Reunion

The apartment where Terry and his mom lives were owned by an old man named Fred. Most renters don't know anything about Fred, they only knew of his attitude for being kind. He's known for being forgiving and easy to talk to. Most people in the neighborhood call him Old Fred.

Today is the day to collect rent. So, Old Fred walks out of his house to the apartment units. Even though he's about 60 years of age, he still walks straight and stood like a javelin. If you look at him from a distance, you might mistake him for a middle-aged man by the way he walks.

By chance, Old Fred saw Terry walking towards their apartment unit. Seeing Terry's thin body in wet school uniform, and his nose that's a bit swollen. He frowns and decided to approach him to ask what happened, but he stopped on his tracks when he saw Terry's eyes, he just stood where he stopped.

What he saw in Terry's eyes was different from what Clarence saw. If what Clarence saw made him terrified, what Old Fred felt when he looked at those eyes was the feeling of longing.

He was very familiar with that look because he himself possessed those kinds of eyes. Eyes that only belonged to those who longed for someone dear to them.

'Maybe it's my imagination?' Old Fred thought. 'There's no way that a young man would have a look like that. Only people who suffered many hardships would possess those kinds of eyes and not a brat like him.' Even though he thinks like this, he can't help but remember those eyes. He disregards this thought and starts walking to the first apartment unit to collect rent.

Due to his apartment's low rent and his amiable attitude, Old Fred never had a hard time collecting fees.

Every year, there would even be a month that the rent is free. That's why he is known for being kind. He tries to create a harmonious relationship with all his renters. He always prioritizes relationships before profit. He may not be a good businessman, but he's happy to be labeled as a good person.

In just a few minutes, he arrived in front of the apartment unit 09 where Terry resides. He was about to knock when he suddenly recalled those eyes. After pondering for a moment, he decided to skip the unit and proceed with the last.

Except Unit 09, Old Fred finished collecting all the rent without a hitch. Once again, he stopped and cast a glance at Unit 09 before he starts walking back to his house.

.....

It was late afternoon when terry woke up due to hunger.

He sat up and yawn while touching his empty stomach. He then stood up and pull the retractable divider to check the time on the wall clock.

'It's almost time that mom comes back from work.' Thinking up to this, he actually feeling a bit uneasy. He's scared that this 'Re-do' is not like what he thinks. Questions linger in his mind such as Will his mom come home in time like his previous life? What if there's no 'Mom' in this life? He's afraid to think any further than that. He tried to remove these negative thoughts in his mind by busying himself.

He starts to walk to the kitchen (which is also part of their living room) to prepare dinner. He intends to surprise his mother with his cooking. He reaches out to open an old refrigerator which he remembered was given by Old Fred when he bought a new one.

He rummages the fridge only to be disappointed by what he found. A few eggs, a not so thick slice of meat, and an assortment of leftover vegetables are all he can get. Others would consider the vegetables as 'Trash', but to them, it's food to fill one's stomach.

He starts to prepare food with the available ingredients he found. One of his greatest skills previously was cooking. He may not be the best in the field of cooking, but he can be considered a good cook.

There's a point wherein, he needs to go undercover as a chef to assassinate some big wig. It took him almost a year of practice just to learn how to cook. Thanks to his natural endowment with cold steel, the time he spent studying were shorter than an average person.

He processed all the ingredients in a flash. If a good Chef saw the way he handles the kitchen knife, he would be shocked to the core. Only experienced Chef would possess this kind of skill.

As he cooks food, every now and then, he glances at the clock to check the time. He grew nervous as the clock ticks.

After the food was cooked, he starts preparing the table and utensils. After everything was done, he once again looked at the clock then mumbled, 'It's almost time.'

His expectations, worry, anticipation, and many other emotions made him feel fidgety. He sat on a chair in front of the table while his eyes were looking back and forth on the clock and the direction of the front door.

