Juan took the carefully folded paper from Ru's hand and unfolded it before reading it with all her attention...
'Dear Sensei,
I hope you're doing well. It feels weird writing it like this. Although I could just call you, I thought it'd be more special if I wrote it myself. At this point, you must be annoyed but bear with me a little.
Actually, the reason why I'm writing this letter is that I want to officially invite you. My Juan is entering the school talent competition. She is gonna play the piano. And I want you there to see her. I know I know you're a very busy person but please, don't say no. I'm currently on my knees begging you to please come!
Don't throw the letter before reading it all. I have more to say.'
When Ru was reading the letter, her mind was thinking, 'You still have more nonsense for me to read?' But although she had thought like that, she had still continued to read. Just like right now, Juan did too.
'This is my daughter's first competition and I know she'd love to see you there. Since she is gonna shine on that stage, I want you to see my daughter shining. So, please make some time for us. I really want you to see my daughter on that stage.
I know you must be thinking it isn't even a big deal. It's not like she's performing at the world's biggest stage. But this is the biggest stage of her life yet. It is very important to her and to me as well. I don't know why she suddenly decided to take part in this competition but I know that I want her to see her happy. As long as this makes her happy, I'd always be by her side.
And I wish you would be by her side too. You had always been there for me and you had been there for Ah-Jie as well in your own way. As my kids' godmother, I really want you to experience this for yourself in person. I never forced you for anything but I want to do it for the first time. For my daughter, please don't say no.
I'm so proud of her, you better come and tell her that you're proud of her as well. It'll mean a lot to her.
Come to cheer my Juan up! I'll be waiting for you!
Your favorite disciple *wink*'
Juan had read the whole letter with a complicated feeling. She didn't know how to react to this. She thought her mother really didn't care about whatever she did.
Ru noticed her expressions and patted her head, "Didn't you enter the competition to make your mom look at you?" Juan nodded her head. "See? She had always been looking at you. She might have gotten a little lost along the way but you both had always been her life. She can't possibly forget you both."
Juan hugged Ru tightly as her eyes filled up with tears, "She should have said that to me."
"But she can't do it, she is bad with words. She is bad with relationsh.i.p.s as well. The only relationship she had always trusted had been friendship. So, she tends to still value that friendship a lot. It's up to you two to remind her that her friends are not all she has now."
Both Juan and Bao were quiet for a while before Bao voiced out, "How long do you think mom and dad are gonna fight for?"
"They are fighting?" asked Ru.
"As if Ruru doesn't know anything," said Juan. "Don't pretend to be oblivious now. You know everything."
"First of all, I'm not god. How will I know everything?" said Ru. "Secondly, you're saying that what they are doing right now is called fighting?"
Both the kids nodded and she made a face, "If this is a fight then did I learn the wrong type of fighting in my life?" She looked at them both and went on, "What your parents are doing right now is called having an argument. It's pretty normal in a relationship."
"Did you also had an argument in your relationship?" asked Bao looking all innocent.
Ru's lips twitched as she replied, "I never even had a relationship!" She took a pause and added, "Anyway, you both can just calm down now. The argument between your parents won't last that long."
"But dad is very angry this time," told Juan.
"As if his anger is gonna do anything," snorted Ru. "My cousin brother has a big issue with his heart. It's that it melts whenever he sets eyes at your mom. In their relationship, your mom had always been the one at an advantage. Because my poor brother can't even stay mad at her."
"So, how long do you think it's gonna take for them to make up?" asked Bao.
"By the time they get back here, they'd be looking like the same loving couple, you're familiar with." She shook her head, "No, they'd be even sweeter." She raked her fingers through her short hair saying, "That's different that that's the only kind of sweetness I seem to hate."
"Ruru, are you gonna leave now?"
Ru shook her head, "I was already on my way to come here when I heard about our Juan's health. Since I'm here to see my Queen An's performance, I won't be leaving until I see her on that stage." She helped Juan lie down as she said, "Now, you rest well. It's necessary for you to get better. How else would I see that performance? Don't waste my trip. After all, Young Master Ru's time is valuable."
Juan nodded her head and smiled happily, "I'll get better soon. I'll make sure to show you what I got. I'll make sure to make mom proud of me."
"She's already proud of you," reminded Ru.
"Then I'll do better to make her prouder," replied Juan making Ru smile slightly at her.