Chapter 12: Story Of Naira...

"Okay, kids. Time to sleep. Hurry hurry hurry!!!" Said an old lady who looked like she was in her 50s though she was not less than 65.

"Boo! Grandma, it's only 9 pm. Please let us enjoy more." Said a boy with black hair and pitiful eyes.

"Yeah, granny. Please let us play." Cried another girl followed by the 'yeah' of four more kids.

Seeing their puppy eyes the old lady gave in.

"But only for 15 more minutes and then off to sleep, okay?"

"Okay, grandma." Cheered all the kids, except for one.

A small girl with a fragile timid body stood in the corner of the room. The old lady moved toward the little girl, "Why are you standing aloof, Tina? Join them."

With a timid voice, she replied, "I would love to but I am scared."

The lady was taken aback. With a smile, she began, "Scared of what, child?"

"Scared of being hated and rejected by them. Scared of hurting someone. Scared of everything..."

The lady gave out a small laugh. "Did I ever tell you the story of a girl who too was scared of almost everything and this led to a huge misunderstood with the best person in her life?"

The girl shook her head.

Then she looked up and called out, "okay children. Time to sleep. No, no more playing. Why don't I instead tell you a story?" The face of all the children lightened up.

They all went to their bedroom where 3 double beds waited for them. As they cuddled up each in their respective beds, the lady took a chair and sat.

"Okay, grandma. Whose story are you telling us this time?"

The lady gave a soft smile and said, "Naira's story."

"Naira's story? But grandma_" began one of the kids when the lady interrupted.

"If you want to hear the story then don't interrupt me. I mustn't hear a single sound from you guys. Only then I will continue the story." The lady paused. When she heard not a single sound she started with her story.

***

"That was an awful story grandma." Commented a girl.

"Yeah, grandma. What made that girl run away from the handsome guy in the first place? Can't she just talk with him and ask whether he truly loved her? Then at least they would have avoided the accident." Commented a boy.

The lady had skipped the part where Hector had forced Naira. As the kids were young she didn't want them to listen to this stuff.

"Well," began grandma, "the reason was that she was afraid. She was afraid of listening to a 'no' for the answer by him. She was just scared of everything."

"Grandma, for future references I still prefer stories with wizards and superheroes." Commented another boy who slept in the upper berth above Tina's.

Tina, who slept in the lower berth, sat up. The lady saw her and went near.

"So, did you like the story?"

"Did the handsome guy recover? Did they have a happily-ever-after?" Asked Tina innocently

"Probably... Now go to sleep, Tina."

"Grandma," Tina called back with a whisper, "thank you. I promise I will never again be scared and face my fears like the girl in your story."

The lady gave a pleasant smile and kissed Tina on her forehead.

"Good night sweetheart."

After the lady had closed the door behind her, she let out a silent sigh. Then she went to the living room. It was already 10:30 pm. She should go to bed. But it seemed that she was waiting for someone's arrival.

As soon as the lady sitting on the sofa was about to doze off, a knock appeared on the door.

She hastily went near the door and opened it. A man in a suit, with messy dark hair, stood with a tiny little girl in his arms. The man, though had good strength, was old and had few strands of white hair.

"You came!" The lady asked with a beaming face.

"Nice to see you after long, Naira..."