I was so excited when the results, which I aced, came out two weeks after Rowan had taken me out. Today I had gone for the registration so I decided to take a little tour around the academy and it all left me stunned. Since the school was not in session everywhere was quiet except for the squeaks coming from around a corner. Normally I was not the curious type but before I could register what I was doing, my legs were heading towards the sound. I halted when the sounds became louder behind a closed door that had basketball boldly inscribed on it.
Curiously I opened the door so quietly and peeped inside. The size of the court knocked every sense of reasoning from me. Unlike the dirty central court back home, this was... beautiful. It was huge and it seemed like a soul had never stepped foot in here. The walls were in white and blue paint without any sort of blemish. On adjacent walls 'The Royals' were boldly written. The sky-blue chairs were arranged in an orderly manner. The floor was made with a kind of wood I could not identify but they were so shiny I could see myself clearly through them. If only I had brought Rowan with me.
The bouncing of a ball dragged me out of my reverie and I looked forward to a tall boy who was drenched in his sweat as his clothes stuck to his body but none of that mattered to him as his focus was on the basket which hung a few foot above him. The way his muscles contrasted when he shot the ball up in the air had me breathless and I was thankful he had his back to me. It was a... gorgeous view and before the ball had the chance to touch the floor after it had entered the basket, he attacked once again, this time furiously. It seemed like he was channeling his anger through the ball.
I was getting ready to step out in order not to intrude when he turned back, facing me. The moment his blue eyes met mine I felt like I had fallen into a deep ocean and I was getting so lost. His gaze alone was enough to turn me into a pool of water.
"I... I...am... I am sorry. I was just looking around when I stumbled here. " I stuttered before I scrambled out of the court.
I felt like I had narrowly escaped a lion's den when I got out of the school building. It was then I released a breath I did not know I was holding.
"He seems like a student though. " I said to myself as I walked down to the bus stop.
Glancing at my wristwatch, I sighed when I realized my bus would take another hour. I plopped down on the bench and took out my phone to browse the internet to pass the time.
By the time I got home, I was already so tired that I dragged my feet back home but something was out of place. When I got to my neighborhood, I realized everyone was staring at me like I was an alien but I shrugged it off and continued my journey home. It all got weirder when I found a shiny vehicle parked in front of the house.
Confused, I thought about who could be visiting Nana in this expensive vehicle, and the last time I checked I had told Rowan to stop bringing this kind of vehicle to prevent rumors from the people.
"I am so going to murder you. " I mused to myself as I marched into the house.
Storming inside the house, I shouted "Row, are you nuts? Have I not war... " I stopped myself but it was already too late.
Right in front of me, on our couch, was seated a man, well theoretically not a man, more of like a young guy dressed in a well-ironed black suit, and beside him was Nana who was on the verge of tears, holding his hand.
Forgetting about the guy, I ran over to Nana.
"Nana, what's wrong? " I spoke soothingly as I wiped the tears from her cheeks but she didn't answer she just looked at me. I became agitated when I got no response and I turned to the guy. "What did you do to her? " I grabbed his collar as I shouted with anger plummeting through my veins.
"Tora." Nana gasped but I was too focused on this guy to even listen to her.
What surprised me more was this guy was grinning.
Suddenly his arms went around me.
"What the... " I swore
But seriously this guy is a maniac.
I struggled in his arms but he was not having any of it as his grip tightened.
"Tora Aurora, How have you been? " he cocked his head as he stared at me making me still.
That voice, the smile, those brown eyes and hair that curled at the tip. It was too much to be a coincidence.
"Ralph?" I squeaked stunned and his smile grew wider. "Oh, my goodness. " I screamed as my hands went behind him engaging him in a bone-crushing hug and he laughed.
"I thought you would never recognize me. " he mumbled as he brushed my hair with his fingers.
Chuckling, I released him. "Why won't I? You are my favorite after all. " I looked at him from head to toe and I was awed. "Look at you looking all good and expensive. "
"Look at you too being a spoilt brat." He tutted me as he pulled my cheek.
"I thought you were - "
"Rowan." he said, beating me to it and I dipped my head.
"Aww I cannot believe my niece is being all cute at the mention of his name. "
Blushing harder, I hit his arm. "Urgh, stop it. "
"Ouch, I forgot the feisty part. "
"Whatever." I waved him off as I took a seat beside him. "Anyways what brought you here? " I asked as I brushed my hair away from my line of sight.
"He is done with his studies. " Nana spoke up for the first time since I entered.
"The expensive nature?"
"Immediately after my graduation, my dad told me to take full responsibility for his company since he was retiring."
In the past Nana had married again some years after her first husband died. She and Ralph's dad, Paul had been good to each other but, according to her of course, they both realized they were not meant for each other. After the divorce, Nana realized she was pregnant and she informed Paul, who also accepted the seed. When she gave birth they decided to nurture the baby together even with the way they were not together. With the thought of a child, Paul worked hard so he could support both his child and Nana but when Ralph grew up, she refused to accept any amount from Paul, stating that she could not continue living under his care. He came visiting many times in the past spoiling me with gifts and with time he became my favorite, well until Ralph overtook his position in my life.
"How is he doing? " Nana spoke up.
"He is happy he is finally getting the rest he deserves." Ralph said and Nana and I chuckled. "He also said I should give you this. " He said as he brought out a brown envelope. "And do not pout, he also sent you things. " He winked at me.
"I thought I told him already. "
"Mom can you stop complaining and open it ?" He urged her as he handed it over to her. "How do you manage?" He mouthed as she opened the envelope and I shrugged.
"Wha.. " she gasped and I snapped my head to her.
Looking up at us, I saw the surprise on her face and I stood up to her side. When I saw what was in her hand, my eyes widened.
It was a passport to Italy.
"He said he wanted to spend his retirement with you, travelling around the world and he remembered that you've always been wanting to travel there." Ralph spoke up and when I looked at Nana, I saw the tears that threatened to fall.
"But-"
"Mother, no buts. Just take this and enjoy the rest of your life. Moreover, he said I should add 'Just as friends ' ."
We all chuckled at that. Typical Paul.
"What about Tora?" she asked glancing at me.
"No need to worry. The scholarship comes with free accommodations so... "
"What about your holidays?"
"She can always spend it with her favorite uncle. " Ralph chipped in.
"Yeah. Now no more excuses." Shifting my attention back to Ralph, I asked "When are they leaving? "
"In two weeks after the retirement. Before I forget you both are invited...sorry I have been using 'invite' since, you are expected at the party. "
"Okay, that gives me enough time to prepare myself. " I grinned.
"Yourself?" they chorused.
"Yeah, for the party and for the emotional outburst." I smiled my sight blurred with tears and before I could control my emotions, a tear fell.
"You are still so weak. " Ralph tutted as he squatted in front of me.
"I am not weak, I am only going to miss my grandmother. I am a human you know. " I pointed a finger at him.
Raising his hands in a manner of surrender, he said. "Yeah, I know."
Smiling, he wiped my tears before we were both engulfed in a hug.
"I am going to miss you too but I will make it a priority to keep in touch. " Nana said as she rubbed my head affectionately.
"You promise. "
She released us as she pointed her pinky finger at me. "Yeah, I do."
Crossing her finger with mine. "You better. "
"Now I see how she gets to be so spoilt. "