The Whimper(Part 2)

He was staying late at school that day as he was still working on his latest project for his student's next lesson. It was already 11.11 pm when he realise the time.

"Great! I'm THIS late? Better give mom a call before she starts to worried about me." The man murmur as reaching for his mobile phone in his pocket.

"Hello mom, It's Lucas… yes, I know I'm late. I was staying at the school for some work; the kids needs some preparation for their year-end performance. Yes, mom… I'll be home soon. Love you." He ends the call as soon as he can and starts to tidy his things up when suddenly;

"KLAANNGGG!!!" a loud noise from the back room startled him for a while; before he continuing tidying things up again, assuming it was just a mere cat or a mouse when another loud sound were heard.

"KLLAAANNGGGG!!!" admitting that he wasn't courageous enough; he starts to rush with his packing and head out of the music room without looking back. The moment he arrive at the school gate; an almost soundless whimper was heard coming from the music room block's building; making he stops at his step. He held his breath as ready to turn to take a glimpse at the whimper;

"Mr. Lucas?"

"My God!" The school's security guard had suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Uncle Bie, you startled me!"

"Sorry for that; Mr. Lucas… I was just back from patrolling the school building when I saw you rushing out of the music room; I've tried to called you out several times but you didn't respond to it."

"I was just staying late for my student's project and didn't realise the time till it's already this late. But… do you really called me out, earlier?"

"Yes; in fact, I've called you several times before decided to just follow you here."

"That's odd… I didn't remember hearing you call me earlier." The young teacher murmurs before excusing himself to get home. Lucas has been living with his mother since his father left them 10 years ago with a mistress.

The very next day, Kathy was absence from the school and it makes Lucas becomes more worried about her as she keeps being absence for a whole 3 weeks.

"Principle, I'm sure there is a perfect explanation on Katherine's absence for these past few weeks. I really hope you'll reconsider about the school punishment on her."

'Phew! That was close…. It was lucky that the principle have a change of mind.' Lucas sighs as he enters the music room. A weird feeling came to him again; the urge to look into the back room of the music room. The room was supposed to be an extra room to store old instruments and sheets.

"Maybe I should take a look?" as he was about to approach the room; a smell fills the air. It's more to a fragrance of a flower rather perfume.

'What was that?' The smell was coming from the room.

"Mr. Lucas?" a voice makes him gets back to his sense; It was Belle again.

"Katherine's grandmother was admitted to the hospital due to her health problem; and the only number they have was this school and named by you." Miss Belle's words were playing inside his head as he headed to the old lady's ward with his mother; she insists on coming since she just finished her routine check-up at the same hospital.

"Good evening, Miss Cynthia; these are your granddaughter's friends. I hope you'll be happy with their visit. Excuse me, then."

"Thank you, nurse…" The nurse excuse herself as both Lucas and his mother moves closer to the old woman; for some reason, his mother just stand still.

"Miss Cynthia, I'm Lucas; Katherine's music teacher and this is my mom. Mom, meet Miss Cynthia; my student's grandmother. Mother?"

"Nice to meet you, Lucas… and Mrs… You?" Miss Cynthia suddenly gave the same reaction as Lucas's mother; making things more confusing for the young man.

"You guys seems to know each other?"

"It's been rather long…."

"Maybe too long, Carly."

"Mom…" Lucas can hardly believe what he just heard.

"Mom?"

"Lucas, meet my birth mother; your grandmother, Miss Cynthia Harley. I mean, Mrs Cynthia Harley Grey." Carly hold her mother's hand.

It seems that his mother had cut off her ties with Mrs. Cynthia 15 years ago; after a misunderstanding between Carly and her mother living a daughter with her.

"By meaning, I have a younger sister? And she's Katherine; my student?"

"Mom?" Lucas's mother started to get teary.

"Yes, Carly… Katherine is your daughter; the one you left with me 15 years ago." The old woman's voice was shaking but calm.

"I'm really sorry, mom… I didn't know he would leave me later.. If I knew, I wouldn't…"

"That's enough, Carly. Let the past go; I'm just happy about our meeting now." Cynthia holds her daughter's hand as glancing towards both of them with a warm smile.

'Kate's my sister… I need to find her no matter what!'

"She didn't return home since 3 weeks ago; and never did it before. I was really worried about her."

"That's what made you fall ill again, mom?"

"I kept on losing my appetite and not getting enough rest because I was worried about her."His mother and grandmother's conversation were playing inside of his head as he headed to the music room; there, he stopped as a male student was already standing still in front of the room.