The Care You Show

From Author: I thank all my readers for waiting so much. I am back with a new episode. I hope you all like it.

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Hyacinth opened the car's door for her and she sat in. He sat in the car through the opposite door.

"Thomas! Please move toward Tina's boutique."

Canary was surprised at the way Hyacinth ordered the chauffeur.

"Hyacinth. Is this…your car?" She said hesitantly.

"Oh, ….um….it belongs to my friend as well."

Thomas was glaring at Hyacinth surprisingly upon his words. Hyacinth gestured through his brows, 'Don't bother listening.'

"Your friend must be wealthy then. You must be true friends since he lent you his car."

"I suppose so. We are like brothers to each other."

"You are lucky if you have a friend like that.—How long would it take to reach there?"

"Oh,...yeah…Don't worry, we'll be there in no time."

"Alright."

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The car stopped in front of a big mall. Thomas got out of the car and opened the door for Hyacinth. He got out of the car.

Hyacinth stepped forward towards Canary as she got out of the car.

"Let's go."

"Yes," Canary replied while looking at the mall with sparkling eyes.

They both entered side by side.

"Hey, Tina. I am here with my friend. This is my friend Canary.—Canary, this is Tina."

"Well, hello there! It's nice to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you as well."

They both shook hands as they greeted each other.

"Please have a seat."

Hyacinth and Canary sat on the couch and Tina sat opposite them.

"So, little birdie, tell me more about yourself. I am very curious to know about you."

"Are you talking to me?" Canary politely replied with her finger pointing toward her.

"Of course, who else." Tina chuckled.

"Oh, I am here for my mother's dress. I heard you are friends with Hyacinth's best friend."

"Hyacinth's best friend….I see." Tina gave Hyacinth a teasing smirk while talking to Canary.

"Cough, cough!" Hyacinth cleared his throat to warn Tina not to ask any unnecessary questions. 

"So, little birdie, tell me about your name. Your name is unique. How are you named that way?" She asked Canary while completely ignoring Hyacinth.

"Um…my name has a small story behind it. It was the time when my mother was pregnant with me. My father went to his work due to an extreme emergency, so there was no one left in the house to care for my mother. It was raining heavily and my mother became restless. She had a panic attack all of a sudden. She thought that either I or her would die that day but, fortunately, a beautiful golden bird came out of the blue and started singing. It was a canary. Its chirping was so sweet that my mother started calming down in no time. Hence, when I was born my mother named me 'Canary' in hope that I would bring joy and calm to everyone around me just as that canary brought it to my mother."

Canary was smiling warmly, with her gaze on the floor, as she was telling the story of her name. As Canary finished her story, both Hyacinth's and Tina's eyes were wide open as if they had realized why the name 'Canary' suit her so much. Hyacinth broke the silence in the room by slightly coughing.

"Tina, about the dress we discussed earlier….Would you like to sell that to me?"

"I can!.... But I won't." She chuckled as she supported her cheeks with her fist and her elbow on the arm of the sofa. She gazed at Hyacinth with ambitious eyes and Hyacinth knew right away what she wanted.

"Nothing comes free in this world. Of course, you have to pay for whatever you want." Tina politely stated.

Hyacinth felt uncomfortable and Canary noticed that.

"I promise to pay you. After all, I am the one who needs it." Canary replied to Tina.

"No, not you, dear. I want him to pay the price."

"I…I…" Hyacinth was hesitant to finish his sentence.

"I am sorry, ma'am", Canary stood up from her seat, "But, … I can not let my friend do something he doesn't want to do. I noticed you want something that he can not give you", Canary affirmed her thoughts to Tina and then looked at Hyacinth, "I'll buy something else for my mother. What matters is the sincerity behind the gift and not the price. Let's go." 

Hyacinth was surprised. He chuckled and stood up from his seat.

"It's okay, Canary. It's not that hard for me. I can pay for your mother's dress." Hyacinth started with a confident smile.

"Now, we are talking!" Tina grinned with happiness.

"Okay, Tina! I promise to be the model for your Men-Outfit Collection. Now, … Give me the dress for Canary's mother."

"I'll go and grab it right away. Just wait for a minute." Tina happily went.

After Tina went, Canary looked at Hyacinth with upset eyes.

"I am sorry. You have to do this because of me."

"You don't have to feel guilty or upset. I am doing this because I want to."

"But, I know you don't like doing it."

"How can you say I don't like it?" 

Hyacinth asked because he was a little surprised to hear that.

"I noticed the discomfort and hesitancy on your face when she asked you to pay."

Hyacinth was dumbfounded because until now no one cared for him that much. He unconsciously smiled with joy.

"Canary, thank you."

"For what?"

"Nevermind, … I want to clarify that I  just want to model for her because I want to this time. And, … I don't think I dislike it now."

"All of a sudden? Are you sure?"

"Yeah! I am sure!"

"Here I am with the dress! All yours!" Tina came with the dress inside the bag while they were chatting.

"Thank you," Canary said politely.

"You go to the car first. I'll come after I have a brief discussion with Tina."

"Okay."

Canary left.

"You know you are playing with fire, right?" Hyacinth glared at Tina with fierce eyes.

"It was the only way for me to make you agree. Once I heard that you want that dress for a girl, I knew she means something to you. So, I thought I should use her to show you the way towards your dreams", she smiled and then sighed, "Hyacinth… why have you locked your heart? How much further will you run away from your dreams and the people who love you? It has been years since 'that' happened." She put her hand on his shoulder.

Hyacinth was agitated by her words and pushed her hand hard from his shoulder.

"It is my life and my business. I will do whatever I want with it."

Saying this, Hyacinth left.

"My God… Please help him. He has suffered enough for what he hasn't done." She sighed with closed eyes and pinned her nose, just below her forehead, with her fingers.