In the dining hall, Jennifer and Amanda were sitting across Hassan and Leonardo. Leonardo was having the dessert like usual after every meal. It was chocolate parfait, while Leonardo was enjoying his dessert, Amanda looked at Hassan with squinted eyes; few minutes earlier when Hassan joined them for the lunch, he didn't eat anything except for the seasonal fruits and drank just water which made Amanda a bit distressed, thus she asked, "Sheikh Hassan, you didn't touch anything except for the fruit and water. Is the food not to your liking may I assume?"
Hassan sensed some unpleasantness in her tone, he tilted his head but didn't dare to look at the face of the lady who just spoke and replied, "It's not that the food is to not my liking."
"Then what is it? May I know your reason?", asked Amanda without any delay. She was feeling really sore at the moment after confirming; the cube was really made by Hassan when he was in the college. The feeling of inferiority of talent, was something she felt after so many years. Although, she knew she was nowhere near the level of the man in front but she still chose to ask unnecessary questions to vent out her frustration.
On the other hand, Hassan didn't mind her way of asking question instead replied calmly, "It's just that I don't eat food outside my house. I just like to eat food which is made at home, especially by my wife. Therefore, I just filled my belly with delicious fruits so I can tell my wife that I didn't eat food which was cooked by someone else or else she will get angry at me. I am sorry if I offended you in any way!"
Before Amanda could say anything, Jennifer commented, "It'd be a rare sight to see someone like you wimping in front of your wife." Hassan just smiled back in response. Whereas, Amanda asked in a mocking tone, "Are you… afraid of your wife, Mr. Hassan?"
Hassan slightly knitted his brows over sudden rejoinder of Amanda. He remained silent for a moment because he understood the meaning of her counter statement. So, he answered with a bright smile, "It's not that I am afraid of my wife. It's just…I don't want her to think that she lacks in cooking skills, even though she is an amazing cook. I am just afraid that I may hurt her feelings if ate without her."
His wired answer made Amanda quite for a moment and her frustration was replaced with adulation. She was in a predicament that what kind of person she was facing; he cared about his wife at such an extent.
'What a lucky woman? She married such a guy who thinks so highly of her', thought Amanda. She looked at Hassan with a respectful gaze.
Jennifer exclaimed, "You are an amazing person Mr. Hassan! you truly love your wife!" she was staring at the latter admirably. "Oh, please you flatter me, Madam Jennifer! I am not amazing; I am just lucky that I found such an amazing woman like her."
Jennifer and Amanda could sense humbleness in his tone.
'He's really humble, just like his grand-father!', Jennifer thought for a second.
Jennifer glanced at Amanda who was staring intently at the guy in her front. Jennifer laughed inwardly and imagined, 'who would have thought a man like him would stir the frozen emotions of a woman like Amanda, in such a short duration of time. This man is truly admirable…just like grandpa.'
"Ah~ I am so full now! But I want to eat more dessert!", Leonardo complained regretfully. "Now, now Leonardo, its bad manners to complain like that right after eating." Jennifer reminded.
"But I want to eat more!"
"Now go and wash your hands!", Jennifer ordered.
...….
In a dark room, Angela was lying on the bed under the sheet; her pretty eyes were closed. Her right arm was resting on her forehead, she seemed to be lost in her thoughts. Sometimes her red cupid lips formed an enchanting smile and sometimes she bit them and tears pour out from her eyes.
Angela opened her bottle-green eyes which seemed a bit puffy; she wiped the tears from her snow-white cheeks. She was informed by Rebecca that Leonardo was leaving the Guryon household for studies. And there was nothing she could do to stop that from happening. She had never imagined such turn of events.
Two days ago, when Angela was playing with Leonardo and thought nothing could do them apart until she heard the breaking news of his sudden departure which struck her like a lightning bolt.
The only best friend she made was now leaving her side, God knows for how many years. Angela wouldn't be able to see him again for a while thus, she wouldn't be able to listen to his anecdotes again, she wouldn't be able to share her things with him again, she wouldn't be able to play with him again and a lot of things which Angela loved doing together with him, she wouldn't be able to do them again anymore. All these thoughts were making her depressed.
Angela knew that studying is important for everyone but leaving the house for its sake was the only thing which bugged her most. She closed her eyes and turned her to the side where she saw a photograph, in which she was standing next to Leonardo. She kept staring at the picture especially Leonardo. She touched where the latter was in the photograph. 'Dummy!', she sighed inwardly.
In the meantime, the door opened and Rebecca entered the room, "Oh my, you are still looking at the picture!" Angela was caught off guard. She threw a pillow towards Rebecca and hid her face under the sheet.
