"Cassy. come soon. let's go." A voice full of panic calls me. I rushed down only to meet Zander nanna and Van. "You two? Where is Nanny-ma?"

Zander dragged me out of the main hall. "You shouldn't be here. It's your last day in this house." What?

"Zander..." "ALEXANDRIA.''
It's piercing my ears. Why are you shouting?

"Okay. Tell me. Where is nanny ma?" Is she alright?

Van looks upset. What happened?

"She's at home. Let's go." "Ohh. but why, she went there without me ?" "Shh. enough. I'll tell you later." That's all?
Zander gestures to me to follow.

"Okay, Who is hungry?" Aunt Jessica calls correctly while we enter. "Serve for all. I'll invite them." "Err, They don't usually eat now, ma". Aunt answers. "Then why did you call?" "I was speaking to myself."
We couldn't stop our giggles.

"At least, ask them", Zander points at Van and me.

Alexandria is now done with all of us. She went, disgust is evident on her face.

"We have maids, ma. In case you forget."  Maids have families too. In case you forget, Aunt.

━═━═━═━═━═━═━═━═━

I went directly to-- "Nanny-ma open the door." Banging repeats. Why is she not opening? "She's sleeping, leave her for once." Van is following me, she's strange today.
"Van, get lost."
She won't stop. "Come with me, Cassy", she's repeating again and again. Adamant to the core.

"Stop it. Am coming", gave a last look at nanny-ma's door.

"Why are you so different today?" "Listen. Cassy, our nanny faints at that house." "What?" "Nothing wrong now. She's fine. But needs rest"

I couldn't leave her side. I got up from my couch. Van pulls... "Please, she needs rest. You are not going. Promise me."

"Van. No" I'm more stubborn than her. "Shut up. Do this for nanny-ma", she starts pleading. "Hey, stop. Okay. I'll wait for evening." I couldn't be more stubborn after her almost sobbing face.

"Why are you crying?" "Do you think only you love her?" "Yes. Is there anyone else?" I dare, stare at her with a question.

When did you love her, Van?

"I do. You damn idiotic cousin." "Ohh, when?" She pushed me. "Van, you are an idiot." She is...
"You pushed me but you are not laughing, why?" "I...I'm sorry, Cassy" she throws herself at me. What? "Van, it's okay. Am alright."

"No, no. I want to be like you, how you live. But... but." I knew that, Uncle Todd. He's her step-father but he raised her like a dad. Very rigid dad.

"Look at me."
She looks up. Her eyes are hopeless.
"But this doesn't explain your love for her." I want to know this now.
Now or Never.
"Pops never allows me to come here. And nanny ma always visited you."
Yes, she likes me! My bad, I shouldn't ask her this. Still.

"No, she visited you one summer but you went camping." "I didn't know she'll be there." She pouts like Gu-du. "But you can cancel at any time."

Her brows creased, "I didn't know her arrival until I came back." Nanny ma felt hurt that time. Van is lying.
"She told me that she confirmed her arrival with your pops" "Dad never told me that." "Wait, what?"
Van starts sobbing more.

"You know what?" "What?" Van looked at me with tears pooled face. "You are a sweetie in distress, not me." She cries harder. "Shut up".

She was acting like a strong girl. But she's crumbled more than me. At least I have good parents, who will let me do whatever I want after a little nuisance called guidance.

But her story is different. More different.

"How about a hug." Her nod was vigorous then hugged me first. I got a real hug for this day.
Who knows, maybe this girl is sweeter than me.

Later we ate lunch together, to everyone's surprise, Van shared her Apple pie with me. Even though I had a separate one.
We played many Christmas games with Aunt Jessica and Mom.

╭ In evening

Van decided to leave my string--She approves to meet nanny ma. "Who is?" "Nanny-ma."
Van called with me.

Nanny ma opens the door after some paper rustling sound. We collide with a rushed hug. Thank God, she didn't fall again.
"We're sorry for rushing nanny ma."
"It's alright, I know what's coming". She said, retrieving herself from our hug. Then ruffles our brown and blonde curls.

"How are you doing?" Van asks for me. I couldn't control my tears, it's blocking my words. "I'm perfectly alright. Just dehydration and my skipped medicines." "Nanny ma, why are you doing like this?" Van shouts before me. "Yes, you couldn't be like this nanny ma." I second that.

"My sweetie pies, I just forgot 'cause long-time-no-see family is under my roof. But I won't forget medicines again." Nanny ma's voice dripped some longing in the word family.

"Nanny…" "Shh, come and sit with your nanny-ma" she stopped us then ushered us to her adjoint parlour. 

Van's face is under a new light to me.

Oh, it's sunset light from the parlour's window. 
Maybe, Van is Venus.