"SHADOWS OF HER PAST"

Chapter: 7 "Shadows of Her Past

I stopped the car to comfort Sao because –

"I couldn't able to see her like that"

After she calmed down, I drove us home.

When we reached home, Mary informed us –

"Everyone is back"

I turned to Sao and whispered urgently –

"Pretend nothing happened –

they'll get worried."

Sao nodded slightly, still pale.

We walked inside – our family awaited –

Aunt Sharlin rushed towards me with a warm hug –

"I missed you, Thyme! Sao, you're here..."

But I intercepted, concerned about Sao –

"Sao, go rest – you look tired from school."

Kavin noticed immediately –

"Why's Sao looking pale?"

Aunt Sharlin added –

"Sao, are you okay?"

I intervened again, downplaying –

"Mom, yes she is..."

Aunt Sharlin turned to Sao with concern –

"Momo's talking to you, sweetie – why no response?

Are you mad or sick?"

Sao shook her head and replied barely above whisper –

No... I want to go to my room...

And silently walked towards her room...

I grabbed my phone to make a phone call to uncle jasper.

When Uncle Jasper answered –

"Who's calling me?"

I replied nervously –

"Aww Uncle Jasper... it's Sao."

He warmed up instantly –

"Hello dear Sao! I've missed you!"

I poured out my heart –

"Uncle, I miss you too...

something happened today..."

Uncle Jasper's tone turned serious –

"Oh really, Sao? What is it?"

I took a deep breath and shared –

"A person tried to stop me...

said he's my uncle – Casper.

He claimed we need to talk about

you and our family..."

Uncle Jasper's voice paused briefly –

"Thanks God Thyme came right on time...

I was really scared, Uncle."

His tone turned grim now –

"Sao, did he try to hurt you or...

do anything to you?"

I reassured him quickly –

"No, Uncle – thanks God Thyme saved me...

but he said he KNOWS YOU."

Just as Uncle Jasper was about to respond –

Momo voice interrupted outside my room

"Sao, come quickly dinner is ready!"

I hurriedly told Uncle Jasper –

"Uncle, I'll talk to you later

okay? Take care of yourself!"

Uncle Jasper replied softly

"Okay dear... be careful, Sao

Uncle Jasper's Concern (Continues from Sao's call)**

Uncle Jasper immediately dialed a number –

"Thong, from now on, keep eye on Sao...

If any strange person approaches her,

inform me IMMEDIATELY."

Thong replied promptly –

"Okay, sir – will do as instructed."

Call ended, Uncle Jasper pondered aloud –

"They're searching for Sao... seriously intent on finding her."

Meanwhile, at dinner time

Kavin broke dinner silence –

"Sao, what happened – you seemed really out of it?"

Sao hesitated before responding –

"Hmm... nothing, just worried."

Thyme raised an eyebrow, eyeing Sao curiously –

Sao quickly changed topic –

"Actually, exams are near and I'm weak in math..."

Uncle Smith chuckled warmly –

"Dear Sao, that's why you were so tense?"

Sao nodded; I thought to myself with amusement –

"Ohhh I see, lying shortly is good –

she's hiding something!"

I smirked internally; Aunt Sharlin laughed

Uncle Smith intervened

"Don't worry, we'll find a math tutor for you –"

Everyone laughed except Sao, then Kavin joked

"No need, Dad we already have one for Sao..."

Sao's eyes widened –

"Aww really? Who?!"

Kavin grinned mischievously

"It's Thyme!"

My eyes met Sao's – I exclaimed dramatically –

"Aww what – me again?!"

After dinner, I walked outside with Aunt Sharlin –

She asked gently –

"Sao, my sweetheart, anything else bothering you?"

I reassured her

"No, Aunt... I just missed everyone those past two days."

Aunt Sharlin smiled warmly –

"Don't worry now, dear – you're home with us."

I nodded, feeling grateful

Aunt Sharlin added

"Okay, sleep tight – it's late, dear Sao."

I nodded again and walked towards Thyme's room –

Knocked softly on his door –

Thyme opened it with a hint of amusement –

"Now what?

I already agreed to be your math tutor, didn't I?

But I said nothing about math –

Instead, heartfelt words spilled out –

"Thanks for today... what you did for me, Thyme."

Thyme's expression softened

I turned quickly to rush back to my room –

before emotions overflowed further!

Slammed my door shut –

heard Thyme's low chuckle on the other side

Thyme's muted voice followed –

"Aww really..."

And then his door closed too.