MARA
It's been three weeks since I brought Grandpa home, and no one has been looking for him. What kind of family does he have? Aren't they worried about him, whether he is still alive or dead? What kind of family are they? I found out that Grandpa has Alzheimer's because a few days ago, I saw him pass out again. So I brought him to the clinic, and the doctor told me about his illness. I need more money. I used some of my savings to pay for Grandpa's check-up and bought his medicine. His medicine is not a joke at all; it's expensive, and the doctor said it's dangerous to skip drinking it since he already did for more than two weeks. I sighed. I can't bear to kick Grandpa out of my apartment as well. I asked him where he lived, but he said he forgot even his name he forgot. The only thing I know about him is that he has a grandson named JayJay, but how could I find him when I don't know his surname as well? I knocked on the door again when I got no reply, with my heart pounding harder. "Mara, what are you doing here? Can't you see how busy we are?" I jumped in fright to see my manager standing behind me. I took a deep breath, clutching my chest. "I'm so sorry, Ma'am, but can I go home? My grandpa is sick, so I must send him to the hospital. He fell to the floor just now, and his head hit the edge of the bed, bleeding. He is alone at home, and I'm worried, Ma'am. "Can't you see how busy we are today?" "Please, Ma'am." I cried this time. As time passed, my worries heightened. She sighs, glaring at me. "Go." She shortly said. "Thank you, Ma'am. Thank you so much." "Make sure to return tomorrow, or you'll lose your job." "Okay, Ma'am." I thanked her, ran to my locker, took my things, and ran to the exit, but I bumped into someone. "I'm so sorry." I apologized and ran out of the restaurant without looking at who I had bumped into. I called a taxi. I have never taken a cab since I came here because I'm saving money, but Grandpa is in danger. I told the driver my address, and we quickly drove off. "Uncle, can you please drive faster? It's an emergency." "Okay." And we zoom out, cutting into every car, and I arrive in front of my apartment fifteen minutes later. "Uncle, can you wait for a while? I need to bring my grandpa to the hospital." "Okay. Do you need any help?" "I think I am." I stepped out of the taxi, and the driver followed me. "Grandpa!! "Mara, he passed out. My God, I don't know what to do." Rena, my neighbor, said, crying. "Grandpa!! I cried to see the blood on his forehead. "Uncle, please help me carry him in your taxi. He picked up Grandpa without uttering a word and ran outside. "Thank you, Rena. I need to go." "Don't mention it. Now go." I nodded and followed the driver outside, and he quickly sent us to the nearest hospital. "This hospital is a bit expensive, but this is the nearest; if we go to the other hospital that's a bit cheap, we need to travel for another thirty minutes, but your grandpa needs a doctor to check him now." The driver explained. "It's okay, uncle. Thank you." "Wait here. I call the staff to help bring your grandpa inside. "Thank you, uncle." After a few minutes, he returned with the two hospital staff with a stretcher. "Uncle, thank you so much. I pulled money from my wallet and handed it to him, but he pushed it back at me. "You need it," he whispered. I burst into tears and bowed to him, saying thank you. "Go, your grandpa needs you." He softly patted my head before he went inside his taxi. I bowed at him again and ran after the staff that wheeled Grandpa and was brought directly to the emergency room, and l stayed outside, praying that he was just fine. After an hour, the doctor came out. " How's my grandpa, Doc?" "He is okay now, but he shouldn't skip his weekly check-up, and his medicine or illness will worsen. The hospital staff will send your Grandfather to his room in a few minutes." He said and left. "Weekly check-up? But how could I do that? I don't have money for it. His medicine I only bought ten because my money wasn't enough, and the bills here, where should I get the money to pay here? A nurse stepped out from the emergency room with the two staff, pushing a stretcher with Grandpa, still unconscious. They walked past me, and I just quietly followed behind them. Seeing my poor appearance, I hope they will give Grandpa the cheapest room. We stopped before a double door, and my eyes widened when they pushed the door open. "Nurse, I think you bring Grandpa into the wrong room. I couldn't afford to pay for this." "Don't worry, Miss; it's already taken care of." She replied, and the two staff laid Grandpa on the king-size bed with an expensive cover. I'm hyperventilating right now, just looking in the room. It seems like a first-class suite in a five-star hotel. Oh my God, where should I get the money to pay for this? My heart is thundering inside my chest. Am I going to jail if I can't pay this? I looked at the nurse and staff, but they had already left. Oh dear god, where should I get the money? I bite my lips nervously. Grandpa, I'll be back. I'll find money so that I can bring you home. They may let me get you home, and you rest there. If we stay here longer, our bills will go up every hour. I kissed his cheek