Chapter 30: The One Who Saved Me
It was the day of the Lighthouse Group project, held in Moonveil Village. Inside the private jet, Naomi and Martin sat at the front seats, bubbling with excitement.
"Wow, it feels so cool being in the sky like this," Naomi said, her eyes wide as she leaned toward the window.
Martin nodded, his voice warm with awe. "Being a member of the Lighthouse Group has given me the privilege to board a jet for the first time." He pointed outside, admiring the endless stretch of clouds rolling like soft mountains beneath them.
At the rear seats, Ash watched his friends’ excitement with quiet smile. Beside him, Adrian stole a glance at Ash, catching that smile, then looked away with one of his own. As their sponsor, it was only natural for Adrian to accompany them on the trip.
The rest of the students and teachers who had volunteered to help were making the journey by bus.
...
The jet touched down on the open compound of the village’s junior school, its silver body glinting in the afternoon sun. Children, women, and the elderly had already gathered, their eyes lifted in wonder at the rare sight. At the front of the crowd stood the village headman, waiting to receive the them.
All the supplies of the Lighthouse Group Project had already arrived by truck, and the students and teachers who came earlier had finished arranging everything in order. Tents stood neatly across the school compound; one for education with books and learning materials, another for health care with medicines and a nurse, and a third for mentorship and skills-building programs for women, children, and the elderly.
Everything was in place. What remained was for Naomi, Martin, and Ash, as the project leaders, to officially begin the program.
Naomi, Martin, and Ash stepped out of the jet first, greeted by the warm breeze of the village. Smiles and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they waved shyly at the waiting villagers.
Then Adrian followed behind them. The moment his figure appeared, the atmosphere shifted. Led by the headman, the villagers bowed low in unison.
"Alpha Adrian," the headman said solemnly.
Adrian lifted a hand gently, signaling them to raise their heads. "Please, there’s no need for that," he said with calm authority.
The headman straightened and stepped forward, his weathered face breaking into a smile. "On behalf of Moonveil Village, we welcome you. Your presence here brings us honor, and your project here brings hope. We are grateful for the Lighthouse Group Project, for it will light the way for our children, guide our women, and support even our elders. May this day mark the beginning of many brighter days ahead."
Adrian only gave a firm nod in response to the headman’s words, his silence serving as confirmation. From there, the team moved straight into the project activities. The crowd began settling down as the tents opened for the day’s work.
Amid the movement, Ash’s gaze drifted over the people. For a brief moment, he froze. At the far end of the crowd, he caught sight of a familiar face. His heart skipped; Lucien...?
Before he could move closer, a hand clapped gently on his shoulder.
"Hey, Ash."
Ash turned quickly, relief washing over his face. "Uncle, you came!" He threw his arms around Aster.
"How could I miss my nephew’s project?" Aster said with a heartly laugh.
Ash pulled back, still smiling. "Has Grandma come too?"
Aster chuckled, lowering his voice playfully. "I left her chasing Matata. That goat had just eaten her apples again, and she was determined to make him pay this time."
Ash burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. "Matata never changes!"
"Never," Aster agreed, laughing along. Then, straightening, he added, "I think she’s just behind me. She should be here any minute." With that, he moved off to join the others.
Ash’s laughter faded as his thoughts returned. He looked back to the spot where he thought he had seen Lucien. But the face was gone. His smile faltered as he whispered to himself, Am I just seeing things?
Adrian had stepped away from the crowd, choosing a quiet spot near the school gate. A wooden bench rested under the shade of an old tree, and from there he could see the whole compound. He stood for a moment with his hands loosely in his pockets, then sat down, letting the shade shield him from the heat as he observed the unfolding activities in silence.
From where he sat under the tree, Adrian noticed movement at the gate. An elderly woman stepped through, balancing a woven basket against her side. Her steps were steady but careful.
Adrian’s eyes widened in recognition. He rose quickly to his feet and walked toward her. "Granny Bunny..."
The woman stopped, startled, then her face lit up in amazement. "Grandson!"
They embraced warmly, her arms clinging to him as though she feared he might slip away. Pulling back, she studied his face with tender disbelief. "Why are you here?"
Adrian hesitated, unsure how to begin. At last he said quietly, "I just came with my friends."
"Oh, well," she nodded gently. "And me, I’m here for this project; Bunny told me about it. He said it helps even us elderly people, so I came to support him by attending."
Adrian blinked. "Bunny...he’s part of this project?"
"Yes," she said proudly. "He’s among the students. Eventually I’ll show you."
A small smile touched Adrian’s lips as he nodded. Then, noticing the way she shifted her weight and leaned slightly on her basket, his concern stirred. "Granny, let’s go over there so you can sit down."
But she waved him off lightly. "No, no. Let’s have a chat first." She moved toward the bench and lowered herself slowly onto it. "It has been a long time, Grandson. That project thing can wait a little."
He followed and sat beside her, the shade of the tree folding around them as the noise of the project carried on in the background.
Grandmother reached across and took Adrian’s hands into her own, her touch gentle but firm. Her eyes searched his face, lined with both age and affection.
"Grandson," she said softly, "It feels like fate keeps bringing us together."
Adrian lowered his head slightly, nodding.
"Since we have met again," she went on, "tell me more about yourself. Are you married?"
