Nada choked on the juice she was drinking.
*Cough* Cough*"Uhm, nothing happened," she said clearing her throat.
"Oh, okay," replied Crystal with an 'I don't believe it look.'
Everyone had the same thought in their mind and that was,
'She thinks we are stupid.'
Nada looked down and regained her cold expression.
The atmosphere became awkward. Anas smiled knowingly seeing his sister doing her best to mask her flustered expression under the cold one.
Eleonora looked at everyone and shook her head helplessly.
'Why can't they control their mouths. Now look you all have quieted her.' she thought to herself.
"Ok, ok. Mom, now it is your turn," said Eleonora attempting to make the atmosphere lighter.
"Huh, Yes. I also have a dare to complete," said Aleesa.
"Wow. What is your dare grandma?" asked Anas.
"I also have to confess to your grandpa," she said sighing.
"Grandma, why not make it different?" said Nada.
The youngsters looked at her and nodded their heads.
Aleesa sighed and said,
"Why are all of you nodding your head like a chick. Oh, so what do I have to do?"
"Nothing you just have to play guzheng[1] for grandpa," said Owen.
Hearing their brother, Anas and Nada's eyes sparkled and they smiled at their grandma.
"What? But it has been so long," said Aleesa hesitating.
"Oh come on grandma, You can even play guzheng with a blindfold," said Silas.
"Don't provoke me. Young Prince," said Aleesa.
"Oops sorry," said Silas putting a finger on his mouth.
When everyone was busy persuading Aleesa to play guzheng. Nada winked at Luis. Luis caught her intentions and smiled at her.
He then said, "Play it, Please."
Aleesa looked at her husband and sighed helplessly.
"You too," she said.
"Please," said Luis.
Aleesa nodded and everyone one shouted in excitement,
"Sera, bring the guzheng here with Robert," ordered Orhan to the maid.
Sera and Robert nodded at Orhan. They both went to bring the guzheng.
After two minutes they came back holding guzheng.
Nada helped them to set the guzheng in front of Aleesa.
Aleesa struck the codes of guzheng randomly.
All of them looked at her with expectant eyes.
She started playing it and she played it with much precision that all of them were awestruck. Her fingers danced fluidly on the guzheng.
She played a unique tune.
While they all were immersed in the sound of guzheng. Aleesa gave words to her music.
~"In the sky where every star is bright,
Only you was my shining light,
I always wonder my lucky signs,
You braced my life,
Mixed our bloods, entwined our souls,
In this world where there are smiles,
Yours and mine together we smile."~
Luis was staring at her with many emotions in his eyes.
He stood up and walked towards Aleesa and sat in front of her. He held her hands and kissed them.
"I love you. You made me the happiest person in the world by giving me such a lovely family."
Aleesa smiled and said, "I know I'm great. Right."
Hearing her words the backyard erupted with laughs from all of them.
Luis shook his head helplessly and said,
"Yes, you are my love."
"Ah, my eyes. My innocent ears," said Anas dramatically.
"Shut up Brat," said Luis annoyed.
"Grandpa you can continue your lovey-dovey in your room tonight. Let's continue the game," said Owen.
"You-You. You also," fumed Luis.
Everyone giggled at their exchange.
When Luis returned to his seat. Nada said looking at Emma.
"Dear family members, we have one more thing. To be exact a secret to share.
Everyone looked shocked.
"There's a secret?" asked Adler.
Nada looked at him and nodded.
"What is it?" asked Theo.
Nada looked at him but didn't reply.
Eleonora noticed the exchange of glances between them and smiled to herself.
"Yes, Theo dear. There is a secret which will be revealed soon."
"I want to know," said Naira and Renee whining like little kids.
"Yes Yes me too," said Anas and Adler together.
"Well Aani it's yours so you are gonna say it," said Nada.
Emma looked hesitant but then little persuading from her friend Eleonora and all the other people she spoke.
"You all know about the famous pianist Phoenix,"
Everyone nodded. But Adler and Liam spoke, "Who is Phoenix?"
All of them turned their heads towards the father-son duo comically and looked at them as if they were aliens or something.
"You don't know one of the top five pianists in the world?" asked Noah baffled.
Adler and Liam shook their heads.
Nada facepalmed herself mentally.
She looked at Emma and as expected her face was black as the bottom of a pot.
"Uhm. The world-famous pianist Phoenix is none other than your wife Mrs Liam," said Eleonora with sarcasm.
"What?" Adler and Liam had black lines above their head and then their heads snapped towards Emma.
They both saw her snorting at them. And thought
'We are in big trouble.'
"Woah, This is shocking," said Noah.
"I'm a huge fan. Can I get an autograph," said Luis enthusiastically.
Emma smiled at them and nodded.
"Wow, aunty. You are awesome. I have heard your pieces and they are out of the world," said Silas.
"Don't call me Aunty. Call me mom. And if you can't then call me Aani just like Nada does," said Emma smiling at Silas.
"Ok then Aani it is," said Silas.
"No," ragged Nada.
"You can call her anything but Aani. It is my exclusive right," she fumed at Silas.
All of them looked at her surprised.
"Oh-Ok. I will call her mom then," said Silas.
"Good," replied Nada softly.
Theo looked at her when she struck Silas with her words. She had a frown on her face yet still looked mesmerizing.
"Ooh baby. Why are you so damn adorable," he muttered.
But all the men around him heard his words loud and clear.
They all gave him a strange look and looked at the ladies in front of them who also heard him.
The ladies and gentlemen exchanged their glances. Suddenly they looked towards Nada who has her head lowered as if she didn't hear a thing.
[1] a Chinese traditional instrument.