Toward the Museum

"During the winter, the day quickly turns to dusk, but how quickly? So that people can go to sleep," Max said, looking out the window.

They had entered the boundaries of the village in the month of October, which had become particularly cold. The evening was approaching, and the beauty of the village was shining in all its glory.

Lisa's village was very lush, and everyone was very pleased to see such natural beauty.

"my family will very happy to meet you all," Lisa said lovingly.

Everyone smiled.

"But you know, not just your family due to my innocent beauty i can attract your Grandpa, may be i become his lover" Max said, straightening his collar.

"I don't think my Grandpa would like you that much," Lisa pouted.

"Oh, we'll see," Kathy said, looking at the setting sun in the village.

It reminded her of something, like a very forgotten memory, a scene that was associated with the brightness of the sun.

For some reason, her heart became deeply restless.

"Smith," Kathy called out as Smith was driving.

"Yes, Kathy," Smith was startled as if he was not present among them.

"Do you know how sad this setting sun is?" Kathy said in a sad tone.

He gave a deep, introspective view.

she seemed sad.

"Oh my God!" Max took a deep breath and started humming a song with closed eyes.

"This often happens," Lisa said before Smith.

"How!" Kathy asked, turning her head.

"The feeling of getting lost while watching the setting sun," Lisa said.

"Yes, that's it. Do you also feel that way?" she seemed surprised.

"That's because," Smith spoke cautiously while driving,

"As close as we are to nature, we connect with our essence... many things connect humans with nature. The setting sun is also such that the end of every sun connects humans with its essence, and the essence of humans is the struggle between life and death."

"Are you understanding?" he asked Lisa and Kathy.

"Hmm," Kathy nodded.

"But I don't feel that way,"Izy said.

"I don't need to know your opinion," Max said irritably.

"Why have we come here? So that we can get rid of this environment for a few days and be happy, but you all are talking about sad things again," Max's face was so irritated that everyone laughed.

"Grandpa," Lisa called out happily.

A old man was standing a short distance away.

Smith stopped the car.

Everyone understood that they had reached their destination.

Grandpa welcomed everyone with great joy.

He hugged everyone and showed them love.

He seemed so happy meeting them all that everyone seemed like Lisa.

"I am happy that you all came," Grandpa repeatedly held their hands and reassured them.

"Grandpa" a beautiful young man, whose face closely resembled Lisa's, called out.

Everyone suddenly turned towards Jake.

"Ooh, Jake!"

"Liza"

Both hugged each other with great affection.

"Liza! How are you?" Jake lovingly kissed Lisa's forehead.

Lisa smiled and introduced everyone.

"This is my brother."

"You know, this is Jake," Max extended his hand for a handshake.

Both hugged each other with great affection.

Similarly, laughing, they all entered a small white building at some distance.

_____

When Grandpa got up for a morning walk, everyone was still asleep for a few hours. As he opened the door of the house, he found it already open. He looked outside while wearing his long coat and was quite surprised.

A short road had been built at a short distance, at the end of which was a small lake with a bench by its side. The early rays of the sun were falling on the water, and there was a slight cool breeze.

A person was sitting on a bench at a short distance. Grandpa looked at him intently and, leaning on his stick, walked towards the bench.

"Oh Gregson, my child," Grandpa called out to him affectionately, not knowing where he had lost himself.

"As soon as he heard the voice, he quickly got up and took a deep breath. He turned around, and Grandpa looked at him with piercing eyes.

Smith Greg son was a handsome but worried-looking man, like a prince from an old painting. Serious and anxious, Grandpa asked, "Are you out here in the cold? Is everything okay?"

Smith replied, "No, nothing like that! I came out because I couldn't sleep, and everyone else was sleeping."

Grandpa asked,

"Yes, the journey has tired everyone out. Aren't you tired?"

Smith replied briefly, "No."

Grandpa said, "That's good. God has made us to always be ready, not to get tired."

"Smith smiled at Grandpa words,

"Your smile is beautiful, keep smiling." Grandpa said with a smile, looking at Smith, but Smith's smile faded.

"I want to smile, but I can't..." He sighed deeply and said no more.

Then Grandpa spoke up, "And you can't do that. When Liza's father went missing, I too couldn't smile." Grandpa tone suddenly changed, like autumn arriving unexpectedly in spring. Smith bowed his head, unable to understand how to console him.

"Did Liza tell you people about this?" Grandpa asked, his eyes fixed on the river where the sunlight had spread completely.

"Yes, she told him! They were in the jungle, treating themselves with herbal remedies, but they never came back." Smith spoke cautiously, as if a single wrong word could further distress the old man.

A young son who had never been found. The pain of losing someone is greater than the pain of death. Those who have died can be mourned once and then understood, but when someone disappears without a trace, their sorrow must be carried for the rest of one's life.

"Yes, then Liza was two years old, and Jack was just a few months old. Jack's mother had died in childbirth, and his father was missing!" Grandpa said, falling silent.

"I'm sorry," Jack could only say.

"Yes, I'm also sorry! I searched for him everywhere, spending months with the search company's people, hoping to find him, but I didn't. I thought I would recognize my son by his scent, but I didn't find him, Smith! He didn't even respond to my old father's cries for help. I returned home defeated." he sadly sad. A few minutes Grandpa fell silent,

and Smith remained silent too, as if words had failed them.

Then Grandpa continued,

"I couldn't smile either, but one morning, I found my smile again."

He placed his trembling hand on Smith's shoulder.

"You know, Smith!"

"What? Smith asked,

Unaware that the people sitting on the bench by the lake were about to complete many incomplete stories.

'It's a secret!' Grandpa whispered.

'A secret!' Smith was amazed. 'I don't want to know the secrets

'Why?' Grandpa smiled.

'Their burden.' Smith said.

'You will carry it.'

Liza peeked from the window, Grandpa was telling Smith something, the morning had fully dawned. Izzy and Kathy were fast asleep, Liza thought she should prepare a great breakfast. She cast a sly glance at Grandpa, she couldn't hear what they were saying from that distance, but if she came a little closer, she would understand.

When Smith looked up in amazement,

"Are you sure?" Smith was incredulous.

Yes, I'm sure, I have proof and a way! I never searched for him despite knowing the way."

Grandpa placed his hand on Smith's shoulder,

"Do you know why?

Smith looked up with amazed questioning eyes.

"Because there's a difference between losing someone and getting lost yourself."

"Yes, that's true," Smith said, taking a deep breath.

"I want to know everything." He became restless.

"I didn't want to tell anyone, but I've kept this secret buried for years, and now I'll tell you everything, but only if you promise to keep it a secret."

"I promise, and I'll keep it," smith said, his hand on Grandpa shoulder, speaking firmly.

The morning in the village was uncovering many secrets. Far away, Mark, Liza's father, sighed deeply,

"Freedom! Maybe they're coming."

He smiled.