3 months have passed, The morning sun peeked through the curtains as Luna's father's voice echoed through the house, "Wake up, kids! Today, you have your day off. Remember, every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are your days to unwind, so go out there, have some fun, and enjoy the days."
Lana pulled the covers over her head, her voice muffled, "Father, it's too early for this."
Len, still nestled in his bed, agreed, "Yeah, Mr. Grace, it's way too early." They both yawned, stretching their arms towards the ceiling, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
Eventually, the aroma of freshly made milk and pancakes lured them out of bed. They sat at the breakfast table, each with their own thoughts about the day ahead. Luna, spooning a dollop of honey onto her pancakes, broke the silence, "What should we do today? I really don't know what to do."
Len, who was usually brimming with ideas, found himself equally indecisive. "I don't know either," he admitted, sipping his cup of milk thoughtfully. But as they continued to eat, an idea began to form in his mind, and a mischievous smile spread across his face.
"Say, Luna," he began, his eyes twinkling with excitement, "you said you don't have any plans today, did you?"
Luna, curious about where this was leading, replied, "Yes, I don't have plans today. What's your point?"
Len leaned forward, his voice lowering as if he was about to share a secret. "I say we take a little trip to my hometown. It's the perfect day for an adventure, don't you think?" I could show you the wonderful forest and river and i want you to meet my friend".....
Luna's initial surprise quickly turned into enthusiasm. "I think that's a great idea!" she exclaimed. "I've always wanted to see where you grew up."
Len's excitement was palpable as he said, "Then what are you waiting for? Let's pack our bags and go!"
They both sprang into action, gathering their essentials with an efficiency born of shared anticipation. "Luna, it will take us about 6 hours to get there, so let's hurry," Len urged.
"Yeah, yeah, all done," Luna replied, zipping up her backpack with a final tug.
With their bags slung over their shoulders, they headed out the door. Len called out, "See you, Mr. Grace!"
Luna waved, adding, "Bye, Father…"
As Len and Luna journeyed towards their destination, they decided to stop by the nearest village for a brief respite. The quaint houses and cobblestone paths invited them in with an air of welcoming simplicity.
"Hey, Luna, want to buy something to eat or drink?" Len asked, noticing the small marketplace bustling with activity.
Luna nodded eagerly, "Yes, water, please. I'm so thirsty; it's been 2 hours since we left."
Len chuckled, "So you're not used to walking this much?"
"Of course not," Luna replied with a hint of nostalgia. "I didn't have a friend to explore with back then, so I was always in the restaurant, helping my father."
"Ah, I see," Len said, understandingly.
Approaching a stall with a variety of refreshments, Len greeted the vendor, "Excuse me, miss, I'd like to buy some water, please."
The vendor, a kind-faced woman with a gentle smile, handed him a cup of cool water. "Here you go, young man. That would be 1 copper coin for the cup," she said.
Len handed over the coin and turned to Luna, "Here you go, miss," he said playfully, offering her the water.
With a grateful smile, Luna took the cup and took a long, refreshing sip. The water was like a balm to her parched throat, and she felt revitalized almost instantly.
"Thank you, Len," she said, her spirits lifted. "Now, let's continue .
5 hours later…
"We're here, Luna," Len announced with a hint of pride in his voice. "This is my hometown." He pointed towards the horizon where the town lay spread out. "On the outskirts of that town is my home. Come on, let's go and meet my mother."
They walked through the quiet streets, the houses becoming fewer as they approached the edge of town. Finally, they reached a cozy house with a welcoming light shining through the window.
Knock, knock.
From inside, a voice called out, "Who is that?"
The door swung open to reveal a woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. "Mom, it's me, and I've brought along my new friend," Len said, stepping inside.
Len's mother enveloped him in a hug. "Len, my sweet baby boy, you've grown up so much. I missed you, sweetie."
"Mom, it's been just 3 months," Len chuckled. "This is my friend; her name is Luna, and I work for her dad at the restaurant."
Len's mother turned to Luna, her smile widening. "What a beautiful young lady. It's so nice to meet you. I'm Len's mom."
Luna, feeling a bit shy but welcomed, replied, "I'm Luna. I'm 10 years old. Nice to meet you too, ma'am."
"Oh, Luna, drop the formality. You're Len's friend, so you're family here," Len's mother said warmly. "Then I'll prepare a meal for you two. You must be hungry after your journey."
As Len's mother bustled into the kitchen, Len showed Luna around the house, sharing little anecdotes from his childhood. The house was filled with the aroma of cooking and the sense of a homecoming, and Luna felt a comforting sense of belonging.
Mother: "Len, Luna, dinner is ready!"
Len: "Come on, Luna, let's eat."
They gathered at the dining table, where a feast of home-cooked dishes awaited them. As they ate, Len shared tales of his journey with Luna, recounting the adventures and sights they encountered on their way here.
After dinner, while they were relaxing in the cozy living room, Len turned to Luna with a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Tomorrow, we're going to the river. I've arranged for us to meet up with my childhood friend, Lana. I wonder how she's been doing."
Luna, intrigued by the prospect of meeting someone important from Len's past, nodded eagerly. "That sounds wonderful. I can't wait to meet her."