The next morning, I consider downloading Presley’s songs in my phone while charging my two power banks, and a Bluetooth speaker. I go down stair to have my breakfast. I also pack my lunch. It’s Saturday. My mother is having a seminar in town. She’ll be back at night. Today is also Ma Jen’s day off.
“Are you fine staying alone today?” Ma Jen’s brows pinch together in worry. “Oh, I have somewhere to go Ma. I’ll be good.” She raises her brows. “Where to, and with whom?” Deja vu! It’s always like this when I go out. “Mountain climbing. With a friend.” I took a sip in my apple juice. She just nodded. “I’ll get going then.” She kisses me goodbye.

When I enter the garden, the first thing I see is the ghost guy. “Eh? Why are you sitting here?” He stands up and come to me. “I was excited to have a human friend so I waited for you.” He smiles ear to ear. I walk passed him – placing my things under an old pine tree at the right side of the garden, just five meters away from the entrance.
He follows me and sits on the grass under the tree. Without a word, I know – he has a discerning eyes. Our meeting now – spends with me teaching him how android phone works, and how to connect it to Bluetooth speaker. Good thing is that he can hold my phone himself.
At 12, I take out my lunch box. “Can you eat?” I ask him. “I don’t feel hungry” remarks him starring at my food. I start digging in though his expression says he wants to eat. I didn’t ask, I’m sure he has his reason.
“Who is this?” he showed me my graduation picture with Ma Jen’s son. “Oh, that’s Kenneth. He is my only friend.” He nods and continues looking at the pictures. “By the way, what is your name?” I ask. “That, I don’t know” sadly, he replied. So ghosts don’t remember their own name, and anything? I wanted to know more about him, but it’s my nature to not talk much.
For hours, all we do is listening to Presley’s songs, and I was busy answering his questions: how big my family is; who am I staying with; my hobbies, and whatnots. What I got in return was ‘nothing.’ He forgot everything about him when he was alive, and even how he died. Poor ghost! It is – as if he is having an amnesia.
Before returning home, I told him about my parents sending me to a boarding school. He smiles, but I know he isn’t happy. He won’t have a friend when I’m gone. Only I can see and talk to him. “Why won’t you come with me? I’ll bring you home.” I was smiling to lift his mood. He touches my head. “I can’t leave this place. There’s no door for a ghost like me out of here.” We stare in each other’s eyes as if we are talking. I know that he knew I wanted to ask why. “Just go home, it’s getting dark.” He is smiling. “Oh! Tomorrow is Sunday. I probably will not come. I will go to church with my mother, and visit my grandmother. We’ll be back at night” I state. He nods as he understands.

After the Sunday service, we go to my grandmother’s house. She’s old, and my mother always asks her to come and live with us. She just really won’t come, so we come to visit her every weekend. Good thing is that she can still take care of herself. Just that – sometimes she talks nonsense.
I hug my grandma as I enter her house. Talking about cleanliness, her house is really well-maintained. My mother heads to the kitchen as soon as she greets grandma. Grandma then followed her and the two prepare the lunch.
I went to my grandma’s flower garden. There was a round, wooden table surrounded by four wooden chairs under, in between the two mango trees. I sat on the chair and take my sketchbook and color pencils. I am really good at drawing. It was just a hobby at first, but since I will be studying in a city – I will take Architecture, like what my mother enrolled me for.
I am drawing the garden in the forest and so does the ghost guy when I first saw him. It’s funny how I freaked out when I first realized he is a ghost. “Eh? What could be the reason of my baby’s sweet smile?” My grandma was teasing me. I didn’t realize that I was smiling while looking at my drawing. “Nothing Gram (I call my grandma ‘Gram’). Just drawing.” Grandma sits beside me. “Let me see.” I give her my sketchbook.
She looks at everything I drew. “You are just like your Grap (my grandfather)” commented her in delight. Her expression changes, and she glances at me before looking back at the last drawing. “Where have you seen this?” I was silent. I wanted to tell her about the garden in the forest. Somehow I know – she will ask me about the guy, and I can’t tell him about him. “Is this in a forest?” I was surprised, and all I do is nod. She smiles, and doesn’t ask for more.
My mother calls us for lunch. My grandma stands up and asks me to eat. I sigh in relief. Luckily, she didn’t ask about the guy I drew. I don’t want to lie to her. I mean it’s not that I can’t lie. Just – Gram knows it when I lie.
We eat and talk about my school. I didn’t say that I don’t want to go. It’s useless anyway.
I went to the living room and is looking at the photo album. They’re Gram and Grap’s old pictures together. Their wedding and more. “We look great together, don’t we?” My Gram comes and sits beside me. “You guys look so in love.” Her smile grows wider. “He is my first, my last and only love.” My Gram sure sounds cheesy. As soon as she sits down, she starts telling me their love story. It takes for hours. If not because it’s time to go home she won’t stop.
Before I get in the car, my grandmother hands me a small bottle with a fade purple liquid inside. It was more than half the bottle, but less than full. “What is this Gram?” She smiles. “Take this. It’s the last, and that’s how I marry your Grap.” I let loose of a sweet laugh before getting in my mother’s car. I opened the car’s window. “Goodbye Gram.” I wave my hand. “Draw, and you can give.” I was puzzled. “What do you mean?” Without an answer, she waves her hands and says goodbye. We go home after the farewell.

