Aster Veren
Episode 203's

- Carel

"Is your head bumping somewhere?" Uncle Arsel's voice on the sidelines of my laughter. I saw that everyone was looking at me confused, but I didn't care about their views on me.

"Haha, I'm sorry .. I just feel a little happy." I said after controlling myself and wiping away the tears in the corner of my eyes.

"happy?" Uncle Arsel's birthday made me nod.

"Thank you for coming as fast as I can." I said as I handed the blue file in my hands before them, "i haven't even told my family this yet." I continued when Uncle Arsel grabbed the file and started reading it seriously.

It was nice to see that sudden change in his expression. Though at first he read lazily without intention, but suddenly his facial water turned very serious.

"This?" He immediately looked at me questioningly.

"Yes. I got it from Mr. Albert in return. But ... Isn't that weird? We've even been trying very hard to find traces of Aster's death after Albert brought a piece of burnt cloth. But now all of a sudden there's someone selling the Veren family stuff?" I said with a little pause when I saw the old man snatch the file in his brother's hand.

"How can you?" His murmur made me smile thinly.

"really right? I'm also confused why it's like that?"

"You said Albert gave me this file in return?" Asked uncle Arsel again made me nod briefly.

"true."

"... I think I should ask him directly." He murmured while clenching both hands until the veins of his hands were visible.

Judging from the situation, it seems like Uncle Arsel was thinking the same thing as me.

"Aster ...," muttered the old man with his teary eyes as he squeezed the file in his hand.

***

- Esther

I stretch my muscles that feel stiff because I keep working all day. Since the capture of the village chief, everyone was again preoccupied with their activities. Even the festival that had been in retreat is now being planned again by the new village head who was appointed by the residents a few days ago.

Bibi had also returned from the hospital three days ago, and the uncle started working back at the store interspersed with the outside work given by Mr. Albert.

Dean's father was also imprisoned by the people who borrowed him money. I didn't really follow the case, but I do remember Dean being busy going back and forth to the police station to do a checkup. Maybe to confirm a few things.

Then Sarah is currently so excited about the festival that will be held at the end of this month. Yuna also had fun with him in front of the cashier table.

"By the way Faren? What about bi Nina's condition?" Sarah's question caught my eye checking out the remaining unsold bread.

With a doldrums I shook my head, "the aunt is still devastated by the loss of her fetus."

"Have you heard the reason aunt miscarried?" The next thing makes me shake.

"Not yet, I don't even dare to ask her when I see that aunt's condition is still like that. Uncle didn't say anything either." I said as I walked closer to him and Yuna.

"I am saddened by the misfortune that bi Nina received."

The cling!

The sound of the doorbell caught my and Sarah's attention, I saw some boys enter the store with their laughter. Seeing them made me feel happy because the store was back crowded with visitors.

"Emh ... Did you skip Sarah's school?" I asked to glance at the girl beside me as I realized the school uniforms of the boys visiting the store.

"Ma—mana possible." He answered while turning his face away from me.

"Hah~ Yuna when she grows up, never skip school unless it hurts." I said after a short sigh and grabbed the top of the kid's head.

"Didn't you like a kid who skipped school?" Her question made me chuckle at the sight of her innocent expression, let alone the brown stain on the corner of her lips.

"of course. Who likes a brat like that?" I answered while nodding steadily with both hands that have ruffled the waist.

Come to think of it Carel also often truant as a child. She used to play at my grandmother's house to meet me and make a scene with her uncle Arsel and father. Truly a pleasant day, it never feels lonely to be with the child.

I quickly counted all the bread they bought and wrapped it in one bag, just as he had asked. Then Sarah gave the change to the man in front of me who had received the noisy plastic bag of bread that I had given her.

"So tonight we're going to party?"

"What party? Just staying together because tomorrow's school holiday."

"Haha, stupid."

"You are stupid. Staying to stay up late?"

That was their conversation before leaving the bakery. Then the next second I saw Dean walk into the store with his tired expression.

"You're back? Hows it? Is everything going well?" Sarah immediately walked over to the man.

"Well, that was the last meeting. So I don't have to come to the police station anymore." He replied after taking a deep breath to release his fatigue.

"really?" Sarah asked again as she fanned Dean's face with her hands, looking adorable.

"Thank God then." This made me unable to stop myself from smiling. Even Yuna was standing amongst them now.

I wonder what happened that night? When Dean drove Sarah home, what were they talking about? From that day on they looked closer than ever before.

Has their relationship gone further than just a casual friendship? Inner wondering.

"Are you okay?" I asked, not getting out of my place. I saw that they were both looking at me.

"Let's be your father, right? Definitely you—"

"I'm fine." His cut made me dare not continue my words. Especially when looking at her expression that was hard for me to understand. Whether it's sad or angry, I don't know.

"Alright .. Come here Yuna, let me clean your mouth." I continued to try to divert the conversation, and again I felt anxious to clean up the rest of the chocolate in Yuna's mouth that I had just ignored.

"Hee... Does Yuna eat with a cane?" He asked as he walked over to me and intended to shrink her down with his sleeve, but I quickly stopped him.

"can't. Never clean any stains with clothes."

"Why?"

"Snake." I answered while showing my disgusted expression and making her surprised.

"Clean up with a tissue or a handkerchief." I immediately grabbed her face and cleaned the brown stain near her mouth carefully using my handkerchief.

"Yuna doesn't have a handkerchief." Her lips made me chuckle.

"Then I'll give you my handkerchief."

"Can?" Ask with sparkling eyes.

"Of course."

"Woah, thank you."

"Either. But Yuna, it seems like I better wash it first." I said undo my intention to give my handkerchief to the boy when I saw the brown stain there.

"Pft... You're a real hygiene maniac yeah ..," Sarah's voice surprised me. I saw him trying to hold back his laughing voice, as well as Dean.

"What's wrong with loving cleanliness? Stop laughing at me secretly like that! If you want to laugh, laugh. You guys really piss me off, you're a bitch." I said I felt bad about their attitude, but instead of apologizing, they laughed at me.

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Thanks for reading...