Chapter 77: Fond Memories of Her
"Aunty, this box my grandma sent for you." Thea said before handing out Elizabeth.With that, she finally left the room, tears in her eyes.
"Why did you behave with her like this? She is still young...I have no words to say to you..." Elizabeth sighed, shaking her head, and left his room.
Thea rushed to the main doors.She didn’t want anyone to see her tears.
"Elizabeth...why is that child running away?"Rosie asked on seeing her daughter in law descending the staircase.
Rosie and Elder Edward were sitting on the sofa in the living room."Ryder shouted at her."Elizabeth answered.
"What for?"both the elders asked in unison.
"Both of them didn’t say what had happened."She replied.
"Where is he now?"Elder Edward asked.
"In his room, father."
"Let me talk to him later."Elder Edward informed.
Thea sat on the bus, lost in thought. Throughout their friendship, Ryder had never once raised his voice at her, making his harsh words earlier all the more shocking. She felt a deep hurt, struggling to understand why he had reacted so strongly.
"I just wanted to see the box...why did he get angry?" she wondered, her mind replaying the scene.
Staring out the window, she saw the scenery blur together, her mind still reeling from her argument with Ryder.
As the days went by, neither of them reached out to the other. She, meanwhile, was absorbed in her university life, her studies and activities keeping her busy and distracted from the rift that had grown between them.
On the weekend, she decided to venture outdoors. "Grandma, I’m going out today to relax. Would you like to come with me?" she asked, glancing at her grandma.
"No dear,you go and enjoy.." Grandma Grace smiled while replying.She put her sketchbook in her bag and left her house immediately.
She took a bus to a nearby spot, a familiar destination that held fond memories for her. In her childhood days, she would often visit this place with her grandma, creating joyful moments that were etched in her memory. As they arrived, Thea felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her, remembering the happy times she had shared with Grandma Grace in this very spot.
She took a deep breath of air in the familiar city.Many people lived here and there were houses everywhere.The town was a home to several elementary, middle and high schools
She rested under a large tree and the warm glow of the afternoon’s sun shone on her face.
There was a granddaughter and grandmother at the playground nearby.The little girl suddenly pointed towards her and repeated, "look..grandma..that elder sister is drawing."
Thea felt her heart melt at the little girl’s actions. She pulled a wrapped candy from her bag and offered it to the little girl with a warm smile. "I have a sweet for you."
The grandmother encouraged her to receive the candy from Thea "Remember to thank the kind sister."
"Thank you.. sister"Her voice was tender and adorable, filling Thea’s heart with warmth.
"Miss, what are you drawing? Why are there so many lines?"
"I’m drawing for fun. Just practicing." Thea replied.
"My eldest granddaughter also learns drawing. She’s very talented."
"Is she in university now?"
"She just got into university this year after she moved from the rural area to the city. Her parents contemplated for a long time whether to buy a place for her to stay in the school district. After struggling to cover the cost, it turned out that they had paid for an unfinished apartment. She had lived there for three years despite the undesirable condition."
The grandmother sighed before continuing. "Now, even this unfinished building is getting demolished."
Thea looked around her and saw many unfinished buildings. Every one of them reflected the struggles of the households.
It should be a joyful experience for a child to live in the school district as there are excellent schools, a safe environment, and plenty of extracurricular activities, but...
"I am not sure what would happen to this building, but I hope history won’t repeat itself."
Thea’s eyes were awash with conflicting emotions. "It won’t happen again."Suddenly, she noticed the little girl walking towards the road. "Madam! The little girl!"
The grandmother quickly turned around and
shouted, "Oh no! Darling!"
But the little girl had already stepped onto the road. She was in a blind spot, and a car was approaching her at a high speed.
Thea dropped her sketchbook and ran toward the girl. She scooped her up and hugged her tightly, relief flooding through her.
The car behind her screeched to a halt. The driver was sweating profusely as he yelled at them. "Why did you let her run away by herself? How irresponsible!"
The little girl was crying in her arms. Thea couldn’t care less about the scratch in her arms as she hugged the little girl tightly and comforted her. "It’s okay. Don’t cry.."
She turned to the driver and apologized. Later, she carried the little girl to the sidewalk to let the car pass.
As she handed the little girl over to her grandmother, the elderly woman’s face overflowed with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, thank you so much!" she cried, her voice trembling. "You’ve saved my granddaughter’s life – I can never repay you for that!"
"I just did what needed to be done at the moment... kiddo," Thea said softly, squatting down to the little girl’s level. "It’s not safe to go around alone, okay? In the future, always make sure to stay with an elder."
With a gentle smile, Thea stood up and reached for her bag. With a quiet nod, Thea slung her bag over her shoulder and began her walk home.
Just as she was walking on the road ,a car came to a stop in front of her.
The windows of the back seat rolled down.
Thea’s eyes widened in disbelief as she confronted the one person she had hoped to escape. ’Why now I have to face him?’ her thoughts were in turmoil..
"What are you doing here?" Ryder asked, his speech was authoritative but tempered with solicitude.
"I don’t owe you an explanation." She answered abruptly, still sore from their earlier confrontation.
"Get in the car." Ryder said, his tone softening slightly.
"I recollect someone said earlier not to be concerned about who is an adult."
"I’m sorry for what I said earlier." Ryder sighed, his eyes imploring for pardon.
"Now, please get in." he added gently.
But Thea stood her ground. "I don’t want to go with you."
She tried to walk away from his car, but before she could escape, he grabbed her hand. "What now? Do you want to lecture me more about manners?" Thea snapped, her voice laced with irritation.
"Ryder...."she didn’t continue when she noticed him looking at her sharply.
He held her hand to walk towards the car.
Thea struggled to shake him off .However,the harder she tried,the tighter his grib turned.She gave up finally.
She opened the back door and sat on the back seat angrily.
"Come on to the front seat."He said emotionlessly.
"No!" She leaned on the back seat and closed her eyes, refusing to see him.
He didn’t respond further, instead pulled her towards the passenger seat. He opened the door and helped her in, then closed it behind her. Getting into the driver’s seat, he asked, "Why did you come here?"
Thea remained silent, her anger still simmering. He asked her more questions, but she refused to answer, her unwillingness to converse with him was clear.
As they stopped at a traffic light, he reached for her sketchbook. "You came to draw, let me see..." But Thea cut him off, "Don’t touch my things without my permission."
Ryder understood that she was still upset about their previous encounter, and her anger lingered.
He decided to keep quiet, sensing that speaking would only fuel her anger further. They arrived at his mansion, and as soon as the car stopped, Thea didn’t wait for him. She opened the door and stepped out.
As she emerged from the car, the warm sunlight fell on her face, illuminating her features. She squinted slightly, her eyes adjusting to the bright light, and began walking away from the car without looking back.
Ryder felt a little funny and delighted when he looked at this childish , angry woman before following her unhurriedly.
