A Tale In Every Tone

Chapter Two (Part Three): Blame It On The Rain

"Yeah." I managed to say.

"Sorry, for my bad English. It's quite unpolished." I wonder how she knew what I was thinking.

"It's okay, really." I said sympathetically.

"You must've been wondering why I'm living alone. Sorry, I didn't have time to tell you." she apologized. "I have two sons in America. One is finishing college, the other has just finished high school and is about to take his entrance exams. They're both aspiring engineers."

How great. I didn't know I had such cousins. I didn't even wonder why she was living alone.

"And that's how I learned to speak your language. I wanted to communicate with them in that language, since they were now more used to speaking English. Believe me, I tried, but I just couldn't remove this Chinese accent. I'm pure Chinese after all."

Yeah, she always spoke in that nasal accent, but it was good. She spoke so gently, it sounded like soft music to my ears.

"So where is your husband?" I said outright. She laid down a bowl full of soup on the table before answering.

"He's out there, managing our company. It's not a huge company like Toyota or anything, but it's a decent company. A business we had built on our own." She clasped her hands and looked above, reminiscing.

"Working hard for our kid's education, but had little to almost no time to bond with them. I knew he loved them dearly, and what he is doing is entirely for them, but even that isn't a better excuse." Tears began to settle on the corners of her eyes.

"That's why I urged the boys to live and study in America. It was a difficult decision, but I know they have to. Your Dad is there, so I have less to worry about. There was someone who can guide my boys. I wanted to go with them, but they were persistent. They wanted to live their life alone, to be independent. They work for themselves to pay their house, bills and everything, all my husband and I had to pay was their tuition fee. They are such good children. Video calls aren't enough. I miss them so much." she spoke those words as a tear crossed her cheek.

She quickly turned around and started cleaning up the kitchen. I know, I noticed. Aunt Ching's husband is so like my father. He's often out on trips, travelling even to other continents, spreading God's word. Yeah, he's a pastor, and I admire him for that. But he was always away, and that made me lonely.

"How did Mom and Dad end up together? I asked. I want to cheer her up a bit to lighten the mood

"You know how your Dad was a stubborn kid, right?" I nodded. 

"Well your Mom and Dad were in the same high school. She and her parents lived here temporarily because they were Christian missionaries. Time came when she had to return to New Jersey for college. Your father had already courted her all those years, but she wouldn't accept him as he couldn't change himself and his ways.. She left without your Dad, and that's how he realized how much he loved her. So he left China and followed her after a few days. That's how their love rekindled and your father received his calling. That's how he became the man he is now." she finished.

"Wow..." I uttered in complete amazement. "I'll make sure to ask Mom more about that when I come back to New Jersey." Aunt Ching giggled.

She began pouring soup into her bowl. "Do you have a boyfriend?" she asked.

I made sure to gulp all the soup in my mouth before I answered.

"No." I said with so much emphasis. "What made you think that?"

"You don't? I think you're the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I wonder why you still don't have a boyfriend." I admit I blushed a little. Just a little. "I saw a jacket in your room while I was searching for your laundry. I don't think it's yours, it's too large for someone like you. I took it." she said.

"What did you do?" I whined.

"I put it in the dryer. It was so wet when I found it." I sighed with relief. Thank goodness.

"I just borrowed it from a good friend."

"More than friends." she asserted with a chuckle. I narrowed my eyes at her when a sharp pain started on my chest. I winced.

"Are you okay?" She rushed out of the table and got me a glass of water.

"I'm okay now. I think I just forgot to take my meds." I said after drinking.

"You should rest a bit." she said.

I finished my meal as soon as possible then went to my room and crawled on my bed. I took my meds and tried to doze off... I couldn't. I still have something to do. My attention went to the blue rose, limp and lying on top of my maple desk. I had forgotten to put it in vase. I jumped out of the bed. I quickly filled a small container with water and slipped the blue rose in. It was lovely. It became lovelier when I remembered the one who gave it. I leaned down and smelled all of its scent, the exact moment when Aunt knocked on my door.

"I'll just put in all of your clothes." she said. I straightened up.

"Come in." She went in and started stacking my folded clothes in a pile and hanging the jacket on the wall. 

I sat down on the bed and watched her. She began talking. "My husband promised me he'll quit his job and pass it onto someone else as soon as our second son finishes college. I told him we should spend most of our time together since we're getting old and we have little time left." She stared at the blue rose then looked me in the eye.

"You should treasure your time while it's still there. You don't know when or where it is going to end." She sat down with me on bed. "Take care of yourself." She grasped my hair and smiled. "Good night." she bid. 

She was about to exit the room when I remembered I had to ask something.

"Auntie, I'll go out tomorrow early in the morning." Her face showed surprise and relief.

"You don't have to get permission from me. You're old enough. You're a grown woman." she assured. 

"I'll make you some delicious breakfast." She then walked out of my room. 

She's really mother material. I'd like to be her daughter. I snuggled on to my blanket and stared into space. My eyes wandered into the jacket. Clyde, I recalled. I'll return it to him tomorrow.

------------------------------------------------------

~Author's Note~

I'm dedicating this to atengblue

Credits to deannetianzon Don't forget to follow her! She helped me a lot in this story so I'm giving credits to her! Thanks guys! :)x

Always having a head ache after doing this :3 Hope you guys enjoy. Sorry for long updates! Been busy. What would happen next? Ohhh :3 Read to find out :D

As always, long updates :3 But here ya go :3

Enjoy this part :3

Don't forget to Vote and Comment :)x