Aster Veren
Episode 02's

–Aster–

I opened my eyes slowly when I heard someone mutter, feeling the warmth of the thick blanket on my body and the tenderness of the mattress I was sleeping on.

It feels really comfortable and different than usual, wait! I don't remember having a thick blanket and a soft mattress like this.

I quickly blinked my eyes when I realized the foreign room around me. Then I forced my body to get up from my newest position when I saw a red-haired adult man sitting next to me, his eyes really seriously paying attention to me. And it scares me.

I pulled the blanket that covered half of my body up to my nose, covering half of my face from his sight.

Ke—why does this uncle keep looking at me like that? My mind was scared when I saw his gaze.

“Not wrong again, this child is her little version of Helen. But her hair color ...” His murmur surprised me when he saw his face so close to mine, his eyes also looked deeply into my eyes and made my fear grow.

What happened to this uncle? why did he.... just what did this uncle say? I—his little version of Helen? Why does she know my mother's name? My mind wondered at the same time as my heartbeat kept racing.

How did I get to this room? I still felt cold sweat on my hands, I could not completely turn my eyes away from that uncle's gaze.

“Di—where am I?” I asked after painstakingly gathering the courage to ask her, even though my voice sounded a little trembling from powerless to control my fear.

“Pa—who is this page?” I continued still in a trembling voice while raising the blanket I clutched close to my eyes, barely covering all my face. I honestly wanted to cover my body with that blanket, but I couldn't. What if this uncle is trying to mess with me?

“He? Me?” He asked while keeping his face away from me.

Finally this uncle kept his face away from me, somehow it made me feel a little calm.

“I was the one who saved you on the road when you passed out in front of my car.” Continue while folding both his hands over the chest of his field.

“Saving me?” I muttered while lowering the blanket I grabbed from my face, “Ah yes, I was on my way home.” When I remember the trip home, I was running along the road because it suddenly rained.

Then when I was about to cross my gaze blackened, my breath was also very tight as it was drowning in water. There's no oxygen I can breathe. Then suddenly I woke up in a foreign place like this, meeting with a strange uncle like him.

Why do I call him weird? Because right now I see him staring at me with a look—which is hard to explain, but there's a red tinge on his face. What exactly did he see?

“A—anu ..” My words were loud enough to ask about my mother's name mentioned by him.

“Ya?” His reply made me reflexively squeeze the blanket in my hand trying to muster my courage again.

“Actually–” My words along with the sound of knocking on the door made me glance towards the source of the sound as well as the uncle.

“Ah Hana.” He said while rising from his sitting position.

“Evening is ready young master.” He looks so polite.

“Alright I will be there soon,” he replied while looking at me, “then we have dinner first yes.” Continue smiling widely.

“Eat—night?” My mutter slightly tilted my head watching her expression which.

“Why look at me like that? Let's go.” He asked as he took my hand, making me get off the warm soft bed.

“You are so small yes, how old are you?” He continued asking as he stepped out of the room with his big hand holding my hand. I myself do not know why I followed him and did not let go of his grip even want to be held by him.

“Tu—seven years.” My answer is a little bit shaken.

“I think it is still five years,” his murmur makes me a little annoyed and pursed my lips involuntarily, “hahaha.. joking, there is no need to feel upset like that.” His next made me look at him.

Then our steps stopped in front of the dining table that had been presented with various types of food on it, making my appetite increase when I saw all the food.

–Arsel–

“Ah yes, I forgot to ask your name. What's your name?” I asked when I saw the look in the eyes of the little girl beside me, she looked happy when she saw all the food on the dinner table.

“Aster,” answered excitedly not taking his eyes off all the food it made me smile amusedly watching him. Then I led him to the chair he was going to sit on, and I pulled the chair from the dining table to make it easier for him to sit down.

After seeing her sitting comfortably, it was now my turn to sit down. I grabbed the chair facing the girl and sat on it.

“What's up?” I asked when I saw the dimming look in his eyes, wasn't he happy? Why did his expression change so quickly?

“Definitely happy yes if every day can eat luxury food like this.” He answered while commenting on a thin smile with a sad eye.

“But even happier if you eat it with mom and grandma.” He continued muttering before grabbing the fork in front of him.

“If you want, I can ask the waiter to cook a new meal to take home by you tomorrow.” I felt I could not bear to see the sad expression on his face.

“Ti—no need to bother, I just muttered hehe ...” He tried to smile even though his eyes looked foggy.

“Then finish your dinner, after that go to bed. I'll drive you home tomorrow morning.” Obviously I made him nod his head before eating the dinner prepared by the waiter for him. I see Aster so enjoying his food with the look of his eyes that shine again.

“Uncle?” His voice caught my attention as he chewed on the piece of fried fish meat inside my mouth.

“Do uncles know my mother?” Continue with his voice getting smaller.

“Your album?” I asked after swallowing the fried fish in my mouth.

“He—helen ..” The answer was along with the ringing of my phone, I quickly grabbed my phone from inside my jeans.

I saw my mother's name on it making me grimace at our previous conversation. Especially if it's not about the arranged marriage he planned. Only that could make me reluctant to return home.

Lucky today I met Aster, thanks to which I was able to escape from the meeting tonight.

“Why not answered?” The voice of Aster surprised me.

“I—ini also want to be answered kok.” I said with a faint smile to her before sighing tiredly.

With a heavy heart I picked up the phone call from my mother and now I hear her scolding that does not accept my return which—batal.

“Yes? Hello ...” I put my phone to my ear.

“Arsel! Why not go home yet? Where are you now? Quickly go home, we have to talk about your matchmaking with–”, said my mother immediately cut.

“Sorry, today I can't go home mom. Now I'm having dinner at my house, about that we'll talk about next time.” I clearly.

“Haah ..” His words sounded heavy sigh, “ibu does not want to know, anyway you have to go home tomorrow!” He continued with emphasis before turning off his phone.

I can't even say anything about my plans tomorrow, so I have to take this kid home tomorrow anyway. My mind while watching Aster who returned to eating his dinner with greed.

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Thanks for reading...