My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

Part 60.

Clara invited Nadia to meet at a restaurant not far from the hospital. She walked in, while Zio, who had always accompanied her everywhere, chose to give her privacy this time.

Clara chose a table at the far end. She ordered two soursop juices. While waiting for Nadia, Clara opened her phone and checked today’s news. Most of it was about Vivian, who was involved in her kidnapping case.

Clara sighed in annoyance. That woman ruined her career aspirations. On one hand, Clara didn’t like her because she almost got assaulted. However, on the other hand, she felt sorry for her because she was Kimmy’s mother.

“Have you been waiting long?” Nadia asked. She sat down opposite Clara. Since the unfortunate incident, they were meeting for the second time this afternoon.

“Just a bit!” Clara replied. She pulled the corners of her lips into a smile in response to Nadia’s.

“How is Uncle Joe doing?” From Clara’s frustrated expression, Nadia could guess that the handsome man Clara loved was still not awake.

“The same as before!” Clara replied. She sipped on the soursop juice in front of her to alleviate the bitterness in her throat.

“Let’s just pray. I’m sure Uncle Joe will wake up!” Nadia said.

“I have to go back tomorrow!” Clara revealed, trying to keep her expression as flat as possible. This wasn’t good. It would be the first time she’d be far from Joe Sebastian, very far, unlike the distance between home and the dormitory. It would be a different country.

“Going back to your grandfather’s house?” Nadia asked, her eyes widened. It all seemed like a dream.

“Yes.” Clara nodded softly, then pursed her lips.

“To Singapore?”

“Yes, that’s where Grandpa lives. I’ll be going back to Singapore,” she said. “But…” Clara stopped herself.

“But what, Clara?” Nadia asked, curious.

“I really don’t want to be far from Uncle Joe, Nad!” Clara explained, feeling cornered.

“Alright, you stay here. You can study in Jakarta. I don’t think Grandpa Lim would mind!” Nadia suggested with sparkling eyes.

“I can’t, I promised to obey his wishes, and this is the right time!” Clara said, trying to convince herself.

“So, what can I do for you, Clara?” Nadia asked.

“I need information about everything that happens with Uncle Joe while I’m away. You just need to inform me once a week, on holidays. Will you, Nad?” Clara asked, looking at Nadia hopefully, hoping her friend could help.

“Of course, I’ll always visit Uncle Joe to update you, Clara!” Nadia replied. She would do it gladly.

“Really?”

“Really!”

“Thank you, Nad!”

“In friendship, there’s no need for apologies or thank yous, but I’ll always be here to help you!”

Clara stood up from her seat. Regardless of the other patrons, Clara hugged Nadia.

Clara hugged Nadia for quite some time until footsteps approached. Zio was standing next to Clara.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Miss Clara!” he called out.

She turned and released her hug, surprised by Zio’s sudden appearance.

“Yes, what is it?” Clara replied, looking up at the source of the voice.

“I’ve booked tickets for tomorrow; we better head home to pack!” Zio suggested.

“Alright! Just a moment!” Clara responded.

“Yes, Miss!”

Zio left Clara.

“Nad, I have to go. Thank you for being the best friend I could ask for!” she expressed.

“Yeah, thank you too, Clara. Take care!” Nadia replied.

“I’m going home now. See you later, Nadia!”

“See you, Clara!”

They hugged once again before Clara exited the restaurant. She made her way toward the black car where Zio was waiting for her.

She reached out and opened the car door. Then Clara sat in the passenger seat.

“Let’s go home!” Clara said.

“Alright, Miss!” Zio replied. He glanced briefly at his wristwatch, showing 3:03 PM WIB. Then he started the car, driving at a moderate speed, traversing the city streets toward Joe’s residence.

The city streets looked very captivating to Clara this afternoon. Her eyes were focused on the scenery outside the window.

“Miss?” Zio called softly.

“Yes,” Clara replied flatly.

“Are you very sad to leave Jakarta?” Zio asked. He observed Clara’s expression from the rearview mirror. There was an immense sadness reflected in her eyes.

“Not Jakarta, but Uncle Joe,” Clara said.

“It seems he’s very special to you, Miss?” Zio probed. He knew about the love relationship between Clara and Joe, but he didn’t know their personal perspectives.

