Hansa & Geeta
Chapter XVIII

After a short chat and dinner, we went home to Grandma's.

Take it easy, Father and Uncle have stopped arguing as soon as Mother clings to the heads of the two.

“Hansa.”

I'm turning. We're in front of the restaurant, where Dad's car is parked.

Grandpa Kama came up to me, like there was something forgetful. I raised an astonished eyebrow as he gave an old watch with letters that I still did not understand the meaning of.

“What is this?” I asked as I grabbed the watch.

Grandpa Kama smiled faintly.

“It belongs to your grandfather, Hansa. I think he'd be happier for his favorite item to be guarded by you.”

I looked at Grandpa Kama in surprise.

“This is Grandpa's favorite item?!”

Grandpa Kama nodded. “Iya. He asked me to look after the stuff. But, I think as her grandson, you deserve better.”

Hearing the explanation from Grandpa Kama, I looked at the watch for a moment.

Come to think of it, why does everyone want me to look after something?

I looked back at Grandpa Kama whose eyes were locked on this watch.

“But, my grandfather left this to Grandpa Kama. Why is it given to me? Why is Grandpa Kama sure my grandfather would be happier if this item was on me?”

The thousand questions left Grandpa Kama stunned for a moment. Then laugh off.

“Ah! This you, talk so old!” He's still laughing.

While I looked at him in astonishment. I don't understand, what's so funny? I'm serious!

Grandpa Kama rubbed a tear at the end of his eye. Laughing too much.

“Begini, Hansa. Raje just left that thing to me. If I feel like there's someone better who can take care of that thing, doesn't it matter? Moreover, you are his grandson.”

I don't understand what Grandpa Kama said. But, actually I don't want to bear this kind of burden.

This stuff, it must be very valuable to my grandfather. That's why he left it to the person he trusted the most.

“Hansa.”

I looked up at Grandpa Kama.

“That stuff is not mine. Giving it to you is part of my job to look after her.”

Grandpa Kama smiled widely and stroked the tip of my head.

“You look so much like him! Haha.”

Hearing her words, and her smile like that, I would inevitably accept this watch.

In the car on the way home, I showed Grandma the valuables.

He doesn't look surprised. Grandma smiled gently and defended me.

“Jaga it's fine.”

That's the only comment. Then I knew that the circular letters were Roman numerals. Same with the clock, its function is to show the time.

Mother said this watch is still good. If taken to a classic goods store, it may be repaired to function again.

Perhaps, this item could help me get to know Grandpa further.

...…...

“Grandpa! Good morning!” I said to Grandma who was reading a book in the back yard.

Grandma looked up and smiled. He asked me to come closer.

I happily approached her. Eli followed me while carrying a box of biscuits and warm milk.

“How did you sleep last night?” ask Grandma as soon as I sit in front of her.

I nodded cheerfully. My feeling this morning was great!

“Yourself, Grandma! I dream of indaaahhhh really.”

Grandma laughed, and so did Eli. This is my first morning at Grandma's house after a month of not being here.

“What dream is it?”

I devoured the first biscuit and swung my legs while thinking.

“Dreams play the same Grandpa.”

But the next second Grandma smiled. He sipped his tea, and looked back at me.

“So, what are you doing?”

I'm thinking again. Keep in mind.

“Main to the park. Swing up. Perosotan. Butterfly nangkep. Anyway it's kind of.”

Grandma again asked, “What is Grandpa smiling?”

Looking at Grandma's hopeful gaze. I also smile.

“Iya, Grandpa smile so much. We also laugh!”

Hearing my answer, Grandma heaved a sigh of relief. Although all I'm telling you is a dream, but Grandma responds as if it were all a real event.

I was also a bit surprised when I woke up. Why dream of Grandpa? Is it because of the watch?

Uh, watch?

“Oh yes!” I'm breaking the table. It made Eli, Grandma, and some of the housekeepers around us flinch.

Eli nagged me, and I apologized to Grandma before continuing.

“I just remembered! In a dream, Grandpa nitipin I'm the same watch. I don't want to hear Grandpa anymore, but I'm sure Grandpa said the watch is now mine.”

Eli, who still doesn't know about the watch, looks at me and Grandma in wonder.

“Arloji?”

I looked at Eli. “Iya! Watch from Grandpa.”

Groping the pants pocket, I took out an old watch and showed it to Eli.

He was stunned for a moment. “This, beautiful once,” comments.

I smiled proudly. “Yay! Now this thing is mine. Grandpa said it himself!”

My grandmother smiled as usual to hear my story. Eli said the thing Grandma likes the most in this world is my voice.

Grandma likes to hear me chattering like a bird. He said it was like relaxation music to him.

Even if Mother, she will nag if I talk too much.

Bawel, said.

“Nek, I'll show you this ‘toe’!”

Grandma's attention to the book was again distracted. As if digesting my words, he smiled widely.

“Good. We'll meet him later.”

My eyes shine. I got off the chair and jumped in joy. Run there and come here.

While Eli was again confused by the intent of my conversation with Grandma.

In the afternoon, Grandma brought me back under the bridge to meet Geeta.

Don't be confused how we got permission from Dad. Grandma said, I'm going to meet Aunt Dinan.

But Grandma didn't lie, because after meeting Geeta, we were going to Auntie's house.

Already not too scared, I went straight to the swamp. I turned my head, trying to penetrate the dark swamp water.

On the side, Grandma dipped her hand. From his gaze, he told me to do the same.

I put Grandpa's watch on the side, and dipped one hand in the water.

Chilly. The water is very cold. I'm afraid something is eating my hand out of the darkness.

Seeing that there was doubt in me, Grandma gave a small laugh.

“It's okay. No one would dare harm you in this swamp. Even this one village too, no one would dare to injure you, Hannie.”

Trusting Grandma's words, I banished those doubtful feelings, and steadied my heart.

Yeah, I'm gonna show Geeta this watch. I also need to get close to her in order for Grandma to tell her the next secret.

Not long after, something big swam from the bottom of the swamp. I pulled my hand back from the water and,

Just like last time, a mermaid figure jumped to the surface.

This time he looks clean. Her green jeweled eyes, and my gray eyes looked at each other.

.

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