BLAMELESS SORROWS

43. Family

Heri's Point of View.

We stand a bit away as Tilbe and Ax went away with Karina, while we just look at them, Galen still hugging me tightly.

Galen: You are thinking what Iam

thinking right?

I nod my head while his chin pop along with my nodding head as he place his face on my head while back hugging me.

Heri: She must be asking about Karina's ability which has to stay private and we can't know of.

Galen: Right, cause thats the only thing Tilbe will ever keep a secret from us.

Hmm, she really do share everything with us. And that trust and openness take away many unnecessary fight or bitterness from us, thus it is quite peaceful among us.

Heri: Sometimes she feel more of a sister than she is a princess to me.

Galen chuckled when I said that.

Galen: Be glad then, cause sometimes I feel like she is an enemy rather than my princess.

I look up at him twisting myself to face him while still in his coat and look at him with a questioning face.

Heri: I have been meaning to ask about this for a while now, what is with you and Tilbe. You guys work together just fine and also get along just fine, so why do you always say such things once in a while?

Galen: I also don't know, but Tilbe sometimes look at me with a hatred I can't comprehend. It's as if I steal something so precious of hers.

And he shake his head in wonder while I also wonder with him.

Heri: Maybe you killed one of her fruit's tree when you were younger?

He looked at me in disbelieved while I just shrug.

Galen: Come on Heri, she won't hold a grudged over such a small thing and I also have not killed any fruit plant yet so it's all good.

Heri: Thats a relief cause she will hold grudges, you don't know how much she gave importance to her fruit trees.

He widen his eye in disbelief while I just smile at him.

Heri: Oh by the way, my parents will be back in a week or so. And Iam of the view that, we meet them and tell them about us dating.

He nod his head when I said that.

Galen: It's okay with me. When should we meet them though, won't we rush them too much if we meet them right after they come back?

I smile at him when he said that.

Heri: They will literally jump up in happiness if I introduce my boyfriend, forget about being rush. They thought I will die an old single lady you see.

And I smile dryly while he chuckle looking at my expression.

Galen: They can't be more wrong about it then, they don't know how charming their daughter can be.

I smile when he said that, but his smile seems uneasy and he look a bit stiffed and worried.

Heri: Are you by any chance nervous about meeting my parents Galen?

I tilt my head and look up at him while he looked at me and sigh.

Galen: It's just that, given my condition I can't really be quite confident.

I look at him confusedly, what is he talking about.

Heri: What are you talking about? What condition?

He look at me uneasily as I ask that while I look at him with a confused look still attached to my face.

Galen: I know that you don't mind, but at the end of the day no matter what, Iam an orphan and I have no one I can take you home to meet or that can welcome you to my home.

I looked at him with sadness in my eye, he looked the loneliest and the most vulnerable at the moment.

Galen: I just think, your parents might not like that for you. You are outstanding, and marvelous and me I have nothing at all and..

Before he finish I hug him with all my might. I hug him as tight as I can, giving him all the warm I can manage to gather in myself. I try my best to console him of his loneliness.

Heri: Everyone has parents and you do too. Yours leave a bit earlier and thats all, there is nothing more to it.

Galen: But..

Heri: No but! Galen, I believe that a family can never be broken, not by an argument, not by distance or neither by death. It's just that when they die, they become a bit harder to see and talk to. But in our heart, they will be always there and will always be our parents.

He hug me back while leaning on me completely.

Heri: And even if my parents do pass someday, I will never call myself an orphan cause I have my parents and they are always there in my heart and in my memory. So as long as you call your parents, mom and dad, you are not an orphan, cause you too have parents.

He stay silent while just hugging me tighter by each second.

Heri: And also, my parents won't mind that you are alone in your house, they will rather celebrate cause they will have another son all to themselve now. And besides you are taking their candidate of an old cat lady away from them, believe me there is no chance of them not liking you.

He chuckle when I said that, while hugging me tightly and nuzzling his head by my shoulder and neck.

Galen: Thank you Heri.

Heri: Dont be too lonely Galen, I swear one day I will make your home ours, and our kids will run around the place all the time shouting and laughing here and there. Enjoy the peace for a little while when you can, cause you will missed it later.

And I chuckle as I said that, happy at my own dream.

