A Change in Plans

As she entered the Thompson residence, Akai's eyes scanned the room, expecting to see Ryder or Mrs. Thompson, but the house seemed empty. She stood there for a moment, wondering if she should call out or wait. Just then, she heard a warm voice behind her. "Oh Akai, you came. Why are you standing? Sit beside me." Mrs. Thompson emerged from her room, a gentle smile on her face, and gestured for Akai to join her on the sofa. Akai's hesitation vanished as she returned a smile and made her way to sit beside Mrs. Thompson, feeling a sense of comfort and warmth in her presence. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Akai said, as she settled in beside her. Mrs. Thompson's kind eyes and gentle pat on the sofa put Akai at ease.

"No no, you are not interrupting anything," Elizabeth said. "Actually, I came to meet with Ryder," Akai said, looking around the room, not seeing him. "Oh, he is not at home. He went outside," Elizabeth answered. "You call him and ask him to come home then," Elizabeth suggested. Akai took her phone and called Ryder.

Akai's eyes locked onto her phone's screen, her fingers drumming a gentle rhythm on the sofa's armrest as she waited for Ryder to pick up. But the ringing persisted, followed by a voicemail prompt. Akai's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of concern creeping into her expression. "He's not answering," she said, her eyes meeting Elizabeth's. Elizabeth's expression turned thoughtful, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Well, try again, dear. He might just be busy with something." Akai nodded and redialed Ryder's number, her ears tuned to the sound of the ringing, hoping this time he would answer. But again, the call went to voicemail. Akai's concern deepened, her mind starting to wonder what could be keeping Ryder from answering her calls.

Elizabeth seemed to sense Akai's growing unease and spoke up, "Don't worry, dear. I'm sure he's fine. He might be in a place with no signal or just got distracted. Try texting him, maybe he'll respond to that." Akai nodded, her thumbs flying across the screen as she sent a quick message. "Hey, where are you? I'm at your place and you're not answering my calls." She waited anxiously for a response, her eyes fixed on the screen, willing those three little dots to appear, indicating Ryder was typing a reply. But the screen remained still, and the silence was deafening.

"Ah let me call him. If he receives my call I will scold him." Elizabeth called him. After few rings the phone was answered. "What is this Ryder? Why are you not receiving Akai's call?" Elizabeth inquired. The other end didn't reply to anything. "Ryder..are you listening?"

"Aunty I am Savannah actually Ryder went to the washroom. He left his phone here."

"Tell him to call me as soon as he gets there." Mrs Thompson said and ended the call. "What happened aunty? Is he busy? Then.." Before she could proceed Mrs Thompson said, "He went to the washroom. I have asked him to call as soon as he goes there." Mrs Thompson said with a smile. Akai had heard a female voice who answered Ryder's call making her feel a little insecure.

Akai's eyes widened with concern. "Who was that, aunty?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of suspicion.

Elizabeth's expression turned reassuring. " I'm sure it's just a colleague or a friend," she said, trying to calm Akai's fears.

As Elizabeth and Akai chatted away, their laughter and conversation flowing freely, the time flew by. Before they knew it, half an hour had passed, and Ryder finally called his mom.

"Ryder, what took you so long to call me back? Come back now...Akai is waiting for you," Elizabeth said, her voice laced with a mix of concern and playful scolding.

But Ryder's response was brief and to the point. "Mom, I'll be late today." He ended the call abruptly, leaving Elizabeth and Akai staring at each other in surprise.

Akai's eyes widened, her face falling slightly. "Aunty, then I will take my leave," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Elizabeth's expression turned sympathetic, her eyes filled with understanding. "Oh, dear, don't go. Stay a little longer. We'll figure out what's going on with Ryder." But Akai was already getting up, her mind made up.

Her phone rang as she took out her phone and she saw Charlotte was calling her. "Akai, can you come to the Silverwood Library now?" Charlotte asked, her voice sounding urgent.

"Yes, I'll go," Akai replied, already heading towards the door.

"Aunty, my friend called and asked me to go to the library," Akai explained, turning to Elizabeth.

"Then you go with Mr. Jack, he'll drop you off at the place," Elizabeth said, nodding towards the driver waiting outside.

"Don't worry about me, aunty, I'll reach there safely," Akai said, giving Elizabeth a reassuring hug.

With that, she turned and walked out of the house, heading towards the bus stop.

The bus arrived, and Akai boarded it, taking a short ride to the stop nearest the library. She got off and walked the rest of the way, enjoying the warm sun on her face and the fresh air filling her lungs.

As she turned the corner, the Silverwood Library came into view. It was a beautiful, historic building with a grand facade and tall, arched windows that seemed to stretch up to the sky. The walls were made of a warm, honey-colored stone that glowed in the sunlight, and the roof was a deep, rich brown that seemed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding trees.

The library's entrance was a grand, sweeping staircase that curved upwards to the main doors, which were flanked by two imposing stone statues of famous authors. The whole building seemed to exude a sense of knowledge and wisdom, as if the very walls were infused with the stories and ideas that lay within.

Akai felt a sense of awe wash over her as she approached the library, her footsteps echoing off the stone steps as she climbed up to the entrance. She pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside, feeling a sense of wonder and anticipation as she made her way into the hallowed halls of the Silverwood Library.