He looked away. I felt kind of bad for him.
"Life goes on. People come and go. It's hard to lose someone, but it's not really the end of the world is it?" I have no idea what I am saying. "Damn, you are an experienced lad now. Who knows? You might find someone who's better, or you might not find someone at all. At the end of the day, it's you who matters, so love yourself first. And let go of those frickin' regrets."
He was silent for a bit.
"You're bad at pep talks."
"I try," I shrugged.
I sat down on a rock. I didn't wait to see if he would sit down or not.
"There are bugs."
Bruh.
"You're the biggest one here, so I don't know why you're so scared."
"Hey!"
I smiled up at him and he huffed before sitting down on clean rock. We were silent like that for a while as we
"Do you love somebody?" he asked me.
"No."
"Why?"
"I have barely enough time to look after myself, how would I make time for another person?"
"Hmm."
"What?"
"Why are you so busy?"
"None of your business, buddy."
"Why?"
"No more questions."
"I'm curious."
"That has nothing to do with me."
"And if it does?"
"Get lost."
"No."
I sighed and looked at him. He looked straight at me.
"Be my friend," he spouted out randomly.
"Your proposal is lacking, sire."
"How would you like me to propose?" he wiggled his eyebrows.
I shook my head. I don't want to have connections.
"This is a one-time thing," I smiled.
"I don't want it to be a one-time thing."
"You're sounding kinda romantic right now."
"Maybe it's because I want to move on."
I stood up and brushed my pants off. Connection making time is up now.
"Where are you going?"
He stood up as well. I glanced at him.
"Work."
"Can I see you again?"
"Nope."
I looked at his hurt face.
"Sorry," I shrugged and started walking away.
"Next week," he continued, "I'll be in Karandish. Maybe I will be able to see you one more time."
I looked back.
"If you can find the place I work at, then I'll consider being your friend."
He brightened.
"But, only on one condition," I said.
"What is it?"
"I'll tell you if you find me."
"I'll find you for sure," he looked at me confidently.
"Yeah, yeah. Get outta here," I smiled at him.
He pinched my cheek before transporting away. I held my cheek.
"Seriously?"
Crazy people never stop invading my life. I shook my head and walked back to the bakery.
...…..
"Nadia!" Grandma Sufia walked towards me.
I walked over to her.
"We were waiting for you to come!"
The place was crowded with people.
"Ok, I'll head to the kitchen."
She nodded at me and I entered the small place.
Grandpa Ulaan was kneading some dough in a large bowl.
"Grandpa Ulaan, let me finish that. Please take a break now," I quickly washed my hands then rushed over to him and took the bowl.
He looked worn out and I wish I arrived earlier.
"Nadia, thank the lord you're here," he wiped the sweat off his forehead with a towel.
"Mm, it seems busier today," I started kneading the dough as Grandpa Ulaan pulled out fresh bread from the ground oven.
The waft of butter made it to my nose and my stomach grumbled.
"Open wide."
I did as he said and he plopped a small butter cookie in my mouth.
"Mmmm," I smiled.
The cookie was soft and it melted in my mouth.
"This cookie has been selling pretty good these days," he smiled at my reaction.
His small and bent frame may have looked weak, but he handled so many tasks at once. It was amazing, the things this power couple did for their business.
"Nadia," Grandpa Ulaan called.
"Yes, Grandpa Ulaan?"
He hesitated a bit before sitting down on a stool beside me. I was confused, he suddenly sounded so serious. I opened the windows a bit to let some fresh air in, and we worked together in peace for a bit. The only sound coming in was from the people in the diner.
"What is your name?" he finally asked.
"Nadi-"
"No, your real name."
I gulped.
"It is my real name," I lied.
He sighed.
"Look."
He brought out his hands.
"Umm, Grandpa Ulaan, what exactly am I supposed to look at?"
"Look closely," he instructed.
I looked into his hands closely and I felt it. How does he have mana? It was faint, but I felt the presence of mana in his hands.
"I don't see anything," I lied again.
"Nadia, what do you see now?"
I gasped. He's going to get caught!