Roline and An kai reached Chendigwa province after three hours of driving. take left from here,and stop at that big metal gate. An kai said to Roline, who has been driving.reaching the mentioned gate, Roline stopped the car as An kai pushed the car door and went near to the gate. he pulled the small lock which was on the metal gate. the gate alone looked to be old, it had started to lose its shiny black colour on it.
Kai, what are you doing? can"t we use the car horns to call for the residents? Roline was getting impatient and uncomfortable with An kai"s actions.
no one is inside, aunt Xia left for her house in neighbouring town. we need to pack the car here and board a bus to her place.
"a bus?
yes, a bus. I can"t let you drive anymore, your body may hurt since you"re not used to long driving and if we decide to call a taxi, it will take us another hour to reach aunt Xia"s home town.
An, we can"t use a bus, people will recognize us and we might land in to trouble. we don"t have anything to disguise ourselves. Roline was not getting An kai at the slightest, she knew that An kai didn"t know what was taking place online. but why would she panic on such a small matter?
An kai was done opening the gate, he left Roline to enter the car inside as he walked towards the huge house. it was too big. one could think that it was a palace in its gone days. it had faded slightly, with tall gra.s.s grown all over the compound. dry and fresh leaves were scattered around the trees and flowers in it. but still gave off a sign of peace and quiet.
the overall environment was quiet with only the birds" sounds.
Roline didn"t move, after packing the car few meters from the gate, she stood right near the exit. An was not scared of the house.
when he reached the door, he pressed in the pa.s.sword and walked up the stairs. he entered a room that seemed to belong to a kid. so many toys were in every corner of it but he went straight to the closet. grabbed a cape and jacket that had a hat on it, and rushed back to Roline.
here, put that on, I will put on this. An kai said before he pulled the jacket down on his body.
the weather wasn"t hot, and not cold either. if one wore extra clothes, he or she was destined to feel hot.
Roline took the cape and tried to make it cover her face.
"you don"t have to cover yourself too much, people here aren"t gossipy as people in town.
some can"t afford televisions and smart phones. the chance of looking your way is 1/10. An kai was saying this out of experience. people in Chendigwa province lived a very simple life.
hmm, don"t you think you"re underestimating your own people? Roline asked.
no, it"s just a compliment because a simple life is a happy one. when I lived here, I never got the chance to talk to so many people. I was here for almost twenty years yet I have no friends in this province. no one here knows that I even lived here. my world is that empty old house you have seen.
I can tell that you"re scared of it because it looks old but, I hold very many memories in it.
the two chit chatted until they got on the bus.
it was afternoon so people weren"t so many but to Roline, the bus was congested. it took them half an hour to reach Chendigwa town. it wasn"t big but a least, it was lively than it"s province part.
aunt Xia"s home wasn"t very far, the two walked in the empty roads and finally reached Xia"s home.
the house wasn"t big and not small either.
a very old woman was seated outside on a hand made mate, seemingly sewing something.
An kai hold on to Roline"s hand and walked closer to the old woman.
Granny? An kai called the woman, she seemed to be in thought as she didn"t respond.
it"s me An, your grandson. is aunt Xia home? An kai knelt down near the old woman and said louder than before. Roline was only able to kneel down beside An kai. she didn"t know what to say nor do. she was an alien in this kind of life. she only kept quiet, looked and waited for the old woman"s answer.
but the old woman noticed Roline before An kai"s words.
"young girl, do you need anything from Granny? your colour is really good looking, and your skin looks smooth too. the woman said in loving voice before she started calling for Xia with a complete different tone.
Xia! Xia!..... bring all my sweaters here!. my granddaughter is here to pick hers.
Roline didn"t know what the old woman was up to. she ignored An kai and talked to her as if An didn"t exist. Xia came rushing out with sweaters in her hands. mum, do you really have to torture.. ....
Xia was complaining when her eyes landed on An kai, she stopped in her words and stood still, she wanted to call An kai"s name but words seemed to be stack in her throat. An kai stood up to head in her direction with Roline but, the old woman held on to Roline"s hand without letting go.
"let her stay with her, your granny loves young people these days. she won"t let go. Xia said to An kai. it has been months since I last saw you son, yet you have changed a lot. I thought... I will never see you again.....