82 Ulii - Major Chapter - Mother Of Flames (1/2)
2018, October
9:00 A.M
Stockholm, Sweden
_._
_._
”It was so different,” I muttered.
”Doesn't seem like it,” said Miranda.
I cast a glance at her as she sat down on the gra.s.s beside me.
We were at a park that morning, and it was the first place we visited after arriving in Sweden. Truly, the view in that park proved how beautiful another country than Mongolia could be.
”This is barely entertaining, grandmother.” Miranda's expression turned gloomy for some reason. The hood of her brown winter coat covered her head. She sighed and wrapped her arms around her knee. That baggy blue jean of hers seemed weird when I stared at it.
”Isn't that jean too big for you, Miranda?” I asked.
”Hmm? Not really . . . Why are we here again?”
I raised an eyebrow. ”We're on a vacation of course.”
She shrugged. ”Doesn't seem like it. Dad's not here with us.”
”Hoh?” My mouth curved into a smile. ”Are you sure?”
She gave me a confused look. ”Grandmother . . .”
”I've finally arrived!” said a man behind me.
I turned around when Arban patted me in the back.
”Ulii!” he said.
My eyebrows drew together. ”Don't call me that in public, disrespectful child.”
Arban laughed and went over to Miranda's side. ”Sorry, Miranda. I did say I wouldn't make it because of work--”
Miranda proceeded to hug him and his eyes widened. ”Stupid Dad! What kind of Dad are you?!”
Hughes smiled and returned her hug. ”Well, at least I tried.”
”You're here, so it's fine . . .” mumbled Miranda.
”Wait, are you sulking? I thought that--”
Miranda fisted his back and he yelped. His hands pulled away from her immediately.
”Why did you do that?” asked Arban.
Miranda glared at him. ”You don't have to say it so bluntly.”
”Eh? But--”
”I'm going back to the hotel.” Arban stood up and walked away from him.
”Miranda,” called Arban, but his daughter kept walking until her silhouette disappeared into the crowd of people.
A laugh escaped from my mouth, and Arban turned to me. ”Ulii.”
”Eh-hem.” I put up a serious expression on my face. ”I prefer if you would call me Mom once in a while.”
His mouth curved into a dishonest smile. ”But Ulii suits you better . . . Mom.”
”Is that so? Well, if you can cut that long hair of yours, and take away its grey dye, that would make me happy. A lot.”
Arban laughed. ”I'm not a kid anymore, Ulii.”
”Really? Though, I think we need to get to Miranda right now. She needs you, Arban.”
He grinned. ”I'll try my best, Mom.”
_._
_._
I remembered that night very well.
The three of us were walking down the street somewhere secluded from wandering eyes. Miranda suggested an eatery there she found on the internet.
”Haven't been this hungry for ages,” complained Arban.
Miranda punched his arm. ”We're almost there, stupid Dad.”
He grimaced. ”You don't have to do that.”
”I have to . . . It makes me happy.”
I laughed and they both looked over their shoulders. ”That's quite a habit, Miranda. Perhaps I should apply it myself?” My eyes squinted at Arban.
”No way, Ulii. I'm sure yours will hurt more,” he said.
”I haven't tried it yet. Who knows?”