. And directly falls in love with the softness and the burst of the rich cheese flavour taste.

Heri: This is so good, Iam literally in love. Wow grandpa, Galen is really lucky to have known about this a lot earlier than me.

And I pout a little and shake my head in regret.

Grandpa: Exactly, Iam also sad that I met you this late. It's such a shame that I could only enjoy the warmness and joy brought by a baby daughter only by now.

I smile happily looking at grandpa while he give me another slice of the rice cake, while I pour him his tea.

Heri(whisper): Had I knew you have such a cool grandpa, I will have propose a long time ago.

When I said that Galen glare at me.

Galen: Wow, both my ego and confidence is taking a hard hit today.

When he said that seriously or rather complain about it, grandpa and me laugh at him while he sit there looking at us like a grumpy baby.

And like that we spend our afternoon, eating one thing after another, picking on Galen from time to time, while Grandpa keep on praising me and me cozying up to him. I already feel like I really have someone I can call grandpa and truly mean it. Thank god, I came to this trip.