Angela's head was muddled with many thoughts. Because passerby around them hooted and teased them but Leonardo remained unfazed.
'Oh my God! What the hell is he doing in front of so many people! And why is he so close to me all of a sudden? Is he trying to—'
"…la! …Angela!"
Leonardo's voice interfered her thoughts. "Do you hear me? I want an honest answer!", he demanded while holding her face in his hands. Angela felt helpless; she pursed her lips and gave a slight nod.
Witnessing Angela accepted his terms Leonardo sighed. "Alright! —what happened to your hands? Did you hurt your hands before coming here?"
Angela became flabbergasted upon hearing his question. She thought Leonardo would ask; why didn't she come earlier to see him off but the lad was sharp despite his age, he caught her off guard. His concerned gaze made the girl realize that he was worried about her.
Angela was impressed by Leonardo; being five years younger than her, who cared about her to such an extent. She couldn't hide her hands, instead of making any excuse Angela nodded truthfully.
Leonardo frowned, "Care to explain?" he let go of her face and slid back a bit so he could read her signs. Angela thought for a moment and replied, "But what is the point of telling you all that. You know, you are invading my privacy, Leonardo."
Leonardo directed his gaze downward; he thought for a moment and said, "I know what I am doing and I apologize for that in advance—but—I asked you because I am worried about you Angela….do you think I am doing this because I like it? I am doing this because it's necessary…grandma wants me to become a great man. And she told me; a man becomes great, when he sacrifices his comfort, works hard and handles his problems on his own—so that he could protect the people he cares about."
Leonardo looked Angela in the eyes, "Angela! I want to become strong so that one day I could protect grandma, granny Rebecca, aunt Amanda and you. So please don't hurt yourself again or I won't forgive you, alright!"
Angela stared Leonardo dumbfoundedly; she never thought that he thinks of her so highly. The boy, who seemed like a child, bland towards love and responsibility, had grown so much. He appeared younger than her but he sounded like a young-adult, who had come out of his comfort zone and prepared to bear all his responsibilities.
The girl was amazed by his little motivational briefing; she was feeling happy, especially after hearing the last part. Angela broke the eye contact and brushed her hairs behind her ears. Her heart was in turmoil; it felt like it would explode any moment if she didn't break the eye contact. Angela bit her lower lips and directed her gaze downward and pondered, 'Leonardo, you are a such a dummy!'
Angela looked at him and explained what happened back at the mansion. When she was finished Leonardo remained silent for a moment and spoke, "Oh! so that is what happened! I thought it was something else!"
He grabbed the remaining cake he left and began eating. "But I think it's okay for now, because you and I, we both thought we won't be able to see each other again especially me—back at home while I was waiting, I thought something went wrong with you in the head may be that's why you didn't come out to see me off", Leonardo teased Angela on purpose. Angela pouted and pinched him.
Leonardo chuckled, "Ouch! I am sorry! I am sorry!"
Angela giggled. Watching her smile, Leonardo was relieved. He wiped his hands and held the girl's swollen hands gently and looked at her, "Angela!"
On the other hand, Angela was taken aback. She was about free her hands from the latter's grip but the look on his face was something she never saw before and became stiff.
"Please don't hurt yourself again, okay? I don't want to see my best friend get hurt while I am gone. You have to take care of yourself. Can you promise me that?"
Noticing his concerned gaze upon her, Angela averted her eyes and agreed. Leonardo placed her hands back on her lap and suddenly remembered something, "Hey! I never told you about my new teacher!" Angela was interested since she never saw his teacher thus, she mentioned, "Please tell me about him!"
...….
In the meantime, Amanda came walking towards the duo, she noticed they were conversing with each other in a relaxed manner. She frowned, 'I thought he would have left—but I think whatever happened, was for the better. That girl seems lively again.'
"Hey handsome! I thought you left before saying goodbye to your darling Angela!", Amanda teased from afar. Angela blushed and Leonardo rolled his eyes, "Aunt Amanda that wasn't funny in the least!"
Amanda wanted to tease the duo but only Angela was affected by her taunt. Since Leonardo was young and dense in the field of love so, he didn't understand the meaning behind her taunt.
"Oh really! Why don't you look at your darling next to you? Your Juliet hurt herself because she couldn't see you at the last moment!", Amanda smirked when she saw Angela covered her face after hearing her reply.
