Last year i randomly wrote a story, in the end when Mrs.V gave us an assignment to do, i realised i could use the concept.. so edited the story once again here and there, touched up de details and presented it to her.. i realised listening to nice music and reading the story at the same time certainly has some effect, hahas. aniwaes, here's de story, hope you all like it =] The characters in the story are NOT based on real characters. Should there be any resemblance it is purely coincidental.A gift which holds a special meaning to meI was doing my homework diligently, with earphones filling my ears with soothing music from my favourite music station. After the end of Beethoven’s Symphony, the DJ received a call from a listener and they started talking about their family life. My concentration towards the Math question was diverged towards their conversation when the listener mentioned about her grandparent. I took out a photo from my drawer and my mind was filled with memories of my grandmother. The conversation made me thought of the incident that happened just a month ago...
“You unrepentant child! Should you step out of this house, you shall never enter again!” I dashed out of the house, with my dad’s raging voice sounding behind me. I made a quick peep and saw tears running down my mum’s cheeks. Soon, the house that I once called home could no longer be seen as I ran into the quiet neighbourhood. My stamina weakened and my panting was the only sound that could be heard in the tranquil park. I knew I was beyond control and both my parents had already lost faith in me. With the heavy bags I had taken with me, I went over to Kelvin’s house and stayed over. However after a few days, conscience struck me as I felt guilty putting up at my friend’s house for free and left silently during one of the nights. Once again, I was all alone in the same park. Also with the money constraints, I had to lie down on the cold, hard bench and starve myself.
With my eyelids almost covering my vision, I felt a light pat on my shoulder and immediately sat to attention. Without even gaining full consciousness, I heard a familiar voice saying, “Why are you sleeping here little boy? Why didn’t you go home?”
I looked at the old pair of flowered shoes. “I don’t wish to go home,” I said, almost too ashamed to even look at the person who was speaking to me. Her English was almost full of grammar mistakes, but I managed to understand that she had asked me whether I would like to stay up at her place for the time being. With the conditions I was in, I had nothing to lose, and hence nodded my head without evening thinking whether she had any ulterior motive or intentions.
The drastic conditions of the house made me felt uncomfortable at the thought of staying in it. However, the warming hospitality from the old lady made me felt at home. During this period of time, I had informed my mum about the old lady who had kindly took me in and that I would return home once my dad had cool down. I managed to find a part time job at a fast food restaurant and bought back nice food for the old lady everyday. The more I communicated with her, I felt as though she was someone I knew but did not really doubt her identity. A week had passed unknowingly, staying in this worn but warm house. One day, upon returning home after two days of continuous work, I was stumped, being unable to find the old lady inside the house. Plus, the neat and clean house I had stayed in for the past one week had suddenly turned into a dusty and eerie house. I accidentally knocked against the small table and found a photograph of the old lady with a little kid. Feeling unsafe about the whole scenario, I took my belongings and ran home.
I picked up courage and knocked on the door. My mum opened the door and tears started flowing again, just like the time I left home. She gave me a big hug, telling me never to leave home again. At the corner of my eye, I saw my dad looking sternly at me. “Dad, I’m back.” My voice shivered as I worry he would give me a dressing down. However, the stern look turned calm and into a smile. Immediately, I knew what he meant.
I sat down with my mum and started telling her about the old lady whom I had stayed with, the hospitality she had given me and how grateful I am to her. However, when I discussed the mysterious change in the house, we were both puzzled. Just then, I remembered about the photo and showed it to my mum. Her face instantly turned almost pale.
“The old lady in the photograph is your late grandmother, and the small boy beside her is you!” I felt frightened at the thought that the person who had been taking care of me for the past one week was my late grandmother. There was an absolute silence in the room…
I have gone back to school and started catching up with schoolwork. There was never a time when I quarreled with my parents. We spent more time together as a family and life was really peaceful. Although till now, none of us could accept the fact that my grandma came back to aid me, yet whenever I look at the photo my grandma had left me, I could not help but feel touched by her.