SAVANNA
CHAPTER 24

"It's a pity, well, if a beautiful woman like this is really crazy".

The sudden sound that came along with the rain that stopped hitting my face made me realize. Suddenly I opened my eyes and found Luke's face right in front of me.

"L-luke?" My rebuke, while looking at him in shock then confirming my sitting position.

"Oh! Mercifully. He's not really crazy". Said Luke who was standing upright under the black umbrella he was holding.

"Hey!". My protest at his words.

"Are you going to sit like that?". She asked then while looking at me with a concerned face.

I rubbed my face full of water and then laughed crisply realizing the ridiculous act I had done. I feel like I've had enough of this in my own troubles and sorrows. I just need to move to let it all go.

I paused for a moment and looked back at Luke who was still loyal with his concerned expression.

Huh...

"Yeah!. I think I'll take someone's help this time". Answer me while smiling at him.

Hearing my response Luke immediately pulled me into his umbrella. I didn't refuse, I even laughed off his treatment. Some of the people who took shelter in the storefront, looked at us with decorated smiles on their faces. The situation felt funny and strange to me. Because unexpected and unthinkable people even appear to help.

I don't know... I just want to enjoy life better.

In the middle of our trip, Luke offered me to visit his house which was not far from the store. I accepted his offer. We went back together, I'm sure the jacket he's wearing right now must be wet because it sticks to my soaked shirt.

****

Well, and here we are. Right in front of Luke's porch. He let me in, but I refused. Until there was a debate between Luke who forced me to enter, and I who felt bad because it would dirty his house with a body and all wet shoes.

"Vana, don't refuse my help anymore, you'll get sick if you wear wet clothes like that". Luke half-screamed because of the louder sound of rain.

"I'm fine, it doesn't matter Luke!". Reply to me who was also half yelling at him.

Without warning, he dragged me into his house. I was surprised not to want to go into his dark house.

"Wait here, I'll turn on the lights". Said Luke closing the main door again due to the increasingly strong wind.

"alright". My end at last.

Clik.

The sound was heard, and a second later the lights in this house were lit. The light displays a warm impression with a very family home design. I was impressed the first time I saw Luke's house. USA house design style with pure materials from wood, but in it arranged with very attractive. When we enter this house, a set of soft sofas are immediately welcomed. On the right there is a dining table and also a kitchen complete with kitchen set equipment without any intermediaries or barriers that limit. On the left, there is a fireplace equipped with a red sofa and a dark green arm chair. On top of the fireplace is a photo of Luke's family which is quite large.

If we walk straight through this sofa, then there are two doors of the room that I guess is the bedroom. Between the rooms there is a staircase to the top floor which is also made of wood.

I am still standing in front of the main door, seemed to enter the homes of the people of the USA with a classic feel. Naturally, Luke is the real person there.

"Come on, put on my shirt. You can change your clothes in the guest room". Pinta Luke now approached me with a white knitted sweater and socks while pointing to one of the rooms to the left of the stairs.

"Thank Luke". I said sincerely and accepted the clothes he gave me.

****

Now I'm in the guest room that Luke meant. I went straight into the bathroom and took off all my clothes. A coldness came over my skin. My pores are open because of it. Immediately I turned on the hot water faucet and let the warmth wash over my body.

After I thought enough was enough, I dried my body with a towel and pulled the clothes Luke had given me.

A knitted sweater suit and black bokser pants that sag at my waist. Damnit.

Fortunately this sweater is quite long, dangling down to my thigh. I died and just wore the pink shirt and socks Luke had given me.

I came out of the room with wet clothes in my hand. Luke greeted me in the kitchen with two glasses of warm drink in his hand.

"Come". Take Luke to focus on the glass in his hand and walk through me.

"Mh... Luke, can I use the washing machine to dry my clothes?". I asked who followed him from behind.

Hearing my request, Luke placed his glass on the front desk of the fireplace and then turned towards me.

"certain sa... Woah".

Luke stopped his sentence and fell silent as he looked at me. He now looks to be researching my appearance, I feel embarrassed because of his behavior.

"You look beautiful". Luke is still staring at me.

"Hey! Stop bullshit, borrow me your washing machine". I reply to wake her up.

He also looks wrong and then leads me to a small room where the laundry is located.

"Let's get your clothes". Luke said as we arrived in the room.

"Let me just, I can use it anyway". Reply to me directly.

There's no way I let her see my underwear!.

"Well, okay". He then let me work on it.

"Come to the fireplace when you're done". He joined again and it passed

After Luke left, I turned on this washing machine and set it up for drying. This machine does its job.