Looking at the clock, he felt that the clock ticks too slow. The feeling when you wait for someone or something, but it seems like time deliberately slows its movement. That's what he's feeling right now.

The times seemed slow but his heart beats faster than a horse galloping in a grassland.

His ears suddenly twitch when he heard something outside. He can't help but stand up and rush towards the door. He lost all his composure and with an excited but nervous look, he reaches for the knob and swung the door open.

His heart almost stopped beating upon seeing the person outside. What he saw was, well, a familiar face, but not the face he's expecting.

In front of him stood a young woman, he recalled that this girl is one of his classmates. She stood there, holding a bag in disgust. The way she holds it was like holding garbage like she can't wait to throw it.

Seeing Terry open the door, she loosens her grip and let the bag fall on the floor. With an impatient tone she said, "You forgot your bag, teacher ask me to bring it to you." and without waiting for a response, she turns around and walks in large stride, it seems like she can't wait to get out of this place for a reason only know to her.

Terry, who stood there in a daze, and only regained his sense when he heard the hurried footsteps of his classmate. He sighs, picked up his bag, then strode back inside the unit. He even forgot to close the door before going inside due to his dejection.

From anticipation to disappointment. He can't help but feel lost. 'Scarface would definitely laugh at me if he saw me in this state.' He can't help but think about the past.

While standing in the living room lost in thought, he suddenly heard a very familiar and gentle voice.

"Little Terry, why did you left the door open? I saw your classmate walking outside, she said you forgot to bring your bag home again?"

Terry, once more, was stunned. His emotions were like in a roller coaster ride, his emotions fluctuate in every direction you can imagine. He turns around to look at the source of this gentle voice. He saw his mom, the most beautiful girl in the world for him. His eyes can't help but tear up. He can't control his tears and let it fall.

The once cold-blooded 'Little Nine', was like a block of ice in the midst of summer. Just enough source warmth made him melt.

He felt that this moment is unreal. He doesn't want to blink, afraid that this will all be gone if he shut his eyes for even the moment.

His mom noticed that her son was standing and looking at her with tears in his eyes. She also noticed his swollen nose.

She thought that her son was in pain so she approached him to wipe his tears.

"What happened to your nose little terry? Did someone bully you again?" she said in worry.

Feeling the warmth of her hands touching his face, he finally confirmed that this is all real. He can't help but reach out to hold the hand that caresses his face. 'It's warm.' He thought. These not so smooth hands, full of calluses from working in a factory. The hands that took care of him, the hands that he hadn't hold for a long time.

Out of the blue, while holding her hand, he muttered, "Mom, I'm sorry." He then let go of her hand.

Her mother didn't know the meaning of those words, she only thought that he's saying things to escape her nagging.

Only Terry knew the meaning of his apology. The weight of his word can only be gauged by himself.

"It's OK son," she smiled, "Let me cook something for dinner." She then walks past Terry.

"I've already prepared dinner Mom," Terry said as he tried to compose himself.

Upon hearing what her son said, she was visibly stunned. At the same time, she also saw the food on the table. This is the very first time she saw her son made an effort for her. Never in her imagination that her lazy son would prepare something willingly. She was moved with her son's gesture.

She smiled "I guess Little Terry isn't little anymore." Then she put down her bag and plastic with groceries. She sits on the chair in front of the table and motioned to his son to also sit.

Terry, looking at his mother, felt lighthearted. The hunger he felt earlier alleviated a little. He sat on the chair opposite his mother, then they both started to eat.

"Delicious.! Little terry, it tastes better than my cooking."

"I still preferred your cooking mom."

"Miss? Just this morning your complaining how bland my cooking was!"

"Did I.? You just heard it wrongly mom, I will eat whatever you cook.'

"You just don't have a choice. Haha."

"No mom, I really mean it."

The pair of mother and son talk about random things as they eat.

In a small apartment Unit, full of laughter and smiles, the 'Reunion' that transcends time occurred.