Rebecca caught the pillow; she sat beside her and sighed, "Are you still mad about his departure?"
"…"
"He'll leave in about three hours. Why don't you give him something as a parting gift like some cookies or a cake? He'd appreciate it and who knows…he might remember this gift of yours. But if you decide to stay in bed, you won't be able to see him again. You know he came a dozen of times to see you but you refused to see him—that wasn't a good decision—you—"
Sobs! Sobs!
Before she could finish, she heard the girl was sobbing under the sheet. Rebecca chest tightened; she gently glided the sheet over Angela and saw her crying. She gently rubbed the girl's back and said in a disheartened tone, "Angela dear, I know it's hard for you—just like you—it's hard for Leonardo too—if you do this—then you're not doing him a favor."
Rebecca noticed her grand-daughter's sobbing faltered, hence she continued, "You need to become strong because you're his strength. Imagine what would happen to us if I acted like, you are doing right now after your parents left this world—do you think we would be able to reach where we are right now? —I was heartbroken but I endured it—and became strong."
Angela got up with wet eyes and faced Rebecca whose old moistened eyes were staring at her. Rebecca gently touched Angela's cheek, "Grow strong and become his strength—because men like strong women—if you send him off with a sincere smile, that would be biggest parting gift for him. Alright, dear?"
Angela wiped her tears and nodded. Rebecca got up; she was about to open the door but then turned to Angela. "One more thing I forgot to mention, boys also like girls who smell good and wear nice clothes!" Rebecca opened the door and left.
Whereas, Angela frowned in puzzlement after hearing Rebecca. She became curious after hearing the last part. She sniffed her clothes and noticed; she didn't shower for two days. Angela quickly got out of the bed, opened the wardrobe, grabbed some nice clothes to wear and went for the shower.
...….
It was afternoon, Leonardo shook hands with maids who served him since he lived with his grandmother. And finally stood before the group of a trio; Amanda, Jennifer and Rebecca. He stood before Amanda and smiled forcefully, "Aunt Amanda! I'll miss you!"
Amanda crouched down on her knees; she hugged the boy tightly because she knew that she wouldn't be able to see him for a while. She held back her tears. When their bodies parted, Amanda smiled and rubbed his head, "Don't slack off for a moment even though I won't be accompanying you, but I'll always be there for you, alright!" Leonardo nodded. Amanda leaned forward and kissed his cheek first later Leonardo returned the favor by pecking on her both cheeks.
The boy stood before Jennifer, who doesn't even have the slightest expression of sadness on her face. On the contrary, she was smiling pleasantly. She crouched on her knees and propped his face in her hands gently, "Just listen to your teacher, respect him, obey him and learn as much as you can from him."
Jennifer kissed his little forehead and continued, "I want my Leonardo to become a great person, alright! I have high expectations from you. Make me proud! make your aunt proud, make your teacher proud, make your pare—make everyone proud! We all expect great achievements from you in the future so, work hard my boy and become great, alright!"
"I will do my best grandma. I will work hard!", Leonardo accepted.
Jennifer grinned, "I know you will!"
Then he looked at Rebecca, "Granny Rebecca! I will miss your baking!"
Rebecca smiled, "And I am going to miss our young master for a while. Be safe and eat a lot of food."
"I shall! But I don't want to become fat!", replied Leonardo. Hearing his funny remark Rebecca and the others laughed. Leonardo looked around and asked, "Umm—granny Rebecca! Where's Angela? Won't she come to see me off?"
Rebecca sighed; she knew that Leonardo would inquire about Angela. She looked at the boy in front helplessly and replied, "I told her, but I don't know why didn't she come to see you off! I am sorry young master. Please, forgive her in my stead!"
Leonardo remained silent; he seemed in a deep thought. Few seconds later, he blankly gazed at Rebecca, "Granny Rebecca, I want to give something to Angela."
Rebecca became curious by the words he spoke to her and asked, "What is it young master?"
Leonardo stared at the floor and spoke after a pause, "Tell Angela, that everything in my room, belongs to her from now on."
With that declaration, Rebecca was speechless. Jennifer and Amanda were the same; they both looked at Leonardo with a startled face. Amanda stepped forward quickly to stop him but Jennifer grabbed her hand from aside and shook her head. Amanda retracked her steps. Whereas, Rebecca recovered from the shock and said, "B-but young master I can't accept such a gift from you!"
Leonardo tilted his chin and said, "This isn't a request, granny Rebecca! This is my order as the heir of the family, so you better obey it and tell her when you see her."
