The Last Moon

Chapter 7: The Adopted Son

Rahul's POV

I have been eager to see Halea again, I always see her walking to school every day and it has been one of the sights I enjoy. I would normally wait for her to come out in the morning and when she's out walking to school I would move along behind her and would glance her from behind. And since today is no school I just can't wait for another day not to see her. I should make myself busy so I won't think so much of her. I took my jacket and headed outside, a stroll around town, and some site inspection should be enough to take my mind off her. I was on my way out when I heard someone called.

"Rahul, are you busy today?" my Mom asked

The Mother that I grew up knowing is a very kind woman, she has accepted me after her distant cousin rejected adopting me. They have grown so wicked and selfish after they enjoyed the luxury I have provided them from my previous life and the family thought that they can just forget their blood oath. When they rejected me Jiana who lived with them as a helper took me in, she felt the bond of the blood oath right after holding me despite the fact that she is single and unmarried. Right then and there the original bloodline was cut and my ties with her were formed. She has raised me as her son until she met the father that I grew up with. When the blood ties vanish so as the luxury and luck they have will slowly fade, they need to survive and cope up, using their abilities.

My mother's name is Jiana. She looks so young and energetic. She has short hair, deep black eyes, a slender face, and a visible cheekbone which gives her that beauty. And with that nobody would say I am not her son, her angelic face compliments mine. We sometimes look like siblings rather than mother and son. I adore her kindness and her motherly nature, she has treated me like her own.

"No Mom, is there anything you wanted to do?"

"That's great, is it okay if you can accompany me to the hospital?

"What happened, are you ill or hurt?"

"No, I have visited the Doctor the other day but he requested me to go for a laboratory check, today I will have to take the result and do an x-ray for my back just to make sure his diagnosis is correct,"

"Oh, you're still having the back pain, alright then we should go. You should have told me even if I am busy I will go with you,"

"You're so thoughtful, Rahul that's why I love you," she said touching my face.

I smiled and guided her to the car. We left for the hospital. She has an appointment so we just went in. They took an x-ray of her upper and lower back as well as her neck, I took her lab result on the other building and waited for her outside on the seating area. The x-ray result will be out in the afternoon so I will just come and take it.

"Have you got the lab result?" she asked

"Yes, here it is,"

"We need to get the x-ray and lab result and schedule an appointment with Dr. Arthur so he can check all of it,"

"I can get the x-ray this afternoon and bring it to Dr. Arthur if you want. I can also ask him for an appointment," that would be a good reason to see Halea

"We can set the appointment here in the hospital since we are already here, they will just have to check his record and schedule it,"

"Well, it would be faster if I take it to him,"

"There's no need to rush, he will just have read and match it with his first findings,"

"Don't you worry about it. I will take care of it," I said. I know she has a point but I have another intention. We went back to the car and I asked her to go and eat since we haven't been out lately. We rarely talk so this is a good time to catch-up.

"Your birthday is coming up soon, do you have any plans?" she asked me while we wait for our food. We were dining at one of the Chinese restaurants in town. This place is known for its dumplings and dim sum.

"Nothing in particular,"

"Do you want me to throw in a party so you can invite your friends over?"

"No, I'm too old for that but maybe I'll invite someone to spend it with,"

"Is it Veronica? Do you plan to ask her out and join you?"

"Nah, Veronica and I were opposite plus I've been celebrating with her for as long as I can remember thanks to you and Dad," I said smiling, "I met someone and I might ask her instead,"

"Ooh, do I know this someone? Maybe you can also introduce her to me" she said teasing me, "you are growing fast, soon you will have to leave,"

"I will introduce her to you, once I make progress," I said and smile at her, "with regards to my journey, I do not need to go far since we are at the old 'Laon' I just need to find my way. " Jiana is familiar with my quest since the blood ties appeared in her, she has some of the memory of the first blood oath. When the blood tie is cut so as the memory, the only thing remains are the human memory of my existence as a human as their adoptive son who lived and died, my rebirth will also be erased. That is why I am always adopted by the eldest child of the existing generation.

The food arrived and the waiter was setting our table. We've ordered chicken in cashew, Peking duck, and their dim sum four kinds ( Har gau, Siew Mai, Buns, and chicken feet) which I like so much.

"This is a lot, son," she said starting to pick using her chopstick

"well, you know my appetite,"

"of course but still it's a lot," she said smiling

We ate and talked about the fish farm and the stuff that she plans to do. There is a new boat line which her husband wanted to purchase. For this matter I let them decide, I do not oblige myself in matters of mortal, I normally hire staff to take care of my estate while I am on my journey. Just to keep my human life as normal as possible. I have done this so many times that it felt like I am just playing.

My journey starts after I turn 18, so it won't be difficult to explain to people why I'm leaving home. My main objective is to find how I can shift into my dragon form. Baconava needs to stretch its wings and fly. I haven't been out in the deep ocean, I have forgotten the sight of it and only Baconava can swim there. 

