Guardian Grandma

By, Cheah Kok Hin


July 17, 2001, was the first time I had to visit my grandmother at the intensive care unit of the hospital. Po-po had been suffering from diabetes for a few years. That day, she had to go for a heart operation.

I remember that morning. I was 12 then, and felt so bored at the hospital that I went around playing with my cousins and brother. We didn't notice the gloomy faces of our parents, who soon asked my uncle to take us back to his condominium. There, we had a great time at the pool.

I didn't know why, or how, but for the first time, I felt that the water was clearer than usual. I reckoned the workers had cleaned it. I played and played, and didn't realise the time.

It was the best swim I'd ever had. I wasn't afraid of the water, and I didn't think about drowning. It was as if a guardian angel was among us ...

After a few hours, uncle took us back to the hospital. All that swimming had left me tired. Suddenly, I remembered my grandmother.

"How is Po-po?"

"I don't think she will make it," uncle said.

I was dumbstruck. Just as we reached the ward, the lift door opened and there were all my aunts and uncles, crying. My cousins were sitting in a corner, heads down.

I started to cry. Mom came and hugged me. I shrugged her off and went to a corner. I couldn't believe what was happening.

Back in my uncle's car, suddenly, I knew why I had had such a great time in the pool. It was Po-po's was of giving me a happy time, even when she was having a bad time ...

Sent to Starmag