Loving You

Chapter 21 | Confronting

"Uncle, I would like to have a few words with you."
Yes, she had gathered the courage to say it at last. He looked up from the plate and shifted his focus to her.
"Yes, you can say it here."
Everyone's eyes turned towards her, creating a sense of unease.
"I need to say this to you in private."
"I believe you can tell it to me later."
"Uncle!" She looked at him with seriousness eruption from her eyes.
He straightened himself. "Well, it seems like it's something really important. Tell me. What is it?"

She let out a sigh. She closed her eyes and let it out. "I want to go to Galaw."
Silence befell the dining area. He looked at her with bewilderment. She opened her eyes only to see the look of concern on his face. He cleared his throat. "No."

She knew that it wouldn't be an easy task to get a yes from him. William and Jack looked at each other with confusion.
"Uncle, I want to spend the new year there. Please try to understand-"
"Catherine Shaw, a no means a no. Do not disturb your uncle regarding-"

Mr Dudley raised his hand, causing his wife to stop. "Why? After all these years? Why? Why suddenly now?" He sounded strangely calm. Cathy knew he was hurt. But so was she.

She controlled her tears from falling down her eyes. "I want to know the place where I was born in. I want to know the answers to my questions. I was young. I don't know anything about my past. The only thing I remember was the station, the Galaw mansion, a young Gretta, and an unfortunate Christmas night. I did have people who loved me. I need to face them I need to face my past. I'm really grateful for your kindness but I need to know who I was before I came here. I need to know how people knew me in Galaw."

He looked at her, his eyes not showing any signs of emotions. He just looked at her hopelessly. He asked for if he had done anything wrong to which she replied in the negative.

" Uncle trust me you have been the only person, the only reason for me to survive for all these years. But I need to know who I really am. Don't get me wrong I love you all but I need to know about my past. I have forgotten everything or maybe I don't even have a memory to even remember one."

"Don't you just speak to an uncle like that. You are causing him nothing but pain." Mrs Dudley was furious. "Honey let this ungrateful girl go wherever she wants to go. All she is doing is nothing but causing problems for us."

This was the last straw for her. Before she knew it, she was already in tears. Not because her aunt insulting her like that in a room full of people but because she had hurt her uncle emotionally.

"Uncle I'm really sorry I know I have caused immense trouble in this house but I have wanted nothing but the prosperity of this. When I needed a father you were there, when I needed a sister, Henrietta was there when I needed a brother, Charles was there, and  when I needed a mother, aunt was there. But I also need to know about my old family. Please try to understand. I have left so many people behind me in Galaw, who had a lot of contributions in my life. I want to thank them as well. I want to show my gratefulness by doing something for them."

He looked at her, but this time he had a serious expression on his face. He asked her if it would make her happy. She nodded her head in agreement. He let out a side of agony. "If that makes you happy then you are free to go but remember I had warned you. Write to me when you reach. And how many days do you intend on staying? Have you made any reservations at a hotel?"

She pulled him into her hug from the side. He simply patted her head gently. "I sometimes forget that you are not the thirteen year old girl but a grown up lady." He wiped his tears. "Sorry."

His apology was directed to the men sitting opposite to him. "Well I am really sorry that the night turned in the complete opposite way." He tried to laugh it out but everyone could sense the hurt in his voice.