After eating, I brought my Mom home and went to do some sight inspection before taking the x-ray and lab results. I may need to get the Doctor's phone number so he won't be surprised when I visit him. I dialled Ninong Robert's number to get the Doctor's phone number. After talking to him, he sends me the number. So I called to make an appointment at his house since its the weekend.

I still have a few hours before meeting him, so I went to the beach to take a dip in the water. I feel safe whenever I am in the water, this is my haven. I can stay in the water even for the whole day and I won't get tired. After taking a dip rest in one of the beach benches under the tree.

I was thinking of Halea and somehow I dozed off. When I opened my eyes I found myself sitting in one of the branches of a big Boab Tree which was near the lake. I was relaxing there when I saw the ray of light coming from the lake. There I see two beautiful maidens, I hear them giggling with the Nagas of the lake. I peaked and saw one of them sitting on top of the rock while the other was swimming with the Nagas. As I look into her, I can see that she enjoys a lesser company. She just sat there watching the other maiden play. I wanted to go near but I'm not supposed to be seen from where I am, so I just stayed far watching them. And then after I blink I am back to the bench where I was relaxing. I look into my watch and see that the time had just passed without me noticing it. My appointment with the doctor is in the next 30 minutes. I hurry up and went inside our hut on the beach and took a shower and freshen up. And quickly drive to see the doctor.

I consulted him about my Mother's condition. 

"I hope I am not disturbing you in your free time," I said as I sit down in their living room.

"Not at all, I understand your concern upon knowing this from your Mom every child should have the same love and care for their parents," he said

"I am not surprised to know that she has come and consulted you about her aching back because I know you're the best in town right now," I Said, "I wanted to hear the result of her consultation, I know when it comes to this kind of things she's a bit secretive as she doesn't want us to worry. That's why I came to you directly so I won't miss any information when it comes to her health,”

“Well, you have come to the right person,” he said as he looked into the result of the lab test and x-ray.

“She has nothing to worry about, there’s nothing serious,” he said, “We may need her to change her diet and reduce these things to keep them at a normal rate. Mainly it's her cholesterol and sugar intake. Now, with regards to her back pain, we can see from here that she has mild scoliosis, this may be a result of bad posture and heavy lifting which she needs to refrain from doing. She must have had this even before but the pain was triggered due to a certain posture and as I mentioned heavy lifting. She just needs a therapist and proper exercise and the pain will reduce,” he said

“Ask her to come to see me on Monday at my clinic so I can provide her some vitamins and introduce her to the therapist at the hospital,” he added

“That’s a relief, at least I don’t need to worry much about her,” I said

“Alright, that should do it,” he said closing my Mom’s file, “So how are you Rahul, how are school and business?” he asked

“Well, as usual school is doing fine, business is also good. I just go there to do some site inspection but overall my Dad manages everything,”

“Your father must be proud of you for helping him on the business,” he said

And I smile not to boast so much about myself, “Thank you for the compliment, Sir,”

“Well, I did wish to have a son but I only have Halea,” he said chortling, “We love her so much, so don’t get the wrong idea it’s just that sometimes it’s good to have someone who could share some things like sports, politics talk and so on,” he said chuckling

“I understand,” I said, “So how is Halea?” I asked

And from a distance, We heard her call, as she came closer I stand-up to greet her. She looks so pretty even her hair is falling from the side. I can see that she’s a bit exhausted. She sat on the chair opposite her Dad while I sat close to her and her dad. She was just in time indeed, as her Dad mentioned. After greeting, her Dad seems to feel my excitement in meeting her daughter so he let us have some time to talk as he goes and leaves.

Halea and I exchanged greetings and I explained to her why I am at their house. I somehow felt shy talking to her, but I wanted to see her and be friends with her. She asked me if I needed anything from her. So here goes nothing.

"Well, I was wondering if we can be friends since you're new I can show you around or maybe I can walk with you on your way to school and walk you back home after class," there I said it, my heart is now beating fast waiting for her response and she said, "Yes, of course, we can be friends. But regarding walking me to school and vice versa how would that work? I mean I do not want to burden you, I am not sure if we have the same way,"

I smiled knowing that she likes to be friends with me. I’m glad her concerns are not so difficult so I answered her inquiry, "Don't worry, you're not a burden plus I just live nearby. I normally take this route going to school. I saw you a couple of times. I'm just a bit shy to call out." I said trying to contain the happiness I’m feeling inside me. 

"I don't believe you're shy," she said laughing. "from the looks of it, I felt like I cannot say no," she said jokingly giving out a low chuckle

"Oh, I didn't mean that," I said, retracting the smile I told her, "It took a lot of courage to ask you about it," as I run my hands on my hair trying to hide my embarrassment.

So we agreed to wait for each other only until 7:45 am making sure we won’t get late. And we decided to meet on Monday. I’m so excited for Monday to come. I am going to plan every day so she won’t get bored. I wave goodbye to her as I leave their premise. I can see her on my rear mirror as I exit their gate.

I only have tomorrow to wait, I’m excited to go to school every day just to see her. This day has been really lucky for me.

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