“I don’t know when this started. All I know is that when I was in eleventh grade, I began to realize that I always looked forward to meeting Uncle Joe once a month. Yes… Once a month, he would come to the dormitory and give me my monthly allowance. I was so happy even though the meeting only lasted a few minutes!” Clara reminisced. Memories flooded back when she was living in the dormitory.

“So, was it Miss Clara who fell in love with him first?” Zio inquired, feeling very curious.

“Yes, I liked him first. I gave him attention and forced him to accept my love. All my efforts succeeded because Uncle Joe was in a vulnerable state, having just gone through a divorce!” Clara recounted. She looked down, remembering when she asked Joe to pretend to be her boyfriend. It was absurd, but it worked. Thanks to that plan, she and the handsome Uncle became very close.

Zio nodded in understanding. Now, he wasn’t curious anymore.

The man parked the car in Joe’s garage.

“Shall I come down to help you pack?” Zio offered. He couldn’t possibly let Freedy Lim’s granddaughter pack without any assistance.

“No need, I’m just bringing a few things!” Clara declined. “We’ll meet at the hospital tomorrow morning because tonight I’ll be staying with Uncle Joe!” she added.

“Alright, Miss,” Zio agreed. He stepped out of the car and opened the door for Clara.

==❤==

After finishing packing her belongings, Clara laid down on the bed. With closed eyes, she began to recall memories with Joe in this house. In her own room, in Joe’s room, in Kimmy’s room, in the library, and also in the kitchen.

“Enough!” Clara muttered. The clock on the bedside table showed 5:05 PM WIB. She looked at the suitcase containing a few pieces of clothing. Yes, all those clothes were bought by Joe. The suitcase, and other items.

Clara got up from her bed. Then, she left her room to meet Mrs. Linn. With slow steps, she walked towards Kimmy’s room, confident that Mrs. Linn would be there.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

“Mrs.,” Clara called out. She waited for a moment.

The door opened, and indeed, Mrs. Linn opened it for her.

“Come in!” Mrs. Linn held the door open wide, inviting the girl to enter.

They both sat on the sofa. Clara’s gaze shifted to Kimmy, who was playing with her dolls.

“Mrs., I’m saying goodbye!” Clara said. Her tone was soft, her eyes not looking towards the middle-aged woman.

“Goodbye??” Mrs. Linn was surprised by her words.

“Yes, I have to go back tomorrow because Grandpa asked me to, and I’ve also promised to continue my schooling,” Clara explained. She glanced briefly at Mrs. Linn, then looked down again.

“If that’s Mr. Lim’s wish, I won’t stop you, Clara. Even though Joe is lying helpless and silent, time keeps moving. You do need to continue your schooling, Clara!” Mrs. Linn replied. A sense of sadness crept into her heart. Ten years had passed, and now Clara really had to leave this house.

“Mrs., I apologize for all my mistakes while staying here!” Clara approached until they were sitting side by side.

“I apologize too, for being harsh on you, Clara!” she replied. Then, she embraced Clara. She realized she had made mistakes by siding with Vivian. In reality, it was Vivian who caused Joe to remain unconscious until today.

They hugged for a long time until Mrs. Linn’s tears subsided.

“Kimmy,” Clara called out as she approached the little girl.

“Yes,” she replied, turning her head.

“You take care, okay? Big Sister Clara is leaving tomorrow!” Clara bid farewell.

“Leaving? Where is Big Sister Clara going?” Kimmy asked curiously.

“Big Sister Clara has to go to school, Kimmy. You be good with Uncle, okay?”

“Going to school? Where?” Kimmy felt curious.

“Far away.” Clara’s voice was no longer audible. She hugged the little girl tightly. She was very sure she would miss her.

Clara released the hug. Then, she kissed both of Kimmy’s cheeks.

“Big Sister Clara is leaving now, okay?”

With a heavy heart, Clara nodded softly.

“Mrs., tonight I’ll be staying with Uncle Joe at the hospital, and I’ll be leaving for Singapore tomorrow morning!”

“Yes, take care, Clara!”

“Yes, Mrs., goodbye!” Clara kissed the back of her hand.

“Goodbye.”

To be Continued.