Viktor slightly creased his brows seeing such a weird scene, wondering how those craters were made without anything falling from the skies. He saw the news reporter even showing how the surrounding buildings have been destroyed as well.
"How strange…" Sayana mumbled since she couldn't make sense of what she was seeing. The news reporter even confirmed that no meteor fragments had entered the skies recently.
"Anyway, we will know once those nerds figure it out. I am gonna go eat!" Tiana's interest in the topic expired as she was looking forward to going to college.
Some maids were bringing down medium-sized trolley bags that were Tiana and Sayana's luggage.
Taya and Umilia felt a bit sad seeing their luggage since this meant that they wouldn't be seeing their daughters every day but only once in a week at most since the Providence School of Science had brought up new rules regarding the fact that students have to stay in their hostel to cultivate their social life and also to manage college things more easily and to prevent attendance issues or being late for class.
Of course, those who were staying within a ten-kilometer radius of the college had the option of staying in their own homes, but even if the Snow Mansion and the Providence School of Science were in the same city, both were located at opposite ends of the city, making the distance between them a bit too long than just five kilometers.
This was a hard and firm decision taken by the college authorities to make sure their students were not just spoiled spoon-fed youngsters but at least learned to stand on their own feet. It was quite obvious they were trying to be slightly different from other elite colleges.
Taya and Umilia were happy that the college was trying to develop their student's skills and lifestyle, but at the same time, they couldn't help but be sad about not seeing them frequently like always. The house would also seem a bit dull without the three since even Viktor would be busier than ever, especially with his part-time jobs.
However, Viktor had promised the two he would definitely try to show up every night since it wasn't hard for him to sneak out from even a tightly guarded hostel.
But Tiana was quite excited to finally get a glimpse of a life where she was on her own without any bodyguards to monitor her activities 24/7 or get scoldings from her mother while Sayana was feeling uneasy about not being able to see her mother every day. She wondered if she could even fit in with these elite students.
Brad was also disappointed that he wouldn't be able to see his grandchildren, including Sayana, whom he treated like one. Unlike Taya and Umilia, who felt that this was a necessary evil, Brad cursed the college authorities for bringing up these stupid rules at the last moment.
He would have tried to use his influences to make them swallow their newfound rules if not for Taya stopping him.
Not soon after, everyone finished eating and were standing at the portico where Taya and Umilia were hugging their daughters, bidding them goodbyes with teary eyes.
Tiana was feeling a bit awkward, seeing her mother being so emotional about her going to college in the same city. It was not as if she was going on some one-way mission to mars, right?
"Tia, I know I have not been a good mother to you all these years, and that is why for your future, I am letting you go to that college all alone where even I won't be able to watch over you. So since you are an adult now, it's your responsibility to take care of your own matters and follow all the rules, okay?" Taya knew Viktor would watch over Tiana, but still, she was feeling a bit uneasy for not being able to personally watch over her. She regretted the fact that she wasted so many years by neglecting Tiana's matters in the past, and right now when she realized her mistake, there was not enough time.
Tiana puffed up her cheeks and blew out air tiredly as she said, "Okay, okay, mom. No need to get so emotional about this. We are still in the same city besides…I already said I will try and visit you every week."
Sayana was tightly hugging her mother as if she was afraid to let go of her and go somewhere where she wouldn't be there to stay with her.
Umilia could feel and understand her worries as she rubbed Sayana's back gently and said, "Don't worry, dear. Even if I am not physically present near you, I will always be with you. Just imagine like that, and you won't feel nervous about your first day. Besides, you are not alone. You have Tiana and Dorian. You three should support each other, and then college life would be a breeze."
"Okay, mother," Sayana softly nodded as she continued to hug her mother, feeling her warmth as much as she could.
After a long goodbye hug, the two girls walked over to give Brad a goodbye hug as well, who felt warm seeing them coming over on their own to give him a hug.
"Grandpa, I will miss you," Tiana was fond of her grandfather since he was the one who looked after her since the time she was a kid and even indulged her wishes, making her feel attached to him.
"Grandpa, please stay safe and healthy. We will come and see you again soon," Sayana said as she gave him a warm hug and looked up to him as her own grandfather as well since he not only treated her like his granddaughter but also was the one who introduced her to the world of computers. He did all this despite her being the daughter of a maid who was not at all related to him in any way.
Brad closed his eyes and smiled as he hugged his granddaughters with a complicated smile mixed with happiness and sadness, happy that they were finally going to study to build their future and sad that they had grown up too fast and won't be staying near him like before," Study well children and become the person you want to be. Don't let society or anyone pressure you into anything and just follow your dreams. Living a fulfilled life is more important than meeting the world's standards but with regrets."
The two girls felt as if their grandfather's words had profound meaning and nodded, taking his advice to heart.
Taya and Umilia smiled, seeing the three hug each other, but their expressions froze when an innocent voice sounded from behind, "Aunties…can I have a hug too?"