“Hello, dad.” I greet him. “Honey, I’ll fly to the city this Saturday. Your grandpa wants to meet. We could meet before I fly back home.” Great! I just realize, I haven’t talk to them since the last time I call mom. “Anyway how was your first day?” He asks in addition to his notice. “It was great dad. We just have lectures, and I’m doing a review just so I won’t forget.” With that I know my father is smiling to wherever he is. He likes it when I give attention to study. “Good then, but don’t give all your time on study. Make sure to make some friends.”
This is something he can’t force me to do. I am used to being alone. I think I don’t need a friend. A little help from others is indeed a good thing. I do seek help and do conversation with others but building rapport isn’t my thing. “Okay dad.” I confirm just so we won’t argue. “Then see you on Sunday.” He will be in the city by Saturday afternoon but he will see me by Sunday. I think he will stay in one of the hotels here.
The next day, I jump out of bed still sleepy. “Good morning!” I gaze at him. He is wearing our school uniform and is putting my things in my bag. I shake my head, smiling while I walk to the bathroom. “Um, good morning!” I said before entering the bathroom. He is acting like it’s his first day of school.
After drying my hair and wearing my uniforms, I sit on the dining table to have my breakfast which he prepared. It’s an oatmeal with fruits like banana and berries. While eating, I take a look at my messenger. A message from Kenneth have I received. I read them. It was sent a week ago.
“Hey girl! Who is this GG? Is he your boyfriend?” I almost choke when I read the message. How did he know about GG? I look at GG who is on his laptop. I type my reply. “Just someone I know, why?” He’s online, and is quick to read my message. “Yeah, I know. He told me the same.” Wait – GG told him the same? “You guys chat?” He reads my message. “Yeah. I accepted his request when I saw him tagging you from a post.” A post?
I hurriedly log in my Facebook account. Not caring about the notifications, I look at my time line. There I see – GG uploaded my pictures which he took when we had a tour in the campus. His caption is what annoys me – Sun can’t compare to the brightness of your smile. I read the comments. The comment that annoys me more is: I’m more interested with the reason behind those smiles from Kenneth. I glared at GG. He is puzzled. “What?” I sigh. “Don’t upload my pictures without letting me know.” I try to calm down.
He walks to me and look at my phone screen. “Ah, this. I’m sorry.” He acted so sad. I am a little guilty. “It’s fine. Just don’t do it again. People don’t usually see me smile. They may find it weird.” A curve forms at the edge of his lips. “So, I’m the only one who often see you smile?” I am caught off guard. “Who smiles?” I quickly go to grab my bag at the bed. “Let’s go, before it’s late.” I hear him chuckles and follows me.

Sunday comes and I am standing near the university’s gate, waiting for my father to pick me up. For few minutes a car stops in front of me. The window opens. “Get in.” It’s my dad. He probably has rented this car. I opened the backseat and let GG get in first. “Why are you in the backseat?” He’s just like mom when I seated in the backseat. “I just like to seat here. Anyway, where did you rented this?” I change the topic. “Oh, it’s the company’s car.” I nod.
When he said that it’s the company’s car – he means, his father’s company. My grandpa from my father’s side owns a number of buildings in the country – hotels and condo. I heard that they are not in good terms. My grandpa wants my dad to major in business administration, but he wants to be a seaman and followed his dreams. It was uncle Henry who takes over the business. Still, grandpa plays an important role in the business.
I am not close with my grandpa. He is so fierce that I don’t want to share the same room with him. However, he is too kind to put money in my bank account.
“By the way how is your dormitory?” Dad snaps me back to my senses. “Ah it’s great dad. I already bought everything I need.” I assure him rest from worries. “Ah.” He nods. “Why are you asking?” He curves his lips up, but I don’t think it’s a smile. “Your grandpa offers a condo near your school. I told him to tell you first.” A condo is indeed more comfortable than dorms, but I put an effort shopping most of my things in my dorm. Also, I don’t like moving for a multiple of time. “I think I will refuse to the offer dad. My dorm isn’t bad.” He glances at me through the mirror and smiles. “I trust your judgement honey.”

A moment of driving, he parks. I get off the car and realize he brings me to a coffee shop. The shop is located beside a river. It is surrounded by plants and trees. The shop isn’t air-conditioned. It’s open for natural breeze. The tables and chairs are wooden. Each table has a pot of plant on it and surrounded by four chairs.
Dad loves coffee. I enjoy coffee, but less than him. I sit on one of the chairs from a table at the corner of the shop. Before that, I pulled all the chairs surrounding the table. GG sits at my right side. Dad comes to me from ordering the coffee. He sits opposite to me. “Why are you pulling all the chairs?” I smile. “No reason.” For a few minutes, someone comes to our table and puts the cups of coffee. Dad is placing them near his nose and enjoys the smell of the coffee.
My gaze land on GG who is following the steam of the coffee from my cups. “I love the smell.” Seems like someone understands my dad. I don’t get why they like smelling the coffee. “Why are you smelling the coffee?” I ask. “It relaxes my mind.” The two answer in chorus. GG looks at my dad. “See? Your dad knows what I feel.” If only dad can see him.
I take a sip on my coffee. “I bring you here because of the ambiance.” Dad looks outside where the river is. I do the same. “You must not pressure yourself with studies and find enjoyment while learning.” This is what I love about dad. He makes sure that I’m mentally healthy. He is the opposite of my mom who always tells me to study hard for the reason – knowledge is power. “Study hard, be productive.” Dad continues. Or am I wrong with my judgement? “But remember to reward yourself. A simple relaxation like this is enough to keep yourself mentally stable.” I know he’s the best dad. I smile, realizing I’m lucky to have him.
It was only 10 when we left the shop. Dad takes me to an ocean park before we have our lunch in a French restaurant. I took a picture with dad earlier at the ocean park and GG had fun looking at those fishes.
Dad ordered the foods and after being served, we start digging in. “Did you make friends?” I wasn’t expecting him to bring up this topic. “Not yet, dad. I don’t think it’s necessary. True friends aren’t easy to find.” He looks at me curving his lips. “Have you hear that the quality of your life is the quality of your communication?” Without a word I continue eating. “Try talking to people with more enthusiasm in your voice, and show them your appreciation for talking to you.” That would be a mission impossible for me, but I just nod anyway.

