See You Tonight

Capter 10: Memories

The sun was beginning to fall, a sign that it was late in the afternoon. Sure enough, when I saw the wall clock plastered in the living room of the grandfather's house, the time already showed at 16:30.

Grandpa is seen reading a book whose cover looks old while enjoying a cup of coffee in the living room. "Glow of Light In The Darkness" is the title written on the front cover of the book that grandfather was reading. There is a picture of a candle that is burning even though it is slightly dim. My grandfather loved to read. Maybe he could read a book many times.

Meanwhile, Hana was seen with grandma was cool watering flowers and plants. Hana's clothes look a little wet exposed to the water that is supposed to water the plants.

The air here feels very fresh. Large and old trees are still seen lined up on the right-left side of the road in this area. The sound of birds chirping was still clearly heard from the grandfather's house. The sound of singing that breaks the silence of nature.

Grandmother's age is currently around 62 years old, while grandpa's three years older than grandma. When she was young, my grandfather was an elementary school teacher, while my grandmother was an ordinary housewife.

I sat on the rocking chair on the terrace. For a while I felt like I was a grandfather. I also daydream while looking at the scenery around which is dominated by trees. Then, I thought about taking a walk around here for a while.

"Mom, I'm going for a little walk, okay?" I said to the mother who was sweeping.

"Oiya but don't be long... I want it to be dark, "he replied as he continued sweeping.

Then I went too. I wear a hoodie to reduce the cold. I also put my head up with my hood.

While putting both of my hands in the pouch that was in the stomach area, I continued on my way. The distance between houses here is still a bit loose, not as close as in my home area. The large trees that line the right-left side of the road slightly block the sunlight that has now started to turn orange.

I remember when I was a kid, my dad used to take me for walks in the afternoon. Sometimes my dad would carry me over his strong shoulder. I think I just saw Dad smiling.

***

The sky that was once orange, was now slowly becoming dark. The street lights are starting to light up, as well as the lights of the house. The streets that had been quite crowded, now began to be quiet. It seems, everyone has been in their homes to rest after a day of activities.

The time when you say "meet" and then part with your friends after playing together. The smell of dinner. Good people waiting at home. Home light bulbs. That's my picture of dusk when I was a kid.

As it became darker, I decided to return to my grandfather's house.

***

"I'm home" I said, opening the front door. Shortly after entering, I immediately smelled the smell of evening cooking.

"Welcome, sister," said Hana who is now beside the grandfather who is seen still reading the book that was read this afternoon.

"Where are you Lang from?" ask the grandfather who closed the book.

"Let's take a cake walk around here" I replied.

"Ohhh, you washed your hands and feet first... Dinner soon, "he added.

I did what my grandfather said. After that, the five of us sat down at the dining table. The dinner menu this time is fried tofu and clear vegetables. It feels good to eat with good people who love you.

Not much conversation happened at dinner. After I finished eating, I helped my mother to clean the dinner table and help wash the dishes.

"When you were in High School mom what extracurricular?" I suddenly remembered the extracurricular questionnaire.

"Eh why is it?" my mother asked me without answering my question.

"I got an extracurricular questionnaire yesterday Friday, I'm confused about what extracurriculars to follow."

"So, first time High School mom join what extracurricular?" ask again.

"Your mother used to do extracurricular painting" replied my mother, who answered my question this time.

"Oh so... If it's dad, you know?"

"Well Lang, your father was still in high school across the island, so I don't know."

"That's it," I replied as I continued to wash the dishes.

***

Time has shown at 21:00. I looked up at the sky from the second floor balcony. The sky looks so bright today. The stars are clearly visible.

"One, two, three, four, five," I tried to count the stars I saw but always failed when I entered the tens. I lost track of which stars I had counted and which had not.

Tonight the moon looks sickle-shaped. As a child, I thought that the moon and the sun were not good friends because they were never seen together. The sun always appears during the day, while the moon always appears when the sun has just disappeared.

Back when I was a kid, I also thought that earthquakes were caused by giants walking down the mountain.

If you remember again I think a lot of strange when I was a kid. I smiled at myself remembering those things.

After looking up at the sky, I went back to my room. If I stay at Grandpa's house, I'll sleep with Hana in one room.

When I entered, Hana seemed to have fallen asleep. I also looked at his face which looked very sharp. I looked at Hana's face for a while. His face looks a bit like Dad.

***

The plan was to return home at about 09:00 a.m. We started packing after we woke up. The morning air here is very cold. Even so, grandparents look accustomed to the cold air here. They don't seem to complain about it.

After we finished packing, we took a shower. Hana looked very cold after coming out of the bathroom. Now it's my turn to take a shower.

Sure enough, I was like touching ice when I touched the water in the bathtub. It looks like I'll freeze, if I throw the water in this tub into my body. But I still have to shower. I slowly poured water into my body. Free, it still feels so cold. Finally I decided to just flutter my body like in a regular bath. "Faster is better" I thought to myself.

After the shower, I was waiting at the dinner table. I came last and sat down next to Hannah. This breakfast menu is white rice with omelet plus soy sauce. Warm white rice becomes very delicious to eat cold time like this.

After I finished breakfast, I helped my mother clean the dinner table and helped wash the dishes.

***

Finally, it was time to say goodbye. We waved our hands before we got in the car. Then, we slowly began to leave the courtyard of grandfather's house. This time, Hana sat in the back with me.

From beside me, watching Hana's eyes that were already flushed red like holding back tears. It seems like he is sad to leave his grandparents behind.

***

Seriate