She sat next to the older woman she rescued earlier. Hot porridge was next to her as she slowly fed someone else's grandmother. The available blanket issued by the hospital was so thin, so she changed it into a thicker one brought by their family's servant. At the same time, rain poured hard against the window.
"Grandma, do you not remember your name or anyone in your family?"
"I have two grandsons, but they are not here—"
"Grandma, can you give me their names? I can look for them..."
"No, they are always working that they rarely go home, and they've been missing for at most a week now."
"I'll try my best to look for them—"
Cresencia dialed the police station and asked if there were missing persons within the city in the last five days. But there were too many, mostly women and young children. She lets them send a copy of males ages 18-35 to ensure she won't miss anyone.
When noon came, the door was pushed open. A young man came in and hugged his grandmother. His tears soaked his suit visibly, coupled with the heavy downpour of the rain, making him look like an abandoned puppy. He kissed his grandmother and cried.
Cresencia went out and sorted the payment for the admission. When she completed the process, she bought all the medications prescribed by the doctor and went back in. As she entered, the older woman was sleeping peacefully, and a young man was kept busy on the phone.
She has a hunch about the distinctive identities of the two, but it's better to be strangers meeting on a narrow road. Silently, she walked next to the grandmother and put down the medication. Then she tidied up her things and prepared to leave.
"I'm sorry for the trouble. Were you the one who brought my grandmother here?" the young man asked.
"Yes, next time, please take care of her well. She's been looking for you and your brother in the cold neighborhood."
"I know, it was my fault—may I know your name?"
"It doesn't matter. Just tell grandma to take care of herself more and enjoy her days like spring."
Cresencia held her bag and rushed out of the room without looking back.
Emmanuel stood still, uneasy with the thought that someone left him unbothered. But he remembered her well. Cresencia was the same girl who wore a veil that day. He's sure of it, and he needed to know that person's name.
He hurriedly dialed his brother's phone number and asked.
"What's wrong? Did you find grandma?"
"I did—but you won't believe what happened!"
"Tell me about it. You have five minutes before the meeting starts."
"Grandma was rushed into the hospital early in the morning. I asked one of the rescue team's members-- who assisted grandma on the way to the hospital, and he told me about the girl who called for them—"
"What about it—"
"She's the same girl my friends, and I saw in the restaurant that day, so brother, you go and get her name-- there might be surprises waiting for you!"
"How's grandma's condition?"
"Grandma is fine. I've seen the medical results. So, brother, help me get that girl's name." Emmanuel hid the real reason for asking for his brother's help, but he thinks that the girl might be the person who saved them once in the mountain.
"Why do you think I will help you?"
"Because you have dealings with the Qin's, you can just ask her for name, brother."
"Her brother? The Qins? What do you mean?"
"I told you before that we saw the eldest lady of Qin's family. I can't be wrong because she was affectionately having a bonding time with the twins!"
"Give me a reason to help you."
"We must thank her for saving grandma—"
"She didn't give you her name before leaving?"
"No, she said it was not important for me to know."
"Then don't bother her," his brother then hung up.
Emmanuel felt funny, but he just shrugged his shoulders off and watched his grandmother. He hoped that someday fate would give them a chance to meet again. And he must thank her for saving their grandmother and them.
"Such woman who's ready to help without returns is rare."
As Cresencia got home, her grandmother was talking to a young lady. She was glamorous and kind-looking, but the color of her aura resembles deep sadness. If you don't look closely, you would think she was pleased to be here. Seated next to her was a middle-aged man who looked the same as her, which could be her father.
Cresencia walked to the secret passage and entered her room safely. Miku was awake, and he was eating some fruits. She glanced at him and chuckled.
"Do not overeat—you might not digest it well."
"Master, you're here!" then he burped loudly.
Cresencia changed her clothes and picked her bunny up. She was planning to go down and walk towards her mother's garden.
"They are on the right age of marriage, and it should be," her grandfather's pleasing voice echoed through the living room.
"Oh, dear—you're here, come over and sit beside me," her grandmother called.
She obediently came and sat gracefully. The woman in front of her was surprised. Her hands trembled unexpectedly, and more sadness surrounded her. Cresencia could see that the man opposite to them had hidden plans upon coming here, but it wasn't of the wrong kind.
"Who might this girl be?"
"This is my eldest granddaughter, the only pearl in our palms. She just returned from the military camp," her grandfather answered humbly.
"Nice to meet you—" the woman spoke out of the blue
"Grandma, can you excuse us? I want to show her somewhere," Cresencia asked
"Oh, you people nowadays really have the same ground on things. You go and enjoy."
"Thank you, grandma, come with me—" she ushered for the lady to go with her.
They walked through her mother's pavilion. The wetness of the ground was still visible after the rain. But the sun showed its colors of the setting.
"I am Cresencia. Can I know your name?"
"Anastasia—" the woman whispered
"Why are you sad?" Cresencia asked
The woman standing in the yard resembled a picture on one of the mansion's inside walls. Anastasia smiled and sat on the bench beside her as she stared from afar, where the birds flew in circles freely.
"A magnificent bird will always be caged-- and a marriage to bind two strangers is not my ideal dream," Anastasia answered.