9 A DATE WITH MART

LILIA' S HOME

Henry returned home distracted with a worn out look, on the new development at work. Their company was running at a lost currently due to low investment to which they had to relocate to the company's head office in Australia to improve situations. With this new development, he didn't know how to break the news to Lilia and Henry for fear of her daughter's reaction.

"How will she feel when she gets to know that she had to change schools and leave all her friends especially, Aimscious." He thought to himself and an audible sigh escaped his lips. He was so lost in himself that he didn't notice when he by passed Henrietta who was seated at the hall, watching a movie.

She instinctively glanced at his husband with a surprised gaze. " Honey?–" She called which brought Henry's gaze back to her. His consciousness instinctively dawned on him.

"Hi, love– Sorry I didn't see you" He smiled, landing a kiss on her cheeks just when he neared her.

"Are you alright, love?– You seem off today." She glanced at him with concern. "Why, what's wrong? Did something happen at work?" She asked on an impulse and Henry sighed with a brooding gaze as he settled next to her.

Henrietta stared at him with an expectant gaze as he lapsed into a minutes of complete silence, gathering effort to break he unpleasant news.

"Um, honey " He called after finding his voice and she responded with rapt attention.

"There's a new development at work which demands our migration back to Australia as soon as immediate– I have to join the company's head quarters to stabilize the cause. This means Lilia had to change schools again and you know this is her third school. I don't know how she's going to take it..I'm currently at a lost, love. How do you think she'll take it?" He hinted, seeking for her opinion.

Herty as he affectionately call her, gave a soft smile as she took his hand into hers.

"You don't need to worry about that, I know she'll understand– All we need to do is to explain everything and the need for the change; Lilia is an intelligent kid, she'll understand, huh?"

She affirmed and he smiled with a gentle kiss on her cheeks. "Thanks, love" He mumbled.

On arriving at the door, Lilia overheard the discussions of her parents; She spontaneously leaned on the door, her lips curved in a satisfactorily smile.

"This is even better..." She chuckled. "No suspicions will be on me if I attack Aimscious from that end." She mumbled. With that, she shot out to the hall and joined her parents.

"Hi, mum– Dad" She smiled, drawing them into a cheerful, hug. They were rendered speechless and surprised at her sudden over joyful reaction; they chuckled.

"Hey, why so cheerful– Any good new for us?" Herty asked with a smile after freeing herself from the hug. " You nearly pushed us down with that wind of light" She added and Lilia just smiled.

"Any good news from school or your friends?–Want to share your source of joy?" Henry queried.

" No , no, mum..., dad..." She giggled. " Concerning the trip and change of schools, you don't need to worry about me– I'm okay with every decision you take . So ..., when are we moving to Australia?" She exclaimed and sequel with pure joy, jumping with laugher and giggles.

Henrietta chuckled at her hyperactive sense and Henry smiled, sense of relieve washed over him.

"In two months time, baby– Hope you'll be set by then?" He asked. Lilia instinctively bobbed her head in approval.

" Yes, yes dad–Will be done with my final exams in second grade by then" She smiled and Henry chuckled, brushing his hand gently over her hair.

"Um, guess it's done then...We'll be moving in two months." He announced.

" Okay dad– I've got to go inform Aim about it; love you dad , got to go now, bye" She exuded and bolt to the door but then, her father's voice stopped her at the door.

"Wait , let me go in and change– I'll drop you off after that." He stated. She instinctively turned, stopping her dad in the process.

"No, no , dad, don't worry." She objected. " I'll get a cab." With that, she dashed out of the house. Henry and Henrietta glanced at each other and smiled.

"I can see she's so happy" Henrietta commented and they both chuckled.

"You can say that– Um, I'll be upstairs then" He stated and Herty bobbed her approval.

"Dinner will soon be ready, don't stay up there for long" She exclaimed and Henry answered from the stairs.

"Okay, dear– Will be down in awhile."

AIMSCIOUS' HOUSE

The cab soon pulled over in front of Aimscious' house. Not wasting time, Lilia got down and pressed the door bell. Solidad hastened to the door and pulled it open. Surprised at the sudden visit of the unannounced guest, she called at Aimscious while she welcomed warmly ushered her in.

