Chapter 9:

9

Wistful Dandelion


The door opens. The door closes.

After greeting Lila, I invite her into our home and lead her towards the study room.

On our way over, I can feel a strange sense of expectation wash over me. My normally calm demeanor is dyed with hint of anxiety and restlessness. A strange desire is beginning to build in my heart.

But before I can question these symptoms, I notice an abrupt stop to the sound of footsteps behind me.

"I see you still have the model of the globe I made you."

"Hmm?"

"I said, I see you still have the model of the globe I made you."

Halfway through the hallway, I turn around and see Lila looking at the table stand sitting at the corner of the room. At the top of the stand sits a wooden globe plastered with the known continents of the Earth. A swivel mechanism is attached at the top and bottom to allow the ball to be rotated at an angle. She spins the globe a few times, seeming satisfied of its operation.

"Of course, it's quite beautiful. I know you put a lot of effort into making it. I'm proud to show it here."

She returns a soft smile and gazes back at the globe. Strange that she's saying this now as this globe has been sitting in the same spot for a few years now.

"Yeah I remember how long it took to make. I'm just glad you still have it around. It was a very special moment for me."

"Special? Why?"

Her eyes match mine for a brief moment before responding.

"You'll understand one day."

She closes her eyes and brushes her hair out before walking ahead of me.

I spend a few seconds looking at the globe to see if there's something I've missed but it looks like the same old contraption it always has been.

A little while afterwards, I follow behind her.