Love Without Limits

Patty and Lola

"What is that smell? " I was awakened with that burnt smell coming from nowhere. I slowly opened my eyes and realized where it came.

"Lola" (Filipino word for grandmother)

"Lola...." rushing in the kitchen. Seeing a burned egg in a pan , i immediately off the stove. "Where have you been 'La?"

"My fault Patty. I was outside cleaning and forgot that I'm cooking. " Lola said confused. These past few days my grandmother becomes forgetful even for such a small things.

"It's okay 'La, Anyway, why don't you just rest here, I will be the one to cook breakfast for us. "

"No, go back to your bed. I'll call you when i finish cooking. I know you're tired and still sleepy from your duty last night"

I'm good 'La. You should be the one resting. Teresa told me that you sleep late night. Why is that?"

She looked into my eyes, teary and said, " I'm just thinking of what to do so that i can send you to college." she sighed and continued " if only I asked your mom about your father, we can ask for support. It is my fault, i wonder, if you just knew him you'll never have to experienced such things like this. I am not able to work, so you're the one working for us. You also support your studies. What can i do to help you... i don't know Patty. I am sorry" she cried.

"I'm not asking for anything from you Lola. you take care of me. you love me. You support me..its enough, i don't ask for more. You are my everything, and I am doing everything to also support you now that you're old. I just want you to be healthy and strong so that when i finish college you'll be the one to walk with me. and that ill make you proud of me."

It became our morning habit. My grandmother always told me that, I'm afraid that one day she'll be gone. Just thinking of it made me worry and sad.

She is my everything.

She is my strength.

Until one day...

It was a beautiful night. I'm on my usual night shift in a convenience store. Then suddenly, i received a call from Teresa. past 10pm for my grandmothers' medicine time but Teresa was furious that Lola wasn't responding. She came closer to her bed and find out that she was not just in her deep sleep. Lola died peacefully, that was Teresa said. i cried a lot, because Lola is the only family i have. Since i was born, she's the one i depend on. She supported me and love me.

Now that she's gone, i don't know how to start again.