4 THE QUART SQUARE

Anoka and Xiao Nai have long forgotten about the locked up Xie Ke . They continued their work without any hindrance. After doing continuous packing from morning they were all worn out. Just then Mr Xiao called everyone for lunch. It was like giving water for a parched mouth in the desert. "It's lunch time. Come on let's dig in " saying this they all sat down in the dinning table and started having a hearty meal. "Ke enough of packing dear, come on let's eat first and then do the remaining ." called out Mrs.Xiao. When they heard that, Xiao Nai and Anoka panicked and got worried about Xie Ke. They had forgotten about Xie Ke completely. They scolded themselves for their blunder and dashed upstairs to the wardrobe to get him out .

When they opened the door, damn worried about him they found that sweet little Ke was fast asleep in between the clothes. Seeing him in between the pile of clothes they burst into laughter. He was really looking so cute and was a rare sight to see. They decided to wake him up after doing a little stunt. Both of them got markers from the study room and decorated his face beautifully😜. Then they took a snap and a selfie to add to their hilarious photo collection. After that they woke him up and asked him to join them for lunch. While marching downstairs they asked him how it was for him to be locked up. He chuckled happily and said, " I was able to take a good nap while all of you were working so hard". Anoka and Xiao Nai wished that they never asked him that question.

At the table

They all sat down to eat . Looking at Xie ke both the elders laughed. He looked quizzically at both of them and then turned to his friends who were smiling innocently. Seeing that, he understood that they had pulled a prank on him and went to the washroom to check his reflection. After he left, Anoka suddenly remembered something and frowned and said "Just after this spring festival ,my dad is getting married". After saying that she was looking dull and gloomy."I wish my mom was still alive." she muttered slowly. Mrs Xiao was sitting beside her . When she heard her saying that, she patted her back and consoled her. " Sweetie don't be so upset. Your mother is not here with us but you know right you've always got me.I will always love you as my child. You can come look for me whenever you want ". Hearing her say that Anoka's eyes welled up.

Seeing the scenario when he returned after washing his face, Xie Ke decided to break the ice of the not so nice conversation. He came and said " So this spring we all can go on a short holiday trip , after the wedding or even better if we bunk the wedding". "Always thinking about skipping things, but a trip is a real good Idea because Anoka's house is at Hainan (It is an island. It's known for its tropical climate, beach resorts and forest and mountainous interior), We get to have a relaxing and calm holiday." Xiao Nai said while showing a thumb's up and gave a fist bump to Xie Ke. He sat down and everyone resumed eating. After lunch they completed the remaining packing. Mr and Mrs Xiao left the town in the evening after bidding goodbye.

Xie Ke's family is well off and his family lives in Amsterdam. He started his schooling here because he lived with his grandparents from his childhood. It was because his parents were busy making money and unable to look after him. After his grandparents passed away he did not want to leave this place. It is because he loved this place and also he felt lonely while living at his parent's place during vacations.So he stayed back. His parents did not have a problem with it. They arranged a small penthouse for him to stay, but he prefers to stay at the hostel. His parents would send money regularly to his account for his expense. He never felt proud of his family and it's wealth during his entire life.

But now he was overjoyed that he had his own place. It is because now Xiao Nai is going to stay with him in his penthouse and he could say goodbye to his hostel. His house is small but fully equipped.It had a single bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, a small balcony and a dining room. He had stacked up all his favourite movies in the living room. He also had and dishes every weekend. He used to order food or crash at the Xiao house.

Coming to his bedroom, it has always been untidy with heaps of clothes and other things lying around here and there. He had also stuck different posters on his walls which made the room look even messier. Xiao Nai had always been very neat and tidy. So Ke had to arrange and organize his room to accommodate the clean freak. He had a huge task to accomplish. His shoes were resting on the chair, a pile of clothes were napping on the bed with pairs of stinking socks beneath the bed. He never realized his room was like this ever before that day.

" OMG!!!! Is this the whole city garbage??" asked Xiao Nai after entering his room. Hearing him say that Xie Ke buzzed around the room like a busy bee replacing things were it should have been. He collected the dirty clothes in the basket, stuffed clean ones in the wardrobe and placed his shoes in the shoe rack. Meanwhile, Nai was working at his laptop preparing a study schedule to help his friends for their upcoming exams.

While busily working, one notification popped on the side of the laptop screen. It was a group chat message. All their club members were in that group, they were talking about the newly launched game. Then Xie Ke's mobile buzzed at the side table. Xiao Nai picked it up." Are you free??" asked Anoka frantically from the other end.. "Of course I am, but Ke is not exactly a free bird right now" Xiao Nai told her. Hearing his name Xie Ke eavesdropped their talk and managed to snatch his phone. "Xiang Qi I'm always free for you dear . Just on my way"he replied to her. He left all the cleaning that he was doing and rushed towards the door picking a coat. Nai followed him not before locking the door.

Anoka was waiting nearby with three bicycles ready to ride. " Come lets race." She said and mounted her cycle. They could sense that something wrong had happened otherwise she wouldn't come so suddenly. So they didn't dare ask her anything and hopped on their cycles and followed her. As they were trailing down the road, Ke kept thinking about the possibilities of her emergency meeting. Their exams was round the corner, was it that?? Is it her dad's wedding??? Or something else . He could not find the exact reason, so he just closed his thoughts and continued to drive. After riding for a long time, they were all too tired to ride anymore. Yet Anoka did not want to stop and give up. But finally both the boys made her to pull over.

Then they saw her red face, teary eyes and a face full of anger. They pulled her into a hug seeing her condition and consoled her saying everything will be alright. The guys cheered her up and managed to dissipate her anger. The trio went back home after having icecream and fries at the snack shop.

Everyone were busy preparing for their upcoming exam while these three friends were planning on their trip to Hainan. Whereas on the other side Bailey's examination was almost over. He'll be in China for his vacations shortly so they decided to take him with them. Every other day Anoka was more and more upset. She was becoming restless. Her thoughts were unsettling. She had long forgotten about taking food regularly and slept less everyday. Even though their exams were not that easy, yet Anoka, Xiao Nai and Xie Ki had wrote it very well. They gave their best and left the rest to God. So they did not bother much about their scores and were eagerly waiting for their holiday plans.

After spring festival they will have a very busy school year . They will have to attend their clubs and do many volunteer works. They need to organize many events and programs. Doing all that will eventually tire them out but it will surely be interesting and they will gain a lot of experience. Let's see how their trip turns out to be. Will it be an emotional rollercoaster 🤔

Introducing Bailey

He and his brother Eden are Xie Ke's cousin, who stays with his parents in Philippines. Speaking of Bailey's character he is interesting, charming and a gentle lad who gets along well with anyone.He has a unique personality

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