I was laying in my bed – starring at the bottle Gram gave. I wonder what it was. I opened the bottle and smell it. I am surprised to realize that it smells like the flowers in the forest. What could this be? What does she mean by draw and I can give? I am all puzzled.

“Hera it’s already noon! Come take your breakfast!” I was awakened by a loud call from Ma Jen. When I realize it is really late, I hurriedly jump out of bed. I took a shower and hurry down the kitchen for breakfast and lunch in one meal. “Ma, where’s mom?” I ask. “She’s in town. She’s buying inks for the printer.” Great! Mom’s not home. I can do what I want. “Ma I will just take a picture of the forest. I will be back at four.” She looks at me as if she doesn’t want me to go. “I’ll be careful” I assure. She sighs, and nods.

I hurry to the garden and saw him sleeping under the pine tree. I walk to him and watch him sleep. So even ghosts need rest? Few minutes, and he opens his eyes. “Eh? I thought you won’t come.” I sit beside him. “I slept and woke up late.” He looks for something. “Don’t you bring your speaker?” So that is what. “I forgot to charge it.” His brows twitch like he wants to know something. “You seem to be distracted. I mean – is something bothering you?” I wasn’t looking at him, but awareness spread over my skin, insistent that he was looking at me.
I remember the bottle, and so I get it from my pocket. “My Grams told me to draw and I can give. I don’t know what she meant.” I showed him the bottle. “I don’t know what this is, but it smells like flowers from here.” I open the bottle, and I let him smell it himself. “It’s a blood.” I almost drop the bottle. This thing is a disgusting blood? I really don’t like the sight of a blood, but this liquid is actually a blood? “I mean – it’s the blood of the garden.” Oh! So, I came here only to hear a lame thing about this thing as a blood, and it turns out to be lamer hearing it’s a garden’s blood. I may surrender myself into idiocy if I were to believe this.
A smile is tucked in one corner of his mouth. “Won’t believe me, would you?” I rolled my eyes closing the bottle. “Come.” He walks to the center of the garden. There are two stones and below those is a sunken soil. “What is this?” He sits down. “Someone told me – this used to be a brook; which later turn into a mere streamlet, and now the water is gone.” I look at him. He is serious, so this could be true. “I think, your grandmother got that from here.” So that is why Gram said this is the last. “Eh? Then how can this be a blood?” I attentively look at his expression. Who knows, I may see some evidence of lie. “The heart of this garden stopped when the oldest ghost left to who knows where. The blood slowly drains – that was this brook. I think, your grandmother knows where the oldest ghost is.” This is insane! “But Gram told me that this is how he married my Grap.” He looks puzzled. “That is something even I don’t understand.”
There was silence between us. We both are thinking what could be the meaning behind those words. “You know what, only time can tell. You better go home before it’s dark.” We walk to the vine opening. I realize something. “Wait, draw and you can give. Could it be –.” I look at him and he is rising his left brow. I got my pencil and my mini sketchbook. I drew a door and placed it under the vine opening. “What are you doing?” I didn’t answer. I open the bottle and put a drop of that liquid into my drawing. I spread the liquid all over the drawing. I look at the vine opening. Nothing has changed. I look at him again. “What?” he asks. “Nothing, I thought I can make a door if I draw one.” I sadly stand and went to the other side. Before leaving, I turn to say goodbye. I am nailed in my place when I see him in door. He takes a step out the wines. “Wait, how –” I am not able to finish my words when he rushes to hug me. “I finally can go outside!”
He lets go of me as he looks back to the piece of paper where I drew the door. It burns itself. “How did it work?” I ask him. “I remember stepping on it. May be that is how.” We both smile as we understand what my grandmother said. “So, can I crash to your place?” He asks. “Great! Let’s see more of this!” I was all excited by what else can this thing do. We walk home.
