Chapter 48: One Sided Love
Thea entered the house using the spare key. In the living room, she didn’t find her Grandma, so she went to her room to put away her things. After changing her clothes, she came downstairs to prepare dinner. She was passing through her grandma’s room and thought of paying her a visit. After she entered the room, her grandma, Grace, was sitting on a chair, reading a book. Grandma Grace looked up to see who had entered. "You came home,?"
"Yes, just a few minutes ago. I went to her house. Charlotte is going back to Canada tomorrow."she informed.
"How is her grandma?" Grace asked.
"Good..She is still the same as I have met her 3 years ago.."
She disclosed everything she encountered today with her grandma and then left her room to go to the kitchen. After finishing dinner preparations, she decided to make some muffins for Charlotte. She knew Charlotte loved to eat blueberry muffins, so she prepared her favorite blueberry muffins.
"Grandma, then I am going to the restaurant.." Thea informed before she left to help Mrs. Evelyn.
In the restaurant, there were few customers that day. "Aunt, these are for you.." Thea said, handing her a small packet box. "Today, I made muffins for my friend. I thought you’d like them too, so I brought some for you."
"Ah, so sweet of you,Thank you Thea.." Mrs. Evelyn replied.
"Today you go home. I can manage myself." Mrs. Evelyn said.
"Aunty, tomorrow I have a birthday invitation, so I won’t come tomorrow.."
"Okay, dear.." Mrs. Evelyn nodded.
Thea was not an employee of the restaurant. Due to her grandma’s request, she was helping Mrs. Evelyn run the shop. During weekends, she would come regularly, and on other days, she would come if only she was free.Thea was very sweet and diligent. Mrs. Evelyn knew that Thea and her grandma lived alone, and she was studying, so she understood her situation.
The next day....
Thea woke up at 6 am as usual. Her Grandma, Grace, would prepare breakfast in the morning and lunch, except on weekends, when Thea would take over. She had told her grandma that she didn’t have to prepare breakfast, but Grandma Grace was adamant about making it for them. Thea was tried to convince her otherwise, but Grandma Grace wouldn’t budge.
After they had their breakfast, Grandma Grace asked, "Are you going to see her off at the airport?"
Thea nodded her head,"Yes I would see her off."
After washing the dishes, she went to her room to change her outfit. She wore a pair of dark blue jeans and a white top with a floral pattern, along with her favorite silver necklace.
She went to the kitchen to grab the packet of muffins. Her Grandma was reading the newspaper in the living room. Thea kissed her on the cheek. "Grandma, bye.."
"Did you take muffins for her?" Grandma Grace asked.
"Hmm, blueberry muffins,her favourite.."
"Go now, or else you’ll be late.." Grandma Grace urged.
Thea took a bus to reach the airport. She waited at the departure waiting hall. Upon seeing Charlotte entering, she called out, "Charlotte!"
Charlotte heard someone call her name, looked around, and saw Thea waving her hand. She approached her "I thought you wouldn’t come.." Charlotte said.
"Oh, so you thought that? Then,by coming here, I’m sorry.." Thea acted, pretending to be offended.
"What are you carrying?" Charlotte noticed the packet in her right hand.
"This?" Thea asked, holding up the packet.
Charlotte nodded her head. "This is not for you.." Thea uttered.
"Ooh...Thea have you noticed something? Look carefully at me.." Charlotte said, putting her hair strands behind her ears.
"What are you talking about?" Thea asked, pretending not to understand.
"Look carefully." Charlotte said again.
"I couldn’t understand.." Thea continued to act, playing along.
"I wore the earrings..look.. you gifted me." Charlotte finally blurted out .
"That’s why you’re looking more beautiful.."
The earrings Thea had gifted Charlotte were a stunning pair of earrings, adorned with dazzling diamond gemstones. The earrings were intricately designed, with a subtle floral pattern,adding a touch of luxury and glamour. The diamonds sparkled with exceptional brilliance, catching the light and drawing attention to Charlotte’s face. The earrings were the perfect combination of modern style and timeless elegance, making them a thoughtful and precious gift from Thea to her dear friend Charlotte.
