No Way Out
1030 Words
One month passed...
Norrie has gotten used to her new lifestyle already. She has been constantly changing her activities every single. She has been purposely changing clothes every now and then, too. The clothes that she wears when going to the university would be different once she goes out of the school premises. In fact, her hair has undergone various transformation as well just to mislead whoever is behind the assassination attempts. She cannot be too careless now that she knows what's going on.
"Miss Grande, Miss Grande..."
That voice brought her back to the present. She is at the university right now and taking her favorite class.
"Oh, sorry ma'am," she said as she lifted her head to look at the female professor who is already right in front of her.
"Your classmates already signified on the last requirement you need to fulfill before graduating your course. Are you joining the group?" the professor asked.
Her mouth dropped. She has not been listening to the discussion just now and is totally clueless to what the teacher is asking.
"I'm talking about the project," the professor explained as if knowing what she is thinking. "You need to be immersed in a far-flung community as a requirement to finish this course. You need to complete 400 hours of community immersion. That's approximately 2 and a half months. Your classmates already voted for an island in the border of our country as an immersion place. Would you join the group?" Although unsure of her response, the professor asked her this question.
Her explanation left her jaws dropped once again. Community immersion? In a far-flung area? How can she make her parents agree to this? They never allowed her to travel even in nearby places without an escort in the past.
"I..." she said and let out a heavy sigh. "I..."
"Well, you could think about it," her professor finally said when she saw her reluctance to answer. "But I have to tell you that this activity should be done as a class. You cannot graduate without going through it." At this the professor turned her back and walked in front of the class.
"You cannot graduate without going through this..." she repeated these words on her mind. There seems to be no way out of this activity. She cannot compensate it with any other make-up project. At this, she instantly felt weak. Tonight, she has to talk seriously to her parents, hoping that they would agree with her.
At night in the Grande mansion...
Mandy stared at Norrie with a surprised look. She cannot believe what she just heard. Bill stood with his back turned from Norrie so she can't see what his expression is. However, she can feel by his stiff back that he isn't pleased with the idea either.
"Dad, mom, I can't graduate without going through this. I already considered all other possibilities of make-up projects but the professor said that it should be done as a class."
Mandy sat helplessly at the sofa. Bill remained standing.
Neither spoke a word after what Norrie explained as if trying to digest what is happening.
"Okay..." Bill suddenly said which made his wife look at him in panic.
Bill turned around and looked at his daughter in the eyes.
"We will allow you to go and fulfill the requirements that your school has but promise us that you would do everything to be safe."
"Love..." Mandy stared at Bill's face as if trying to protest against his decision.
However, she did not say anything else when Bill stared at her eyes. He seemed to have conveyed the reason by just staring at her. Mandy just let out a heavy sigh and pulled Norrie's head towards her. Slowly, she kissed her hair and hugged her tightly. She closed her eyes in an effort to stop the tears from falling on her cheeks. No matter how worried she is, she has to support her daughter in this. Isn't she the one who encouraged her to live a normal life after all?
"Thanks, dad, mom," she answered. At this, a tear quickly escaped her eye. After all, she knows how difficult it is for her parents to allow her to this trip with heavy hearts. However, she has no choice but to comply with her school requirement; otherwise, she would not be able to graduate with her batch mates.
Honestly, she is nervous since this would be the first time that she would step out of the Grande mansion and live in a different place for two months. This is the longest time that she would be out from home.
"Elsa will go with you," Bill said afterwards.
She nodded. After all, she cannot do anything about this fact. She was never allowed outside the Grande mansion without any Grande staff around. It's a good thing that the nanny chosen by her dad to accompany her this time is just a few years older than her. She's 25 years old and she is friendly to her. There are things that she can discuss with her that she cannot discuss with the older nannies.
"When are you traveling?" Mandy asked after letting her go.
"Next week, mom," she answered briefly.
No one spoke after that but everybody felt the heaviness of the atmosphere. Nobody wanted her to leave. She herself didn't want to go if not because of her course. She would waste everything that she labored for four years if she would not graduate.
"Then I'll ask Elsa to pack your clothes," Mandy said and stood up.
Bill followed his wife towards the door.
"We will visit you in your place of immersion," Mandy finally said before leaving the room.
She smiled.
"I'd love that, mom, dad."
She sighed when she heard the door closed. Slowly, she closed her eyes and relaxed. She has planned the whole afternoon how she would break this out and ask for their permission. It has been challenging to do so but they still agreed in the end.
Brace yourself up, Norrie. This would be a life-changing one! She said to herself before falling into a deep sleep.
- Writer