After lunch, dad drops me off the university. I wave him goodbye before returning to my room. I start making my school activities which are due tomorrow and Tuesday. GG takes my basket of laundry which I did yesterday and is ironing them. He hangs them inside the dresser after. He cleans the room, and is on his laptop again.
I finished the school tasks by three. I open my messenger and received a message from Kenneth. “GG doesn’t post his pictures. I wonder how he looks. Do you have a picture of him?” Right, camera can’t capture his image. I look at him. I smile and pick my sketch book and color pencils. He is sitting at the dining table so I sit opposite to him. He glances at me, and just continue what he is doing. I start drawing him. I made it look as realistic as possible. Luckily, I manage to do so. It’s five when I finish the drawing. “GG, mind using this in your profile?”
He is surprised. “A picture of me!” He is smiling. He is extremely delighted to have his first picture. He takes the camera that I lent him and takes a shot. He transferred the picture to his laptop. He may have edited it a little.
My phone beeps from receiving a message in messenger. “Hello? Are you keeping him for yourself?” A little nosy, Kenneth sent me. “I told him to upload a profile picture.” I put my phone on the table and go to the kitchen. I will cook my dinner now. GG already helped cleaning the room and ironing my clothes. I heard my phone beeps but I didn’t check the message until I finish cooking.
I place the food on the dining table. While eating, I check my phone. “OMG is he this handsome?” He might form a heart in his eyes by now. “Don’t tell me he is your secret lover?” I face palm. “No. He is just a friend.” I continue eating. “Hera, Kenneth asks me about my last name, and school.” I look at him. Kenneth really likes interviewing. “Don’t answer him. I don’t want you to lie or make up stories, but I don’t want you to tell him the truth either.” He nods. I see a little sadness in his eyes. I know, he is happy being a little close to someone apart from me, but he really can’t keep doing it.

A week pass. I learnt from Kenneth that he hasn’t chatted with GG these past few days. I also asked him not to talk about him. Guess what he told me – I may have broken up with GG. He and his wild imagination.
It’s Friday evening, I walk out the bathroom. I suddenly feel uneasy as if I am nervous. I grab a glass of water to calm myself. “GG, I don’t feel well, but I don’t know why.” The glass falls down the floor, and breaks. GG runs to me. I am about to pick the broken glass, but he stops me, and tells me that he will do it. My phone rings, and so I go to pick it up. It’s my mom. “Hello, mom?” She doesn’t say a word, and I only hear her cry.
My blood seems to heat up, giving me the feeling of fear. “What happened?” My voice shivers. “It’s your Gram. She left us.” My world falls apart. I lost my strength and before I knew it, I drop on the floor. I breakdown in tears. “Hera, come down. We need to be strong.” I hear my mom from the other line.

“Don’t be sad, baby. This has brought me back to my love. I am happy. You must, too.” I open my eyes. I dreamt of Gram. I sigh as I realize, this makes me feel better. I reach for my phone, and call mom. “Mom, I will fly back home tonight.” Without much opposition she lets me. “GG let’s go home tonight.” No one answers. I wander my sight. I don’t see him. I jump out of bed, to look for him. He is nowhere to be found. I see the broken glass from last night still on the floor.
A feeling of sadness and fear. Is he gone? “GG this isn’t funny! Where the hell are you?” I go out the dorm to look for him. Still, he’s not there. I go back to the dorm, and gets my phone. I left him a message via messenger. I have a flight tonight, but I waited for him until nightfall. I walk out the room and made sure I turn off everything. I locked the door and left.
I arrive home the next day – Sunday. By Monday, we hold the burial. My mom is the only child of my Gram and Grap, so I was the only one they waited to attend the burial. There are a lot of family friends who attend. I felt a lot better when I dreamt of Gram, but still crying because I’m going to miss her. Kenneth pats my shoulder.
After the burial, I see my father talking to someone his age – probably an old friend. “Serve this to your dad and his friend.” Mom hands me a tray of coffees. “She may have missed him and follows.” I hear the man talking to my dad. Not sure if he is talking about Gram. “At least she married you.” The two of them laughs. I guess they’re not talking about Gram, but the man’s wife.
I put the coffee on the table. “Have some coffee.” I tell them. I look at the man. He looks familiar, yet I’m not sure. “Oh! This reminds me of him” dad said before I turned to go back at the kitchen. “Mom, who is that man?” I ask. I usually don’t care about who the people around me are, but he really looks familiar. “Oh! That’s your uncle Jenson, one of your dad’s friends from high school.” I nod. “Have I seen him before?” I added. “Nope. Your dad said he was in New York since he married. He just went here for business.” It’s odd, why do I feel like I have seen him somewhere before?

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