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Chapter 16

Ezlan gazes around him as he drives slowly. Sometimes, he glances at his phone on the dashboard to make sure he is on the right track. Once he feels familiar with the road, he speeds up a bit. He takes a turn at the last corner before Lukas' house greets his sight. It is not like he had never gone to his uncle's house before. As far as he remembers, his family did come to his house two or three times in the past. But it is a rare occurrence because all their family members prefer to gather at his grandparents' house if they have any family business. That is why he does not really remember his uncles' and aunts' houses. In fact, he has to admit that he does not even know where most of them live.

Ezlan carefully enters the house yard and parks his car. He scans the area around the house as he gets out of his car. The house seems quiet. All the sounds that hit his eardrums are coming from the other houses in the neighbourhood. The feeling of anxiety begins to spark a little in his heart, worrying that he may be coming at an unsuitable time. Plus, it is the first time he goes to his far relative's house alone, without his parents. He hesitantly opens his steps to the front door as he continues scanning the area.

A car suddenly enters the house yard before Ezlan manages to reach for the door. He kills his steps right at that second and gazes at the car as it enters the garage and parks there. A sense of relief and gladness put out the spark of anxiety in his heart, knowing that it is just his uncle. He stands still at his spot, waiting for the owner of the house.

"Ha, Ezlan!" Lukas raises his hand a little as he walks out from the garage toward his nephew. Ezlan responds by doing the same thing and smiles. His gaze moves to the shopping bag in his uncle's left hand before returning to his face as he takes a few steps forward, closing the distance between them. "How're you doing?" Lukas holds out his hand to his nephew when he is only a few steps away from him.

"Good good, I'm good." Ezlan nods a little as he answers. He also holds out his hand, accepting the handshake from his uncle.

"How about your parents?"

"They're also fine. How about you and your family?"

"Oh, we're fine. Thank you for the concern." Lukas gives his nephew a wide smile together with his answer. Their exchange of greetings is then followed by a brief silence. Both of them are gazing around the neighbourhood as it becomes a bit louder and noisier than before.

"Where were you from just now?" Ezlan takes the initiative to break the silence. Lukas quickly brings his attention back to him.

"I just got back from the town, taking care of some business there. And your aunt asked me to shop for some groceries too while I was there." Lukas explains briefly as he shows a bag full of groceries in his hand. Ezlan glances at it for the second time. "What brings you here? You came here alone?" Lukas returns his gaze to his nephew.

"Yeah, I'm alone. I want to see Khaiser actually. There's something I want to talk to him about." Ezlan's chest finally feels less cramped after he tells his uncle about the reason for his presence.

"Oh, Khai is not here. He's at his rented house right now." Lukas replies. "Get in. Have some drink first." He forms a hand gesture to invite his nephew into his house.

"It's fine. No need to trouble yourself. Plus, I actually have a business to attend to. I planned to go there right after I met Khaiser." Ezlan politely declines the offer. He slowly steps toward his car and opens the door to the driver's seat.

"Oh, there's nothing we can do about that I guess. Maybe next time." Lukas understandably takes a few steps back from Ezlan's car. His eyes are still glued to his nephew.

"Sorry uncle, and thanks for the offer." Ezlan gets inside his car. "Oh, and please send my regards to Aunt Nadya as well." He voices out his final request before closing the door and carefully leaving the house yard. He honks to his uncle as a final greeting as he drives away.