Chapter 158 - The Tears of A Mother (1) (1/2)

(Tom's PoV)

Rama noticed the way I looked at him. He must have found that I acted a bit weird. ”Why are you looking at me like that?”

I blinked my eyes and returned to my usual state. Chewing a piece of potato fries in my mouth, I shook my head. ”I'm just trying to look if there's something bad sticking to you.”

”What bad? What is it? Can't you speak clearly?” Rama looked at me in horror.

”Have you ever heard that those who experienced near death could see those who don't belong to this world? Ghost, I mean.” I asked casually, but with a hint of seriousness in my voice. Rama didn't reply but he looked as if he was ready to listen to whatever I was about to tell him. ”I can see them now.”

Rama was stunned. He only looked surprised, but he didn't deny it. I guessed he really changed from Rama back then who was so brave and didn't believe in ghost, to someone who even felt scared at the mentioning of ghost. There must be something that changed his mind. Was it because of his son's death?

”I believe you.” He said as soon as the surprised expression was erased from his face.

I arched my eyebrows. That fast? Even though I knew he must have some beliefs about ghost, I didn't think he would easily believe my words.

”Do you want to come to my house?” He asked carefully. He might not say it out loud, that he wanted me to see if there's something wrong with his house, but I knew what he wanted.

So, was I playing as an exorcist? I had never portrayed myself as an exorcist or ghostbuster before and I had not thought to do so in the future. This ability to see ghost and to fight them were not something that I wanted to use as future occupation.

But, I wouldn't refuse this invitation. The sooner I cleared up my mind about the thing that tickled my instinct, the better and the faster I went home to pack up.

”If it's okay with you.” I shrugged.

”Why would it be not okay?” He smiled. ”Come on, my mother will be happy to see you, too. You know she is always favor you more than me as her own child.”

I laughed. Indeed, his mother was sweet. Rama used to complain that I was her own biological child and not him, which earned him a loud smack in his back. It was such a good day.

After paying for our food and saying goodbye to the owner, we left for Rama's house. Both Rama and Nita came from a well-off family. Combined with how the both of them also had a well-paid job, I didn't think they would live poorly. Seeing their house I was sure that these two lived their life pretty well.

Their house was a pretty big and beautiful. It seemed that Rama's mother lived with them ever since his father passed away; it happened before I got into that accident. Knowing her mother, I was sure she was an understanding lady who would not interfere with her son's household. She might even like Nita and treat her like her own daughter. She lived in the first floor of their house since it would be tiring for her to walk up and down the stairs.

True to what Rama said, his mother welcomed me with a big hug. She even cried and repeatedly expressed her grattiture towards God that I was alive. She was practically like my mother when she knew I was alive. She even checked if I was hurt somewhere, but after she saw my healthy body, her tears turned into laugh.

”Seeing you this robust and handsome, I can finally feel relieved. I should stop crying, lest it spoils this happy moment. Come, come, come inside.” Rama's mother pulled me along with her. ”Have you eaten? How about having lunch here?” She asked excitedly.

”I've eaten, aunty, thank you.” I refused her invitation politely.

”Well, it's too bad, since I made some sour broth and crispy fried tempeh with chili sauce, I remember them to be your favorite.”

Ah, I was nearly salivating. Only at the mention of those food could make me almost drooling. Those were some really easy to make food, traditional ones, but I liked them so much I could eat them every day. The fresh and sour sensation of the broth, combined with the soft texture of fish, could make me forget about my surroundings. The crispy and salty taste of tempeh and the spiciness of the chili sauce would complete the sensation in my tongue.

Ah, it was a torture to refuse that kind of offer, but I had just finished eating. My inner-self was crying at the thought of refusing that delicacies.

”Aunty still remembers me so well. Thank you so much, but maybe next time. I hope you forgive me this time.” I apologized to her sincerely.

”It's okay, child. There will always be another time. Just make sure to visit me again, okay? That time, I'll cook for you again. You came back safe and sound is enough for me.” She hugged me again.

”Mom, I'll take him upstairs.” Rama said quickly, saving me the efforts to console his mother again.