Helen, John and Alan were sitting inside the hut and having their dinner together .
Helen looked at The others and said" This will be our last dinner in this house. Tomorrow, after our morning meal we will start our journey towards Green Town ". She said with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Alan was also having a similar feeling. But he was also exited to see the outside world. Imagining how things will be!
John looked at her understanding their feelings, smiled softly and said " Helen I know you have fond memories here. But its high time that you return back to the Green Town. You have been living here all by yourself for too long now. Besides, Alan here needs to be with children's his age.
John continued..."He should explore the world outside. He must get life experiences by doing things alone as well as with others. He should be able to make decisions. He must do different things, complete them and even should know what failure is. He should also be given a choices to make for himself".
Alan started to say something, but John expecting this continued to speak.
" I know Alan, you love your grandmother and you are happy to be with her here. But from what I have seen, your life will be wasted here."
Helen sighed. "Haaaa... You are right John, He will waste away his life if he continues to stay here. I know I have fond memories of this place and so do I have my fair share of memories in Green Town also."
She took a deep breath and looked resolute. "Come lets have our dinner." All three of them smiled and had their meal happily.
After that, John went out to instruct his guards to prepare themselves for the travel next day. And held a meeting with them to know the details about their travel route.
Meanwhile Helen took Alan outside of the hut....
"Alan this is the last night we are going to spend in this place. Lets walk for sometime before turning in to sleep". Helen took Alan's hand and started walking towards the river.
"Grandma can I ask you something? " Alan asked Helen in a hesitant voice.
"Go ahead my dear. Ask away". Helen encouraged him.
Where is the final resting place of grandpa? You have never took me there. And I have also not found anything near this place.
Helen smiled bitterly and kept walking until they reached the river. She sat down on the riverbank. But Alan stood beside her quietly.
Alan thought that he will not get an answer from his grandmother this time and sighed inwardly.
After a few minutes he also sat next to Helen.
" Your grandfather's wish always was his body to be burned." Helen told him out of nowhere.
Alan felt surprised and turned towards his grandmother. She looked sad.
She took a deep breath and continued...
"When we settled down in this place,he told me once. If he is the one to die first then he should not be burried. His body should be lit on Fire. And his ashes to be scattered in this river. Helen pointed in from of her towards the river."
Alan suddenly understood why his grandmother often used to bring him here in the evenings, sit and watch the river for a long time.....
"Now that we are about to leave this place, I am feeling that he might have done it purposefully. Alec knew if I burried him her, I would never had left his side and continue to be alone and would have stayed back...."
Helen shook her head with a bitter smile. Alan held her hand tightly. "I am sorry grandma. I didn't knew".
She looked at Alan with a smile and tear filled eyes " You know dear...., your grandfather was alway a sly old man. Who used to make me do the things his way without me knowing about it at that particular moment..."
"That cunning old man.... " Helen sighed at took a deep breath and smiled.
Let's go my dear its getting late and we have to check everything again before leaving tomorrow. Helen patted his back, ruffled his hair and stood up.
They went back and slept for the last time in the place which they called their home for all these years.