Leonardo rolled his eyes, "Who's Juliet? And you are just exaggerating things aunt Amanda", he glanced at the girl beside him, "And Angela doesn't even—" before he could finish, he noticed Angela's face was red again. He gasped, "Oh no! Aunt Amanda, Angela is feeling sick again!"
Amanda raised one brow, "Again!". Leonardo got up from his seat and began walking towards her. "Yes! She was feeling sick when we were—mmm!" before he could finish what he was saying Angela chased after him and covered his mouth from behind.
Amanda gave an awkward laugh at the reaction of the girl. She stood before the duo, "Okay, Leonardo you don't have to say anything, I'll ask Angela myself so stop worrying about her, alright?"
She looked at Angela whose face was red to her neck; she had covered the mouth of the lad from behind and locked his arms with her strong legs. "Angela, let him breathe!", Amada grinned.
Angela let go of her hand immediately. Leonardo gasped for air, "Oh God! ...pant! ...I thought…pant! I was a goner." Leonardo turned to the girl behind him, "and what's with your hands. They are like our old gardener. Are you sure you are a girl!" Angela's eyes brows raised in surprise after hearing such words; she pinched Leonardo's back harder than before. "Ow! That really hurt Angela!", Leonardo groaned.
"Okay! Both of you that's enough!", Amanda sighed helplessly. She gave the juice to Angela and faced Leonardo, "Leonardo, what are you still doing here? I thought you left with your teacher! And by the way, where is your teacher?"
"Oh! he went for the restroom." Leonardo replied while rubbing his back where Angela just pinched him. Amanda knitted her brows in confusion, "Wait! Are you saying that he left you here alone?"
Leonardo shook his head, "No, I was with him all the time but when I saw Angela sitting here alone. At first, I didn't believe my eyes. I thought she might be someone else but when I confirmed, it was her so I asked professor to remain here with her."
Amanda relaxed after hearing his response; she heaved a sigh of relief. She noticed something and asked, "Where is your luggage?"
"It's upstairs with guards."
"Okay then, let us wait for your teacher to—"
Ring~ Ring~
Amanda's cell phone rang and cut her off. She starred at the screen, "I am sorry! I have to take this call! Don't go anywhere! Just wait here for your teacher." After saying those words; she walked away from the duo.
Leonardo noticed that Angela was drinking the juice. She swayed the bottle and asked in sign language, "Want some?"
"I still have some cake left you know, but a sip or two won't harm me, right?"
...….
As some time passed, a gentle voice entered the ears of the couple, "So this is the friend you were talking about." Leonardo looked towards the source of the voice and realized Hassan was looking at him with a smile on his face.
"Professor!", Leonardo cried out in excitement. He pointed his hand towards Angela, "Professor! This is Angela Evergarden. She is my best friend!" as he turned to Angela, "Angela! This is my teacher who I was referring to, Professor Hassan! He's quite friendly."
Leonardo noticed Angela was staring at Hassan. Meanwhile, Hassan stood at a distance from Angela. "It's nice to meet you Miss Angela Evergarden." Hassan faced Leonardo, "Your friend Leonardo, kept talking about you all the way here. It seems he'll really miss you after leaving here."
To Leonardo surprise, Angela was still staring at Hassan dumbfoundedly especially at his six inches long beard. He waved his hand in front of her face and interrupted her gaze. "It is bad manners to stare at someone like this, you know!", and gave her a remark.
Angela apologized in signs. "It's okay. I get that a lot from little children around your age." Before Leonardo could answer Hassan replied.
"You know the sign language?", asked Leonardo. Hassan gave a nod nonchalantly. Angela was amazed by the fact that the person in front was familiar with the sign language. Hassan reached his pocket and handed some sweets to Angela, "I am sorry, I don't have anything else other than this so please accept it as a gift. I hope you understand."
Angela immediately replied back in signs, "It's okay. Its fine. Please, don't mention it!"
"Thank you for understanding." said Hassan as he glanced at his wrist watch, "Oh~ It's almost time, son!", and said to the boy in front.
Leonardo gave a nod, got up from his seat and straightened himself.
"Where do you think you're going without saying goodbye?", said Amanda from aside. "Aunt Amanda, I thought I won't be able to see you before leaving." Said Leonardo in surprise and ran in her direction.
Hassan stepped back a little to give them some space. Amanda crouched on her knees and hugged the boy. All the memories she had with the boy began rushing into her mind.
Amanda bit her lower lip, "I am saying this on the behalf of Madam Jennifer. Take care of yourself! Don't skip your meals, alright?"
