The Spectre

Chapter Twenty Six : A Peculiar Act

Sunday

Mom stayed at home today. Apparently, her headache since yesterday worsened and if it weren't for those painkillers she would've still insisted to come with my aunt to the spice shop. Those things sedated her and inhibited her to go to work and she's now upstairs sleeping in her room, groggy.

"Those painkillers could be given as needed if she still complains of headache. As of now, leave her be. Let her get some rest but make sure to check up on her from time to time. Could you do that, honey?" Aunt Ingrid asked me calmly and I nod. I can see the worry in her eyes, she really loves my mom and if it weren't for her shop that needs to be opened she would've stayed at home as well to take care of her sister. Before she left she even cooked us some lunch and instructed me to just heat it up later. I hugged and thanked my aunt as I walk her out of the house and watch her leave.

I ran upstairs to check on my mom and saw that she's peacefully asleep. I tucked her in and kissed her forehead before I went out of her room. I made sure her door is slightly opened so that I would hear her in case she would call for me and then took a stop in my room to get my electric guitar before I went back downstairs.

I was about to plug in my guitar to the amp in the living room when all of a sudden I hear the doorbell ring. I didn't hear my aunt's mini van pulling over so it's definitely not her. A smile played on my lips.

"GD.." I whispered as I stood up and walked hastily towards the door and opened it. His smiling face came into my view.

"Annyeong haseyo, Arya-ssi.." GD waved a hand at me.

"Hello, GD." I smile at him. "Come on in." We went towards the living room and sat down on the couch.

"You playin'?" He asked while looking on my guitar.

"Yup. But my mom's resting upstairs so we have to keep it low." I told him. I noticed he suddenly shifted on his seat and looked a bit alarmed.

"Y-Your mom's h-here?" GD stuttered.

"Yeah.." I answered. "Don't worry she won't be going down." Why does he look so anxious?

"Oh.. O-Okay.." He let out a soft chuckle.

"So, what do you want me to play?" I asked him smilingly.

"Uh--" GD was cut off with the sound of someone opening the door. He straightened up in his seat. It was my aunt, she must've left something so she went back.

"Aunt Ingrid!" I greeted her as I stood up.

"Arya darling, I forgot my--" She stopped mid-sentence as she sighted GD. He also stood up from his seat and all of a sudden he looked white as a sheet. He placed his hands inside his pants' back pockets and I noticed that he went uneasy as my aunt shot him a stern look. "..purse." She ended her sentence, her gaze still fixed on GD.

"That's what I thought." I giggled. Aunt Ingrid didn't stir and never removed her stare from GD. She breathed heavily and I thought I saw her clenched her jaw. "Uh.. Aunt.. He's GD by the way.. He's a friend.." I told her.

It took her a few seconds before she answered and finally looked at me then back at GD, "Oh, hi." She smiled. "I'm Ingrid, Arya's aunt, nice to meet you."

"N-Nice to meet you too, ma'am." GD stammered.

"Don't call me ma'am, Ingrid will do." My aunt told him and then turned to me. "Uh, Arya? Could you get my purse upstairs for me dear? My driver's licence is inside my purse and I couldn't drive without it. It's inside the top drawer of my dresser, you won't miss it." She told me smiling.

"Sure thing, Aunt Ingrid." I answered. "Wait here I'll be right back." I told GD before I ran upstairs.

It took me a minute to find my aunt's purse, it wasn't inside the top drawer of her dresser but on the bottommost part. I shook my head thinking she's a bit forgetful now. I ran back down and handed her the purse. I creased my eyebrows, the living room smelled of Sage.

"Is that Sage?" I asked her and sniffed a few times.

"Yes dear." My aunt told me smilingly. "Thanks for getting my purse." She kissed my cheek and I smiled at her.

I scanned the living room and noticed that GD is nowhere to be seen. "Where's GD?" I asked Aunt Ingrid.

"He left in a rush dear. He said he has to go back home."

I frowned. He didn't even wait for me to go back downstairs. "Oh, okay.." Was all I could ever say.

"How's Johanna?" My aunt asked me.

"She's still asleep, Aunt Ingrid."

"Good." She smiled at me, "I'll be leaving now. See you later." Aunt Ingrid planted a kiss on my cheek before going out. I hear the engine of the mini van came into life and the sound of it's wheels screeching as it left the driveway. I went out and waited on the front porch hoping GD would come back but an hour had passed and he didn't. I went inside and waited for another hour but still nothing. I sat on the couch thinking what could've happened to him and began worrying.

Is he afraid of my aunt? Afraid of meeting my family? I notice him get uneasy every time I tell him he could meet my mom and my aunt. And when he finally met one of them he suddenly took off. What's with meeting my family that makes him so uncomfortable? I suddenly feel a little bit upset right now. I couldn't help not to think of a reason why did he acted that way.

I sigh. I promised myself that the next time we see each other I'll definitely ask him all of the questions running in my head right now. It really bothers me and I hope he has a good excuse.