CHAPTER 20
I blink several times just to fall asleep but I can’t. After rolling over a couple of times, it’s already morning. The sun slowly rising to the sky. That means I didn’t sleep. It’s all because of what I’ve heard last night that made me scared to closed my eyes.
“You didn’t sleep?”
“Yes”
“Actually, me too. I noticed you rolling around several times”
“Why didn’t you talk to me?”
“Well, I don’t know what to discuss”
I’m located at the center bed. Amelia was on the side of the window. We talked in whisper not to wake Scarlet.
“I’m worried about what they said to me last night, that’s why I can’t sleep”
“That’s just a tale, it may not be true”
“But, still … uhh? Why didn’t you sleep?”
“As for me, I can’t sleep to a new atmosphere. I still need to adjust myself”
“This is bad”
“Yeah”
Our bed was linked to each other. I moved closer to Amelia. I think she didn’t mind me being closed to her. We both stared to the ceiling.
“Should we wake up Scarlet and go down?”
“No, we shouldn’t do that”
“Then, let’s just go down”
We slowly stood up, not to disturb Scarlet who still, sleeping peacefully. We rummage to the closet to get some of our clothes. The bathroom is on downstairs, it may refresh my mind for lacking of sleep. We both tiptoed going down.
“Two big sisters, Good Morning!”
Dairy greeted us. There’s a towel in her head. And then, nanny goes out in one of the rooms there.
“Oh? You two are so early, it’s still six in the morning"
“We didn’t get enough sleep. We are still adjusting to the new environment”
“Is that so?”
“Big sister, you’ll going to style my hair today?”
“Sure”
I smiled at them. We excused ourselves to take a bath and Dairy is changing her clothes. Amelia was the one who spoke to them earlier, I only smiled at them. I can’t tell that I am scared of their story last night. I let Amelia go inside first to the bathroom. She will do makeover to Dairy who will go to school, she might be late if I were to go first.
I’m chilling in front of the fireplace when. Sir Frets suddenly goes in to the slide door with some woods on his hand.
“Oh? you’re early, Chantria”
“I… I can’t sleep”
“I guess you need some time to familiar the atmosphere”
“Y..yeah”
“Then, do you have something to do right now?”
“None, sir”
“Then, come with me to the back”
“W…why?”
“You’ll see”
I gulped when he invites me to the back. My nervousness flowed to my body. What’s on the back?
We gone out to the kitchen door. We walked a few meters away to the house when, I saw strawberries being planted there. Sir Frets gives me a basket.
“This fruit is our specialty here. You can collect them if you want”
“Is that really okay?”
“Yes, we can make it to some desserts”
“Then, I’ll get as many as I can”
“Thank you, I’m sorry for this. I have to chomp some woods and my son, was in our farm. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes, sir. I can do this much. I’m thankful for your hospitality”
“Thank you, well then. I’ll go. Just go inside if you’re than there”
“Okay”
I watched him as he walked away while waving at him. After, not seeing him. I started to get some strawberries. I picked it out carefully and choose those ripen out.
“My? What’s the lady doing?”
“Oh? Sebastian”
He’s wearing a brown slacks and long sleeves that rolled up to his arm. His hair is wet so, I guess after his taken a bath. He come straight here.
“Where’s my beloved?”
“She’s still sleeping, you should visit her”
“I will. Thanks”
He waved at me and run towards the main entrance. I continued what I’m doing.
I harvest plenty of strawberries because my basket is small. I entered the kitchen door and saw nanny cooking.
“Nanny”
“You’re outside?”
“Yeah, I harvest some of the strawberries”
“You did that? Where’s that old man, I told him to do this” I handed her the basket full of strawberries.
“No, it’s okay nanny, it’s the least that I can do”
“No, no, you’re our guest”
“Even so, I’d like to help as well. I can’t be a burden”
“If you insist”
“What are you making nanny?”
“Last night, scarlet told me you like vegetables so I’ll make one for you”
“Thank you, let me help”
“No, no”
“I insist nanny, it’s also beneficial to me as I gained knowledge in cooking”
Nanny laughed and looked at me seriously. She washed her hands and patted my head.
“The baby that I once hold, grew up to be a fine lady”
My heart melts when she told me that. If only Chantria could live the best life despite what happened to her. I know, that whatever pain that we encounter, it serves us a lesson to become stronger. She closed her hearts and were blinded by evil that she doesn’t see the people who loves her. I hugged nanny.
“Thank you”
“Now, now. Shall we start?”
“Yes”
“Then, slice these vegetables. Okay?”
I nodded to nanny. Actually, I know how to cook since, in the past. I live alone so, I muster up the courage to cooked different dishes. I failed at first attempt. Eventually, I know how to cooked that I don’t need an ingredients.
"Oh? You cut them finely, are you lying to me not be able to cook?"
"N..no, i saw the chef slicing like this so I'm just mimicking it"
I need to come up things to avoid suspicions. Nanny cooked some hotdogs and eggs for the breakfast meal. Then, she taught me how to cooked vegetables in a pot where we sweated it, until it’s shriveled or shrunk.
There are varieties vegetables that were mixed together. I’m a little bit confused but, I’ll get a hang of it. I observe how Nanny cooked it the entire time.
I was the taste tester there. Nanny spoon-feed me. It was an unusual taste but it’s delicious. You can taste the varieties vegetables that were put together. The tender taste of the squash, the slimy texture of an okra, the crunchiness of the beans. All in one, this is a good dish.
“What’s this dish called?”
“Oh? It’s called pinakbet, I’ve learned of this when I was young when we travel to the southeast of the Zruwecht Empire”
“You’re a traveler nanny?”
“Yes, I am. You must have forgotten the stories I had told you”
“I…I’m, sorry”
“No, it’s okay. I’m sorry for blurting that out”
“It’s okay, nanny”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I am”
I smiled bitterly. I know they are cautious of what they will say. They don’t want to hurt me.
I was frightened when I heard someone screamed. It’s coming from upstairs.
“W…what’s that ruckus?”
“Oh? It must be Scarlet”
“Why?”
Nanny chuckled which made me curious.
“Well, I let Sebastian go upstairs”
“Uhh. What if there’s something happened?”
“Hoho? It’s okay, they’re old enough and I’d be happy if there is”
“I’ll be glad to”
We decided not to bother them and continued what we are doing.