"Okay!"
"Be obedient towards your teacher! Don't forget to take a bath before going to bed, alright?" "Alright!"
"Don't be scared, because wherever you go, I'll always be there for you, okay?"
"Okay."
"A-and if possible…just…remember me…once in a…while." Her voice wavered and two tear drops fell on the shoulder of the lad in her bosom. The boy was no different than her, his body trembled and the words come out of his little mouth while he sobbed, "I will…remember you…for forever…Aunt Amanda…I will r-remember you…"
They boy shed tears while Amanda pressed her lips tightly and suppressed her sobs; she sniffed a bit. On the other hand, Angela became restless after seeing them crying in each other's arms because she wanted to control herself but subconsciously, the girl knew; she couldn't stand this separation for an instance. Angela knew, once Leonardo is gone, her life would become lonely again.
Amanda patted Leonardo's back and whispered, "Leonardo stop crying! If you do, you'll make me feel embarrass in front of your teacher."
Leonardo glanced at the face of the lady and saw an expression; he had never seen before. Her brows were knitted and her chin muscles were slightly contorting. She seemed to be struggling with herself to not give in to her emotions.
After his mother died, Amanda and his grand-mother were the ones who took care of him. Amanda spent a lot of time with him until she was burdened with the responsibility of the president. So, there were a lot of cheerful memories Leonardo had with Amanda.
Leonardo gently grabbed her face; he wiped her tears and gave her a peck on her cheeks and smiled, "Don't worry Aunt Amanda. When I'll come back, I will make you proud!"
Amanda became astonished by the sudden act of the boy. It made her realize that he had grown so much. She was against the decision for sending him away from home but she couldn't fight it because he was not her biological son or nephew, but Amanda raised him like one. It was painful for her therefore, she forcefully smiled and kissed his forehead, "I know you will, my sweetheart! I know you will!", and gently caressed his cheeks.
A moment later, Amanda glanced at Hassan at a distance whose eyes were directed downward. "Sheikh Hassan! Please take care of him!"
Hassan didn't look at her instead nodded, "Don't you worry my sister! I will!"
Hearing his reply Amanda was somewhat satisfied. She wiped the tears of the boy in front and the boy wiped hers. He was feeling down but she couldn't do anything to stop him because such is the fate.
Amanda sighed and smiled despondently, "Now off you go!"
Leonardo listened to her and a moment later; he walked towards Hassan. He glanced at Angela whose eyes were reddened enough to release the tears which she suppressed forcefully because Angela was in a predicament whether she should see him off like Amanda did. If she did, she might be considered as crossing her line but if the girl didn't, she might be unjust towards her feelings.
Leonardo moved towards Angela and stood before her; the one he spent his most memorable time with for last two years. Before her arrival in the mansion, Leonardo never played with a kid of his age before. He remained with his grand-mother or with Amanda. He wasn't allowed to go outside and make friends because of security issues.
There were moments when he asked Jennifer that why couldn't he go outside and make friends; his grand-mother always answered that he couldn't be sent outside of the mansion because of safety reasons. So, Leonardo stayed in the mansion for few years which created a void in his heart.
Few years went like that and he was used to such environment and the void in his heart also grew bigger. But when he met Angela, the void in his heart vanished like it never existed there in the first place. His life changed and became merrier than before. Although, he was young but he clearly understood what will happen if he lives alone again like before.
Meanwhile, Angela was getting more tensed after realizing the concerned gaze of the lad. Leonardo stepped forward and hugged Angela, "I am going to miss you, Angela! Stay safe!"
Angela couldn't hold herself back and hugged him back. Tears gushed out of her eyes which she tried to suppress earlier. "I am going to miss you too Leonardo!", she mentioned when they parted.
Hassan gently patted the little head of the boy, "Lets' go!"
Leonardo peeked at Hassan and prepared to leave. He waved his hand towards Amanda, "Bye Aunt Amanda! I'll see you soon."
Then he faced Angela, "Bye Angela! And take care of yourself, because when I return, I will beat you in the tag, got it! So, don't falter, alright?"
Angela wiped her tears and nodded with a sad smile, but she didn't look at the latter in the eye. Leonardo stared at her for a moment and then turned to Hassan. The latter gently caressed his head.
A moment later, the duo walked towards the gate where the bus was waiting for them. Hassan led the boy and left the two ladies behind.
END OF VOLUME 1