I saw Ma Jen at the back yard when I enter the mini gate. I was caught off guard. “Why do you look surprised?” Ma Jen asks. I look at the ghost guy beside me. “No- nothing?” I am covered with nervousness. “Why the high pitch?” I look at him again. He was raising his brows as if he is waiting for my answer. “What have you done in the forest alone? If you weren’t back yet, I could have followed you. I was really worried. I’m not letting you go there again. If you insist – at least let Kenneth come with you.” I sigh in relief. “I will not go there again Ma. Sorry for making you worry.” She nods, and we enter the house.
I hurriedly go back to my room. He follows me. I sit in my bed, and so is he in the sofa near the window. “Why did you look so scared earlier?” he asks. “Oh! I forgot no one can see you except me. I thought she would freak out knowing I brought a guy.” I chuckle in embarrassment. He laughs softly. I look at him, and his clothes; I smile. I went to my study table and get my sketch book. I draw an above the knee; blue, reaped, denim shorts. Paired with a white T-shirt and white sneakers. I put a drop of so called – garden’s blood in it and spread it all over the drawing. “Here, step on this!” I said in excitement. He did, and for few seconds his clothes changes into that. “It works! Amazing!” I exclaim.
“What are you shouti –” my mother hasn’t finished her words when she saw the paper burns itself. “Hera, are you trying to burn this house? Do you realize how dangerous playing with fire is?” I admit I wasn’t breathing when I saw my mother in the door. “What?” She asks. “I – uh – It’s not that. I learned a psychological trick to reduce anxiety. It is to write down your anxiety and watch it burns. Your anxiety fades together with the paper.” I hope this works. “And it works?” she asks. “Ye – yes! I will go to boarding school. I’m ready for it.” She rises her left brows, and smiles. “That’s great then. You must prepare for the coming school.” I gesture okay, and she leaves.
“Nice escape!” He chuckles. I throw myself in the bed. “I should be more careful, before they call me crazy, and take me to a psychiatrist.” I glance at him. “I didn’t know I am also a fashion designer” I praised myself. “Fashion designer huh? You gave me nice shoes and shirt, but this shorts – I look like I was chased by a crazy dog.” He wrinkles his forehead. “Eh? That’s what guys are wearing now. Here let me show you.” I open my laptop and show him photos of guys wearing reap jeans and reap shorts. “See? I also have some of these.” He nods as he realizes I wasn’t bluffing.
“Hera! Come down for dinner.” Ma Jen opens the door. “Got it Ma.” I look at the ghost guy. “Will you come down with me?” I know he doesn’t feel hungry, but may be sitting with us makes him feel like a human. “Can I?” I smile. “Of course! So let’s go?” I open the door and we both come down. My mother and Ma Jen is now putting food on their plates. I pulled a chair, and let the ghost guy sit there. I sit beside him. Both my mother and Ma Jen look at me. “I balanced it. You guys are sitting next to each other and I am sitting opposite to you – alone. I pulled the chair so I won’t feel alone.” I smile at them. Ma Jen laughs at what I said while my mother shakes her head. We all start eating. I put foods on my plates, and before I start eating: I take out my pocket sketchbook and detaches some of my old drawing of foods from it. I do what I did earlier and so I put it under for him to step on. He does so, and the foods appear on the table.
He smiles and looks at me. “Looks like my dinner is better than yours.” He shows me the prawns, tuna and other sea foods. My favorites! Gosh I wish I could have some of those. He starts digging in, and eats as if he hasn’t eaten for years. Oh! I just remember he does. I smile looking at him enjoying his food. “What are you smiling at?” My mom asks me. “Err! I just remember when dad brought us to a sea food restaurant. I miss those time.” A fade smile form into her mouth. I’m sure she does, too. “Eh? Do you want me to prepare sea foods for tomorrows dinner?” Ma Jen asks me. “Good then Ma. Herold will come home tomorrow. He will have dinner with us.” I look at my mother, then to Ma Jen. “Dad will come home?” I exclaim in enthusiasm. “Uh! Now finish your food.” I dig back in smiling.

