Jean led Lilia up to the second floor. They followed a long, tortuous hallway until they finally reached the very end of the room. Jean then paused his step at the door to the room. The silence in the hallway felt heavy. None of the living nor the dead, they never want to stand in the same room like this.
Jean began to lose his nerve as he stared at the door to the room. Behind this door, the man he loved more than his own father was lying, waiting to die. The desire to turn around and run away from this place began to engulf him. He didn't want to see Uncle Hans when the man was weak and dying, because he knew that his heart wouldn't be able to bear it.
"Jean."
The moment Jean heard his name called out, he felt Lilia gently squeeze his hand. The man turned to his wife, and found her smiling soothingly. Feels like a fireflies found a light, That man hearing closely what does the light say.
"It's okay. I am here with you. You don't have to bear everything alone." Lilia said softly.
Jean didn't say anything, but he felt that his heart felt a little lighter after hearing that. A bit sigh, he breath a bit freely than before.
"Besides, wouldn't you be much more sorry if you didn't see him now?" Lilia gently pushed Jean's back.
The man's eyes widened at Lilia's words. Then he chuckled. "…You are right." Jean admitted with a faint smile.
Then he opened the door with one hand. As the door opened, a strong medicinal smell seeped out from the room. The two of them stepped into the room.
The room was dim, but the light from the small bedside lamp was enough to illuminate the room. The furniture in the room was very simple. There was only a king-size bed and a wooden table. On top of the bed laid an old man who was breathing with difficulty. Beside him, a middle aged man was waiting for the old man.
The middle aged man turned his head when he heard them enter. His eyes flashed with hope as he recognized Jean's figure.
"Young master, you are back!" Lauren greeted him with bright expression. He was the daughter of Uncle Hans who now had replaced his father as the butler. He turned back to his father who was lying weakly and said in a bitter voice, "I have been waiting for your arrival. I will leave the room first, please let me know if you need anything."
Lauren got up from his chair and walked past them. The middle-aged man didn't forget to nod politely at Lilia. When the woman smiled back at him, Lauren's breath seemed to get stuck in his throat. He struggled to hold back until he had closed the door behind him.
As soon as the door was closed, tears fell down the cheeks of the 50 year old man. Lauren knew that the biggest regret in his father's life was that he failed to find the little girl who helped Jean 14 years ago. But now Jean had found the little girl himself without their help. Lauren was relieved that his father could leave without regrets.
After Lauren left, Jean walked over to the bed. He called out in a soft voice, "Uncle Hans, I'm back."
Lilia stood behind Jean while peering over his shoulder. She was shocked when she saw an old man with thin cheeks and an emaciated body. Uncle Hans looked like a tree branch that could break in the breeze.
When Uncle Hans heard Jean's voice, he opened his eyes and blinked. It took the old man a long time to recognize the figure sitting beside his bed. When Uncle Hans realized that that figure was the young master he had been waiting for, the expression on his face turned a little more peaceful.
"Young… Master... Jean…" Uncle Hans's voice was so frail and weak that it was barely audible. However, the old man's eyes slowly began to shine as he stared at his favorite master.
"Uncle Hans, it's me." Jean said in a hoarse voice as he tried to hide his sadness.
Hearing the man's voice, Lilia gently squeezed Jean's shoulder. She couldn't imagine how Jean felt hearing Uncle Hans's voice so weak, as if the old man was on the verge of death.
Uncle Hans then slowly raised his emaciated hands. He opened and closed his mouth, but no sound came out. The old man looked like he wanted to say something to Jean.
The fourth son of the Widjaya Family leaned closer to him. He grasped the old man's skinny hand while listening carefully. Jean listened patiently to Uncle Hans's words.
Lilia stood silently behind Jean without saying anything. She just focused on watching Uncle Hans's lips, trying to catch what the old man was saying to Jean.
After Uncle Hans finished speaking, Jean straightened up. He spoke slowly so Uncle Hans could hear his words. "Uncle, I've found that little girl and also brought her here with me. You don't have to worry anymore,"
When Lilia heard Jean's answer, she finally understood what Uncle Hans was saying. Her heart ached and her tears began to pool. Even when the butler was dying, Uncle Hans did not stop worrying about the little girl. This was the first time Lilia had met someone so dedicated as Uncle Hans.
The old man's head slowly moved towards Lilia. He seemed to have realized that Lilia was the little girl that Jean had said. Uncle Hans extended a hand towards Lilia, calling her closer.
Lilia blinked her eyes repeatedly, wiping away her tears. Then she went to the side of the bed and took the old man's hand. His skin was covered with wrinkles and felt so brittle. Lilia was afraid that if she wasn't careful, she might injure him.
"Uncle Hans, my name is Lilia," she began to speak slowly and softly, as if she were talking to a child. "I am the little girl who called you. Thank you for listening to me at that time."
Uncle Hans's dry lips slowly lifted into a weak smile. Tears welled up in the corner of the man's eyes. Uncle Hans moved his lips silently again, trying to convey something to Lilia.
Lilia couldn't hear anything, but she could read his lips.
"Thank you."
'Thank you for helping the Young Master. Thank you for calling 14 years ago. Thank you for being willing to be beside Young Master. And please… love Young Master much more than me.'
There were so many things Uncle Hans wanted to convey to the young woman in front of him. But his strength was almost exhausted. He could only hope that these feelings would reach the young woman. Uncle Hans slowly closed his eyes with a satisfied smile on his face. He looked like a proud soldier who had accomplished his mission well.
*****
That afternoon, just as it was starting to rain, Uncle Hans closed his eyes forever. The sky seemed to be in mourning for the old man. Heavy rain flushed all over Surabaya, as if it was crying for his soul.
Even though they all knew that this was going to happen, his departure still made everyone sad. Not just the Widjaya Family, even the servants were grieving. Uncle Hans was not only a father figure to the Widjaya children, but also a good mentor to the other servants.
He would never be forgotten in their hearts.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eewebn(o)vel.com