Chapter 12: Babushka

"Do you often get panic attacks like this?" Galina asked me after she have calmed me down, a few times. We were squatting against the wall of God knows where this damn room is. It's empty, with only light filling it in, and with the warmth of my breathe begging for some air.

I panted, and panted, until I had the ability to process my answer to Galina's question, "Often."

She nods without making any sounds, as if of understanding.

Silence now had filled the air. None of us has topics we really should discuss nor talk about, not at this moment. Galina opened her mouth, but closes it again, hesitating to say what she intends to. She sighed.

"So, uh, what are you talking about with him, Caesar?" Galina finally asked.

"Oh, it's about an interview about the new released movie which I starred in." I answered.

"Oh, The Massacre?"

I nodded. Then realized because of the movie I met Galina, for she's one of the investors. Although our first meeting is kind of awkward since I'm kind of clumsy.

"So are you taking it?" she asked once again. I tilted my head as I took a deep breath, "Honestly... I don't know."

My eyebrows are creased, acting as thinking hard.

"It's an opportunity to promote the movie but...I don't know. I feel like it'll happen again." I continued.

"What will happen?"

"You know.. the, uhm, attacks."

"Will it? How about you just do an online meeting?" she suggested. As if I didn't thought of that. I did once, asked for online instead, and they agreed. However, online makes it difficult, for my career especially. Just at the start of the interview I'll have the urge to end the call permanently. I have too much worry, which sometimes trigger.

"I, uhm, I don't do online. It's making me much more nervous." I replied. I can see she was surprised by that, although I wonder why. Is it that surprising?

She hummed and nod, and held my hand to kiss it.

Out of shock, I instinctively backed my hand away. Keeping it on my chest in a defensive posture.

"What are you doing?" I pretty much sounds very in disbelief. This was the action I least expected from her.

"Kissing your hand?" she replied, with her eyebrows raised and all.

Is she seriously CONFUSED? Like, who the fuck would kiss someone's hand randomly. Even weirder when we are not having greetings to each other. Well, is that her way of comfort?

"Yeah no. Why would you do that??" I replied, rubbing the part where her lips interacted with my skin on the hand. She only gave me a laugh, only saying how cute my reaction was when I defended from her. As a good human, I let her have her time laughing at me while I am currently stopping the urge to smack her for making me feel like a fool for my question.

It took a while for her to stop it when I rolled my eyes and had enough that I'll storm out of the room in any minute. She didn't answer my question though, rather, she held my hand once again and drag me out.

"Let's go back." she smiled. I couldn't help but feel vulnerable whenever I am with her—She's...a safe place I suppose.

We met with Iñigo and Mahoto when we're back at the venue of the Chekov's reunion. We blended in, introduced myself to everyone, had a little chat with them and answered their question. I also agreed to Caesar's interview, as long as Galina is with me. She's seen all my state, and hadn't judged me for it, or maybe she did but whatever. Not gonna cost me anything.

It's afternoon when we left the occasion and went to the cemetery to visit Galina's grandmother, the one she showed me last night. Mahoto drove while me and Iñigo are in the passenger seat, playing on Galina's phone, cuz I don't have one apparently.

We stepped on a land full of grass. There are many stones where the coffins are buried, and only one stone is of individually away from the others. "That must be where Galina's grandmother is located." I thought.

A cherry tree was giving it shade, and a line full of Aster flowers and Allium beside it. I didn't know it could even grow here.

We went closer and stood before the headstone. Galina held my hand as I embrace Iñigo.

"This is my grandmother Annika, the one I told you about who died of illness." Galina uttered.

Annika Timofelovna? Sounds kind of familiar. Although I don't know where I have heard it.

"Baba really likes flowers, her favorites are these Allium and Aster, that's why I have someone plant them beside her. It's in her wishes."

She puts down the bouquet of flowers she bought earlier leaning against the headstone.

Isn't it too early for me to hear this story of hers? Shouldn't you mafias be careful? My experience with her is not that dangerous, which made me quite scared of what will happen or what will the consequences be. After all, I am intertwined with a person who's unfortunately, from a family of illegals.

When we're about to head back and turned around simultaneously a loud bang was heard near our area.

"Shit, get down!"

Galina shoved me in the car, while Mahoto carried Iñigo in one hand with a gun on the other, staying cautious and looking around to find the one who caused the banging. He threw Iñigo on me.

"Stay put and down, alright? Don't ever get out." Galina instructed then joined his husband on the lookout.

After a while of turning and twirling, Galina and Mahoto was back in the car without saying anything, and drove back.

I was too intimidated to ask what is happening, but I guess that's up to my common sense. This must be a regular thing, seeing as how Iñigo is calm and was only staring at his father, Mahoto.

So I am the only one panicking, I see.