A Face that launched a thousand ships

Part 2

part 2

Maria told him to take a bath first to freshen himself before they would eat lunch. She had prepared the bath for him then made her way back to the kitchen. Antonio took the offer and also took his time in scrubbing his body thoroughly. He had been out in the forest for quite some time. He was only able to bathe in rivers and other bodies of water he stumbled upon.

After a few minutes, he came out of the bathroom wearing a white polo shirt and brown pants that was matched by a pair of black boots reaching just below his knee. His hair was dripping wet and his polo shirt was half unbuttoned. He dried his hair with the towel he brought with him then went straight down to where Maria was.

"Oh! You're done." She smiled at him as she prepared the table for lunch. She was carrying a tray of plates and dining utensils. Antonio noticed this and walked beside the girl. "Let me help you with that." He offered.

"N-No need! I can manage!" Maria insisted thinking it rude for a guest to do her chores.

"I insist! It is the only thing I can do to repay your kindness."Antonio smiled reassuringly making the girl frown a bit and give in to his demand. She handed the tray to the man then helped him set the table.

He glanced at her as they were both preparing the table. "Maria?" he began.

"Yes?" Maria faced him with a beaming smile.

"What did you and Spratly mean by that 'I missed you'? I mean, did you leave him for quite a while?" he asked curiously. She chuckled hearing his question.

"Spratly went on a month's vacation at out Aunt's house in the capital. He just returned this morning." She replied calmly. Antonio nodded in understanding. "Sorry if I sound like someone intruding your personal life even though we just met."

"Oh!" she looked at the man then shook her head, "No, it's fine, really. So, where did you come from Antonio?" His eyes widened at the question. "W-Well..." he started nervously, "it's somewhere really far. I think you don't really know the place."

"Come on, please tell me? I'll look for it in the map!" she joked.

"W-Well... uh... it's—"his reply was cut short when an old woman's voice sounded from the kitchen.

"Maria! Maria, dear, please go get Spratly so we can eat." The old woman commanded through the kitchen. The girl answered with a loud yes then went out to where the little boy was—at the garden.

Antonio watched as she went outside to call for the little boy. He wondered if this was their daily routine. He prepared the table for dinner then went into the kitchen after that. As he passed through the door of the kitchen, he saw an old four-eyed woman with greying hair and hunched back. She wore a plain old woman dress with a pink apron on top. The old woman turned around and saw the man standing behind her. Her chapped lips pulled up into a smile as her dark brown eyes lay on the green orbs of the man opposite to hers.

"You must be Antonio, Maria's new friend." She began, wiping her hands on her apron. Antonio nodded and smiled politely, "Yes, I am Antonio. You must be her grandmother." The old woman smiled, "Yes, please call me Corazon." She removed her apron and placed it on a hanger. "May I ask a favour of you? If it's alright, that is." Antonio walked towards the pot of hot soup.