We had already packed our bags the previous night.
The day arrived. Rosaria was helping Uncle Greg to put the bags in the car.
"Where's Jacob? Is he still sleeping?"
"He is taking a shower. Why do you ask? We still have a lot of time left."
"I didn't mean that. I am trying to say that lately he seems a bit off. He used to be more cheerful. Do you know anything about it?"
"I noticed that he is more quiet than usual. I am worried about him too. But I don't think we should pry into his matters unless he opens up to us himself."
"Sorry, dad," Rosaria thought to herself, "If Jacob doesn't take the initiative to tell, I can't disclose his matters."
"Let's hope tonight's gathering will cheer up the kid."
"I hope so as well."
Rosaria said with a fake smile.
"Alas! After today his situation might get even worse," Rosaria thought.
Rosaria came to check up on me. I was already out of shower. I was getting ready.
"You finished yet?"
Rosaria entered my room all of a sudden.
"Hey, you should knock before coming."
"It's nothing I haven't seen before."
Rosaria said with a laugh. Even though it was for a while, it felt like we were back in the past when things were normal. I would've gotten angry if it was back then but at that moment I was rather happy.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah."
I replied after taking a deep breath.
"Then get ready quickly. We have to arrive before lunchtime."
"Give me five minutes."
Rosaria left.
After getting dressed, I came downstairs.
We got into the car. Uncle Greg was in the front seat and the two of us in the back. After the car started moving, we three were having some small talk.
Wilson was our driver that day. 35 years old, ex military. As the person, he was really quiet. He was the type of guy who wouldn't say anything unless he was asked to. But he was really good at reading people's minds. But that was something I learned a lot later.
"By the way, Jacob, is there something troubling you? You look a bit off, mainly after the auction."
Uncle Greg's sudden inquiry should have caught me off guard. But a part of me was already prepared for it.
"It's nothing. I was just wondering whether choosing the vase was the right thing or not. It might not be up to grandpa's liking."
"Well, if that's what's got you worried then rest assured. Your grandpa loves antiques. So there's no way he won't like it. Plus, attending his birthday yourself is the best gift you can offer. It's not a gift but sincerity that matters."
"You are right. Thanks."
The vase itself played a huge role as an excuse.
"If there's anything troubling you, you can always come to me. No need to keep it to yourself."
"I will."
All of a sudden, Rosaria whispered in my ear.
"When my birthday comes next year, you can also give yourself to me as the present."
"I have already decided to do the exact."
I whispered back. Rosaria blushed at my unexpected reply. How much have I missed that part of her!
She was a person who liked dirty jokes but easily got embarrassed when the topic was about romance. It wasn't until recently that I found out about it. But I would never tease her because of it unless she was the one trying to tease me first.
I felt like those small talks in the car lightened my mood up. I felt a lot better.
I was feeling bad for Wilson. He was the only one kept apart from our conversation. There wasn't actually any appropriate topic to have a conversation with him. I couldn't remember ever having a chat with him. The only things I ever told him were, where to stop the car and where to pick me up from. But I felt like he was doing quite well by himself. So I decided not to bother him.
It didn't take long for us to reach Grandpa's house. The house was like a small mansion. But calling it a mansion would be a bit exaggerating. Situated on a small hilltop, surrounded by nature, not too far away from the city, a perfect combination of wild and urban life, It was an ideal place to spend one's retired life. The lake beside the hill added a new layer of fascination. There was a cottage next to the lake. It was a fine place for having afternoon tea while enjoying the view.
As we got out of the car, we were welcomed by grandpa Ross and Sara. Sara was one of the maids who worked at my grandpa's house. Sara and Grandpa Ross are from the same countryside. Sara was two years older than Rosaria. They both got along with each other quite well whenever they met. I had only met her a couple of times. So, I vaguely had an impression of her. I could only tell that she was very polite in nature.
Sara and the other maids took out our bags from the car. Rosaria was helping them. Then Wilson took the car to park it in the garage.
"How has our Jacob been?"
"As usual, grandpa Ross. What about you?"
"As an old man should be. We haven't met for a few months and look at you, all grown up."
"You jest."
"Sorry to interrupt but it's better to head inside and continue your chat then to stand here."
"Oh yes. Come Jacob, your grandpa is waiting for you. He has been waiting to see you since morning."
"Me in particular?"
I said that without even thinking. I failed to keep my inner thoughts to myself. Hearing my sudden reply, I could see the bewilderment in his eyes for a moment. It seemed uncle Greg didn't hear it.
