Uncle quietly stared at her for a few seconds, then smiled at her innocent question.
"And why do you want to know? " He asked mischievously.
"Because I want an aunt. And you will get old soon. " She innocently answered him.
"Hahaha. Doll, why are you so worried about it? It's not the biggest concern for you. Moreover, I am not getting old any sooner. " He playfully winked at her.
"But if you want to get married I have a girl for you. "Nathalie showed him a little teeth while laughing.
" That's getting interesting. Who can be the unlucky girl? " He asked her.
" My friend. Xiah! She told me that she has a huge crush on you. " Uncle's body stiffened at her words and the usage of them.
" What's a crush? And what more do you know about all this? " He asked her on a serious note.
" I don't know. It's just Xiah told me that she will like to marry you. " She told him getting scared that she might have said something very wrong.
" No, this is not a good thing to say about anyone. Do you also have a crush on any boy? " Uncle bit his lip in anticipation. He moved his hand in his hair and it meant he was stressed.
" No. No! I don't. I don't even know the meaning of it. Stupid Xiah! " She replied cursing the girl.
" It's fine. It's just I want to let you know that being in friendship with a male is not good for you. You remember I told you about a girl who was found dead in the woods. One guy killed her because she used to talked to him daily. " The story which uncle had told her hundreds of times since 12, a phobia in her mind that all the males were bad except him.
" Yes, Uncle. I would never. I promise you. " She was scared that would her friend died too if she talked to any other guy? But didn't ask him the question.
Uncle ordered fries ,burger and a Pizza for her. It was rare that she was allowed to eat junk food and she was grateful for that.
" It's so tasty. Thank you! " She told him, stuffing her mouth with fries.
Uncle watched her calmly, she offered a bite of her burger to him. He declined it because he didn't eat junk food at all.
" Why do you think that I will get old in a few years? Do I look like a grandpa now? " He asked while her mouth was full with pizza. She shook her head in response because she couldn't utter a word.
" I... I didn't mean that. You look so handsome and good that every girl of my class stares at you. Even the teachers... " She chuckled at the last sentence.
" Really? Do you think I am handsome? " He asked her and she stopped eating to look at him closely.
" Yes, I have never seen someone like you. You should be a model, not some businessman or a politician. " She dramatically sighed at him.
" I feel good now. You had made me depressed when you used the word old. I am feeling better now. " He said putting a hand on his heart.
Nathalie laughed at him. She liked it when he behaved like a friend to her. Sometimes she thought that he was a man with a two people inside his head.One who was angry and the other who was so funny and friendly.
It was seven in the evening, when Nathalie picked up her paint brushes and the canvas to continue with her painting. She was half way done with the scenery and it needed just retouching to make it final.In that moment, she remembered she had to call Xiah because she didn't bid a proper goodbye.
Nathalie went to the living room and dialled her number but she didn't pick up. She tapped the number again on the landline and same thing happened. She thought of calling her later tonight because she might be tired after the contest at school.
Uncle walked inside the living room, in a fairly good mood. He pecked her forehead and went to his room to take a shower. The cook made them dinner and she too left for the night. Nathalie waved the old woman a bye and ran inside the kitchen. She started to lay the table and filled a jar of juice. She didn't even notice when Uncle came downstairs, it was only when she smelled his sweet cologne she turned to look at him. He was watching her fixing his plate with so much care. Her long brunette hair fell on her face and she gave him a smile.
" The dinner is ready . " She said to him.
The landline rang before he could sit and he watched her with confusion. Because no one called on the home number.
" That must be Xiah. " She replied instantly aware of his sudden fowl mood.
" I will check. Sit and start eating." He told her and went on to pick the call.
" Yes? " He spoke on the landline.
" Who the hell are you? huh? " He shouted angrily. Nathalie grew anxious and walked to him. He slammed the holder down harshly .
"What happened, Uncle?"She asked.
" Who the hell is Max? " He roared at her.