" What? What do you mean? Are you crazy? " Xiah asked her completely baffled by her response. She was one of the best singers in school. And no one had known this until the auditions were held in school. Everyone was shocked and fell in love with her voice.
" Yes. I don't want to. It's the last exam and I will be done. " Nathalie told her without looking at her.
" Now I know . So that's why you came in usual self with these sticky hair. But why? What's the reason? You love signing. " Xiah asked her but Miss Zhao narrowed her eyes at her.
" Xiah, this is the last warning. " Miss Zhao warned her giving her question paper. After that, the whole class fell in silence and Nathalie focused on the questions and not on some stupid music competition. She knew Uncle was waiting outside and he knew the exam timing. She had to leave as soon as the three hours are over.
Nathalie solved all the questions but was stuck at only one. She decided to answer it randomly and her exam was done half an hour before. She handed her answer sheet to Miss Zhao, who smiled at her lovingly. She bowed her head at her and left the classroom. Her eyes sparkled when she saw the banner and music system ready in the school auditorium. She slowly walked there and watched the marvelous stage with wide eyes.
The poster of " X - one group" caught her attention. She touched it and chuckled to herself. They were so talented and famous. She considered them her ideal for singing but first was always Uncle.
At that moment, she realised that she needed to go to her Uncle's car as soon as possible. He would be angry if he got to know that she finished her exam early and still didn't leave the school premises. She watched the golden mic and crowd gathering there for the last time. Her feet took to her speed and she was out of the school in two minutes. She saw Xiah in the crowd and mentally bid a good bye to her.
" Doll? What are you looking at? " She heard her Uncle speaking , standing behind her. She had to wipe those tears and make a happy face or he would be sad.
" Nothing. Just watching the school for the last time. " She replied smiling at him.
" Do you feel sad? " He asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
" No, Uncle. It doesn't matter. " She shrugged her shoulder like for her school and her only friend meant nothing. But then why was she feeling a bit sad? She thought to herself.
" Perfect. Let's go. I know you are not in a good mood today. " He said while opening the car door for her.
" No, it's not like that. I am so happy. You gave me your precious time today and waited here for three hours. " She sounded so grateful for staying here for her.
" Ahh. I was working here too. So, you don't have to think that I wasted my time. Every second spent with you is gold to me. " He steered the steering wheel in a different direction other than the same route to home.
She didn't question him, though it was the first time when she was not going home from school. Her doubts were cleared more when they were moving in a new direction where she had never come before.
The car stopped at the entrance of a big building and two guards came rushing to open the doors of car. Uncle opened her side of door and gave her his hand. She took his hand in hers getting shy from all the stares. She was still wearing her school uniform and this made her a lot self conscious of her image. They proceeded to walk in and the place was dark. It was so dark that nothing was visible. As soon as she put her foot in, the violet lights sparkled and a beautiful mic was placed in the centre. There was only table at the centre for audience and roses decorated the stage.
Nathalie gasped at the beautiful sight. She looked up at Uncle's face to see him smiling at her. She immediately hugged him tightly and didn't let go of his hand.
" Close the door. " He ordered the guard. The guard hurriedly closed the door behind him, leaving only them alone in the auditorium.
" Thank you! Thank you so much ,uncle." She exclaimed.
" Not welcome. I want to hear you sing first. Why did you never tell me that you can sing? " He asked holding her chin.
" I too didn't know. We had audition in school so I got to know about it. " She laughed telling him.
" Then only I should hear your sweet voice. And no one else. Sing for me. My angel! " He said sitting on the chair before the stage.
Nathalie made her way to the stage and switched on the mic. In this whole world, if she could ever be herself was in front on Uncle. His smile gave her confident she needed. After clearing her throat, she started with the first paragraph.
*How I love you! How Iove you! ,
The beauty in your eyes, the Softness of your skin,
My heart beats only for you, Only for you my queen,
How I love you! How I love you! "
When she opened her eyes, Uncle was standing inches away from her with his cheeks flushed red. She nervously smiled at him. He held her chin and kissed her forehead.
" Beautiful! Melodious! " He praised her with his lips still touching her skin.
" Thank you, Uncle. " She was so happy that he liked her.
" How could I have allowed others to hear to your angelic voice? " His possessive voice grew deeper with every sentence.
" I would never sing for anyone else. " She gave him a reassurance when he held her hands too painfully.
" Yes, doll. And I would never allow that too. " He replied taking her hand in his.
" Uncle? Can I ask you something? " She asked fearing him.
" Yes. Tell me. " He said watching her face.
" When will you marry? " She asked looking down.