That Year 9

'Yes Grandma' her answer was rather her hidden question!

She still couldn't understand why does she has to live at the Knight's! Her confused and questioned face couldn't get hidden from her grandmother.

Mrs. Stark pointed to take the seat next to her.

She caressed Emily's face with care and love and fondled her forehead with a peck.

'Emily?' her grandmother's voice was gentle and lovable.

'Grandma! What's going on? Is everything okay? What's the deal of me living with the Knight's? Are you getting rid of me?' She pouted her lips with a long face.

'Oh dear! How can I ever want to get rid of my lovely child. It just there being an emergency at the village, which I need to handle soon. Old Mrs. Knight is my good friend, she is woman of character and moral. She will take good care of you. I shall be away for 15 days, please behave yourself, don't let me have any complains. Okay?'

'Grandma, can I live at our home? Or I shall accompany you!' Emily asked as she couldn't understand how she will react being Jake around her!

'No! School is important! You are a young girl, I need to see that you are safe and live properly. It will make my heart at rest. So please go and prepare, don't let Jake wait for you! I have promised your mother to take care of you. Please go.'

Mrs. Stark's voice became faint and suddenly her face was pale.

Looking at her grandmother, Emily's emotion changed, the worrisome face appeared and a cold sweat formed on her forehead.

'Grandma, are you alright?'

'Yeah, I am okay now get to your room and pack your things. Don't let him wait anymore. And also don't make my mood sour before going. Got it.'

'Yes Granny.' Emily nodded slightly before living the room.

Emily's grandmother was in her seventies, lately her health was degrading and she just worried about her granddaughter who had not even started her life as an adult.

Emily was three year old when her parents left her with her grandmother. From that day she saw less and less of her parents.

Emily's parent Ryan and Jane were quite irresponsible as parents, they loved to roam around but didn't care that they have daughter behind! They would cling to job they want and leave it suddenly if they desired.

'Mother I knew you are quite sad as Father passed away. But don't feel sad, time will heal the pain. But right now what you need is little distraction. Can you please look after our daughter, your granddaughter Emily? Just for one month?' Ryan asked with pleading voice.

'Yes Mother, with your looking after her, she will become a proper lady, not like me. Please keep her, we have some work to do. Please!!' Jane pleaded to her well disciplined mother-in-law.

Mrs. Stark didn't hated Emily's mother Jane for being poor but due to her, her son have became so free willed that he don't like to take any responsibility and love to live like a free bird.

Looking at Emily's innocent face, Mrs. Stark gave up her stubbornness as she can't let her granddaughter suffer due to her son's foolishness.

'Okay, I will keep her, here for one month after that you have to take her. Ryan you are my only son, please behave and come back to look after your family. Jane I hope that you will give him good support.'

'Thank you Mother. Now we have to leave. Bye.' Ryan fastened his steps towards the door.

'Thank you Mother. Emily behave well and don't let grandmother complain about you.' with this Jane and Ryan left.

After one month Mrs. Stark hoped that her son will come back to look after his daughter but as usual he didn't showed up.

'Granny when they will come?' Little Emily asked in floral dress and in small ponytail.

'Sweetie their work is extended, they will surely come next month. Let grandma give you some toffee for Emily as she is being a good girl, Okay?'

'Okay'

Days past like sand from the fist but there were no signal of Emily's parents to come back!

Just a message, that they shall not be able to come and request to take care of their daughter!

'Do they hate me? Why don't they come?' tears started falling from Emily's small cheek!

Mrs. Stark didn't know how to coax her, when she pulled her into her embrace, while gently stroking her head she said 'Sometime people leave us when we become weak! I shall always be by your side but you have to promise me that you will be a good lady. Okay?'

'Okay.' Emily gave her a sweet smile.

'My good kid!'

'No, Good Lady' Emily retorted.

'Yeah, Good Lady.' Mrs. Stark giggled.