He shook his head silently.
"Or," she leaned closer with a faint smile, "is there someone in your mind?"
Adrian’s gaze dropped to the ground. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, his voice low, he admitted, "There is...but we can’t be together."
Concern flickered in her eyes. "Why not, my grandson?"
His throat tightened. "Expectations...duties...they don’t allow it."
Grandmother squeezed his hands, her voice steady though her eyes shone with care. "Listen to me. In this life, you must follow your heart. Don’t waste it living for others’ demands. If it is fate, nothing will stop it from happening. And if it is love, then no duty can silence it. Do not be afraid of what will happen tomorrow; be true to yourself today."
Adrian closed his eyes briefly, her words weighing deep, then looked back at her with a faint, almost pained smile.
Grandmother slipped two woven bracelets free from her wrist and held them in her palm, smiling as if folding a memory into her hands.
"These," she said softly, "my husband sewed one for me, and I sewed the other for him; a promise, a little token of our love. When he died I tied them together and kept them close." She looked at the bracelets a moment, then met Adrian’s eyes. "Now he’s gone, and one day I will be gone too."
Adrian’s face clouded. "Don’t say that, granny," he blurted. "The other day at the hospital you told me you’d live long enough to see Bunny graduate as a doctor."
She laughed, warmth in the sound. "Oh, so you remember. Alright, alright. I admit it." She grew quiet, then added, "But this love-coded bracelet...I don’t need it anymore. Take them."
Adrian hesitated, the bracelets cupped in his hands. "But..."
"Just take them as my love charm, my blessings," she said, firm but gentle. "Give one to the person your heart beats for, and keep the other with you."
He swallowed, unable to speak for a beat, then nodded and took them. The weight of the small woven bracelets felt heavier with the meaning than their size suggested.
Grandmother glanced towards the tents, as if suddenly remembering. "Grandson, let’s go. I will show you Bunny."
Adrian picked up the basket from the bench and tried to hand it back to her, but she shook her head.
"No need. Keep it. They are bananas I brought for Bunny. But now that I have met you, I think he doesn’t need them as much as you do." She gave a small laugh at her own words.
Adrian paused, unsure how to respond, only managing a faint smile. Together they began walking toward the tents.
Before they reached the crowd, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Adrian."
He stopped dead, his eyes widening. Standing before him was Lucien. For a moment, he could hardly believe it. What on earth is Lucien doing here?
Sensing the sudden tension, Grandmother gave a knowing look. "Grandson, you will find me ahead," she said gently, excusing herself.
Adrian nodded, watching her walk away, before turning back toward Lucien.
Lucien tilted his head, a teasing tone in his voice. "I didn’t know you got yourself a grandmother."
Adrian rolled his eyes. "What the hell are you doing here, Lucien? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?"
Lucien let a small laugh. "I came to volunteer." His eyes glinted mischievously, but when he caught Adrian’s serious gaze, he scratched the back of his head. "Aah...It’s boring when my favorite student is not there."
"Just because you own the school," Adrian shot back, "doesn’t mean you should be irresponsible."
Lucien smirked. "I’ve got plenty of teachers around. Why should I..."
A sudden ring cut him off. Adrian pulled his phone from his pocket. Handing the basket over, he said curtly, "Hold this."
Lucien took it, watching him.
Adrian answered the call.
On the other end, Bravin’s voice was brisk. "Sir it’s urgent. The PrimeAxis Group President has arrived unannounced. He insists on meeting you to discuss the partnerships terms."
Adrian’s jaw tightened. "Keep him engaged. I’m on my way."
He lowered the phone and immediately started toward the jet.
Behind him, Lucien called out, holding up the basket. "Adrian-your basket."
Adrian didn’t slow, his steps steady and determined.
...
Ash stood by the mentorship tent, half-listening to his subordinate explain the program to the gathered villagers. His gaze shifted restlessly until it caught a familiar figure walking closer. Relief washed over him.
"Grandma..." He hurried forward, bowing slightly as he kissed the back of her hands. "I was worried you wouldn’t show up."
She chuckled warmly. "How could I miss it? My Bunny shining in front of everyone, of course I had to be here."
Ash smiled faintly, though a crease of expectation formed on his brow. "Nothing from your Bunny?"
Her eyes blinked as if remembering. "Oh...I brought you a basket of bananas. But I gave it to the young man who once saved your life."
Ash froze, staring at her. "He...he’s here?"
"Yes," she said with a nod, calm and certain. "I just left him near the gate, talking to his friend."
Ash’s heartbeat kicked against his chest. I have longed to meet you...finally. The thought burned quietly inside him, every thump of his heart quickening.
He guided her carefully to a seat, making sure she was settled, then dashed off, his steps quick and unsteady.
By the time Ash reached the gate, his breath caught. A figure stood there beneath the shade, holding a basket.
As if sensing the weight of his stare, the figure turned slowly until his face was clear.
Lucien.
Grandmother’s words echoed in Ash’s mind: "I brought you bananas, but I gave them to the young man who saved your life once."
Ash’s chest tightened, his breath uneven. All this time...I’ve been searching so far. Only to realize...you were always here.
He drew in a sharp breath, eyes fixed on Lucien.
Lucien saved my life.