After taking a shower, and putting on clothes – I blow my hair dry. “We don’t have that thing during my time.” I glance at him. “It’s a hair drier. We use this so don’t have to wait long for our hair to dry.” I explain. “The world has really changed a lot. Even your computer is a lot better than ours.” I look at him. “Wait, you remember that you have a computer?” He looks at me thinking of who knows what. “Uh, I remember using one, but I don’t remember more than that.”
I keep my drier on the drawer. “Do you mind sleeping in the sofa?” I ask. “Well sofa is a lot better than grass.” We laugh knowing he slept on the grass for thirty years. “Can you play Presley’s songs while we sleep? I really like his songs” he requests. “Well, we can’t volume it up though mom won’t like it.” I played the music and we lay down to sleep.

The next morning. I am awakened by someone who constantly shakes my shoulder. “It’s already 5:30! Go out for a jog. You need to stay active.” I cover myself with my comforter. “I don’t jog.” Now, he is hitting me with a pillow. “Ahhhhh!” I exclaim in annoyance as I get up in bed. “I leave the bed at seven. Don’t you remember I came to forest at eight?” I whimper. “You need change. Come on, I’ll come with you.” I am left with no choice. I brush my teeth, wash my face, and change my clothes. I put on my white running shoes. “Drink warm water first.” I rolled my eyes as he is telling me what to do. “You’re early today?” Ma Jen is surprised. “I’ll go for a jog Ma. I need to stay active.” I glint at him.
I go out the house. Luckily, there are just few houses here. I feel uncomfortable when some people see me jogging. “We must do stretching first. Here let me show you.” He does some stretching and tells me to do the same, so – I do. After that, we jog. It was really tiring my whole being. I don’t jog I guess I’ll be in pain. After the thirty minutes of jogging and twenty minutes of walking, we come home. I took a shower, and after that I went to the kitchen.
I had an egg sandwich and so I drew him the same and we both take our breakfast. I just learn that I can use a spray for the process of giving him something from what I draw. I simply change the bottle’s lid into a perfume’s spray lid. “Let’s meet my Gram.” He looks at me. “Great! May be she can see me. I also like to ask her about the oldest ghost.” I’d like to ask her about that, too. I change my clothes into a white summer dress and wears nude flat shoes, and Grabs my bag.
“Where are you going?” mom asks. “I’ll come see Gram. You know – I’ll be leaving in two weeks. I just want to spend more time with her.” She nods. “I’ll drop you. I’ll pick your dad at the airport anyway.” The airport is three hours away from here so they probably will come home in the afternoon. I waited for her to finish her breakfast and so we go to the car. I open the backseat and lets the ghost guy gets in first, and I follow him. “Why are you sitting at the back?” She looks at me through the mirror. “Nothing mom. I just want to.” I smile for her not to be curious.

Mom didn’t come inside my grandmother’s house. She just really drops me off. “I’ll be back for dinner.” I said and goes inside. “Gram?” I enter the house. No one’s inside. I knew now, maybe she is cleaning the garden. I come to the back yard and there I see her watering the plants. “Good morning Gram!” She turns to me, and I hug her. She smiles. “You guys come earlier than I expected.” I and the ghost guy look at each other. “You can see him?” She chuckles and keeps the water hose in its place. “Sit and let’s have a nice talk.”
I and the ghost guy sit in the wooden chair while Gram gets tea. Some time and she comes back. “Here.” She hands me a cup of tea. “You can draw him a tea, but it will reduce the amount of the garden’s blood.” Forsooth, it’s a garden’s blood. The ghost guy wasn’t bluffing. I take out the bottle. Yeah it’s less than half now. “It’s okay, I don’t feel hungry nor thirsty anyway. Let’s just save the blood” he assures. “So what is his name?” We both look at each other. “He doesn’t have a name. I mean he doesn’t remember.” Grams took a sip.
“Give him then.” I raise my brows. “Can I?” I saw him smiling as if he wants me to do so. “Why not? You gave me Gram, didn’t you?” I just realize she is right. “Then how about I call him GG.” He looks at me confused. “GG?” As expected, he would ask me how I come up with the name. “GG for Ghost Guy.” He let loose of a disappointed laugh by just one ‘heh’. “Seriously?” I can’t hide my smile. It’s fun teasing him. “What? It’s a nice name.” He rolls his eyes. “I should have given myself a name. How can someone give me a lame name? I was expecting something like Martin, or Michael.” I let loose of a loud guffaw. “You aren’t Luther King to deserve that name!” He sighs in annoyance. “GG it is!” He finally gives in.
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