Avoiding Someone

"Old man! What are you doing there?", asked Nivea who saw an old man from behind, with graying hair wearing a black pet hat. The mysterious man appeared to be sitting on a wooden chair, looking at a painting. But Nivea could not see the painting clearly, as it was partially obscured by the old man's body.

He finally turned his head and smiled broadly at Nivea.

"Oh my, Grandpa!"

"My poor grandson."

"Why are you saying that again Grandpa? And... That... That painting?", Nivea widened her eyes as she looked at the painting. Now Nivea could see it very clearly.

"It was this man who made the royal maid die, taking away her unrequited love until she died."

"But grandfather, it seems that I...."

"But in my opinion, this man is indeed handsome. Isn't that so, my grandson?"

"No! No Grandpa!!!!", Nivea shook her head. She was really surprised to hear the words spoken by her grandfather. She tried to dismiss it by denying the truth. Until finally the dream made her wake up at almost midnight.

Breathing heavily, Nivea moved to lean her back against the back of the bed.

"What time is it?", her eyes moved quickly to catch the large clock, which stood firmly in the corner by the window. "I slept too long.", he said when he realized it was eleven o'clock at night. He fell asleep after feeling unwell at four in the afternoon.

"Why didn't anyone wake me up? I woke up to a dream... What? That dream? Grandfather!", Nivea sighed after thinking back for a while about the face of the man in the worn-out painting her grandfather had shown her.

"I'm tired of your jokes, Grandpa! You make me look stupid. Tell me Grandfather, is it a joke or is it real? What should I do if I meet him? Tell me, Grandpa!"

Without realizing it, her eyes glazed over and tears began to seep down one cheek. With the back of her hand, the girl wiped them away. She reached for the glass of water on the nightstand. She returned to her sleeping position on her back after drinking it.

And until the bright morning finally came, Nivea stayed awake. She had slept too long before, and it made her unable to go back to sleep after having that confusing dream.

Nivea went about her morning normally, as usual. She also had breakfast with her parents.

"You're looking better, son."

"Yes, Mother. Your medicine worked wonders. And made me fall asleep quickly. In fact, very soundly."

"Did you wake up early, Nivea?"

"Yes Father. Even I woke up at eleven at night. And... I couldn't close my eyes again until morning."

"What?", both her parents were surprised at the same time.

"So, what did you do all night?"

Nivea shrugged her shoulders, "I read a few pages of a book, then got bored and lay back down. Stared at the ceiling of my room and yeah... thought about a lot of things. That's all."

"I should have woken you up in the evening.", said duke Eduardo.

"Your father looked into your room when he arrived home. But after seeing you sleeping so soundly, he couldn't bear to wake you up."

"Is that so, Father?", she asked with a spoiled grin.

"Hmm. I guess you were really unwell yesterday afternoon. So, your body demanded that you rest a little longer."

"But, we didn't expect you to wake up at almost midnight and do nothing.", her mother said.

"And now... are you really feeling better, Nivea? Wouldn't it be better if you... didn't go to the store today?"

"No Dad! I feel better already.", she replied with a smile.

"Ah, I see. Fine, have it your way."

---

Seri looked to the left side of the road and occasionally turned to her lady on the right. "Are you sure you're better, miss?"

"Hmm. Take it easy Seri! I won't give you a hard time."

"Ah, that's not it, miss. I never felt that you were giving me a hard time at all. It's just that I'm worried that if you're not well and force yourself to go to the store, your illness might get worse."

"I was just tired yesterday."

"Sorry miss, you shouldn't think too hard."

"Thank you for your concern, Seri. I really appreciate it."

Several hours of this day had passed. The hot afternoon sun did not dampen Nivea's spirit to continue serving her bakery customers to the best of her ability. In her sky-blue dress, she looked very bright. The curve in the corner of her lips that she creates several times when dealing with customers, makes her face look even more beautiful.

Until finally, as a female customer walked away, Nivea caught sight of the man in the gray suit walking towards her shop from afar. She, who was alone behind the ordering counter, quickly ran to the back and approached Seri there.

"Seri! If he's looking for me, tell him I didn't come here."

"Huh? Who's the lady?"

"Hurry up! You come forward now!"

Seri, who still did not seem to understand her lady's words, immediately stepped quickly behind the booking desk. Again, the girl was surprised to find Matias standing in front of her. Now she understood the meaning of Nivea's words.

"Ah, good afternoon, sir. Sorry I kept you waiting."

"No problem, miss! It seems... You're very busy in there."

"That's right, sir! Which bun would you like today?"

"Two buns with chocolate jam inside."

"Yes, sir! Would you like to sit here and order some lemonade?"

"No ma'am! Please just wrap the bread. Hmm... But, where is Miss Nivea? Is she really sick? She looked very pale yesterday."

"Miss is not coming today, sir. She is... in need of a good rest at home."

"Ah, alright. I understand. Could you... Would you convey my greetings to her?", while accepting the brown paper bag from Seri's hand.

"Of course, sir. I will convey it."

"And please tell her I wish her good health."

After paying Seri, the man hesitantly left the shop. He felt that there was something missing if he came to the shop without seeing the girl he liked there.

"I think... he's disappointed, miss."

"What did he say to you?"

"He asked if you were sick? Then I said you were just resting at home."

"Then?"

"He wanted me to extend my greetings to you and tell you that I hope... you're always in good health."

Nivea sighed.

"What's wrong, miss?"

"Ah, not Seri. Go back to helping David peel the fruit! I'll get back to serving customers.", she said flatly as she walked away leaving Seri stunned.

This time Nivea felt quite uneasy standing behind the ordering counter. She hoped and worried, what if the man she wanted to avoid came back again when she was off guard.