Hansa & Geeta
Chapter XIII

I tried to sit down and Mother held me back.

“Hannie, where are you going? Rest first.”

I'm shaking. No, I have to see the creature! You guys should see it!

I let go of Mother's grip on my shoulder. Trying to get off the couch.

“Hansa.”

Grandma's suppressive voice made me fall silent. His gaze beckoned me to lie down again.

I swallowed spit. Weighing for a moment. Then obey.

Well, either way I won't win against Grandma who looks at me like that.

After that Grandma gave me some vitamins. Then Mother fed me Eli's porridge.

Daddy's? He just looked at me.

Grandma told him to stay still, to cool his head.

While Uncle replaced Grandma watching over me. And for the next few days, he's the one who checks and gives me vitamins regularly.

My grandmother was a doctor. Until now he was a doctor for this family and the people around him.

My uncle is also a doctor. He'll be a great doctor like Grandma!

I didn't follow in Grandma's footsteps. He chose to be an architect. Building houses! Just like grandpa.

After I recovered, I returned to play in the backyard. It's just that this time there should be three to five people watching me.

Of course Dad's orders. He's a bit overrated.

I looked at the beautiful swamp below with a sad look. Am I the only one who saw that thing?

“What do you see?” asked Grandma to throw up the daydream.

I'm shaking.

“Nothing.”

After all, Grandma didn't see it either, did she? He won't believe me if I tell him.

Grandma put her reading book on the table. Then look at me with a smile.

“You've met him huh?”

Grandma's question caught my attention. I looked at him enthusiastically.

“Grandma also saw it?”

Grandma chuckles softly.

“Ssshhh, don't be hard,” he said as he raised his index finger to the front of his lips.

My reflexes clenched my mouth tightly. Seeing that Grandma laughed again.

“You're so funny, Hannie.”

I snorted and leaned towards Grandma.

“Did Grandma also meet him?” my staff demands answers.

Grandma gave a smile and looked at the clean swamp. Stareawed.

“Of course. We're friends.”

My eyes sparkled at Grandma's reply.

“Really?” ask again. Ensuring.

Honestly, I doubt Grandma's words. I'm afraid Grandma just made up to make me happy.

But Grandma's deep gaze casts away all the doubts I had in mind.

“You want Grandma to show you?”

...…...

I ran small on the stairs. As usual, Eli who saw my mischievous behavior was angry.

“Hansa. How many times do I have to repeat? Don't run around the stairs!”

I stick out his tongue. Since not calling me ‘dek’ again, I also stopped calling him with ‘kak’ in return.

Since then Eli and I have been fighting more and more. But somehow our relationship got closer.

“I don't run, just rush!” I ran to the backyard.

Eli shouted again.

“Now you're running!!”

I laughed off. No problem, I'm so happy now. Grandma will show you the secret!

Oh, before this Grandma had already revealed one of her secrets. It was a secret box containing small bottles with a glowing green liquid.

Same as the one in my necklace.

Grandma said, she would not give these bottles to just anyone. Even Dad, Aunt, and Uncle didn't know about this.

No one knows but me and Grandma.

This time Grandma will show you something related to ‘the creature was’, the creature I saw before.

I don't know how many more secrets Grandma has.

“Na— Uh, Grandma!!” call me hard.

Sometimes if I'm too happy, I like the forgetfulness of calling her Nana again. It seems like Grandma no longer wanted that call.

I don't know why.

Grandma kissed my forehead the moment I arrived. Then I broke my head and laughed.

“Grandmother's Grandson once scented!”

I smiled broadly.

“Iya dong! I just took a shower.”

Grandma laughed again. “Then are you ready?”

My eyes shine. I nodded for sure. Aye! Aye! Show me quickly!!

Grandma asked the three housekeepers who accompanied us to go back inside and get her warm clothes.

“I don't need to wear a jacket, Nek.”

Grandma was silent for a moment. Worrying. Then nod.

“Good. You are also wearing a long-sleeved shirt.”

I smiled happily. Grandma is not a difficult person to persuade. Not like Mom and Dad.

After receiving her warm clothes, Grandma led me out the front door.

I was wondering where we were going. Is Grandma's secret outside the house? Not in the village across the swamp.

“Nek, where are we going?”

Grandma just smiled. “Later also know.”

I'm pouting. Not a sure answer. I don't like uncertain answers.

But if from Grandma, uncertain answers can still be discussed carefully.

Not long we arrived at the bridge that connects the village of Grandma's house with the opposite village.

“We're crossing?” ask again.

This time Grandma did not answer and shook her head. I frowned in wonder. What then? Whither?

My grandmother led me to a small staircase next to the bridge. The stairs lead to the swamp.

Surprising.. Since when there are stairs?

The ladder is small, only one person can pass. So Grandma got off first.

I swallowed spit. The last time I met that thing, my body went limp.

I thought Grandma wouldn't take me straight to the swamp.

Grandma turned around when she realized I wasn't following her. He smiled gently. Tranquilized me.

He seems to understand that I'm still scared.

“Come here, Grandma will protect you,” take her with you while extending a hand.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Then received Grandma's hand.

That Grandma would really protect me, wouldn't she?

We're going down slowly. I could see the swamp closer. Clean. But the water is still dark. Basically invisible.

No one knows what creatures live in it.

We stand under the bridge. Grandma took off her hand and knelt down right beside the swamp.

He dipped one hand into the water.

I cringe. “N-Grandma, the slob.”

Grandma smears a smile. “No. This swamp is clean.”

I still can't believe his words. Even so, the swamp is still a swamp!

My grandmother asked me to come closer. With doubt I followed. But I didn't kneel. I just watched while keeping my distance.

From within the swamp, I saw something black moving to the surface.

“Ah, Grandma!!”

Within seconds, the creature I saw yesterday jumped from the water.

It was a little smaller, and…

He has a fish tail!

I'm termangu. For a moment I felt time was turning slower. My eyes glared at that sight.

The creature fell back into the water, and appeared again slowly. Grandma looked at me.

“What was he that you saw back then, Hannie?”

I'm a little jerk. Then down. “I-Yes...”

Grandma sigh. “Come,” the door.

Not me. But to the creature that was in the middle of the swamp.

.

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