The sun was shining brightly as I walked through the village, heading towards Zed's house. My heart raced with excitement. Zed had invited me over, and I was eager to see where he lived. I had heard stories about his family's luxurious home, and I couldn't wait to experience it for myself.
As I approached Zed's house, I was taken aback by its size and grandeur. The large, two-story building was made of stone and wood, with beautifully carved doors and large windows that sparkled in the sunlight. A neatly kept garden surrounded the house, filled with colorful flowers and manicured shrubs.
"Wow, Zed, your house is amazing!" I exclaimed as I reached the front gate.
Grinning, Zed opened the gate and waved me inside. "Thanks, Keyn! Come on in. There's so much to show you."
The inside of Zed's house was even more impressive. The floors were polished wood, and the walls were adorned with paintings and tapestries. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, and soft light streamed in through the large windows.
A butler greeted us at the door, bowing slightly. "Good afternoon, Master Zed. Welcome, Master Keyn."
"Hello," I said shyly, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the formality.
"This is Mr. Harlan, our butler. He helps us with everything," Zed explained, leading me further into the house. "And there are also maids who take care of the cleaning and cooking."
* * *
Zed showed me around, and I marveled at everything I saw. The dining room had a long table with elegant chairs, and the kitchen was filled with delicious smells. We passed by several rooms, each more beautiful than the last, until we reached Zed's favorite place—the playroom.
The playroom was filled with toys, books, and games. There were shelves lined with colorful toys and a large, soft rug in the center where we could play.
"Do you want to play hide and seek?" Zed asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Sure! That sounds fun," I replied, feeling more at ease.
We decided that Zed would hide first, and I would count to twenty. I closed my eyes and began counting, listening to the sound of Zed's footsteps as he ran off to find a hiding spot.
"One, two, three...," I counted, my anticipation growing with each number. "Nineteen, twenty. Ready or not, here I come!"
I opened my eyes and started searching. The house was full of hiding places, making the game even more exciting. I checked behind the curtains, under the tables, and in the closets, but Zed was nowhere to be found.
As I searched, I couldn't help but notice the luxurious details of the house. The soft carpets under my feet, the beautifully crafted furniture, and the ornate decorations all made me feel like I was in a different world.
"Zed's house is so different from mine. It's like a castle!" I thought to myself.
Finally, I heard a faint giggle coming from behind a large armchair in the sitting room. I quietly approached and jumped out with a shout.
"Found you, Zed!"
Laughing, Zed emerged from his hiding spot. "You got me! Now it's your turn to hide."
We played several rounds of hide and seek, each time discovering new parts of the house. I hid in a large wardrobe, behind thick velvet curtains, and even under a grand piano. Each hiding spot was more exciting than the last.
* * *
After playing, Zed led me to the kitchen where the maids had prepared a special treat for us—freshly baked cookies and cold milk. We sat at the large kitchen table, enjoying our snack and chatting about our favorite games and adventures.
"Thanks for inviting me over, Zed. I had so much fun," I said, munching on a cookie.
"Me too, Keyn. I'm glad you came. Let's do this more often," he replied with a smile.
As the sun began to set, it was time for me to head home. Zed and I promised to play together again soon, and I left with a heart full of new experiences and a deeper friendship.
* * *
The next day, I couldn't stop thinking about the fun I had at Zed's house. I told Mama and Papa all about it, describing every detail of the luxurious rooms and the exciting games we played.
"It sounds like you had a wonderful time, Keyn," Mama said, smiling as she listened. "I'm glad you and Zed are such good friends."
"Me too, Mama. His house is like a castle, and he has so many interesting things. But you know what? The best part was just spending time with him."
Papa nodded in agreement. "That's the most important thing, Keyn. It's not about the luxuries or the fancy things. It's about the friendships and the memories you create together."
"I understand, Papa. And I want to invite Zed to our house next time. I want him to see how we live and play here."
"That's a great idea, Keyn," Mama said, her eyes twinkling with approval. "I'm sure Zed will enjoy spending time here just as much as you enjoyed visiting his home."
* * *
A few days later, Zed came over to our house for the first time. I was a little nervous, wondering if he would like our simple cottage compared to his grand home. But Zed's excitement put me at ease.
"Wow, Keyn! Your house is so cozy and welcoming," Zed said as he stepped inside.
"Thanks, Zed. Let me show you around," I replied, feeling proud of our home.
I gave Zed a tour of our cottage, showing him the living room with its warm fireplace, the kitchen where Mama cooked delicious meals, and my small bedroom filled with my favorite books and toys. We also went outside to explore our garden, where Mama grew herbs and vegetables.
"Your garden is amazing, Keyn. We don't have anything like this at my house," Zed said, admiring the plants.
"Mama takes care of it. She taught me a lot about growing plants and making herbal remedies," I explained.
"That's so cool. Maybe she can teach me some things too," Zed said eagerly.
We spent the rest of the day playing outside, climbing trees, and exploring the forest edge. It was a simple, yet magical day filled with laughter and adventure.
As the sun began to set, we sat on the porch, watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink.
"Today was amazing, Keyn. Thanks for inviting me," Zed said, a smile spreading across his face.
"I'm glad you had fun, Zed. Let's make a promise to always explore and have adventures together, no matter where we are," I said, holding out my hand.