White Tulips and Daisies

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Auntie! Where have you been?" Build spoke in between loud sobs, arms tightened around the body of the old woman.

"I'm sorry." Aunt Praya caressed his hair.

Build took his time crying on her shoulder. All the pain, hatred and tiredness being let out of him. Finally, he found someone who would definitely understand his situation. He straightened up. "Where were you, Auntie? I was looking for you. Daddy… P'Than…" Build can't find the right words. He wanted to tell her everything. He wants her to know everything.

"I know, my son. I know what happened to the family." Aunt Praya sighed. "I came back to look for you. How are you?" She looked at Build's belly, silently pertaining to the baby.

Build smiled, touching his belly. "He's in the car."

Aunt Praya looked at the car, a small smile showing on her lips. "I want to meet him."

"Let's go." Build looked at the woman beside her. "Who is she?"

Aunt Praya smiled. "This is my daughter, Aroon."

"Hi, Khun Build. I heard so many good things about you and your family." Aroon bowed at him. She seems like a in her early thirties.

"It's nice to meet you, Aroon. Come on. Let's find a place to talk." Build guided them to the car.

Aunt Praya sat beside Build and Aroon on the back with Blue. Upon seeing the strangers, Blue felt uncomfortable.

"Papa?" Blue looked at his father with fear.

"It's fine, baby love. Do you remember the grandma I always talk about? Here she is."

Blue looked at the woman beside his Papa.

"Hi, Khun." Aunt Praya smiled at him full of love. Even though it was the very first time she saw the kid, she felt immense joy.

They found a restaurant and settled there. It is not peak hours yet so the restaurant is not crowded. Build ordered the promised burger and fries for Blue.

"Where have you been, Auntie? I was so worried." Build asked.

"I'm sorry, Build. I can't go to you as soon as I heard the news. I am one of the suspects in what happened. My family is so worried about me so I hid." Aunt Praya looked guilty.

"You're not at home when it happened?" Build looked confused. He thought Aunt Praya was at home back then.

"I asked your father if I could take a few days off. I went back home to take care of my grandchildren because my daughter is sick. The night I left, it happened. I'm sorry, Build." Aunt Praya played with his fingers.

"Stop saying sorry, Auntie. It's not your fault. It's just that…" Build started to tear up once again. "When I came home that morning, Daddy and the housemaids were…" It's hard for him to remember the sight of lifeless bodies on the floor.

"I understand. It was so chaotic." Aunt Praya looked at him with worry.

"I can't find P'Than and you. I thought… I thought you left me too." Build started crying.

"We decided to hide her after knowing that she is one of the suspects. She's too old to be investigated and jailed. We're afraid for her. I hope you understand as you are a child of someone too." Aroon looked at him with pleading eyes.

"I understand, of course. And I won't let them take Auntie. I know she's not guilty of what happened." Build wiped his tears. As soon as Blue saw the action, he lifted his body and went to Build's lap. He hugged his Papa tight.

"We went there three times already but you're not around. I have work and can only take Mama here a few times. But every time we go, you're nowhere to be found. We even go to the mansion that she says." Aroon told him.