Senior

“Nivea, why are you rushing to get up? I haven’t finished talking to you yet.”

“Ah, that’s... What do you mean Grandpa? Do you want me to sleep longer? What if I can’t open my eyes anymore?”

“That’s not what I meant stupid!“, Grandpa’s finger flicked Nivea’s forehead.

“Ouch! It hurts Grandpa. Well, can you tell me now what you want to tell me?”

“You are my poor granddaughter.”

“Poor how? Can you speak more clearly, Grandpa?”

“You were born as the reincarnation of the royal maid in that old painting. She died killing herself, because she loved a man too much to think of her.”

“So, are you saying that I will suffer the same fate as her in the future?”

“I don’t know! It’s just that I’ve heard that the mother of the royal maid cursed the man her son loved so much. The old woman with the sharps-mouthed old woman swore, if in the next life the man was reborn, the events will be reversed.”

“Upside down?”

“Yes, the old woman swore that in the future the man who will be crazy about her daughter.”

“Then Grandpa, what do you think will happen to my life then?”

Grandfather’s body slowly seemed to thin out, disappearing leaving a thin puff of smoke that slowly flew into the wind.

“Grandpa... Grandpa!!!” Nivea woke up with a gasp for breath. She got up and leaned on her cot. Patting her chest, her heart felt was racing strongly. One of her hands reached for the glass of water on her left side.

After drinking, she began to regulate the rhythm of her breathing. Again, her grandfather was present in her sleep. Nivea was getting more and more clueless, but she again tried to close her eyes because it was still dark outside.

A few hours later, Nivea’s mom and dad were sitting in their dining chairs, preparing to start breakfast.

“Good morning Father, Mother.”

“Good morning girl, sit down!” said her father.

“We thought you had left early this morning. It’s rare for you to join us for breakfast with us.”

“No, mom. I think I woke up a little late this morning.”

“Are you okay Nivea? Are you sick?”

“Ah, no Dad. I just... maybe I didn’t get enough sleep.”

“Hurry home after making the bread, you don’t need to stay all day at the shop.”

“No mom. I’m actually very happy if I can serve many customers.”

After finishing her breakfast this morning, Nivea and Seri immediately left for the shop. Doing her daily activities as usual.

On their journey this time, Nivea chose to be quiet and occasionally seemed to be closing her eyes, making her personal maid dare not open her mouth.

Once they arrived at the shop, Nivea painstakingly set to work making the bread dough. She seemed to be concentrating from the outside looking in, no one could knew that her mind was wandering.

“Why do you keep bothering me, Grandpa? What are you telling me about royal servant who died a silly death because of the man she loved? Does that matter important to me?” she wondered unspoken. Her gaze was still fixed on the container of bread dough in front of her. And her hands were still kneading every part of the dough that was starting to look smooth.

A few hours passed, and Nivea was done with her bread. She stood gracefully behind her bread display case. A man in a cowboy hat entered the shop.

The man politely took off his hat and then bowed slightly as he realized Nivea was there.

“Ah, Miss Nivea! How are you today?”

“Very bright, Mr. Rodrigues. Which bread would you like?”

“Two pieces of bread with chocolate jam inside.”

“Are you planning to sit here?” asked Nivea as she picked up the two loaves of bread with the help of the claw tool.

“No, miss. Please wrap them up. I bought them for a friend.”

“Ah, okay!”

“My friend really likes your bread.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I think you know him. He’s your senior in the third year.” while accepting the brown-colored bread wrapper handed over by Nivea.

“Ah, maybe I know him. There are many seniors there.”

“He’s the son of count Antonio.”

“Ah... Hahaha. Yes, I know him well enough.”

“Well, thank you miss. I’ll take my leave then.” the man again bowed before leaving Nivea’s presence.

Nivea was still pensive in her place. She seemed to be thinking of a senior Mr. Rodrigues was referring to. Not long after she woke up from her reverie, she stepped over to get a bottle of lemonade from her cupboard. And as usual, with just his bare hands he easily unscrewed the bottle’s that was still firmly closed.

If other people had to open the lid with the help of tools, but not with Nivea. Her hands had miraculous powers that were unknown to many people don’t know about. And she’s been aware of that ability since she was seven years old.

After pouring her lemonade into the glass, she immediately drank it.

“Miss, are you alright?” asked Seri who appeared from the direction of the kitchen.

“Hmm!”

“Ah, good afternoon, miss. Which bread would you like?” Seri turned her eyes to a girl in a green dress who approached the display case.

“I want bread... Ah, is that you Miss Nivea?” the eyes that were exploring the entire storefront finally caught sight of Nivea who was still standing with her back half turned to the bread display case.

With a smile, Nivea turned her body towards the girl.

“Let me do it.” she said softly to Seri so that Seri shifted and went back to the kitchen.

“Good afternoon Miss Martha. Are you going to sit here to enjoy our bread and lemonade?”

“Afternoon Miss Nivea. I wanted to take some bread home for me and my brother.”

Nivea rounded her eyes, her smile fading, “What’s wrong with Matias? Everyone wants to buy him bread today” she thought.

“My brother is not well, miss.”

“Huh, what? Ah, well. So, which bread would you like, Miss? Can Miss Martha hear what I’m saying silently? Ah, no no...” she moaned again.

Nivea’s hands deftly prepared the breads mentioned by Martha. She quickly wrapped them in a brown paper bag.

“Here’s your bread, miss.”

Martha paid after Nivea mentioned the total amount.

“Thank you, Miss Martha.”

“Yes, miss. You’re welcome. See you later.” with a smile Martha turned her body back towards the entrance of the store.

Nivea got up from behind her etalas, she stepped into the kitchen to look for her personal maid.

“Seri, let’s go home!”

“What? You want to go home now, miss?”

“How many times do I have to speak, Seri?”

“Ah, yes miss.”

Seri left the peanut butter she was making in the container on the table, in a table, with the code she asked the other workers for help to continue the work that she had to leave behind. Seri runs a little after her lady who had just stepped out of the shop.

“You look pale, miss.” she said as they sat facing each other in the in her carriage.

“Really? I think I... I don’t know, I just want to go home early and get som rest.”

“Isn’t that girl Count Antonio’s daughter?”

“Hmm. You’re right!”

“What did she say to you, miss? Did you suddenly want to go home because she said something?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying, miss.”

“Do I look like I’m lying, Seri? And why do you always want to know something from me?”

“Ah, no. I’m sorry, miss. I will try not to repeat it.”

On the way to her residence this afternoon, Nivea was silent as she looking at the side of the road through the small window on her right side.