"Why not? You are his precious grandchild, one and only."
It felt as if Grandpa Ross gave me the excuse I needed to defend myself. Compared to me, he was more mature and experienced. For him to guess that something was off about me would have been just a matter of time. When the outcome is inevitable, it doesn't matter whether it happens sooner or later. But I was a bit surprised because he didn't ask anything further.
As we went into the hall room, I saw grandpa sitting on his chair.
"How was the journey? Hope it didn't take long."
"You and I both know it only takes two to three hours to get here from my place."
"Then shouldn't you have visited this old man quite often?"
"I can say the same about you."
A moment of silence as both of us were looking into each other's eyes. A few seconds later, the silence broke with a joint laughter from the both of us.
Grandpa got up from his chair and walked towards me. We both embraced each other.
"I missed you, Jacob."
"I missed you too, grandpa."
Among my blood relatives, I was closer to my grandpa then even to my own parents. The way we two always acted was as if we both were from the same generation, like friends.
"Did you talk with your parents? When will they arrive?"
"I haven't had any contact with them since the meeting with the branch families in April."
"Why do you distance yourself from your own parents?"
Grandpa himself knew something happened between me and my parents. But neither of us disclosed anything to him. I tried to avoid answering.
"Well, they both are busy with their work and I too am with my studies. By the way, where's grandma?"
"She may be watering the flowers."
"It's noon. No one waters the flowers at this time."
"Then God knows what she's doing. You don't need to worry about her."
"Come-on, she's your wife."
"When you get married, you will understand what I have to go through everyday."
"As much as I like to prove you wrong, I am not confident enough to be able to do so."
Grandpa laughed hearing my answer. We both headed to the dining room. As we sat down, the maids served our lunches.
"Let's wait for grandma to join us."
As I was suggesting, grandpa already began to eat.
"This old man would never let an opportunity to mock his wife slip away," I said to myself.
"What a glutton!"
Saying that, grandma entered the dining room. Behind her were Sara and Rosaria. It seemed like the three of them were together when I was alone with grandpa.
"A man's gotta eat when he's hungry."
Grandpa replied to grandma while he was still chewing on the food.
"First eat then talk. Do I really have to talk about manners with you in front of the young ones?"
Grandpa continued eating without paying heed to what grandma was saying.
"How are you doing, Jacob?"
"I am fine. How about you?"
"I am also the same."
"How's the garden?"
"Let's eat our lunches first. I will take you three on a tour in the afternoon."
The reason why grandma used the word tour is because the garden was three times the size of the house. Thanks to the hard work of the maids under grandma's supervision, the garden was a pleasant sight to enjoy.
It took almost thirty minutes to see around from the beginning to the end. After our sightseeing in the garden, we went to the cottage. Grandpa Ross and uncle Greg were already there. Seeing Grandma, uncle Greg came forward towards us.
"Fred and Kelly just called. They told me to inform you that they will be arriving in the evening."
"That's so like them."
Grandma didn't say anything. We all went into the cottage. Sara brewed tea for us. We all enjoyed the tea in silence while enjoying the view of the lake. The only sound audible was the sound of the gentle breeze that was blowing. It truly was a relaxing moment. After a while, grandpa joined us. Wilson was accompanying him. It was unexpected to see someone as quiet as Wilson to get along with a talkative person like my grandpa. Who knew what they were talking about?
"Let's go for a walk, Jacob."
Grandpa suggested.
"Alright."
We both were walking beside the lake.
"I didn't know you were familiar with Wilson."
"We were just having casual talk."
"For the last 3 years I never got a whole sentence out of his mouth. Not just me, even uncle Greg couldn't."
"He's a good lad. You guys are just treating him too harsh."
"Well, what were you two talking about anyway?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary. I just asked him about his experiences when he was in the military. Enough about us. Do you know when your parents will come?"
"Uncle Greg said that they will be arriving in the evening. Looking at the time, I guess they will arrive soon."
"Are you nervous?"
"I will be lying if I say I am not. I really would like to avoid meeting them if it wasn't for your birthday. Just do me a favor. Help me break the awkward silence at the beginning."
"You still haven't told me why the both sides are avoiding each other. Even back in April, when I asked, you avoided answering. If you don't tell me, how can I help you?"
I actually had forgotten about it. It wasn't until grandpa mentioned it that I remembered.