In a different world
1339 Words
Chapter Three
I didn't know what to feel when I woke up.
I have now regained my energy, but my mind is still yielding so much confusion, and having a hard time processing everything and believing in this fantasy.
I walked towards the window and watched everything my sight could see. Suddenly, a refreshing breeze touched my skin. It's warm and calming, added by the golden sky. Everything here seems like those in fairytales, from the architecture of every cottage, Middle Ages clothes, children playing and birds flying and sighing in the morning sky.
This is the most therapeutic ambiance I felt.
Is this actually real?
I slapped my face to make sure this wasn't a dream. And it certainly wasn't
Did I go back in time? Or am I in another universe?
I don't know what to think anymore. But I need to stick to my reality that I do not belong here, and so I need to find my way back into my world. That'll be my mission. Yet before I dive into the quest, I need to know everything about this village, so I know where and how to get out.
I turned my back, and as I walked two steps, I paused for a moment and took my sight back to the not so long-ago fresh flowers on the window sill.
"What the hell happened? It was dried and almost dead flowers yesterday, and now it was almost like a new reborn flower? This world is indeed odd and creepy!"I muttered to myself.
I wandered my sights to every corner of the room, then found a cabinet in the corner. I walked towards it, hoping to find a cloth to wear. And just like what I expected, it was full of old historic vintage dresses.
Well... I have no choice, I need to blend in.
While choosing something more appropriate for my style, I came to reflect as to why an old man living alone has this couple of woman's clothes? Generally, why does he have this room full of women's stuff? And why does it take me days to just notice that?
I am so naïve! But.... Oh, dear god! Is he a...? a pervert?! Or perhaps a psycho?
Yet strangely, part of me defends that he's a good person. He doesn't have the face and the energy of a villain. Plus, he already helped and took care of me twice.
Yet, what's weirder is that I feel like we have this odd and strong connection, like I knew him, even before I met him? I sighed in confusion.
Perhaps everything is still new and unfamiliar to me, that's why it's confounding what emotions I should feel.
I walked through the door to one corner of the room. And when I opened it, it was a bathroom, yet an odd bathroom! I roamed my eyes inside. It's just a small space wooden bathroom with strange stuff. I changed to this long sleeved and-brown-necked vest almost like a corset, and a long flowy colored pastel skirt. I didn't know the proper way of wearing this kind of clothes, so I just wore them my way, just like in the movies I've watched.
Then, I walked out of the room and that's when I realized the room I was in was actually the top floor. I can actually see the whole view of the house up here. There is a cute wooden staircase on the side wall down to the first floor. And at the corner of the stairs there's a window beside the main door. A wooden table in the center with five wooden chairs, two on each side and one on the top corner. And behind the tables is the kitchen area where the old man is currently cooking something. It was like a normal mini-aesthetic cottage kitchen vibe.
And below my room is where I think this old man's room is located. Outside his room is where the chimney stands. There is also a cute old wooden chair on the side of the chimney and also a bookshelf behind. I knocked on the wall three times to let him know that I was awake.
"Good morning." He greeted me as he looked at me with a genuine smile.
"Good...morning..." I replied awkwardly.
"Come down and have a seat. I made you breakfast, since you have never eaten for days." He said while I walked down the stairs. Even from a distance, I could see his concerned expression as he uttered those words. And he was right, I am starving. Though embarrassed, I sat down on the side chair, ready to dig in.
"Go ahead and eat" he said, without removing his smile.
"Thank you," I shortly replied.
It was a soup, bread and milk. As I started to eat, I looked at him with so many questions encircling my head, yet my mouth was completely zipped because I was afraid to ask. Perhaps he understood my expression.
"I know you have a lot of questions to ask. You can freely ask me if you want." I can tell the sincerity in his words.
I contemplated for seconds.
"What exactly is this place?"
A moment of silence precedes.
"Before I answer that, I am Cristopher Boreham, but everyone calls me Papi since I am the eldest villager here. And this place is the Stone Cove village of El ren."
His answer is still confusing, but he's the eldest here?
"I am Seanna Rink."
"That's a very beautiful name." I could see a tear in his eyes as he said those words, as if there was more meaning beneath them.
He wiped his wet eyes with his palm, then seriously gazed at me.
"There was a strong storm here when I saw you unconsciously lying on the shore. I don't know what happened to you, but I am certain of one thing. You're not from this world. Your clothes, your actions and the way you talk, prove that you're not from here."
Fear instantly struck me as my tongue was kept tied.
"If the village knew the truth about you, it would certainly cause chaos. But don't worry, child, because I'm here to help you."
Though fear was lessened, I was still speechless. I don't know if I should accept his help. But he's right, if anyone from this world knew about me, it might really cause great havoc, and worse, I might end up being killed. I don't know anything in this world, in this period. But him? He could possibly help me.
"How....?" I replied anxiously. He pauses for a second.
"Be my long-lost granddaughter.... Melissa. As long as you're her, no one will suspect anything." He clearly stated. I was lost in my thoughts.
Is it alright to be someone I am not?
But I think this is my only survival. With fear and concern, I agreed.
I think he reads my expression so he put his hand on top of mine.
"You can trust me, Seanna. From now on you'll be my granddaughter, Melissa." I can feel and see the sincerity in his words again.
" Thank you... Papi." His smile widened when I uttered the word Papi. As if he'd been waiting for me to say that word to him.
A single tear dropped on his left eye again.
"Is everything alright?"
"I just miss my granddaughter. It's been so long since I heard that word from her. "As he said those words his tears continuously fell.
"I've never experienced having a grandpa, so it's my pleasure to experience one."
It's only been days since I am with him, but I can already feel how lucky his real granddaughter was as he took care of me. My instinct was right, he was a good person.
I grew up without a grandfather, so his gentle presence fills that void, the presence that I'm longing and wanting.
And so, I decided to put my trust in him, as my Papi.
- Writer
