" Baby, are you sure you're alright, and your headache, we should go to__"
" Ken! I said I'm fine." She sighed exasperatedly while trying to control herself from strangling the dumb guy.
" Oh, okay okay, let's go inside now... you need to rest." He carefully helped her out of the car and they walked inside the hotel.
" Hey Jack, where are you off to. . ." he trailed off as the guy passed by without even giving them a glance.
" Do you know him?" Maya asked with a frown and glanced back at the man who was now walking down the stairs.
" Hmmm, he's an old friend. just forget it." Ken sighed and unlocked the door then they both entered inside.
_____
Jack walked out of the hotel and sighed inside, he couldn't be bothered with whatever the guy was doing here. then squinted his eyes at the sun which had started coming out. He couldn't understand the climate of this place.
He strolled aimlessly on the street while wondering where he would start looking for Clara and who he could ask next. It was unfortunate that he didn't memorize her number.
He passed the row of stores and houses in the small town's street which was bustling with different activities as children chased each other or passed by on bicycles while the older folks were either sitting on benches or selling things on a cart.
' This will look good on Clara.' He suddenly stopped in front of a woman who was selling different accessories on a cart and picked up a purple hairpin which was decorated with white stones.
After buying it, he shoved it inside his pocket and continued admiring the colorful displays in front of the small stores while walking along the street.
He was still wandering when his eyes darted to a corner and suddenly spotted a familiar figure squatting down in front of a small girl. Even though her long black hair was now tied in a bun and she was wearing a cartoon headband that the kid had just placed on her head, he instantly recognized her.
" Hey, we meet again." He sauntered toward her with a grin and she turned back to look at him with a small smile after waving the kid goodbye.
" Oh, it's you." Lily stood up and stared at the guy with a soft smile.
" Do you live around here?" He glanced around the place which looked like a marketplace with many stores and houses.
Lily shook her head and softly replied, " No." then started walking while gripping her bag as he walked beside her.
" Where are you headed to?." He slowed down to match with her careful steps.
" The Riverside, " she replied and he nodded with a chuckle then they continued walking silently toward the outskirt of the town.
When they arrived at the riverside, Lily's eyes darted around the place then she sighed in relief as she had heard her father said he would come to the river this morning, he had probably gone back home.
They sat down under the tree and she brought out her book then started reading.
" Here." Jack handed her the snack box in his hand and she shook her head with a small smile after saying " Thank you." then turned back to the book again.
" What is that?" He asked while sneaking a peek at the book and then chuckled. " Are you planning to become a doctor?"
" Yeah, I've applied to a medical college in City M, I'll start studying next year, If I pass the exams, " she replied softly while her eyes were still fixed on the book.
" Oh." Jack nodded and glanced ahead to the people who were now fishing on the riverbank while munching on the snack. " Lily, how old are you?" he asked her after some minutes.
" I'll turn twenty-three the day after tomorrow, " she replied and carefully closed the book then turned to him.
His brows knitted and also turned to face her. She really looked younger, looking down at her petite figure." So you were born on new year's eve, " he said with a chuckle and she slowly nodded with a smile.
" Jack, can you tell me about your friend?" She said after a while then retrieved a pen and a drawing book from her bag and started drawing.
Jack chuckled and glanced down at the book where she had already drawn a flower, then heaved a sigh and looked ahead again. " The first time I met her, it was raining. . . . ." he started, and narrated all their encounters as he stared at the river with a dreamy expression with a small smile on his face and she listened silently while drawing the countless flowers.
********
__The Next Morning __
Clara walked out of her room after glancing at her sister who had returned home late yesterday and was still sleeping on her bed.
She closed the door behind and took out her phone to call Maya then shook the idea off as they might be together with Ken.
" Good morning Dad." She hurried to her father who was scraping off some fish scales with a knife and also squatted down to help him transfer them into the small bowl that contains water.
" Careful with the scales, they're prickly, " her father warned with a chuckle while staring down at her and she nodded with a smile.
Clara sighed after a while and looked up at him. " Dad is it true that grandma would come anytime soon,?" she asked and wondered if her sister was just playing a prank on her which she doesn't usually do.
" Of course Clara, she promised to come within the week." Her father chuckled then continued, " Did your sister tell you anything?"
" Huh?" Her eyes darted away and she shook her head quickly. " No, Lily didn't tell me anything... I.. I was just asking."
" Alright dear. . . your grandmother loves you, now don't misunderstand her. okay."
" Okay, Dad." She nodded slowly and sighed inside. Isn't that what he had always been telling her.