I looked out the glass window inside the laundry room. The rain out there still looks like it's drenching the green grass in Luke's backyard. With the garden lights standing there made me a little able to see what was in the yard. Although not as big as the grandfather's yard, but still Luke has a fairly large backyard.

The nit! The nit!.

The sound of the washing machine stopped my daydream. I immediately took out the half-dry clothes and hung them on a small clothesline in this laundry room.

After I finished taking care of my clothes, I walked over to Luke who was arranging some wood into the fireplace. I stood at the armchair side while crossing my arms around my chest and looked at the very serious Luke with the woods.

"Need help?". Bargain me to him.

"No need, sit down sweet. Enjoy your coffee". Luke replied while throwing his smile.

I followed his advice and sat down on the couch pulling out the coffee Luke had made.

"Your homemade coffee is delicious". Praise me for sipping Luke's black coffee.

"My family is coffee lovers, so it's not impossible if it tastes good". Luke said with a crisp laugh.

The fireplace is now on, Luke is sitting next to me.

We were silent for a moment while watching the fire that began to burn the wood that had been arranged by Luke.

"Hm..." I enjoy the smell of coffee from the cup in my hand.

"I like the smell". Connect me again open our chat.

"Do I need to make you another cup?". Ask Luke to tease me.

"Can I just take it home?". I reply to serve him.

Luke responded with a loud laugh. I laughed because of it. After that, we went back to being quiet with each other.

"Ep... Do you need a blanket?". Luke asked now while glancing at my thighs that were half wrapped by the knitted clothes he had given me.

"No problem, your fireplace is warm enough". I reply while smiling at him.

Luke turned his eyes the other way. Is he ashamed?. Funny about him too.

"Oh yeah, where's your family?". I asked who had been curious while staring at their family photos.

"Weekend's dad and mom are visiting grandma's house in LA". Answer Luke who is now sipping his coffee.

"Oh! Why don't you come along?". Ask again.

"Well, I'm doing part-time work at a bookstore". Answer's relaxed.

"Hm... So that was it, you just got home from work?". Ask me again.

"Yes!. And a beautiful woman caught my attention, because of her maniacal behavior". Answer Luke who came back to taunt me.

"Hey! I'm not crazy. I'm just enjoying nature". My reply was original and was instead met with Luke's raised eyebrows.

He looked at me like I was crazy.

"Stop! I'm normal!". My bell while throwing her with the round pillow I was sitting on leaning back.

The pillow landed heavily on his face, making me laugh out loud.

"Yes! Yep! I know, but you don't have to throw me!". His grunt while returning the pillow to me.

After quite satisfied laughing, we also returned to dissolve into each other's minds. Every now and then I glanced at Luke who was looking straight into the fireplace. Is he thinking of something?.

"What makes you think of doing something like that?". Ask Luke then in a serious tone.

I glanced back at him with a worried feeling. Did he realize something?.

"Eitherway. I just want to do it". Answer me.

The words I said brought my memory back to Jacob. Did when he said the same thing, he also felt like this?. I still remember the look in his eyes and the answer this afternoon.

.

.

.

.

.

"Vana?!". Luke now shakes my body.

"W-uh! Yep! What's up?!". My reply was spontaneous as well as shocked by his treatment.

"You're imagining, huh?". Ask Luke later.

"Little". Answer me while I cry.

Luke is seen sighing heavily while confirming his sitting.

"I asked, are you and James okay?". Luke asked, which made me instantly silent.

Although my heart still hurts when I hear his name, I can understand. This is the life cycle. I can accept and live it.

"I'm not in touch with him anymore". Answer me with a heavy tone. Yes, it is not that easy to admit it to others.

Hearing my answer, Luke just kept quiet. It felt like time was moving slowly in the silence of both of us.

"sorry". Luke said after a few minutes of silence.

"What's wrong. Humans can change at any time, Luke". Reply to me while smiling blankly towards her.

He replied with a wry smile and then got up from his seat.

"Well, you're right. Are you hungry?". Ask her who looks excited.

I know Luke's trying to change the subject. I who was feeling quite hungry then responded to her question with a nod while smiling shyly.

Well, to be honest, I feel a little relieved to finally be able to reveal that wound to someone else.

Hm...

Looks like I was wrong. Luke is no other. He's my friend. At that time he offered me a ride, just that my eyes were too closed by James, to not see Luke's kindness. It's a pity, I just realized it now. There are still friends around me who care.

Again unconsciously, a smile was engraved on my face. Whether Luke saw it or not, but he just left without saying another word.

- April Cn