Aster Veren
Episodes 208

- Esther

I stopped my step when I felt my hand on the block. My reflexes turned to the person who had stopped me, even though I was in a hurry even though I was daydreaming about Carel who was guarding the shop alone with aunt.

Ka—lea? My mind felt very surprised by his figure that was in front of me.

How could? Yesterday Carel, now Kalea too? What's the matter, actually? I was still in my heart, not believing what I was seeing. Can I meet Kalea in a place like this?

Didn't I run far enough? But why can I still see the faces of people I know in a place like this?

"Ma—forgive me." His words surprised me that had lost focus, I saw he had bent his body a little uncomfortable me.

"No—no problem, are you a new resident? Or tourists? I just saw you around here for the first time." I said, waving both my hands and trying to show my best smile when she had her body back up.

"That's, I ...,"

"Yes?"

"Have we met before?"

"Eh?"

Don't tell me this kid also feels like he knows me like Carel? It's impossible, right? When I look in the mirror, my appearance completely changes. My dress style, my hairstyle, even the colors of the lenses I use, are all perfect. Butwhy?

"I think I'm wrong, I'm sorry." He said while showing his faint smile.

"No problem."

"My name is Kalea, what's your name?"

"I—Faren."

"Greetings yes. I heard there's going to be a festival tomorrow night around here so I came early to see it.". His words made me nod my head, apparently he had come all the way here to see the annual festival here. Does that mean Carel too?

"But all the way here, I haven't seen the festival. Wouldn't people usually be busy decorating a place for a festival? Or is it still far away?" It made me think hard because I didn't know what place the festival would be tomorrow. Let's just say how I've been living here for about half a year, there's a lot of events I don't know about.

"Mu—maybe, I also do not know because I have not lived around here for long. Sorry I can't help you." I said while stroking my nape.

"Ah—ah so, forgive me."

***

"You're back?" Carel's voice as I walked into the store.

I saw that he was looking at me confused. I don't know what he's thinking right now, which is clear I just came back after parting ways with Kalea. I even forgot why I went to the area around the field.

Just because I was shocked by Kalea's figure, my memory was instantly disturbed. All the way home I kept wondering why I went out? But I didn't find the answer. I'm sure there's something important I need to check.

And ever since I went out, I've been bothered by something. I don't know, I don't know if I'm right or wrong? I clearly felt that someone was watching me, even now I felt that someone else was watching me outside the store.

Maybe it's just my feeling ... but—

"What's wrong with your face?" Carel's voice blew my mind. I saw that he had placed his body on the wooden chair in front of the cashier's desk.

"Why my face?" I asked back while walking closer to him.

"Look pale. You've seen ghosts?"

"Well think of it that way, I'm tired so I'm going to go rest for a while. The shop's titip." I said before going upstairs.

"What's right?"

Let's confirm my suspicions. My mind doesn't care about Carel who looks upset.

Arriving upstairs, I immediately checked several places through the window. Making sure there's no one in those places stalking me.

"Who?" I muttered while squeezing the window curtain in front of me, unable to turn my gaze away from that figure.

I think a lot of people have been interested in where I live since I dealt with Dean's father. But, why did the atmosphere feel more frightening this time? Even my body feels creepy now.

"What are you doing there?" Aunt's voice surprised me.

"Just see—bibi where are you going?" My reply immediately shifted the conversation when I saw the appearance of the neat-looking aunt.

"I'll go out for a minute."

"Is there anything you want to buy? Just tell me, let me buy it."

"No-no, auntie just wants to go to the unfinished festival place in the decorations. Tami's aunt took aunt." Obviously while showing the screen of his phone that shows the incoming message from Bella— his aunt Tami who meant.

"Ah, then let me accompany you too."

"No need, if you're with aunt. Who will accompany the child?" Refusing aunt reminds me of Carel.

"That ...,"

Well, aunty might feel cranky continue to feel at home and do not do papun because I forbid this. I think it's a good idea aunty went out for a breath of fresh air this afternoon. But, I was still thinking about the tragedy that day, I was afraid that something would happen again to auntie if I wasn't there beside her.

Is everything gonna be okay?

"Everything will be fine. Auntie also called your uncle so he could come home tomorrow. So we can have some fun on festival night tomorrow." Auntie's words brought me back to reality.

"really?"

"Yes, so don't worry. I'll be home before dinner. Don't work too hard and close the shop faster, then go get some rest okay." Aunty replied as she gently grabbed the top of my head, it was nice to see my aunt's smile again.

"Yes well, have fun and be careful on the road."

"Yes, see you later." Said aunt before passing from before me.

I saw the time already showing at 03:40 pm when aunt left, I also decided to go to shower early so that I could take turns keeping watch with Carel. But before that, I had to watch auntie come out safely.

If that man follows aunt, I'll go downstairs and chase after her. If not, then I am the target.

"He didn't follow aunt?" I muttered as I saw the man walking in the opposite direction and leaving his hiding place.

***

"Let's swap with my—?" When I got to the bottom floor, I saw Carel just finished tidying up the shop and closing the shop early. Though it's not time to close yet, but why did he want to close the store?

"Why did you close the store sooner?" I stopped the sweep activity.

"Your aunt told me to close the shop sooner."

"Yes, this is not five— yet"

"Hah~ I'm tired, so let me go get some wind and you go get some rest there."

"Huh?" I muttered when I saw him go out of the store with his light steps, even he had time to stop his steps at the door and look at me at a glance.

What the fuck? Why is he looking at me like that?" My mind wondered with that concerned look.

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