With a nonchalant glance, Balfour turned the speakerâs cheeks a burning shade of red as she shamefully hung her head low.
Yet, Balfour didnât utter a word to break the awkward silence for Mara.
âExcuse me. If youâve got nothing else, please step aside. I need to get going,â he said dismissively.
âDonât you remember me at all? Under that old oak tree, you found me crying and gave me your handkerchief, telling me not to be sad. Have you really forgotten all about that?â her voice trembled, tears swirling in her eyes.
But Balfour remained silent, his lack of response speaking volumes.
Whispers buzzed around them, and Mara couldnât take it any longer. She bolted from the crowdâs epicenter, seeking refuge in a quiet corner from where she could still see Balfourâs tall figure striding toward the auditorium. Just then, her sister Victoria emerged, beaming with excitement.
The teacher said they could bring family, but she didnât expect to come out and not find Mara.
Victoria mused, bumping into Balfour.
âHey Balfour, have you seen a girl around here who looks a bit like me?â she inquired.
Mara, huddled in her corner, keenly sensed the change in her sisterâs demeanor when speaking with Balfour.
What surprised her most was Balfourâs patient reply, âI havenât noticed anyone. This place is swarming with people. Maybe try asking over there?â
Victoriaâs face flushed slightly, âReally? You didnât see her? My little sister is quite the looker!â
âWell, I did notice one stranger girl,â Balfour admitted, recalling the girl who had boldly blocked his path earlier. As for the others, they were of no consequence to him.
Victoria pouted, craning her neck in search of Mara to no avail. âWell, sheâs old enough not to wander off.â
The teachers were urging them to get ready for the rehearsal, and Victoria couldnât afford to ditch his school duties to look for Mara.
As she turned back, Balfour was a few paces behind her. Together, they headed into the auditorium.
Mara gritted her teeth in frustration as she watched their retreating figures.
âVictoria, why must you compete with me for everything? I fell for him first!â Mara conveniently forgot the cold shoulder Balfour had given her earlier.
âHe just needs to remember me, thatâs all. The more we meet, the more likely heâll remember,â she convinced herself. âVictoria, since youâve gone this far, donât blame me for what happens next.â
âIâm home! Dad, is Mara back? We agreed to visit my school together, but she vanished halfway through. I turned the place upside down looking for her but couldnât find her,â Victoria called out as she entered.
Elton placed the last dish on the dining table and wiped his hands when he heard Victoriaâs words.
âNope, Mara hasnât come back yet. Wasnât she with you at school? She texted me earlier, saying she was in your library reading and would come home with you after your rehearsal. Why didnât you bring her home?â
Victoria stood rooted to the spot. âI⦠I couldnât find her, so I came back alone, thinking she might have got bored and snuck off first.â
She marched straight to Maraâs room, flung the door open but found it empty.
Panic set in.
âDadâ¦â
âWhat am I supposed to say to you, Victoria? You took your sister to your school and came back alone? If sheâs left behind in your school, she must be terrified. Itâs getting dark now. Hurry up and go back to find her!â Eltonâs voice was stern with worry.