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Childish.
That was the first thought that appeared in Johan's mind as his eyes made its way through a toy store's window. A stitched doll, with an uncanny smirk plastered on it's face. Johan appreciated handmade works, although this one seemed a little bit off.
The real question is, does he care? No.
But Johan hasn't move from his stance in one bit. His eyes landed on the doll's tag latched on it's arm. 'George Best' and with a small red, yellow and white logo. Johan raised an eyebrow, before proceeding to lean in and squint his eyes to get a better view of the logo. Manchester United.
A habit of his was to analyse things and connect them with any possible dots he could think of. Johan pulled back, straightening himself and looking around his surroundings if anyone has seen him randomly invested on a doll's tag.
He could've turned around, walk away and lose himself in the scenery of the busy and vibrant city of Amsterdam. Johan also made sure he's dressed up nicely; shagging in a white collared navy blue polo shirt with a logo he never seemed to recognise and denim patchwork bell-bottoms jeans But he was stuck there, his mind was elsewhere but his legs refused to move.
Though to take this in is a bit embarrassing, why would a stitched doll stop him from walking around? Why would a stitched doll had him looked through the window as if he's mesmerised?
He's heard of that name before. George Best, George Best, George Best... To other people, it might seem as any other ordinary Englishman names. Though since the doll is linked with Manchester United, perhaps this doll is based on a footballer. The club itself is very big and well-known in the Premier League. Thanks to the chatters of his teammates in the locker room and newspapers being sold around nearby his home, he did pick up a thing or two on international football.
George Best! It clicked into his mind. The Fifth Beatle, or so they seem to call him. He was everywhere, from magazines to newspaper headlines to... Any some sort of media. In football history, it was clear this guy is treated as if he was founding father. Johan's lips parted slightly as he mentally succeed on connecting the dots, a small nagging pride bloomed in his body. Proud of himself, I suppose.
'George Best of Holland'. A memory flashed in an instant to Johan's mind, how he was often compared with this guy whenever he plays in magazines.
Catching himself blanking in the middle of the street, facing through window of a toy's store and locals who seemed to pass by either couldn't care less or look at him blankly before passing by. He cleared his throat, a habit to get rid of the embarrassment and slid his hands into the pockets of his denim jeans.
He should be going. Right now. Though his legs said otherwise and moved as if it has a mind of its own.
As the door creaked open, the bell rang gently. His vision takes in the wooden walls, shelves stacked with wooden toys, plastic dolls, a hung lamp that was shaped as a star. To Johan, it did give a great wave of nostalgia, the store itself was nostalgic. There were train toys, a box filled with wooden soldiers, car toys. One shelf was stacked with toys and each of them are positioned based on seasons such as Christmas, Easter...
As Johan passed by the shelves, he made his way to the counter with both of his hands still hid in his pockets.
The one in charge of the counter is a middle-aged woman, a brown hair with visible grey streaks and hazel green eyes that can be both humble and fierce at the same time. She was currently perched on a chair, her eyes glued to a wooden toy she's holding in extreme concentration, the woman was painting a wooden toy, her fingers were a mess of colours.
Though, Johan's boots weren't as quiet as he thought. Her vision caught his before he managed to make his way to the counter. "Welcome!" greeted the woman, her lips stretched slightly to a soft grin, the unfinished wooden toy was left behind.
Johan answered with a smile and a firm nod, until he realised his intention on coming into the store. Embarrassedly, he scratched his own nape. "Thank you. Err, may I know how much is the one displayed please?" He gestured by pointing a finger at the George Best doll, whom seemed to be carelessly giving its uncanny smirk to anyone passing by.
"Ah yes," the woman looked around the counter and fetched her glasses. "Well, that one costs around €45. It was originally €30, but it tends to get sold out quickly because of these teenagers." An—Johan assumed—amused or exasperated sigh left her dry peach lips. "So we increased the price for a little. Now, don't mind my curiosity, are you planning to give it to your niece?" The woman shared a knowing look to Johan.
Johan's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise before he shook his head. "No," a shy smile plastered on his face.
"Then for whom?" The woman leaned slightly.
Johan's mind went blank. He hadn't thought of that. He hadn't think the answer, or rather, the real intention why he would buy a doll..This is childish, he was an adult. He could lie, probably.
The woman's eyebrow arched upwards as Johan's lips parted to say something but no words left. She took this opportunity to say something.
"For my... Nephew. Really." Johan interrupted unexpectedly before he cleared his throat. "You wanted to say something?"
The woman's mouth formed an 'O' and nodding slightly before shaking her head. "I see, I see. Well, I'm sure your nephew will like it. You could've just said yes earlier, aren't nephews and nieces basically the same thing? Relatives."
Johan, noticing how the middle-aged woman seemed to be rambling took the chance to take out his wallet, taking out enough euros. The woman noticed the money beind handed out, interrupting her rambling session.
The woman mouthed a 'Thank You' that Johan mananged to pick out and disappeared into the storage room. She returned with another George Best doll and packed him into a paper bag that is a slightly bigger size.
"I hope your nephew enjoys it!" The woman waved her hand slightly. Johan nodded with a smile before leaving the toy store. It was quite clear how his cheeks seemed to redden and his heart beating quite fast.
That was sure a close call.
Johan then looked at the paper bag he was holding.
What does he do now with the doll?