Chapter 122 - Aleksis Mäkelä

The next day they explored the center of the old town and Finland enthusiastically took many beautiful photos that were directly printed from her Instax camera. Every corner of the city of Colmar looked beautiful in her shots.

They also boarded a boat and crossed the canal that looked like Venice. The city felt so magical and Finland was determined to return to Colmar with Caspar someday.

"I changed my mind..." Jean said suddenly as they passed the flower shop. "I want to show you the surprise gift today. So, you can decide for yourself whether you want to stay in Colmar longer or go straight home tomorrow."

Finland, who was daydreaming, raised her head in surprise. She almost forgot that Jean took her to Colmar to show her something. "Oh really... why is that? You make it sound so mysterious."

"You will see for yourself." He bought a bouquet of flowers and gave them to Finland. "This is the next gift. You will need it."

"..."

Finland decided to stop asking questions and followed Jean's plans. The man drove his car out of town to vineyards located in villages from the middle ages. After passing some ancient buildings, he stopped his car in front of a small church.

"We have arrived."

When Jean stepped out of the car, his face suddenly looked grim. Finland, whose mood was cheerful, became baffled. Instantly she suspected that something bad had happened.

"Bring the flowers. We will visit a grave," Jean said.

"Grave? Whose grave?" Finland asked, confused. She did not remember knowing anyone in France other than Jean and his mother. She finally got out of the car and brought the flowers as Jean had given her. She was really curious. Finland felt that Jean had been very mysterious lately.

Jean did not answer. He grabbed Finland's hand and took her to the backyard of the church. There were some old tombs that seemed well maintained.

Finland immediately had a bad feeling.

They walked to the tomb which was the furthest away, and halfway there, Finland's feet refused to move forward...

Her body froze when she read the writing on the headstone.

Tears immediately poured down her cheeks...

"I found it a few months ago..." Jean said quietly.

"Jean..." Finland covered her face with her hands and burst into tears. "This is my father's name..."

Engraved on the gravestone was written the name 'Aleksis Mäkelä'. This was the name of the young man who had become his mother's lover when she was young. He was the one who got her mother pregnant, but the man disappeared and did not return for his baby.

Finland's mother had to give birth and raise Finland alone. She eventually became depressed and died of illness when Finland was 10 years old. Finland never forgave his father for walking out of their lives… just like that.

"He had no intention to leave your mother. He actually wanted to go back to Indonesia and bring you both to Europe, but he fell ill here and passed away," Jean said in a hoarse voice. "Since I moved to Paris, I tried to find information about your father. Only last year I found his tracks; apparently, he was not in Finland, but in Colmar. He was invited by his friend from Colmar to work part-time in the vineyard. He wanted to raise money so he could go back to your mother. One day, he had a high fever and died immediately. He was buried here."

Finland suddenly rushed to her father's grave and hugged his tomb with tears in her eyes. She read the date of death written 24 years ago… she was not even born yet.

So, it turned out, she was not a child who was abandoned by her father. Aleksis Makela never intended to leave Finland and her mother... He died suddenly before he could tell them news on his whereabouts. Finland felt very sad because all this time she had mistakenly suspected, and thought of her father as a jerk...

Finland was wailing in sadness. Now she was truly an orphan. When she finally learned of her father's existence, she had to accept the harsh reality that her father left them before she was even born.

Jean waited patiently for Finland until her tears ran out.

He patted Finland on the back and hugged her, trying to hold back his own tears. He had prepared himself for this moment, but still, when he saw his best friend crying so sad, his heart was shaken.

"I want you to know what happened to your father, so you can start a new life in peace. So that you are no longer haunted by the question of why your father left...," Jean said quietly. "I want you to know that your father loved you and that you are worthy. I want you to heal the wounds in your heart, that made you feel that you were unwanted. Know that he really wanted to go home and meet you..."

Finland nodded between her sobs. She took the flowers she had dropped in shock and placed them carefully on her father's tomb. After her tears dried up, Finland sat pondering for a long time with a mind filled with sadness.

"Let's go home, it's already dark. Tomorrow we can come here again if you want..."

Finland nodded slowly. With difficulty she got up and walked with trembling legs back to the car. Jean knew how Finland would be broken hearted when she discovered that her father had died.

That was the reason why he insisted on taking his own car. With Finland being this sad, it would definitely be difficult and uncomfortable for them to take the train home. Finland was so weak that she had to be supported back to the car.

"Thank you, Jean... This is the best and worst gift I have ever received..." Finland whispered to Jean on their way back to the apartment. "The best, because you understand me so well. But this is also the worst day of my life. If you hadn't brought your car, I wouldn't know how we can get home..."

Jean just nodded, not replying.