The water is Sweet! part 2

Granddad was in good health past few days, he doesn't faint that easily, but yet I cannot let him out of my site with this canny old man. I looked up too deny him but, he was with his cute grandpa tear drop in his eyes. So cute. I cannot resist when granddad does that to me too. "Fine I'll let him go. But I have two conditions to mentions." I demanded with my gloomy aura out. "Yes yes name it child." He nodded.

"I'll go straight . No drinking. No staying out of Mrs. Gibbs' site. That's it"

"B-but drin--"

" If there are any contradictions." I stated " Then I'll be coming too."

"No need for you to tag alone. No drinking, no lurking around alone." He guaranteed. "That's good" I remarked. "Tomorrow before leaving for school, I'll drop Granddad at your place, Mr. Gibbs."

"Yes. That'll do. And please call me grandpa Gibbs, dear. Even your mom called me that, though I was an adult then." He said. "Yes. Grandpa Gibbs." I smiled.

I waved at him as I departed. Now I have one more family member; Grandpa Gibbs. I walked down those same old lanes. Those small emporiums. I neared the small kids garden. The clock ticked 7:00pm. The street lights were standing all alone. And at a distance lied Shikido Hill; which were supposed to be haunted. But those were just one of the old fabrications.

I saw my home which was at a distance . A small red roofed house, with two floors and a small backyard. I stood parallel to the gates. Opened my bag and took out the broch from today's competition. I wanted to surprise Granddad.

Opened the door with the keys I had with him. As soon as the doors opened, a loud sound pushed me back.

I sighed, granddad was watching one of those old clips of mom fighting, when she was a sword artist in her High School. I placed my shoes on the rack. "Granddad!!!" I screamed, "I am back!!"

"Oh my little princess is back." His voice neared. "Show me you broch." He demanded. " Huh? How did you know I won." I questioned utterly bewildered. I stepped in right now, and he knew I won. "Oh my dear Zara. How would I not know? You are just like your mother. Whenever she walked through that door, she always had a win in her hands." he said smiling with his wrinkled face.

I hugged him tight. Placed the broch with the many prices I had won on the glass shelf. Beside the shelf was a picture of mom and dad. I smiled widely to them and whispered, "I have made you proud, haven't?"

I went straight up the stairs to my room. The same old room, mom and dad had manually decorated for me. The same black cherry tree with shaded blossoms on the walls. I threw my bag on the bed. I was damn tired from today's competition. My hands and legs were iced up, as if I would fall any moment. I had a quick evening bath. And wore my red pyjamas and white full sleeved top; one of the many gifts I had received from Emilia.

"Zara, come down quick! The dinner's getting cold." I heard Granddad scream from downstairs. The dining table was filled with my favourite dishes. "Wow Grandad. What's this feast for?" I hesitantly asked. "Because my princess has won today." He answered. Though he answered in short, I knew the whole page behind those words.

We had our dinner peacefully. I even told granddad about the trip Mr. Gibbs was talking about, and clearly mentioned the conditions to him as well. It was a trip for just a few days, but to me it felt like few years. I'll be felt alone yet again. When I am alone I think. When I think I remember. When I remember I feel pain, the pain of losing my parents, the pain of faking a smile. And when I feel pain; I cry. But I like to pretend that I'm 'Okay', Because I don't want to annoy anyone with my problems.

But for Granddad's sake I can let go of these feelings and fake a smile once for.

"Good Night, Zara."

"Night!!!" I smiled towards him as I headed towards my bedroom. I lay straight on my bed. Looking up at the stars that I could see from the window beside me, I felt mom's warm touch. She always told me that, ' If you ever feel lonely, just look at the starry sky. Someone, somewhere, is looking right at it too.'

"Good night, mom, dad." I murmured.

(There will be images in the novel from chapter three onwards)

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