Ruby was over the moon that she had begun showering praises unto Gary. Just then, an ice cream track stopped at the food stall. Ruby's eyes gleamed again. Today is getting more interesting, she thought. She grabbed her mask and placed it on, then she ran to the ice cream man and began ordering ice cream with several flavors. Well, she knew Gary would pay. Whenever she was around Gary, she unknowingly let her guard down and act like a spoiled pampered child in constrat to her fierce nature. While she was still adding more flavors, Gary walked to them, and with a darkened expression, he said
" What do you think you are doing?"
Ruby answered nonchalantly
" Buying ice cream, of course."
Seeing her bringing the ice cream closer to her mouth, Gary's face darkened more as he suddenly snatched the ice cream and threw it away. Ruby's eyes widened, and she protested
" What is the meaning of this, Uncle Gary? Why did you do that?"
But Gary didn't listen to her and impatiently told the ice cream man
" Prepare a new one for her and do not add Vanilla to it."
" Vanilla "
Ruby muttered under her breath. then it suddenly hit her as she remembered, ooh, after her accident, she had suddenly developed a strong allergy to one thing she loved the most. Vanilla. The last time she had some was in the hospital. Uncle Gary had brought it to her, knowing she loved it, but after taking a bite, she almost sealed her life. Had she not been in the hospital, only God knows what would have happentoher. it was thereafter that it was confirmed that she had developed an allergy to Vanilla. Recalling that event made her feel a chill down her spine, had jar uncle not being here, she would have met the grim reaper. She felt guilty but didn't want to admit it.
Oh no, she secretly rolled her eyes, looking for an excuse to redeem herself. After knowing this uncle of her for some time, she knew he wouldn't let this slide easily. She said shamelessly
" Ah, well, it isn't my fault for this right. I used to love Vanilla so much, and now I am suddenly allergic to it. How can anyone accept this. And I also forgot about it earlier. "
Gary said sternly
" Ruby, sometimes I wonder if you are careless or you just like the thought of acting like a fat pig."
Ruby's little face turned red under the mask out of anger. if she were in a cartoon, fumes would have been coming out of her ears. She retorted
" Calling me a pig again over this small incident. Uncle Gary, you know what, forget what I said earlier, you are so mean. like meeeaan. "
Gary chuckled, collected the new prepared ice cream, and handed it to Ruby. Then he warned
" Listen to me, young lady, make a mistake and eat Vanilla, and you will be so sorry. I promise you, "
Ruby huffed storbornly and collected the ice cream. But deep down, she felt warmth flowing through her heart. Someone loved and cared for her. She felt so happy that her eyes were suddenly filled with tears. Gary saw her teary eyes and panicked
" What's wrong, my piggy? Did you unintentionally eat the vanilla? Where are you feeling uncomfortable,.... no, let me take you to the hospital. "
Seeing his concerned expression, Ruby teared up and tightly hugged Gary. She said
" Uncle Gary, I love you so much. Thank you for all that you have done for me even though we are not related. Please,... please uncle, don't abondan me. Don't you also leave me behind. I don't know what I'm going to do if you leave me. please don't regect5 me one day "
Gary was speechless at her sudden outburst but managed to console her
" Silly girl, I'm always here for you,"
Ruby managed to give him a faint smile
...
" So tell me, how was your day at school today?"
Gary asked.
Ruby slightly lowered her head as she thought of her experience on school test day. She would never forget her classmates' scared face and how they repeatedly called her monster. the look on thier face as if they had seen a hedious monster. May thunder strike her down at that instant if she said she wasn't affected by their actions.
After a few few, she finally said
" Uncle Gary, please be honest with me. I'm I a monster. I'm I that ugly "
Gary frowned slightly at where the conversation was heading. He asked
" Where from this topic. Did someone bully you at school. "
" Answer me first uncle, I want to know."
She said hysterically with tears in her eyes. the incident that day had deeply hurt her. no one would love to be called a monster, and she was just a kid. Imagine your classmates running away from you after they saw your face. No matter how tough she was, it still hurts. And with her uncle around, she didn't want to keep it inside again.
Gary answered
" You first answer my question, then I would answer yours. What happened at school today. I want detailed information. "
Ruby tried to protest, not willing to tell him the truth
" Uncle... "
But Gary quickly said
" Since you want to know how you look so bad, tell me what I want."
Ruby, not willing to back down, said
" You are one big bully, you know. Have you not heard of the saying ladies first. I ask first. "
Gary retorted
" Have you heard of the saying, older people first?"
Ruby rolled her eyes and said
" Oh please, uncle, you just made that up,"
Gary said nothing and just stared at Ruby. She sighed in defeat and said
" Fine..... "
She told him everything that happened in school that day. Gary took in a deep breath and opened his mouth to talk, but before he could, Ruby interrupted
" Remember what I said uncle, please be honest with me,"
Gary changed his mind on what he was about to say and said
" Honestly speaking, Ruby, your face look....."
Then, as he thought of something, he said
" Hey wait, why are you asking me this? You should better know this than anyone. Look at yourself in the mirror and judge your appearance. Everyone has their way of seeing things. I can't be in everyone's mind. Someone might see the most attractive not attractive while someone might not. Honestly, others might call you a monster, but for me, you look normal, just a bit disfigured, that's all "
Ruby stared at him for some time through her teary eyes, and then she rushed into his embrace, hugging him tightly. She knew he said that only to comfort her, but it really touched her heart. She whispered
" Uncle Gary, I love you so much. one day I would be a police man like you. "
Gary chuckled and said
" I love you too, piggy. Never forget that. Now hurry up with the food so I can drop you off. "
Ruby nodded happily and went to finish her food. Once she finished, Gary dropped her at quite a distance from her house and said
" Goodbye."
Perhaps Had Gary knew that this would their last encounter, and he might never see her again. He wouldn't have sent her home that day.