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 couldn't 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 grand daughter."

"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.

"This is the man who put the royal maid to death, carrying away his unrequited love to her death."

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

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

"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 woke 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've slept too long." she said when she realized it was eleven o'clock at night. She 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 recalling for the face of the man in the worn-out painting that her grandfather had shown her.

"I'm tired of your jokes, Grandpa! You make me look stupid. Tell Grandpa, 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 for too long before, and that 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, girl."

"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 o'clock at night. And I couldn't close my eyes again until morning."

"What?" both 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. Looked up 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 so sound asleep, he couldn't bear to wake you."

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

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

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

"And are you really feeling better now, Nivea? Isn't it it better if you don't go to the store today?"

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

"Ah, I see. Fine, you can do whatever you want."

***

Seri looked at 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 making things difficult for me. It's just that I'm worried that if you're not well and you force yourself to the shop, you 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 scorching midday sun did not Nivea's enthusiasm to continue serving her bakery's customers with the best she could. In her sky-blue dress, she looks absolutely radiant. The curl at the corner of her lips that she creates several times when dealing with customers, made her face look even more beautiful.

Until finally, as a female customer walked away from her shop, Nivea caught the gray-suited man walking towards her shop. She 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 him?"

"Quick! You come forward now!"

Seri, who still didn't seem to understand her lady's words, immediately stepped quickly behind the order desk. Again the girl was surprised, to find Matias already standing in front of her. Now she understood what Nivea's words.

"Ah, good afternoon, sir. I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

"No problem, miss! You seem to be 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 miss! 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 please convey my greetings to her?" as he accepted 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 to Seri, the man hesitantly left the shop. He felt that there was something missing, if he came to the shop without seeing the presence of 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 you are always in good health."

Nivea sighed.

"What's wrong, miss?"

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

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