and then went out of his room. I went to the information to ask how much Grandpa's bill was, hoping I could afford it. "Excused me, Miss, how much are the bills in room 701?" "Mr. Fernandez. His bills are $2000." I gasped, covering my mouth. $2000? Where should I get that amount? Is it almost my half-year salary?" I thought nervously. I left without saying thank you to the woman and hopelessly walked to the hospital's exit. I don't know where to get that money, but I snapped out of my thoughts when someone bumped into me, and I fell to the floor. The guy doesn't even say sorry or look back. He keeps running. "Maybe he has an emergency." I thought, standing up while dusting myself and walking to the exit. I sat on the bench outside of the hospital, wrecking my head where to get the money I needed. I have no one to run to. I can't borrow from Rena because her husband earns only enough for them. Maybe Jared can lend me some money. I took out my phone and dialed his number but couldn't contact him. What happened? Did he change his number? My shoulder slumped down, and I wanted to cry. I redialed his number, but it was still the same, and my tears rolled down my face this time. It's been almost four months since I last talked to him, and I'm hoping that his phone is just off or doesn't have a battery so that I couldn't contact him. I wiped my tears, trying to erase the worst scenario, why I couldn't contact Jared, and trying to think positively. Jared loves me. He courted me for almost a year before I said yes to him, and I know he loves me. I trusted him. I took a deep breath, and my eyes caught the necklace dangling on my neck, and I smiled in relief. Two months ago, I brought it to the pawnshop. I wanted to know how much the value and I was surprised. It costs $3000 if I pawn it. I couldn't believe my late mother owned that expensive necklace. She gave it to me when I was just five as a birthday gift. I I rushed back inside to check on Grandpa and tell him I'd go home for a while to see if he was awake so that I could pawn my necklace and have money to pay for his bill. I half ran to his door, smiling, happy that I could bring Grandpa home after. I burst inside, surprised to see it was already empty and only the cleaning lady was inside. "Excuse me, Aunty, where's the patient here?" "Oh, he checks out already. His grandson came, and he transferred him to the other hospital." She replied. My shoulder slumped down, and my tears fell on my face. I haven't said goodbye to him.MARA It's been a week since I saw Grandpa. I missed him despite the fact he only stayed with me for three weeks. I missed the funny thing he did whenever he couldn't remember me. Every time I stepped inside the door, he would ask who I was, and then he would stay in the corner, his eyes following me as if I would attack him any chance. I would chuckle, stealing glances at him occasionally, and, at the same time, sad because I knew why he was acting like that. It was the woman that beat him. He was traumatized and scared that he thought I would hurt him like that woman did. That's why he stayed in one corner for over an hour until he remembered me. I wondered if he was like this in his home whenever that woman was around—just imagining him crying while the woman beating and pulling his hair angered me. I always let him be and waited until he remembered who I was, and once he did, he would rush to me, hug me, and say welcome home. Pretty good lady. I'm sorry I don't remember you so
MARA"Grandson?" The word echoed inside my head. I tried to step back, but Grandpa's arms prevented me from moving. Does that mean he is Jay Jay? But what if he is pretending? Grandpa said he didn't know him. What if he is a bad person? I need to confirm if he is his grandson. "How could you be his grandson? He said he doesn't know you." "Miss, he is his grandson. Grandpa has Alzheimer's, and that's why he forgets him once in a while." The guy with him said. But it doesn't convince me. "If you are his grandson, what does Grandpa call you?" I'm sure only his grandson knows. If this guy is a fake one, he won't know. "Jay Jay," He replied. I gasped and quickly bowed my head. "I'm so sorry, sir. I thought you were a bad person. I only want to be sure," I explained. "I want to talk to your manager," he said, and my eyes widened in fear. What is he planning to do? Is he going to ask my manager to fire me? The way he dressed, in a sharp suit and polished shoes, and looked, with his pier
MARA "About a few weeks ago, when I was away. Is there something that happened?" Jay Jay asked casually, leaning on the couch with Grandpa beside him while I just stood behind Grandpa. Everyone looked nervous instantly, and their eyes darted everywhere but him. "Babe! A woman's voice said, and I looked up to see a beautiful woman wearing a black dress that showcased her stunning body figure. I'm sorry for not informing you, babe. I also told the helpers not to tell you because I know you have an important business, and I'm sure you'll come back as soon as you find out that Grandpa ran away again. I searched him silently. I told the authorities not to report it but asked them to keep searching for Grandpa." "But still, you should tell me. What if something happened to Grandpa? What if bad people got him, recognized him, and asked for money, like what happened a year ago?" He angrily said. "Sorry, babe, it didn't cross my mind. I thought he would come back soon or we could find him
