clack clack

  In a dimly lit room, the sound of dishes being stacked filled the air. Two pairs of hands, old and young, both calm and careful, picking up the plates and bowls in which they had eaten their meals.

  "Here, let me wash them," the lady extended her hand toward the boy.

  "Let me help" he suggested.

  "Come along then," the old lady took the lead toward the kitchen, the boy quietly followed.

  "You can dry them" she instructed.

  She scrubbed the dishes handing them over to the boy who in turn ran them through water, washing off the soap and gently placed them in the drying stand. The scene was silent, neither of them taking any initiative to break it. As if the two were from different worlds even though standing right next to each other. It wasn't awkward, no, more like something that was normal between the two.

  [...] Morph's thoughts were jumbled as he re-visited through everything that had happened today. When he was rejected by his mother, it was as if there was nothing more he could do moving forward to improve his situation.

  Extent. The real question was: to what extent would it affect him? The thing was he could tell whatever the consequences, they were going to make his already terrible life harsher. He knew what was Geita was like, there was no way he would let this whole situation go.

  Morph sighed, subconsciously trying to go unnoticed by the other person in the room. [I don't want to think about it anymore.]

  Last night, when Morph was thinking of all the other things to calm himself down an idea flashed in his mind.

  Morph remembered that they were going to visit their maternal grandparents for vacation which was supposedly cancelled due to them having changed plans. It was clear there wasn’t much hope on the rest of his maternal side either, for many reasons. But on paternal side, there was enough hope. There was also the thing that his family rarely visited his paternal side of relatives, mostly because there were only three places to visit, one of which was impossible as they were just so far away, an entire ocean apart, and the other two lived so close that they lived in the same village, so could be visited in a single trip.

  There was also the thing where family not really liked visiting the paternal side of relatives, as father didn't like them much for various reasons. Though, there was not really any friction from the two relative's side, if possible, father's elder brother visited whenever he was passing through their city, staying for a very short time of course, he was a busy man. And then there was grandma, she liked where she was, she lived alone in house meant for than one, she lived alone even though her son, father's elder brother lived in the same village as her, a reason? Just because she liked quiet.

  It had been over a year since Morph and his family last visited her. At the time, he had thought of it as a good excuse. And honestly, it really was. A place far away from the city, away on a mountain, not only for reasons like the ones Morph specifically had, but it was also an ultimate spiritual retreat for any man fed up with the hustle and bustle of the city. Compared to city, which was like a maiden who breaks heart, this village was like a warmth which wants to give you peace.

  "We are done here." pulling Morph back to reality, the lady commented noticing her Grandchild in daze. Morph fumbled a bit, trying hard to collect himself as fast as he could, realizing his subconscious grip on the plate was so firm that, despite his trembling, it wouldn’t fall—a sensation that left a lingering, uneasy tingle in his hand.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "y..yes" he stuttered.

  Helle had noticed his peculiar state of mind as he dried the dishes, his face betraying the weight of his thoughts. She did not disturb him till she had finished her share of work, only breaking his rail of thoughts when there was something she had say.

  "It's time to sleep, so can you help me with bedding after you are done with that plate?" she asked.

  "Yes, yes of course." he stuttered again.

  "I will go ahead first then." she said, her voice carrying a sigh.

  Morph said as he saw her leaving, hastily drying the plate before following after her.

  Moments later, Morph finally arrived where he was going to sleep for the night, with his grandmother already arranging his necessities, a very familiar place.

  Books shelved, desk by window, a futon on tatami mats, everything resembled his room, only the sense of elegance differed. The books were older, vintage, covers made of what seemed to be leather, from the titles it seemed as if ancient knowledge was encased within the yellow pages. The furniture had a weary look, giving away its age, but also hinting at how reliable it had been for years.

  "I have kept your luggage over onto the middle shelf" she pointed out as Morph entered the room.

  "Ah, yes thank you" he replied still glancing around.

  "Are you going to take a bath before bed? A good dip is always a good option after long journey." she pointed out still with her back to him, seemingly arranging things on the desk.

  "That's true, I should." he contemplated again.

  "You can go ahead then, don't let the water lose it's warmth any further."

  "I will, thank you." he exited with his pajamas in hand.

  Downstairs, he was greeted by a big bath tub made of timber. Pleased, he got out of his clothes. Clumsily washing himself for a quick dip.

  Carefully he steps inside with one foot following after other, soon a pleasant sensation of warmth surrounded him as he lowered himself into the water. With only his head out of water, he slowly leaned back into one corner.

  [F**k, now that did it!] the warmth filled him with ecstasy, as if pumping new life into his body. Every inch of him submerged under water felt more relaxed as the time went by. The steam coming out hazed his vision, the faint smell of timber. All these elements enhanced the experience even more.

  [I fell kind of bitter,] he reminisced about everything that had brought him to this warm-heaven of tub for long time. Results were undeniably what he needed. [I feel like a coward, a pussy running tucking away his tail.] he frowned at the thought.

  step step

  He heard a pair of steps closing in, suddenly bursting his bubble of thought, snapping him back to reality. Just as he was going to react with anything, the door to bath slid open.

  "Morpheus, are you alright?" the old lady frowned a bit as she glanced at his shocked expression. A hint of worry in her tone.

  "I, I , I am?" Morph really stuttered hard on this one. His expression showing just how blank minded he was in the situation.

  "Are you going stay in longer?" she asked.

  "Yes?" He answered with whatever came to mind.

  "Are you sure? You might overheat staying in that long, I know you are young, but still." She said worryingly with an assertive tone.

  "Oh, umm, I should get out of here then, haha" he felt embarrassed extremely at that, but wasn't yet conscious of it.

  He stood up as is, and started moving toward the exit. Totally forgetting that at his age, teens get ashamed of appearing naked in front of other adults—especially women. But there he was going out of bathroom, without a hint off shame.

  Well, grandma didn't mind, she didn't care less. reminding him instead as he went out, "Dry your hair with the towel outside, and go to bed early."

  "Yes!" he responded, already being outside the bathroom. Following her instructions, drying up, putting on pajamas in hurry, going straight to bed without missing a beat.

  Laying down on his futon, ready to resume his line off thought from where he left off.

  [Such a coward...] Then suddenly, it hit him— remembering his casual show of manliness.

  [The f**k!!...why did I..? No, it's her fault...! You ignorant fool...! I'm her grandson but still...!]

  It was going to be a long night of embarrassment, self-shame, and self reflection.

  __ End of The Chapter __