4 3 Come with us

  Tiana was looking at her friend with a look of confusion. She did not know what had happened this past week in her friend's life for her to be so emotional, but she felt it was not going to be easy for her too. 

  As they reached the cottage door Richard gave the basket to Tiana that Cynthia had brought for her. The first thing she saw in the basket was the beautiful white lilies, that Cynthia had picked up on the way from a small boy selling flowers in the streets. 

  "They are so beautiful" - Tiana 

   "I know you like them so I got them for you"- Cynthia. 

   "Thanks. I don't get a lot of these here. I have a lot of wild flowers like morning glory but these are rare".

   As both of them walked inside the cottage talking, Cynthia noticed that the cottage had a different look to it. It had become more black and white than the pink and pastel colour it had been. She had failed to notice it the first time she was searching for her. She thought maybe that not seeing her had made her to work the place into something new. But still something felt odd, she Tiana was not the type to go for black and white. She wanted to ask her about it but a fleeting glance at the clock told her she had been a long time away from town. 

   What if their parents had sent a messenger to know of their safety after learning they had left the city. " I am sorry Tia, I have to leave now." 

   "But I saw you just now. Why leave so quickly and you haven't told me of you visit to the city". She spoke as she laid down the basket on the table and was looking at the fresh fruits and other things her friend had brought her. 

   "I came earlier to see you. And I couldn't find you so I was waiting and I guess it took away a lot of time. Now I have to go back as you know my parents have no idea why I left the city without their knowledge and I only left them a small note and I don't know if they would have sent a messenger to see if both of us are ok. If the messenger conveys a wrong message, that we are not in town, it would cause unnecessary worry to our parents." 

   Tiana felt a a twinge of hurt at her friend's words but hide it. She had a family to worry about whereas she Tiana had no one, leave alone her only friend. She smiled.

   "I'm sorry I made you wait. I had no idea you were coming today." as she said it she lowered her eyes to the basket and suddenly she remembered what Cynthia had told her "Why did you not inform your parents that your leaving the city? What was so important for you to come back without seeing them?"

   Cynthia paused, her gaze a mix of emotions. In her mind, she could only think, "You, Tiana, I came because of you," but she kept it to herself, not wanting to cause worry. Instead, she just smiled. "Don't worry; I'll be coming tomorrow. I need to talk to you."

   Tiana was confused with Cynthia's reactions and seeing Richard quietly observing, sensed that something was amiss. "Is it important, what you have to say to me?"

   Actually Richard was worried internally that Cynthia would let Tia know of what they learned of in the city, which he didn't want Tia knowing. "Yes. I..... I... I am... I am relocating to the next town very soon and you have to shift yourself also with me" was all what Cynthia told her.

  Tiana looked at her with an inscrutable expression. She didn't understand. Having lived in this little cottage from a young age, she had no one else to anticipate. Cynthia sensed her confusion.

  "I know you don't understand, but I don't have the time now to explain it to you. I will come tomorrow and let you know."

   Just then Richard intervened "Tiana, why don't you come with us now?" Both the girls were speechless when Richard asked it. Tiana was in complete shock, it was like Richard was asking her to move out of her safe haven then and there. 

  Cynthia was the first to get out of the shock. She looked at Richard but had no idea why he said that. Richard was look for help from his sister to convince Tia. Looking at Richard, Cynthia could feel something was wrong. 

   Abruptly she turned to Tia and said "Come with us". Unable to articulate her thoughts, Tiana could only watch as her best friend spoke to her in a state of bewilderment.