A Trip Down Memory Lane

Chapter Eighteen: Trustkeeper

Pyxis International Airport

POV: Ziegfried

*insert Airport noises here*

It's Uncle Nikolai's departure to Japan. I supposedly in the school right know, since today is Wednesday but he requested me to skip class just for today to accompany Nika. Uncle John is with us also.

We are currently in the airport's waiting area. Uncle Nikolai and Nika are making the most of their time together. They are talking casually but I can feel Nika is resisting being emotional.

After a few minutes, we heard a paging tone, "Attention all passengers of Flight 0424 going to Tokyo, please proceed to the 'Departure Area'....."

Nika burst into tears. Uncle Nikolai started to say goodbye to us. He hugged Uncle John first, next is me and then to Nika, the longest. When we hugged, he said to me, "It's up to you now."

Flashback // Garden

"Ah lastly Zieg, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it Uncle?"

"I'm going to Japan next week and probably stay there for almost a year. I want you to keep on eye Nika. Would you be my eye here while I'm away?"

"Is Nika aware of this?"

"Not yet. This will be the first time that we will be separated for a long period of time. I want to make sure that she's okay every day."

"If you're worried uncle, why not go there with Nika?"

"You don't know how much I want to bring her with me but I can't as of now. There will be a long process."

"It's okay to me uncle, but why me? You can ask Suzette too."

"Since you are classmates and spend most of the time together, I think you are the most appropriate to this task. Oh by the way, I am asking too much from you?"

"No. Not really uncle. I think I can do that."

"Oh really? Thanks! I know I can count on you even though we've just met."

"Thanks for the trust uncle." I said and smile at him.

Another flashback // Basketball court.

"Are there boys in your school that are trying to woo Nika?" Uncle Nikolai asked me from out-of-nowhere. We were playing basketball, by the way.

I paused, "I think so. I think there are."

"You know, I will never prohibit Nika to fall in love. If there is someone who makes her fall in love, it's okay to me. But he must pass my standards. As a father, I want the BEST for my daughter. Therefore, keep an eye also to those who try. Provide me some personal background of them. And if they're just toying with her heart, ha, I will be their worst enemy."

"You are sure scary uncle."

"Do I? Hahaha!" He paused for a while and asked me, "Hmmm... Let me ask you again. Are you also trying to hit on my daughter? If so, for sure you have an advantage to me."

"Thank you Uncle! But I never dreamed to have a scary father-in-law."

"Wait, what did you say? HOW DARE YOU!" He then drive and shoved me going to the basket for a lay-up.

Earlier // Airport.

I came out from the restroom when Uncle Nikolai approached me. I'm surprised because the last thing I know, he's with Nika.

"Zieg, you have a moment?"

"I always have Uncle, what is it?"

He touched my left shoulder, "Please take good care of Annika huh?" I saw him resisting to cry. "I'm sorry if I keep on saying this to you. Since she's the only one left to me, leaving her is very hard for me. And besides, I want to make sure that she's okay all the time. Am I annoying to you now?"

"No uncle. You'd never be. I deeply understand you."

"Protect her always huh. But I'm warning you. If I learned that you are the main reason that Annika got hurt, physically or emotionally, I will never forgive you."

"No worries uncle. She's gonna be okay with us. I think she's one of the toughest girls I met."

---xxxxx---

We finally arrived at their home. It's been two hours since Uncle left but I deeply missed him now. I keep on asking Nika if she's okay. She always said yes, but I doubt that it's not. I never saw her that down before.

I know the feeling because Mom is working abroad. It will take some time.

They also invited me to have a dinner with them. After that, I approached Nika,who is sitting in the garden. "If you have something you want to talk about, just let me know."

"Ah thanks. But as of now, I think I have nothing to say."

"I see. Just so you know, don't think that you're alone now. You have us." I said to her, reassuring her and then I tapped her back.

"Yea, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, thank you."

I was about to leave when Suzy asked me, "Hey Zieg. I'm prepared for tomorrow. How about you?"

"Huh? What will happen tomorrow?"

"Seriously? It's our 'team-building'! Don't tell me you're not ready."

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot. Do I have to go?"

"Yes of course! I'm gonna kill you if you're not coming."

"Okay, okay. Chill. I'll try."

I was about to go outside when she grabbed my right arm, "Don't try. Just do it!"