Galen: You know what?

Heri: Hmm?

Galen: The dream that you dream of, I promise that I will give my everything to make it our reality. Thank you for giving me the confidence to dream of such a happy life.

I smile while hugging him a bit closer, although I have my doubt whether that is possible.

Heri: Dont start thanking me yet, cause you will have too many to thank for later. Cause Iam going to be an active member in making that dream a reality.

Galen: Then that is just another reason to be thankful to you , my lady.

I smile more while he also did and just hug me more.

Tilbe: Are you guys trying to consume each other or make yourself into one by any chance?

I turn back surprised by her words and appearance at the same time.

Galen: What make me worried is the fact that she is genuinely concern about this.

Heri: Me too, Galen me too.

She looked at us innocently while being confused looking as adorable as ever.

Tilbe: Hmm?

Heri: Nothing little baby, nothing.

She looked more confused while I look at her adoringly.

Tilbe: You guys are still hugging, by any chance are you so cold Sis Ri, Iam alright now, you can take the coat.

I smile when she ask that, I feel pity for Vann. How is he going to date this innocent baby.

Heri: Iam fine now, the sun will be up now so no worries. Are you done talking with Karina now?

She nod her head.

Tilbe: Sorry for making you wait like this and also siding with her.

She pinched both her ears cutely while I just awed at her cuteness.

Galen: What about me Tilbe, how come only Ri get the cute treatment?

Tilbe: Because Sis Ri is all pretty while you are well ugly.

I burst out laughing looking at Tilbe serious straight face while Galen look at her shocked, his mouth dropping down.

Galen: At least do it behind my back.

Tilbe(innocently): But you asked.

And she looked at him accusingly as if he have done her a grave injustice making me stifled in my laughter.

Heri: Anyway, what have you decide? Where is Ax and Karina?

Tilbe: Ax is somewhere while Karina on the other side has went to get the other two people who you have met before.

I nod at that and said nothing back. But with the way that she always tries to brush any topic off regarding Ax, I know she is hiding something about him.

Heri: Just give me a moment, you both discuss at the time being.

And with that I walk away, searching for Ax. And in no time I found him seating by the cliff side, his head held high up and him sighing again and again.

He look beautifully lonely and mesmerizingly solidary. His bright deep red hair blowing everywhere, with the breeze while he sit there all alone and peaceful.

I want to go and talk to him but unknowingly in my step and my mind, I hesitated a thousand time.

He looked somewhat like a beautiful red rose, blooming in all its glory but it's thorns are out chasing everyone away with it from getting close to him. His aura seems cold and stifling while his demeanor seems withered yet sharp.

But nonetheless I made up my mind and went up to him. But before I can even said a word he said it first.

Axel: I was hoping I will be left alone.

The coldness and harshness in his voice make me stumble back a step or two, but finding a little courage within myself I went on.

Heri: Sorry, but I can't seem to agree with that.

He sigh at what I said.

Axel: You want something?

I sit down beside him while he stiffen a bit making me flinch back just a little.

Heri: Vann said if I meet you, to tell you that he is sorry for breaking his promise but that next time, he will make sure to keep it.

He chuckle a bit when I said that, while I wonder what is funny about what I said. Even though I don't know what the promise is or how Vann broke it, but he seems quite devastated because of it. So I thought it will be something serious.

Heri: He really want me to say that to you, so I couldn't just ignore it. Sorry for disturbing you.

He relaxed a little as I said that making me also sigh in unknown relief.

Axel: It's not a big deal, Iam also sorry for the way I react. And please tell Vann that he have never broken the promise.

I stand up as he said that, not willing to disturb him more than I already have.

Heri: Forgiven. And I'll make sure to rely the message which I can't seems to understand.

He smile a little as I said that, while he seems a bit anxious as well.

Axel: You have a very beautiful voice.

I look back at him shocked, I was definitely not expecting that. But coming out of my surprised state, I react in a more joking manner.

Heri: My face is much more beautiful than my voice, so please tell me if you need any kind of help anytime so that you can see freely.

I mean, I may not be able to do anything for him but if he needs any help mainly from Vann, Iam sure he will welcome him with an open arm.

And besides, his loneliness seems quite painful somehow so I really do want to help.