Early next morning Fow and Nana left, before leaving Fow took Nui's hand, "Nui, everything is upto you now, I know, this marriage isn't in your hands, but atleast you should know how does he look like. Try to convince Mrs Tan to allow you to go with us to K City." Nui gave a faint nod.
Not finding her grandma at the breakfast table,which was an unusual thing, Nui went upstairs to her room. Mrs.Tan was still on her bed reading a book, it seemed that she had aged several years within a day, "Grandma, are you not well? you look so pale." Nui asked with extreme concern.
The old woman looked up, her eyes didn't look as sharp as they always do, her eyes we're painful sad.
"Nuinui, I am fine darling, it's just that I feel we wronged you. I don't deserve to be your grandma.When your grandpa had made such a promise, I...I...shouldn't have allowed it on the very first place. I can't look at you in the eyes Nuinui."
Grandma started sobbing, she had never broken down like this ever in her life. Nui was completely shaken. Her grandma had always been a woman of substance, she is the one who had brought her up, she is the one for whom she is alive, Nui wanted to say all these, but her tongue was frozen.
Nui took a deep breath to gain back her composure, then she sat beside the emotionally broken old woman and hugged her gently, she tried hard to hold her tears, "grandma, please say no more, why are you blaming yourself? You haven't done anything wrong, that was what the circumstance demanded. As your granddaughter I am equally responsible for what you and grandpa owe. I have always lived a good life because of you people, so just as we enjoy the fruits of life together, so must we bear the thorns together."
Mrs.Tan was stunned, she couldn't believe that her grand daughter has matured so much, "Nuinui... you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, you have saved me and your grandpa ever since your childhood, I will never be able to repay you untill death."
"Please don't say that, let's have breakfast now, I will ask Aunt Lily to get our breakfast here."
After breakfast Nui stood there silently for sometime and asked, "Grandma, I want to visit K City today with Nana and Fow. I will be back tomorrow." Mrs Tan was a bit startled, but then she asked, "Although I guess I don't have much rights on you now, but till before your marriage you are my responsibility, so if I may ask."
"Grandma, if anyone has a right on me that is you. Actually, yesterday Lawyer Wun said that I will have to shift to Zavik Megapolis soon, so I thought I should get some appropriate clothes, I don't want to look like a country bumpkin. Fow said she would help me with that."
"OK", Mrs Tan said in reply,Nui never thought it's going to be this easy. It made her a bit sad too, she felt as if her grandma has given up on her, and she had no one to rely on.
Nui made a phone call to Fow and went upstairs, "Aunt Lily, would you please pack my bag for a day? I want to go to K City with Nana and Fow." Nui was in a rush the bus was in an hour and she wasn't prepared.
"Why is Miss Saue going to K city?" Aunt Lily enquired.
"I want to go shopping." Nui replied non chalantly.
"That's what you told Mrs.Tan, I want to know the real reason." Aunt Lily looked at her with questioning eyes.
Nui gave in, she knew that there was no point in hiding anything from Aunt Lily, she was almost like Nui's other self.
"I want to know something, am I being given off to marriage to an old man?" Nui asked with an innocent face. Aunt Lily laughed her hear out, "What? Why would you ask that Miss Saue?"
"Don't laugh Aunt it's so embarrassing." Nui pouted.
Then she went nearer and asked, "Have you ever seen him?"
"I am afraid Miss Saue but I haven't. Your curiosity is valid, but why are you going to K City, don't they live in the Zavik Megapolis?"
"They do", Nui spoke with a drooping head, "and I have no clue why I am going there, but Fow said her cousin owns a hotel at K City where all wealthy people visit, so he might be able to tell us."
"Miss Fow is indeed smart, but you could have asked Lawyer Wun, he would have told you."
"I did aunt but he didn't say anything, he thinks there's no point now. But I really want to know. Would you come with me?" Aunt Lily opened her mouth to say something, but then decided to stay silent, then she said, "No Miss Saue, from now on you have to get used to not having me around you." Aunt Lily spoke with a chocked voice and tears in her eyes.
Aunt Lily waved at Nui while she left with Nana and Fow, "Be safe, take care of your selves, come back by tomorrow morning."
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Nui was 4, playing at the Manor garden, it was time for roses, a teenager boy probably thirteen or fourteen gave her a rose, while she was crying, when she feel down and hurt her knee, Nui looked up to see the tall figure standing in front of her, he was extremely beautiful, but, his eyes were very cold, she felt his hands were warm as he picked her up, Nui saw his extremely beautiful face, "stop crying baby girl." he whispered to her.
"Uncle is so warm..."
There was a sudden jolt, Nui woke up, she had dozed off in the bus. "Wake up pillow head, we are already here." Nana called in an exciting voice, "let's go".