We went back down and saw äke and Alinur. They were about to go to the back of the barn where the pine trees are.
"Ah. Miss McCrae, I would like to introduce Alinur, our farm keeper. Alinur, Ms. Dahlia McCrae, Arystan's new manager," äke greeted us when he saw us approach them.
"Nice to meet you," Ms. McCrae said, holding out her hand to Alinur for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too Miss," Alinur responded with a smile, shaking her hand.
"Otto is touring your uncles around for a bit so Alinur would be the one to help us cut down the tree," äke addressed to me.
I nodded at him.
Alinur led the way and the three of us followed after him.
"We have very good pine trees because Alinur planted them himself. They are perfect for this year's New Year tree," äke said to Ms. McCrae as they walked ahead of me.
Äke seemed to take a special liking to Ms. McCrae. He is not really the conversationalist type especially to those who are around Ms. McCrae's age.
"For how long have you had the farm Sir?" Ms. McCrae asked.
"About two years now."
"It's nice to have a getaway place like a farm. Nothing is more healing than this openness and the quiet."
"Indeed Miss. I'm glad Rakhym and I decided to purchase this farm. It was to help Alinur primarily but in the long run this farm had helped us save up a lot. We don't need to buy meat and dairy anymore. We also had horses that we could ride to the vast steppe from time to time, a great help in clearing up one's mind."
"I think this one would be good Sir. It's not too tall but not too thin either," Alinur interrupted them when he stopped in front of a young pine tree.
"Oh. Whichever you think is best, Alinur," äke said to him.
"Okay. I'm cutting this down, Sir."
Alinur started sawing on the tree and not for long it fell down to the ground. The three of us men carried it back to the pickup together.
"Your family should come to the Üy Dalasí for the New Year Alinur. Your wife doesn't have to cook or bring something," äke said after we put the tree on the back of the truck.
"I uh– Thank you very much Sir. We will. However, I'm sure my wife would want to bring something."
"Oh okay then. I cannot refuse her goodwill," äke smiled.
"I'll look for Otto and the others Sir. The sun is almost gone."
"Okay. Thank you."
The three of us went inside the pickup first. Ms. McCrae and I sat at the front. She took off her parka and used it as a cushion in front of her. The seat is actually too small to hold the both of us. We both sat on the edge.
"Will the two of you be riding here inside?" äke asked.
"Yes Sir. It's too cold outside for Sir Arystan," Ms. McCrae answered.
She doesn't have to say that that way.
Otto and the uncles, together with Alinur, came minutes later and we got on our way. The sun had already gone down and I'm glad we rode inside the car. It would have been bitter cold if we stayed at the back.
The ride home was warm though a bit uncomfortable. Äke and the uncles were talking about the farm while Ms. McCrae and I were silent. We were concentrating on not slipping off the seat as the pickup rode through the rough road. My left arm is over her shoulders and I steadied her whenever the car jumped.
I helped Uncle Ruslan and Uncle Roman in hauling the tree out of the truck when we arrived. We placed it on the porch for the meantime. Äke would make a stand for it first so that we can put it in the family room.
Without meaning to, I followed Ms. McCrae to the kitchen. I'm craving a cup of hot chocolate.
"You're back dear. How's the farm?" Leila greeted her as she took her seat in the kitchen island.
"I haven't toured around. Only to the stables but from what I've seen, the farm is wonderful," she answered.
"Can I have hot chocolate Leila?" I interrupted them.
I can get it for myself but not when Leila is in the kitchen.
"You also went with them to the farm?" she finally acknowledged me.
"Yeah."
"Okay. A cup of hot choco for you, and you Dahlia?"
"Actually, I'm craving coffee. Please."
"Sure."
Minutes later we sat there in silence, sipping our drinks.
"You can sleep well even after drinking coffee?" I asked Ms. McCrae after a moment.
"I don't really sleep well Sir so it doesn't matter," she answered.
"Do you have insomnia?"
She nodded.
"That's why I love drinking wine after a long day. I can sleep well when I drink."
Her head snapped to me.
"Uhm, not that it's a habit Sir. I only drink from time to time."
I scoffed.
"I'm serious Sir."
"Okay. Don't worry about it. You can ask me to join you for a drink when you feel like you have to," I told her.
She bit her lip and looked away.
I chuckled, putting down the cup of chocolate.
"I'm serious too. It's nice to have a drink with someone after a long day."
"Okay Sir. Thank you."
We finished our drinks and went our separate ways. I looked for my grandparents and spent time with them until dinner. My eyes automatically looked for Ms. McCrae when I entered the dining room. She sat between Lana and Rayana. I'm glad that she is settling herself well among us.
After dinner, I spent time in the studio finishing my new song. After half an hour or so Dias peeked in.
"Hey bro. Want to play a game with us?"
I hesitated.
"I know you're busy with the album but it's the New Year. Come on," he pressed.
I ended up playing three rounds of PUBG with them. I didn't realize that it was already so late. However, they were not planning to stop anytime soon. I decided to go back to the studio since I can't sleep because of the noise. Sitting down in front of the piano, I tried to resume writing the song. I stayed at it for a couple of minutes before I decided to get away. Nothing's coming to me.
With a guitar on one hand, I went down and made my way to the garden. I like having a strumming session in the quiet. It helps me gather my thoughts.
I didn't flip the light open and used my phone as a flashlight instead, making my way through the pathwalk. The light of my phone automatically focused on my mother's couch when I emerged from the bend. I frowned as I approached it. Someone is on it.
I put down my guitar beside the couch and made the flashlight face upward so as not to light up her face. It's Ms. McCrae and she seemed asleep.
"Ms. McCrae?" I said in a soft voice as I gently shook her shoulder.
She didn't stir one bit.
I gave her a shake again, a little stronger this time.
"Hey. You need to sleep in your room. It will be cold here."
She opened her eyes, squinting and frowning.
"Sir?"
"Why are you sleeping here?"
Realization came to her face; her eyes widened in surprise. She sat up in a flash.
"I uh.. I was tired Sir and wanted to sleep but the girls are still wide awake. I can't sleep with movements around me and with the lights on."
"They must be asleep now. It's already past 11:30 in the evening," I told her.
She stood up.
"Okay. I'll get going Sir. Good night."
I stepped aside to give her way.
"Good night," I said with a small smile.
I grabbed my guitar and settled myself on the couch. I started strumming a melody in the dim light.
A few minutes passed and I squinted at the pathway. Someone's coming with a flashlight on. The light struck my eyes and I turned away.
"Oh! I'm so sorry Sir."
It's Ms. McCrae.
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