The water is sweet! : part 2

I turned back to the table which I had just finished cleaning. My broch that I won in today's competition was on it. I placed it on the table all the time so that Jacob would complement me. I sighed. Maybe I need to work on showing myself off more. " What are you sighing for kid?" A manly voice said from behind. I recognised the person immediately. "It's nothing Mr. Gibbs. Just repenting on my failed plan of today's." I answered with my face still turned towards the table. "You like Jacob don't you?" he revealed without hesitation. I came back to senses with a jerk. It was no use hiding it from the old man. "Y-Yes I do." I opened up.

"I'll just say it in a few words. He's not the one for you." My eyes widened. "W-Hy do you say so. Don't you think we are quite compatible." I denied. "The one for you has not appeared yet. Wait for a few more days. The time has neared." he said in a spiritual way. I knew he was joking or making fun of me. But him eyes seemed to be battering something. "Let's see them Mr. Gibbs, if fate has someone else planned for me. Then I'll truly abide by it." I said "But I don't plan to give up on Jacob either."

He gave no reply but a small smirk in acknowledgement to my challenge. I moved towards the changing room. Made straight way to where my bag was placed. In astonishment there was a small white paper kept on it with folds. I wondered who it was. And such a mysterious way to convey a message. I grabbed the paper and open it. The handwriting seemed to be very familiar. It read;

'Zara, sorry if I am late to say this. But...….. CONGRATULATIONS on winning the seventh Opening Competition. You were astounding. Really soo manly. I admire you.

Jacob'

I held that paper in my hand for a few seconds and then murmured, "Not the right one for me you say, Mr. Gibbs." I had one more log to build up the ladder. Mr. Gibbs surely is wrong. And also a bit uncanny. About the things he said earlier, the shores being connected, Balgamore, and what Gri-G-. Whatever, old people should really join forces with the modern world.

I packed my stuff up. Had one last look at the room, where I got my first slot high on Jacob. The room was empty, It was only me and Jacob who worked here. I smiled at the room out of conciseness. My screwed up blue uniform looked normal for the first time. Must be Emilia who pressed it straight after I left to search my bottle after the competition. Suddenly I got a blue shock. The strange sweet water. I cannot lose sight of that matter easily.

I locked the door and headed towards the front desk. Mr. Gibbs was waiting to receive the keys. But he held a newspaper pamphlet in his hand. "Here, Mr. Gibbs, the room keys." I placed the keys on the desk and was about to leave the library. When, "Zara, Zara, hold up." He screamed from behind. Rushing towards me with that pamphlet in his hand, he said," Look Zara, there is a small outing in the city for the seniors. Please let Will tag alone with me."

Granddad was in good health past few days, he doesn't faint that easily, but yet I cannot let him out of my site with this canny old man. I looked up too deny him but, he was with his cute grandpa tear drop in his eyes. So cute. I cannot resist when granddad does that to me too. "Fine I'll let him go. But I have two conditions to mentions." I demanded with my gloomy aura out. "Yes yes name it child." He nodded.

"I'll go straight . No drinking. No staying out of Mrs. Gibbs' site. That's it"

"B-but drin--"

" If there are any contradictions." I stated " Then I'll be coming too."

"No need for you to tag alone. No drinking, no lurking around alone." He guaranteed. "That's good" I remarked. "Tomorrow before leaving for school, I'll drop Granddad at your place, Mr. Gibbs."

"Yes. That'll do. And please call me grandpa Gibbs, dear. Even your mom called me that, though I was an adult then." He said. "Yes. Grandpa Gibbs." I smiled.

I waved at him as I departed. Now I have one more family member; Grandpa Gibbs. I walked down those same old lanes. Those small emporiums. I neared the small kids garden. The clock ticked 7:00pm. The street lights were standing all alone. And at a distance lied Shikido Hill; which were supposed to be haunted. But those were just one of the old fabrications.

I saw my home which was at a distance . A small red roofed house, with two floors and a small backyard. I stood parallel to the gates. Opened my bag and took out the broch from today's competition. I wanted to surprise Granddad.

Opened the door with the keys I had with him. As soon as the doors opened, a loud sound pushed me back.

I sighed, granddad was watching one of those old clips of mom fighting, when she was a sword artist in her High School. I placed my shoes on the rack. "Granddad!!!" I screamed, "I am back!!"

"Oh my little princess is back." His voice neared. "Show me you broch." He demanded. " Huh? How did you know I won." I questioned utterly bewildered. I stepped in right now, and he knew I won. "Oh my dear Zara. How would I not know? You are just like your mother. Whenever she walked through that door, she always had a win in her hands." he said smiling with his wrinkled face.

I hugged him tight. Placed the broch with the many prices I had won on the glass shelf. Beside the shelf was a picture of mom and dad. I smiled widely to them and whispered, "I have made you proud, haven't?"

I went straight up the stairs to my room. The same old room, mom and dad had manually decorated for me. The same black cherry tree with shaded blossoms on the walls. I threw my bag on the bed. I was damn tired from today's competition. My hands and legs were iced up, as if I would fall any moment. I had a quick evening bath. And wore my red pyjamas and white full sleeved top; one of the many gifts I had received from Emilia.

"Zara, come down quick! The dinner's getting cold." I heard Granddad scream from downstairs. The dining table was filled with my favourite dishes. "Wow Grandad. What's this feast for?" I hesitantly asked. "Because my princess has won today." He answered. Though he answered in short, I knew the whole page behind those words.

We had our dinner peacefully. I even told granddad about the trip Mr. Gibbs was talking about, and clearly mentioned the conditions to him as well. It was a trip for just a few days, but to me it felt like few years. I'll be felt alone yet again. When I am alone I think. When I think I remember. When I remember I feel pain, the pain of losing my parents, the pain of faking a smile. And when I feel pain; I cry. But I like to pretend that I'm 'Okay', Because I don't want to annoy anyone with my problems.

But for Granddad's sake I can let go of these feelings and fake a smile once for.

"Good Night, Zara."

"Night!!!" I smiled towards him as I headed towards my bedroom. I lay straight on my bed. Looking up at the stars that I could see from the window beside me, I felt mom's warm touch. She always told me that, ' If you ever feel lonely, just look at the starry sky. Someone, somewhere, is looking right at it too.'

"Good night, mom, dad." I murmured.