" Don't you know? Auntie told me yesterday that she had been tutoring some kids in the neighborhood, " Maya butted in and also glanced at the girl with a sigh.
Lily removed her glasses then sat down on her bed with a slight smile as her gaze was fixed on Maya.
" But aren't you sick? and isn't it the holidays?" Clara frowned and glanced toward Maya who rolled her eyes.
" Can't you see? the kids are nerdier than your sister, " Maya said nonchalantly then stood up. " I'll be going home now Clara, make sure you call him, " she added and quickly left the room after getting a nod from her friend.
" It's alright Big Sis, I'm not very sick. and besides, I'm feeling better already." Lily smiled at her softly after Maya left. Then stood up again and went toward the wardrobe.
" If grandma comes, please make sure you hide in the bathroom, " she said after picking a coat then took a small bag with a small textbook.
" Huh? Will grandma come today." Clara's eyes widened as she stared at her sister who was now putting the book inside her bag. Their grandmother lived in a nearby province with their aunt and it would be chaos if the woman suddenly comes and saw her in the house.
" Y..Yeah, I'm not sure, but Dad said that she'll come within the week." The girl nodded slowly and sighed then left the room.
Clara stared at the closed door with a sigh then quickly stood up and locked it. Knowing that the house would soon turn upside down, in case she comes today. She picked up her phone and stared at the email which had shown 'sent' and another sigh escaped her lips.
She stared at it for a while then scrolled through her contact list to call Ken as she had collected his number from Maya, to start carrying out their plan.
_____
Lily sighed as she went out of the house. She couldn't believe what she had heard her grandmother and father discussing several weeks ago and remembered how she had intended to ask her sister when she was suddenly stopped by their mother.
" Lily, where are you off to?" She halted in her footsteps as her mother's voice sounded from the garden.
" To get some fresh air Mum, I'll be back before the sunset, " she replied while walking toward the woman who had suddenly emerged from the backyard.
" Alright dear, here take this." Her mother handed her a small bag of medicine and she sighed inside.
" Mum, you don't have to__"
" No, you need to take it. I got it at a discount from Mrs. Mary's pharmacy. Please don't let your sister know."
Lily sighed again and nodded slowly in understanding. Her sister had already given her a lot which she had saved for her tuition.
" Alright, Mum. . . Bye." She smiled softly and was about to turn back when she was stopped again.
" Lily, I think something is going on with your sister, she barely touched her food yesterday. . . do you know what is bordering her?." Her mother frowned and asked worriedly. She had observed her daughter was not her usual cheerful self since they returned and even Maya__ something was surely wrong with them.
" It's nothing Mum, Big Sis is fine. . . I think she just missed the city, " Lily replied softly then walked away, not wanting to be interrogated further and the woman stared at her back with knitted brows. Something fishy is really going on.
********
After reaching the riverside, Lily sat down under the tree and breathed in the fresh hair of the surrounding.
She glanced at the kids playing, not far away, and sighed softly as her whole body relaxed, then opened her book and started reading with a soft smile.
She didn't know how much time had gone by as the sounds of footsteps kept stepping forward.
" Who are you?" she carefully closed the book and stared up at the sudden intruder.
Her frown deepened as he didn't look like someone from around here, noticing his outfit and the spacious car parked not far ahead.
" Who are you?" She repeated calmly then turned her eyes back to the book. Knowing that he couldn't possibly harm her, after taking in his appearance and the friendly aura around him.
" I'm here to visit a friend." She heard the guy said and turned to face him as he sat beside her, putting a little distance between them.
" I see " Her eyes turned sideways and she caught him intently staring at her with a slight smile.
" I hope you find your friend soon." she smiled softly with a nod then stood up.
" Wait, " he suddenly stopped her and chuckled.
" Do you perhaps know where she lives, " he inquired eagerly and she turned back.
" What is your friend's name, " Lily asked softly while glancing at the sun which had started turning orange.
" Her name's Clara, " he replied and sighed in relief as he watched the pale-looking girl sat back down, somehow finding the round glasses on her long-slim face cute.
' Is he perhaps looking for Big Sis?' she frowned and asked again. " Are you from City M? and What's your name?"
" My name's Jack and yes I'm from city M. now tell me, do you know where she lives?" he stared at her expectantly. But quickly averted his eyes from her scrutinizing gaze. He felt like she could read through him even though she was staring at him calmly.
Lily chuckled slightly and brought out her book again then after some seconds softly said, " I don't know who you are talking about."
" Really?" Jack sighed helplessly and ran a hand through his hair. He had wanted to give her a surprise. Too bad he had to call her now.
" Wait." The girl suddenly stopped him as he took out his phone. " Can I please borrow your phone for a minute?" she gazed at him with a soft smile.
" Uhuh, sure." He quickly nodded then gave her the phone and watched as she stood up and walked to a far corner where the kids were playing at the river bank.