Dingdong, Dingdong, Dingdong
Lisa runs to the door to check and see a man in his early forties in a formal suit. After opening the door, the man spoke
"Good day, Miss. May I know if Mrs. Manoban is here?" The man smiled politely
"Why are you looking for my mother?" Lisa asked and scanned the man
"I am here to speak to her about something really important" the man said seriously
"Let me call her"
Upon entering the kitchen, Mrs. Manoban asked her
"Who was it, darling?"
"The man outside is looking for you. He said he needs to talk to you about something really important"
"Oh, let me check him then" Mrs. Manoban said then retreated from the kitchen
Lisa continue to arrange the groceries inside the fridge then went upstairs to check on Jennie. Since, it's 8 o'clock in the morning she needs to check on her and ask her to eat breakfast together.
Knock knock
"Jennie? Are you awake? Let's go down and eat breakfast" she said right outside Jennie's room but no one responded
"Jen?" She repeatedly said while opening the door and found out that the little girl is still sleeping
She sat at the end of the bed while looking at her
"Nini, come on let's head downstairs and eat breakfast. It's already 8 o'clock"
"Hmm.. I want to sleep more, Lili" the girl responded
"Come on now you can go back later. You have a plenty of time to sleep you know, it's already a vacation"
Jennie sat up and look at Lisa. She is in a daze then yawned. Lisa smiled then patted her head gently.
Today is the start of their vacation. Jennie is in grade 7 next school year and Lisa is in grade 9. They both headed downstairs and see Mrs. Manoban and the man turned their heads to them. Especially Jennie. And it did not escape Lisa so she glared at the man and hold Jennie tighter.
"I'm going first Mrs. Manoban, you can contact us anytime" the man look at Mrs. Manoban and said
"Yes, I'll need to talk to them." She answered and send the man to the door
Lisa and Jennie headed to the dining table and wait for Mrs. Manoban.
"Goodmorning, Jen. Come on let's eat. I have something to tell you both later" She said seriously
Lisa felt weird and her heart didn't stop beating fast and she did not know why but she still nodded.
After eating breakfast they went to the living room.
"What do you need to tell us, mom? Is it really important? And what does it have to do with us?" Lisa first asked
"Actually, it's about Jennie. But I thought I also needed to tell you because I know you have the right to know and your relationship got closer than before" Mrs. Manoban said
"What about Jennie?" She cast a glance at Jennie. Lisa although she looked calm, inside she started to get anxious upon hearing it's about Jennie.
"The man earlier was from the Kim Family in another state. I know both of Jen's parents had no other relatives left but today I found out that she still has a grandfather. My best friend, Jen's mother was an orphan and her adoptive parents died due to old age. She was an only child. And her Husband, Mr. Kim was also an only child and his parents also died when we were young. It didn't came up to me that they still had a relatives. And Mr. Kim's uncle, is the only relatives left and his family. His father only had one sibling and it's him. So, the man earlier is the butler of Mr. Kim's uncle and he has known that he still has a relative. A living relative." Mrs. Manoban explained
"So? What do they want from us?" Lisa asked even she already knows the answer
Mrs. Manoban looks at her sadly and said " They want to have Jennie back to her family"
"What?!"
"What?!"
Both Jennie and Lisa said. Shocked visible on their faces especially Jennie.
"I thought they only want to acknowledged her. But, they want to get her? From us? No, mom. Don't let it happen" Lisa said
"Lisa, Jen, it's not for me to decide. I don't have a choice"
"What do you mean, you don't have a choice? You can refuse to them, mom!" Lisa unintentionally raised her voice
"Lisa, I know you're kinda shock and please calm down!" Mrs. Manoban said
"Jennie, what are your thoughts? Do you want to go and get to know your grandfather?" Mrs. Manoban ask Jennie
Jennie look at her. Thinking.
"Uhm.. I do want to know my Grandfather since he's the only living family I have. But I don't want to leave here. This family. You guys are my family too"
"You can still visit us, Jen. You're still welcome here"
"Mom!" Lisa interrupted
"Lisa!" Mrs. Manoban also said
"But it's in the other state. It's kinda far from here. Don't you want me here, Auntie?"
"Oh no no no, sweety. Of course not. I also don't want you to go. But you see, your only living relative is your grandfather and he's in his old age. I think it's time for you to meet him and bond with him, right?" Mrs. Manoban explained
"Oh. Okay, Auntie. I'll --"
"No! You're not leaving!" Lisa interrupted her and glared at her
"Lisa! Stop with your attitude. She needs to meet her grandfather."
"Mom, I don't want her to go. Please don't go, Nini" Lisa look both at her mother and Jen desperately ask not to leave
"Uhm, Lili, I promise to call you okay? And I will only meet my grandfather but I'll be back and visit here" she said. Doesn't want to go too but she knew she needs to meet her grandfather
"No. Still, I don't want Jen!" Lisa said and stood up and went upstairs
"I'll talk to her Auntie" she smiled then follow Lisa upstairs
....
"Lisa?" Jen knocked the door
"I don't want to talk right now, Jen! If you want to leave, then leave!" Lisa shout from the inside the room
Jennie didn't care and open the door then entered Lisa's room
"Lili, I told you I will be back and visit" she approached Lisa and sit beside her
"I said I don't want, Jen. So please, listen to me and don't go" Lisa said and Jen hear her sob lightly
"Lili, I don't want to go either. It's just that, I am really curious about my grandfather. I want to meet him badly. And since I promise to visit here, I'll fulfill that promise. Don't you trust me?" She wiped the tears of Lisa
"I trust you, Nini. I just don't want to be away from you for so long. You're my only friend, you know. I'm happy when we play, we fight and argue over little things, and everything will never be the same again if you're not going to be here anymore" Lisa looks at her eyes and her tears continue flowing down her cheeks
"I'll never forget the promises I've made. You know that. When I say I'll be back, I'll do it. Do you think this is easy for me? No. Cause I want to stay here and be with you guys. It really makes me sad if I go but I need to do this. It's now or never. My Grandfather not getting any younger, Lili." She spoke sweetly with honesty and she's trying to make Lisa understand what she thinks.
"Okay, I trust you. But please, don't forget me, okay? You need to tell me what's gonna happen once you're there. You need to promise me that you'll never lie or keep something important from me, okay?"
"I promise, Lili" they hugged tight then headed downstairs to talk to Mrs. Manoban