"I love this design." Charlotte said, her gaze gleamed with appreciation. as she gazed at the earrings. "It’s so beautiful and delicate!"
"Did your grandma come with you?" Thea asked, she couldn’t contain her curiosity.
"Yes, she met an old friend of hers, so she’s speaking to her." Charlotte replied, nodding towards Agnes, who was engaged in conversation with another woman.
"This is for you." Thea said, handing Charlotte the packet of muffins.
"What’s inside?" Charlotte asked, her eyes widening with excitement.
"Open it after reaching home."
"Go ahead and share it with Ryan if you want to." Thea teased, nudging Charlotte’s shoulder with her own. "I won’t be jealous or anything!"
"Keep your voice low, Thea ..I haven’t said anything about him to Grandma or anyone except you. If she comes to know, then I can’t think about the consequences. Moreover, I haven’t told him myself yet."
"You haven’t confessed yet?" Thea asked, she whispered softly.
Charlotte shook her head, her ponytail swaying gently.
"It’s just like yours - one-sided." Charlotte said, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"What’s one-sided?" a voice asked, interrupting their hushed conversation.
Both friends looked in the direction of the voice, their hearts skipping a beat as they wondered if the person had overheard their secret.
Just then, Agnes approached them, and Thea greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Grandma."
"What were you two talking about?" Agnes asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Grandma, it’s about one of my friends." Charlotte quickly replied, trying to brush it off.
"You ..young generation." Agnes sighed, shaking her head.
"Why? In your time, too, one-sided things existed." Charlotte blurted out.
"Grandma, didn’t you have your one-sided love in your time?" Charlotte continued, her voice filled with excitement.
Agnes paused, a faraway look in her eyes. "Yes, I had." she said, a soft smile spreading across her face.
"Who was it? You haven’t spoken about it before." Charlotte asked.She couldn’t contain her curiosity.
"Your grandfather was my crush at that time," Agnes revealed. "But who knew that I was too his crush and first love."
"Oh! So both of you got your first love," Charlotte exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight.
Thea was too smiling, happy to see the warm interaction between Charlotte and Agnes.
"Then tell us the details." Charlotte continued, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"You’re going back to Canada to meet your parents. You should concentrate on that matter instead of listening to our love story.." Agnes replied, giving Charlotte a light slap on the back.
"But I’m curious.." Charlotte replied, pouting playfully.
"After you come back, I will tell you.." Agnes said, smiling knowingly.
Just then, the flight to Canada was announced over the airport’s loudspeaker, interrupting their conversation.
"Flight 121 to Toronto, Canada, is now boarding at Gate 3. Please proceed to the gate with your boarding passes ready."
Charlotte’s eyes widened as she realized it was time to leave. "I have to go, Grandma." she said, hugging Agnes tightly.
Thea also hugged Charlotte, "Take care, and don’t forget to stay in touch."
After bidding goodbye to Charlotte, Agnes suggested, "Let me drop you at your home."
"Okay, Grandma."Thea agreed and went to their car with Agnes to head home.
The car stopped in front of her house. "Grandma, are you coming to pay a visit to my grandma?"
"No, dear. Today I have an appointment at the hospital. Next time I will pay a visit to your grandma. Don’t forget to visit me when you feel so." Agnes replied with a smile.
"Okay. Thanks, Grandma, for the ride." Thea thanked her before getting out of the car.
The car started moving again, and then Thea entered her house.
In the evening, she was getting ready to attend Ryder’s friend’s birthday party. She was quite excited to meet Ryder there, although she hadn’t mentioned the invitation to him.
Just as she was finishing up, Charlotte’s face appeared on her screen as she was video calling her. She accepted the call.
"Did you reach home safely?"
"Hmm. What are you doing now?" Charlotte asked back.