MARAThe following morning, I woke up at six a.m. I quickly bathed and put on the extra clothes Cassy gave me. I blew dry my hair and tied it in a high ponytail. After that, I went to Grandpa's room to check on him. I smiled to see that he was still sleeping. I went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare Grandpa's breakfast. "Good morning, Nana." She's in the kitchen together with the chef. "Good morning, Mara. Come. Every morning, Sir Phil wanted someone to read a newspaper for him while he was eating, and after that, he needed to walk for thirty minutes in the garden behind the Mansion, and after that, you prepared his bath. It would be best to eat first because he will wake up at eight. "Okay, Nana." "Sit down. I'll prepare your food." "No need, Nana, I can do it." "Just sit down," she firmly said, and I gave in and settled in one of the chairs. She took a plate and went into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned carrying the plate and placed it before me. My mouth w
MARA I went out of Grandpa's room and into mine and bathed. I had sweated when we had walked into the garden earlier, and I wanted to bathe again. After bathing and dressing up, I went back to Grandpa's room, and I saw him already dressed up, but his hair was still dripping. "Sit down, Grandpa. Your hair is still dripping wet." He settled on the edge of his bed without arguing, and I quickly took the hairdryer and blew dry his hair. "Grandpa, tomorrow I'll cut your hair, okay? It's already long." "You know how to cut hair?" "Yes, I had a part-time job in a salon before. I also know about manicures and pedicures. I'll clean your nails tomorrow as well." "Okay." He said, grinning. When his hair is dry, I brush it and return the hairdryer to the drawer. "Where is your shoe, Grandpa?" "In there." He pointed to a door on our right side. I quickly went to it and slid the door open, and my eyes widened to see a vast collection of different brands and kinds of shoes. "Grandpa, you
MARAWe arrived home past five in the afternoon because of traffic, and I was nervous when I stepped out of the car and saw Sir Jayson standing at the front door waiting for us. Why is he home? He said last night that he would be home late. Why is he here now? "Jay Jay, your home." Grandpa grinned and quickly went to him as soon as he stepped out of the car. "My meeting was canceled. That's why I'm home early, Grandpa. Why are you back just now? It's almost six." "We caught in traffic," Grandpa replied. " Can I talk to you?" "Let's go inside first." Sir Jayson led him into the living room, and I followed them. "Jay Jay, can I ask you a favor?" I want to ask you now because I might forget it later." "What is it, Grandpa?" he asked softly. I noticed that when it comes to his grandfather, Sir Jayson is so soft, like a marshmallow, and I could see he cared for him so much. That's one of the many things that was admirable about him. "Mara's neighbor needs a job. His wife takes care o
MARA Ma'am Loren went beside him, but he pushed her harshly. Throwing her a few feet away, the syringe she was holding dropped on the floor, broken. "Stay away from me!!! He screamed, and at that moment, Grandpa looked scary. Sir Jayson rushed to help her up. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine." We are all surprised. Although I've known Grandpa for only a month, I had never seen him so angry or look so scary. "Grandpa!!! Why did you do that? Loren just wanted to help you?" Sir Jayson screamed. I gasped when Grandpa quickly crawled away, dived under the bed, and hid there. My palm covers my trembling lips. I'm sure he didn't do this for the first time. I think he crawled under the bed whenever that heartless woman beat him. It broke my heart, and a sob left my lips. My tears streamed down my face. Sir Jayson instantly looks so guilty, with regret on his face. His tears also rolled down his face. Nana also cries while standing behind us. "Don't give him any shot for tonight. Y
MARA It took me an hour to finish grooming Grandpa, and I'm happy he liked it. He bathed while I prepared his clothes to change and just lay it on his bed. I went to my room, bathed as well, and then changed. Grandpa had already finished dressing up when I returned to him, "Sir Phil, Sir Jayson is already waiting for you downstairs," Nana called outside the door. "Okay, Nana, we are coming," Grandpa answered. "You're ready?" "Yes, Grandpa, let's go." I lead him out the door, and we take the elevator down. Sir Jayson is waiting for us in the living room with Ma'am Loren. "Jay Jay, I thought it was only us? I looked at Ma'am Loren, wondering why I didn't notice this before. She is smiling, but her eyes say other things. "Loren asked if she could join us, Grandpa. She's free today, and I said yes because the more, the merrier." "She didn't ask me," Grandpa said, fist balled tightly beside him. "Grandpa, can I join..... Ma'am Loren asked, but Grandpa cut her before she could fini