Chapter 7

Saira woke up early, at 5 o'clock. She tidied up her bed, brushed her teeth and washed her face, ate a banana, did 30 minutes of morning exercise, took a quick shower, did her morning skincare routine, ate her breakfast(Omelets+salad+milk), prepared her exam needs tools, did her hair, put on simple natural makeup, and wore her school uniform.

Saira took a train to go to the exam hall. While she was on the train she reviewed her exams. Her last exam subject was English. Saira did not feel any pressure since her father assigned an English teacher for her since she was young and in the past year's she had been to Europe alone in school breaks and had the first-hand experience in talking with native speakers. However, she still took a quick review just in case she forgot something in grammars or any studying related unites.

Saira arrived at the location. When she was heading towards her exam hall room, a girl from another middle school with a troubled voice got her attention for a second, because she was so loud, and then just turned around taking out her water bottle to drink it.

▫️👧🏻: " Heeeeeh!! Where is it??!! No way! I'm sure I brought it with me!"

The girl's friends tried to search for their friend's pen but they could not find it, and they did not bring an extra pen with them.

When Saira took the girl's attention, the girl walked towards Saira and asked Saira politely, if she had an extra pen with her and if it is possible to borrow it from her. Saira gave her, her extra pen without any word. The girl felt relieved and thanked Saira.

▫️👧🏻: " Oh! Thank you so much! You are a lifesaver! I'll give it back to you after the exam, so, let's exchange contact in case we missed each other."

▫️Saira: " No need, you can have it. wish you all the best." Said Saira with a normal polite vibe. After that, Saira bowed and went into her exam hall room.

The girl stared at Saira as she went into the room.

▫️👥( the girl's friends): " Usagi-Chan, did she have an extra pen?"

▫️Usagi: " hey, do you know who is she? For some reason, she attracted my attention."

▫️👥: " Don't know, anyway hope the exam can attract your attention as much as you are attracted now." said banteringly. They all laughed together and went to their exam room.

Saira was the first one to give her exam paper. After she handed her papers to the in-charge teacher of her exam hall, Saira was allowed to go.

Saira took her shoes from the cupboard and walked out and spotted Tadame right away.

Usagi's exam hall location was coincidentally the same as Saira's. Tadame just realized that as she was on her way to pick up Saira.

Tadame waved her hand to Saira with a gentle smile. At that scene, Saira felt happy, sad, and frustrated for a moment. When Saira was a kid, she always hoped and imagined her parents to come and pick her up from school like other kids but, they never came. Actually, Saira knew that her parents can not pick her up and there is no way for them to come personally just to pick her up. However, Saira was curious about how it would feel like to be picked up by her parents and how it would be. (What kind of conversation they will talk about? , will they drop somewhere else before going home? ) that's the kind of situation.

When Saira saw Tadame she imagined her mother standing there for a second. (In the end... It can never happen. But I guess... It's not a bad feeling to have someone waiting for you... ) Said in her inner self while sadly smiled for a second. Saira crossed the road and walked towards Tadame naturally.

▫️Tadame: "How was the exam?" asked while getting in the car.

▫️Saira: "It was good." said while getting in the care.

Tadame started the car's engine and drove.

▫️Tadame: " I bought for you a light bento (lunch box) and ice honey tea in case you felt hungry. Is it ok?!"

Tadame thought of buying a bento for Saira on her way to pick her up. She was worried that Saira couldn't eat properly yesterday since she was reviewing for her exam and had to cook for herself. She also was worried that Saira might have not had her breakfast this morning, so she decided to drop by a convenience store to buy a simple light lunch box for Saira for the time being till they reach home and cook dinner. [ The lunch box contained an egg roll(Tamagoyaki)+ some legs and mash potato with a flavored topping ]

Saira wasn't that hungry but she accepted the lunch box because she felt Tadame's caring and sincerity. She also felt that she had to accept it because Tadame has gone to trouble herself in buying this lunch box just for her.

▫️Saira: " Yes, thank you. What about Tadame-San?"

▫️Tadame: " I'm fine, I had lunch before coming."

Saira felt strangely warm-hearted by Tadame's treatment. No one has ever done something like that to her. Saira knew that Tadame is a good person from the beginning, but she asked her self and wondered if other mothers do the same thing to their children and if it is alright to accept this kind of treatment.

▫️Tadame: " You can eat it now. By the way, What do you think about today's exam?"

▫️Saira: "hmm... I did not face any problems with the questions. The questions were forward and similar to what the teacher has given us, but there are only the situation questions that students have to answer on their understanding of the question and situation. However, I think it was pretty easy."

▫️Tadame: "Is that so? I hope Usagi can answer them she is really bad at English so she just memorizes everything without understanding. I hired an English tutor for her, but she always slicks down and doesn't pay attention."

Saira looked at Tadame with a questioned look. Tadame explained to her and told her that Usagi is her daughter and she is in the same year as Saira.

(So she has a daughter...) that's what Saira thought. Saira wondered what Tadame's daughter is like and how her family looks like. Saira was curious about how a real family looks like.

While she was wondering she took a few sips of the ice honey tea that Tadame has prepared for her.

▫️Tadame: " Oh, and by the way, I have another 2 sons. You will see them when we get back home. Anyway, we are giving you a welcoming party today so look forward to it."

Said with a happy excited smile.

( when we get back home...) this sentence lingered in Saira's mind. "We get back home" Saira repeated this sentence in her mind a few times. She felt like she was a member of the family. Saira smiled with an excited heart and anticipation. She looked forward to knowing Tadame's family and how she will spend her time with them. Tadame peeked at Saira's exciting smile and smiled a motherly loving smile.

As they arrived at Saira's apartment, Tadame wasn't surprised at how fancy and luxurious the building was and well secured, she expected that at least since she knew who Saira's parents are. However, she was a little bit surprised at how big Saira's apartment.

It was big for just one little girl. It felt like a small bird was living in a big large nest.

There were 2 floors, 2 master bedrooms, 1 workout room, a big and wide-open kitchen, a big terrace, a big bathroom, a big restroom, and a big living room.

The first thing that came up to Tadame's mind that Saira must have been lonely. Tadame was worried about how Saira was living by herself in this big apartment alone, and she lived in this apartment since she was young. When Nani told Tadame that Saira has been living in a big apartment, she did not imagine that it would be this big.

As soon as Saira opened the door of her apartment, Saira went to the kitchen right away and poured a cold fruit tea from her fridge and served it to Tadame, who was at that moment was mesmerizing by the apartment. Tadame thanked Saira for the tea and sat down in the living room.

▫️Saira: "Tadame-San, please wait here I'll finish packing and changing quickly."

▫️Tadame: " Is there anything you want me to help with?"

▫️Saira: "No no, please take a rest here. It won't take long. I actually, packed yesterday so there is nothing much left."

▫️Tadame: " Ok then if you need me in something, please tell me." Sara nodded her head and quickly went to pack her rest of the things and change her clothes.

While Saira was packing and changing her clothes her heartbeat kept beating so hard. She felt excited and nervous. Saira wondered if she could get along with the family because she has never been around so many people, she wondered if she could stay calm.

While Tadame was waiting for Saira, she noticed the magazines which were covered with Saira's mother's pictures. Tadame also noticed that there is no trace of a family picture, friends, or anything like that.

"It seems like there is a lot to do. It should be fun, right?!" Tadame said in her inner thoughts. Tadame thought that they should go on lots of family vacations and trips together for Saira. Tadame wanted Saira to make lots of fun and beautiful memories during her stay.