" You can go up to her room, I think she might busy with her dance rehearsals– She had been making noise all day." She announced with a smile and Lilia laughed.

" Okay, mum– Will go up then" She answered and spontaneously rushed up the stairs. She knocked and knock till finally, the door cracked open. Aimscious was surprise to see her at her door.

" Hey, Li, what are you doing here? – Didn't expect to have you here and you didn't call to say you were coming either." She stated with a smile as she whisked her in.

" Yeah, I know you didn't expect me but, I've got to tell you something." Lilia said and hugged her with screams. They sequel with pure joy.

Solidad heard the screams and got worried. She hurried to the end of the stairs and questioned aloud.

" Aims! , Li! , is everything okay up there?"

They both chuckled, gasping for breath as they paused to answer.

" Yes mum, just having fun." They chorused.

"Okay..., let me know when you need anything."

They respond and turned back to their conversation.

"Now tell me– why are you so happy?, Any good news to share?" Aimscious asked.

"My parents and I are moving to Australia after the final exams." She answered.

Aims face instinctively creased, her cheerful gaze soon overtaken with gloom. The room went dead silent as she slowly settled at the edge of her bed with a disappointed look. She felt sorrow pierced through her heart and soft tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Oh, Aims..."Lilia cried, settling next to her. She gently draped a hand over her shoulder with a sad gaze which made her glance up at her.

"I know how you feel and it's the same feeling with me as well. I'm miss you too, dear." She stuttered. On an impulse, she added in an effort to cheer her up.

"But don't worry– Here, dry your eyes" She dab the tears off her face. "I'll be sure to visit and call from time to time "

With this, Aimscious gave a faint smile.

DOWNSTAIRS

There came another ring from the door. Solidad's gaze instinctively traveled to the door; She stared thoughtfully for awhile before going to check who it was. On opening the door, she noticed a young, tall and handsome guy of her daughter's age at the entrance. She smiled at him and questioned.

"Who are you and how may I help you?"

" Hi ,mum, good afternoon" He greeted with a smile. "I'm Mart, a friend of Aimscious–We attend the same school and a classmate of hers." He explained.

With that, Solidad welcomed him in and served him with some fruit juice and doughnut.

"Wait for me " She said. "I'm going to call her for you" Mart bobbed his head in response and she sauntered up the stairs. She got to Aimscious' door ,calling.

" Aims?– Aimscious,you got a guest.."

Aimscious was surprise to hear that. She glanced at Lilia and back at the door with a blank gaze.

"I'm not expecting anyone mum– Is it he or she?" She asked.

" Is a he– Come down and stop asking questions."

Aimscious and Lilia got down and was shocked at the presence of Mart.

"Mart.....?" They both exclaimed, astonished. He turned to their direction and smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Aimscious asked, sauntering over to his end. Just when she got near, she settled in the sofa across his seat.

Lilia stared at them with so much hate, hurt and jealousy.

" Aimscious...Um" He stuttered as he struggled to bring out the words. "Um, just came to ask you out on a date." He finally stated to which Aims frowned.

"Sorry to be upright but I don't want to go..." She started but Solidad who was listening all along from the kitchen, instinctively snapped in; joining the two at the hall.

"Don't be so rude to the gentleman like that Aims– going out once with a friend doesn't hurt." She mumbled and Aims slouched.

"Mum... Stop embarrassing" She cried but realizing her mother won't give in, she accepted.

" OKay, ok, I'll go" She exclaimed. Lilia spontaneously hastened out of the house with soft tears.

"You'll pay for this Aims... I'm make sure of that" She cursed.

THE FLORESCENT GARDEN

Aimscious and Mart arrived at the garden. He laid a mat and they both sat on it. They had lots of fun , playing and exploring the garden. Taking a little stroll along the flowers beautiful arranged along the paths, Mart instinctively paused which made her halt as well.

“Is everything alright with you? " She asked and turned to her with a beautiful gold necklace. She glanced at it and back at his face with an astonished gaze. Mart smiled, taking her hand into his.

“Aims?” She called and she stared into his eyes.

“Will you be my girlfriend? ” He asked and her brows furrowed– her darted eyes twitched.

“ I .... love ... you, Aims” He continued. She glanced at him, completely stunned. Everything felt like a dream to which she'll soon wake up from.

....Will she accept?...