The Backpacker's Dream

14. The Comfort Date.

We were still standing in the retail store.

I was looking at him without blinking my eyes and thinking about what should I do next.

So, I did what was deemed appropriate in this situation.

'Hi, I am Scarlett, nice to meet you.' And I tried to chest-bump him.

He quickly moved back and kept both of his hands on his chest as a mark of protection.

'Ahaaaa, don't worry. That's how people do it in cities.' I definitely lied to protect my embarrassment.

Why would I even thought to chest bump him?

Someone, please dig my grave.

He meekly nodded. 'Hi, I am Matt and you have already heard of it.' I smiled.

'Well then, what's with this Romeo and Juliet love story?'

'My grandma passed away 10 years ago and he has been lonely since then but Margaret is Hulk size in love with my grandpa and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Isn't that sweet?'

'So, what's stopping these two lovers?' I was getting curious.

'My grandpa is a stubborn man. I know he adores Margret but he won't admit it.' He took a deep breath. 'Maybe he is just afraid to fall in love again.'

Both Matt and I left the retail shop and by the time we left, sky was a different shade of orange. It felt like both the earth and sky had become one. The oats field was a blanket of gold complimenting the stage of twilight.

I was confused about where to go when I saw that both Margret and Matt's grandfather were walking in our direction.

Margret quickly came towards me and hugged me. 'Sweetie, where are you going? I will take you home.'

'Actually Margret, Scarlett and I have planned to go later this evening.' Matt jumped in between.

I looked at him quizzically and Margret and grandpa looked at us weirdly because certainly, we were not even this close to hang out in the evening.

But then suddenly my light bulb awakened and I knew what he was planning.

'Oh yes, ma'am. He will drop me to your home once our "date" gets over.' He gave me a deadly stare on that.

Oops.

'I mean eatable dates. They are good for health. Isn't that right Matt?'

'Right.'

And we both gave nervous laugh to both of them, standing there looking like dumb jokers.

'Okay, come home quickly and call me Margret, darling. No formalities.'

She tried to interlock her fingers with grandpa but he quickly brushed it away. But she didn't give up and gave a sweet peck on his cheek right in front of us. He pretended to be shocked but his lips smirked a tiniest little bit.

Such a naughty grandpa.

Matt took me to a café and we both ordered cold coffee. I also ordered fries, double cheese pizza since I was hungry as hell.

'I know, I know you must be worried that I might be thinking that this is our date and why in hell I am ordering so much but don't worry I will pay for my food.'

'Believe me, that is least of my worries BUT..'

Again that but.

'We will talk about the date but of my grandpa and Margret. I think this is the high time to have their fairy tale beginning.'