Age Is Just a Number (MileTa)

13- Friends Again?!

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I lost in my train of thoughts.

"Nong Ta.."

"Huh?! Yeah..."

A moment in silence.

"How are you?"

"I'm... Good. Why are you standing? Please have a seat."

"You're really a grown up now. How was your life back there? I haven't heard from you.. for all these years."

He said the last sentence slowly. I don't know how to respond to his questions. After all our farewell ended awkwardly.

"About that.. I.."

"I'm glad that you came back."

"You're glad?"

"Of course. So how was your instrument practice? I think you learnt a lot."

I don't know if he still remembered whatever just happened. But from his attempt to carry this conversation makes me realize that he's trying his best to remove the awkwardness between us.

Though it's me who's still not comfortable around him yet.

"Actually.. P'Mile.. I.. forgot how to play musical instruments. I didn't get time to practice. If I get time now then I'll continue again."

I lowered my head. Well I remember some but forgot most of the part.

I didn't like to play without him beside me. For my nonchalance I forgot it.

"Oh.. no worries.. if you try again you'll be an expert in no time. You're a quick learner... I think you should freshened up. You had a long journey. After you done come to have dinner with us."

"Sure."

He smiled. He was about to leave but turned again.

"Oh.. I forgot.. here is your gift.. since it's a reunion after a long time."

He handed me a small box of chocolate. The one I always loved to receive from him in our every encounter. He didn't forget.

And I'm totally speechless.

"Don't be late for dinner. Ok."

I nodded.

Hugh! I take a long bath to relax. Then dressed up.

My heart starts beating in an uneven rhythm as soon as I entered P'Mile's house.

Barcode and Fen are here. P'Mile is also the one who knows about their relationship. So my cousin gets good treatment from him.

I'm feeling nervous. Never did this ever happen when I was around P'Mile but what now.

As we take our respective places he served the food. I'm setting next to him. This is making me more nervous.

Somehow the dinner went well along with some talks in which I was the main topic.

The food was good. I can't believe he can cook this well. I heard from Code the he learnt cooking. I won't deny that I wanted to taste his dishes. But it's far more better than I expected.

It's time for dessert. Ice cream!

I'm really feeling much better. Nan already slept so P'Mile took him upstairs.

"Ta.. I think you should go and talk with uncle more. You still seems so nervous around him." Code snaps me out.

"Isn't it obvious? I don't know how to start a conversation after whatever happened years ago and we haven't talk for so long."

"What happened is already passed. I don't think uncle Mile really cares about that because you were too young back then. Even his life also changed a lot during these years. You can't just overthink about that past matter. Go and try to start a new." Fen is trying to convince me.

Actually he is right. P'Mile doesn't count my confession because I was indeed young back then.

They plaged me until I agreed to go to upstairs. I took deep breaths then made my way.

I knocked the door.

"Come in!"

I entered. My pulse is rapid.

"Oh.. Nong Ta.. come here.."

He's standing at the balcony with a glass of whiskey. Nan is sleeping in bed.

I took a glance around his room. It's perfectly arranged still Nan's toys are around. There's no picture of his wife but his picture with little Nan hanging on the walls. Surprisingly there's also some picture of him, Code and mine!

This is from the camping we had years ago. He's keeping my photo in his room walls!

"What are you looking at?"

"Huh! Nothing.."

I walked towards him then stood next to him. I can feel his stare at me.

"P'Mile.."

"Yes.."

"Thanks for the dinner."

"You no need to be formal. You can come and eat with us anytime you want. I think I can get along with my dearest fan again just like old times. Nong Ta. This name is still a bit childish for a grown up man. Hehe.. what should I call you?"

"You can call me that.. I won't mind."

"Humm.."

"P'Mile.. why did you stop playing music and your acting?"

"The same reason you stop learning music."

"I... Don't understand.."

"Hehe.. things changed a lot during these past years. I also don't get time for myself because it belongs to my son. I need to grow him. Even my parents wanted me to handle our family business. But I don't regret it as I followed my passion for a long time and most importantly got a heart dying fan, Nong Ta. And I don't think people would love to listen to an old man. It's worth leaving that passion to pass the next days of my life to spend with my close ones."

"Come on.. you're not an old man."

"Hehe..."

I looked up at his face. Now I can see his face more clearly without any hesitation. I caught some glances within these hours but now I can observe every details on his face.

His eyes are restless. His face has a touch of mare sadness with two or three wrinkles around his eyes. But still his charm hasn't fade away. He's as handsome as before.

"Thanks for coming back, Nong Ta. After a long time I get to talk freely."

"Thanks to you.. that you consider me as your close one."

"Are we good?"

"Yes.."

"Good as friends again?"

Friends?! Really?! Are we really becoming friends?!

"I think so."

He smiles at me. I'm still speechless. Finally I'm relaxed around him. Around my closest one.

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