I should be in 3rd year of college already taking up computer science, but I filed for a leave of absence for one semester, since grandma's symptoms of deteriorating health appeared a few weeks after the last school year. I can still continue doing some material exercises at home and I still do shifts in the video store in the evening.
Mom obviously, didn't want the idea of me taking a gap from school but she didn't nag or try to stop me then. I just think that she understands me. I focus now on taking care of Grandma, I hope she go back to her usual self before the next semester starts.
"But it feels that I'm not any of help at all…"
The night was peaceful, we brought a picnic basket with sandwiches I made and some fruits I brought along. Then, Chuna and I blew candles in front of Grandpa, Grandma, and Mom on top of a cake I made earlier. We got home at the break of night, mom left and it became a usual day for us.
Grandma's sad aura continued for a couple more months until it was a vacation for Chuna. Grandma came back to us, and she became more cheerful, even Chuna was bringing friends over. It was Max, he first came to our house once unannounced when Chuna was preparing for school. He said that he would take care of Chuna out there.
"He seems like a bright and jolly child" Chuna sometimes goes out with him where his parents pick them up for a short trip, festivals, homework sessions, and just passing time. I'm not worried for it is Chuna that I am talking about. And Max always greets me when he sees me, sometimes he's the one who tells me how their days went and his parents are very polite and sweet. So I invite Max back home some of the time as well.
I see Grandma coming back to us with her jolly self, one time at the dinner table when Max came to join us.
"Brother Jun, Did you have a romantic experience already?" I was a bit stunned by the straightforward question from a kid
"This kid is truly living in the modern generation, I hope he does not influence Chuna in the wrong direction" I smiled a little bit not to make things awkward but everybody was at the table at that time.
I saw Grandma grinning, then Chuna somewhat lowered her head looking a bit embarrassed for her friend.
"How old are you kids again? Why are we bringing up this topic already?" I swayed my gaze to Chuna
"Do you have a love interest already?" Chuna shook her head and she just poked Max's shoulders. Max scowled a little but giggled again.
"I have a love interest… I do… I do" Max even raised his hands.
I eyed him opening my eyes a bit rounder and wider
"Is that so? What does she look like?" I just dragged the conversation, seeing them pretty interested in the topic anyway and I see Grandma having fun too.
"Oh, he's a boy, he has the cutest dimples, a small nose, and very small eyes that go close all the way when he laughs" I was shocked, Grandma choked a little, and Chuna looked his way.
"I see… so Max is one of the girls, I think…"
"Have you been friends with him already? Did you tell your parents?"
"Oh yes, Mom supports my wishes, she even helped me choose gifts for his coming birthday" I just nodded, and brought a glass of water to my mouth
"At least somebody has more experience in love at this table" didn't expect Grandma to comment, so I choked on the water and got some through my nose.
Grandma laughed, and I saw Chuna smile,
"I guess, she understood that"
"Come on Grandma, I still have days ahead of me, I'm not in a hurry, I haven't even finished school, and I have to aim for a big and famous corporate company if I want to have my own name"
"Okay, okay, I'm just saying, I want to see my grandkids with you" I squinted my eyes a little
"All right, all right. I'll do my best. So please bear with me and get stronger sooner" Grandma just nodded and our days went by.
Sometimes Mom came by since everybody was in the house with me taking care of Grandma and Chuna spending her vacation helping me around the house. I decided to apply for the next semester this coming school year to continue my studies, Grandma seems fine already and she's been bright these past few weeks. She even volunteers to cook again and tend the garden. She's a bit slow and her past illness took a toll on her body. But all in all, she's well already.
I left Grandma in the bathroom seconds ago to change the bedding when I heard a loud thud in the bathroom,
"Oh my God!" My heart skipped and I ran towards the bathroom where Grandma was and when I opened the door, Grandma was on the floor curled into a ball where she was pressing her side, and started to groan and cry from pain. I kneeled in front of her and heard Chuna running towards us.
"What happened?!" Chuna was startled too.
"I was just trying to reach out to the soap…" Grandma tried to explain.
"You're okay Grandma… Chuna, call Aunt Jane for help, let us borrow her car. I'll try to lift Grandma and bring her out" Chuna dashed out of the house and Grandma continued to cry louder as I lifted her very carefully. I successfully put her in her wheelchair as she continued to scream from the pain.
I tried my best to clear my head to move my body, I could feel myself trembling but I still tried to act fast. I saw Aunt Jane's car coming as I went out of the house. Chuna jumped out from the front seat and ran towards us with a worried face. Aunt Jane came out too from the driver's seat and opened her back door.
"Faster… faster" I blurted out while cold sweat appeared on my forehead. Grandma is still crying from pain and I am pushing my limits. We successfully carried Grandma in the back seat and folded her wheelchair.
Aunt Jane hurriedly got back to the driver's seat and Chuna on front beside her.
"She kept pressing her side. She might got an injury on that side when she slipped" I saw the worried glances of Aunt Jane from the rear mirror.
"Don't worry honey, we'll be there in a second" Aunt Jane turned on her hazard and frantically pressed her car horn when we saw cars in front. It indicates other cars that we are running to an emergency.
"Chuna, do you have your cell with you? Can you call Mom?" Chuna shook her head then Aunt Jane quickly said.
"Chuna, honey, open the glove compartment I have a cellphone there, you can call your Mom" I saw Chuna dial Mom,
"I know she memorized it, I see to it that she knows all of our numbers for emergencies out there" I heard Chuna get in touch with Mom and knew that she would be on her way but I'm also sure that it will take some time too.