"…", Rebecca became speechless; she couldn't find suitable words to refuse such an enormous gift from the boy thus she accepted, "Yes, master Leonardo!"
"And one more thing!", said Leonardo as he gestured Rebecca to get down on her knees. As Rebecca did the boy whispered something to her and reminded, "Please, relay my message to her."
Rebecca gazed at the boy in astonishment and nodded, "Rest assured young master, I will relay your message."
Leonardo looked at his grandmother and Amanda, and said reluctantly, "G-grandma, Aunt Amanda! I be leaving! Please, take care of yourselves while I am gone."
The ladies smiled and replied in unison, "We will!" Jennifer moved forward and crouched in front of Leonardo and hugged him tightly, "Take care! I-I will miss you my dear!", her voice wavered a bit, but she endured it.
When they parted Leonardo saw the grave expressions of Jennifer but she averted her gaze and looked at the distant Hassan who was standing by the car. Leonardo also looked at his new teacher who was waving his hand at him.
"Now off you go! Your teacher is waiting!", Jennifer gently patted his back. Leonardo looked back at Jennifer. All those memories of him being living with her, came rushing to his mind. He hugged her tightly and cried his eyes out, "I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU! …. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU, GRANDMA!"
Jennifer who was pretending not be affected by his departure hugged him back and cried silently so that her grandson couldn't notice. Amanda beside Jennifer, grasped her shoulder. Jennifer looked at Amanda whose eyes were moistened; she was staring at the former. Jennifer understood and patted the back of Leonardo, "Shush! I-It's gonna be a-alright! It's gonna be alright, Leonardo!"
From the other side, Rebecca gently rubbed the back of Jennifer. She knew from the beginning that Jennifer was just putting up an act because it was hard for her to let her grandson to go on such a long trip. Anything could happen in that situation; Jennifer might refuse to let her grandson to go in the final moment.
But to her surprise Leonardo was the one who seemed reluctant to leave her side. Soon, he parted himself from Jennifer. Jennifer looked at him with a smile, "It'll be fine. I'll be fine! Don't worry! I'll contact you at weekends like I promised, alright?"
"You promise?", Leonardo stared at Jennifer with reddened eyes. Jennifer nodded in response and wiped his tears of Leonardo whereas, the boy wiped hers. She kissed his forehead and send him off.
He stood before Hassan; who was waiting for him. Hassan looked at Leonardo and asked softly, "Have you said your Good-byes to all of them?" Leonardo shook his head, "Not all of them! My friend didn't come to see me off!"
"Hmm~ well I think she might be feeling down right now, maybe that's why she didn't come to see you off!", Hassan suggested.
"…."
"Come on, get in!", said Hassan.
Leonardo looked back for one last time and waved his hand; he noticed that Angela still didn't come. Jennifer and Amanda waved back in response. Amanda noticed Leonardo's behavior, thus she glanced at Rebecca, "Rebecca, where's Angela? Why didn't she come to see him off? It's clear that he's still waiting for her!"
Rebecca became anxious and replied, "I informed her a little while ago. Should I go and fetch her my lady?"
"No need! He'll be gone by the time you arrive, so don't bother!"
Rebecca lowered her gaze after listening to Amanda.
The moment car left Jennifer who was standing firmly fell on her knees. Amanda and Rebecca quickly supported her.
"Ma'am! Jennifer!", they said in unison.
Jennifer's complexion was pale and she was sweating.
"Ma'am—I"
"Jennifer! Jennifer! Look at me", Rebecca cut in.
Whereas Jennifer gave a depressed look to Rebecca. The latter frowned, "Get a hold of yourself!"
She seemed like a big sister who was scolding her sibling. "I apologize in advance, but If you continue to act like this in future, you won't be able to see your grandson the way you want. Do you really want Leonardo to worry about you while he's away?"
Jennifer bit her lower lip and shook her head in response while weeping silently.
"I know it's hard for you to be separated from him, but on the bright side, be proud of the boy, who obediently left your side temporarily, to gain knowledge so one day he could take care of you and carry out your will in your stead! Both you and your grandson's sacrifices will not go to waste. One day, he will surely make Guryon family proud."
Amanda was speechless; she wanted to rebuke but couldn't find any reason to, because what Rebecca said was truth. Rebecca hugged Jennifer and rubbed her back, "Don't worry Jennifer, I am always here for you!"
Jennifer heaved deep breath in and expressed her gratitude, "…t-thank you Rebecca! Thank you so much!"
Rebecca continued rubbing Jennifer's back as she cajoled her, "It's okay, my friend! Its okay!"