EDEN'S POV
I followed Grandma Mary, and we went to one stall.
"Two khashini, please." Grandma Mary spoke to the male vendor, who looked to be in his late 30s with an average face, brownish skin, black hair, and black eyes.
"For here or takeout?" He asked.
"Here."
Hearing Grandma Mary's words, he took out two plates and served us. After serving us, he asked again.
"Which sauce?"
"Sweet sauce," Grandma Mary responded.
"Don't put sauce in mine," I also responded.
I don't really like sauce. Unless the food makes me want to eat sauce with it.
Yeah, it does sound weird. But I don't know. It just happens, and I know if I need sauce or not with the food.
The Khasini arrived, and we sat on the wooden bench placed near the stall to eat.
'Delicious.'
Khasini was really delicious. It was made up of boiled mashed potatoes, which were filled in a cone-shaped structure made of flour after adding spices, onion, and chili. After the cone-shaped structure was filled with the filling made with mashed potatoes. It was then deep-fried in the oil and was ready to eat.
After eating it. I said to Grandma Mary.
"We should get it for takeout too."
"Of course, we will." She said to me before turning to the vendor.
"4 for takeout too."
"Okay."
The vendor replied to us before preparing the takeout.
After taking the packed takeout. Grandma Mary asked the vendor.
"How much?"
"60 Solari."
After making the payment. In which Grandma Mary gave the vendor a 100 solari note and received 40 solari back. We left the stall.
But... we didn't go back home. Instead, we wandered from place to place, eating one thing after another.
With a laugh, a big smile, and sometimes a teasing tone, Grandma Mary kept on with her adventure while dragging me with her.
But I didn't hate it. Eating and spending time with Grandma Mary was quite enjoyable.
...
"I am full." Grandma Mary muttered with a satisfying smile while rubbing her stomach.
"Me too."
"If you want, you can eat more, you know." She said, glancing at me.
"No, no, I am already full," I said, shaking my head. "I don't think there's even anyplace left for dinner. And we also have taken so much takeout."
"Ok then," She said with a smile, while latching onto my arm, as we started to stroll towards our next destination—home.
As we continued to walk, after a few moments, a voice suddenly came, causing us to stop.
"Eden!"
Turning towards the voice, I found a boy around my age with a height of around 5'10, average looks, and an average build, with brown eyes and black hair.
He was walking towards me, hurriedly, with a surprised expression etched on his face.
And I knew the boy. He was my friend, or may I say the friend of the previous Eden—Jonas Baker. The son of the most famous and rich merchant in the village.
Approaching me, he grabbed my shoulders and started to throw a barrage of questions while shaking my whole body.
"Are you okay? When did you wake up? Why didn't you call? You should have at least told me. Did you know how worried I was about you? Did you—"
"Hahaha... At least let him answer." Grandma Mary chuckled, stopping the barrage of questions sent by this guy. "And you should look at him... I don't think your shaking is helping."
Only after Grandma Mary pointed it out did this guy stop.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. Are you okay? I am sorry, it's just—"
"It's okay. I am fine," I muttered, even though my vision was shaking and jumping from one place to another.
"Sorry." He once again apologized.
"It's okay. I am fine, really."
"Hehe," Grandma Mary giggled a little from the side.
"You have quite a good friend."
"Ah, yeah," I said awkwardly, while rubbing the back of my head.
While Jonas thanked her.
"Thanks."
Grandma Mary smiled and turned towards me.
"Give me the bag, and I will go home. You go and talk with your friend. He is quite worried about you."
"It's heavy, and you already have one bag with you. I should at least carry it home."
"What do you take me for? I am an awakened brat. Stronger than you."
'I am awakened, too, Grandma.' I thought while listening to her scolding.
"So, stop worrying about pointless things and go talk with your friend."
"Hm, okay," I said with a smile while handing her the bag. I already knew she was not going to take no for an answer.
After handing her the bag, I kissed her on her lips.
"Chu...!"
"Okay, bye."
"This kid."
...
"Let's go," I said, turning to glance at Jonas.
"Uh? Yeah," He said, coming out of his stupor.
"So, are others coming, or are you going to call them?"
"Huh! Yeah, they are coming." He muttered. "You feel different. I mean, you have changed."
"Huh! What do you mean?"
'I am not even the same person. So, of course, I have changed.'
"Well... you just kissed your grandma."
"Oh, that. It's nothing." I shook my hand. "I was hurting my family. So, I thought I should change a little. They love me so much. It's the least I can do."
"That's good."
"Hm."
I hummed in response, after which we both stopped talking. Turning the whole situation awkward. And I knew damn well that I was the problem.
I wanted to throw this awkwardness and turn this situation around. But I didn't know what to say. Yeah, I was not that good in the socializing department. So, I didn't say anything, making the awkwardness stay.
While awkwardness stayed, we kept walking towards the field part of the village. Where all of us used to meet.
However, Jonas couldn't stand the awkwardness, so he spoke up.
"How are you feeling now?"
"As you can see. I am in one piece and walking and talking fine. So you can say, I am fine now." I replied, glancing at him.
"That's good to hear." He said with a smile. After which, our conversation once more died down.
Sensing the upcoming awkwardness, I turned my face towards him to say something. But he beat me and asked with a slight hesitation.
"When did you wake up?"
"Just a few days ago," I replied, turning my gaze forward.
Hearing my answer, he stopped and stared at me.
The sudden silence of his footsteps made me stop as well. I turned toward him, confused.
"What's u—"
But before I could finish my words, he spoke up, cutting in.
"Why didn't you call any of us? Did you know how worried we were?"