married for a year

chapter 7

Anita's POV

I encourage the driver to wait for me as I quickly leave the vehicle and sprint inside the property.

I'm overwhelmed by what has occurred today, even if I would prefer to concentrate more on what happened to me after the operation.

Neither of us was able to sleep last night because Grandma was in so much misery.

She was almost out of her usual medications, so I was waiting for my next paycheck to get her more.

Given the hardships my business was enduring, I was almost persuaded to accept her offer.

I have no clue how it happened, yet barriers kept arising.

It looks like I won $50,000 in a matter of seconds.

Grandma isn't in our little living room when I walk in, watching old movies on our TV while perched on her cane chair. Instead, whimpers come from her sleeping quarters.

I stumble into the room without thinking and find her groaning in anguish on the bed. This morning, while she was still asleep, I cooked her breakfast and set it next to her bed, believing by then, the soreness would have faded.

But since I went away, it appears like grandmother hasn't been aware. It's been two hours since I went to work, and I wonder if she's just now waking up.

"Anita ?" While attempting to calm herself and swallow the grief, she calls. She knows that I have been seeking a method to pay for her treatment for a long time and with some problems, but she consistently pushes me to be patient and have confidence in God.

She used to claim that God would make miracles, and I know she says this all the time to prevent me ending up doing the wrong thing just so she may survive and stop the misery.

Now that I've collected the amount of money we would need for the treatment, I fear whether this is the blessing that my grandmother has been seeking or if I made a mistake.

I rush in her path. She grins with sorrow.

"Why are you here?" Despite her best attempts to communicate correctly, her voice is cracking.

I'm trying my best not to weep at what I'm witnessing.

It appeared like she was in anguish.

I am prepared to live with my deeds even if they may have been the worst choice of my life if there is still a chance that Grandma may be able to overcome her sorrow.

I am cognizant of the pain. It aches since there is nothing I can do to help.

"I'm here to take you to the hospital," I tell her, thinking about what I should say to her when the surgeries are done and I'm left to marry my boss. I didn't even ask when my boss would desire to get married.

I couldn't help but ask about it. I was eager to visit my granny in the hospital and come home.

"Hospital?" She grimaces in anguish as I cup her cheeks and kiss her forehead. "Have you gotten the money?" Her tone has dropped considerably.

I suppose it's time for us to migrate, instinctively. "Yes, sir.

Please, let's go outdoors. I tell her we have a taxi outside waiting for us.

I hear a trumpet wailing from outside as I pull her up, her body resting on me and her arms around me.

She has a lot of questions for me regarding where and from whom I acquired the money, but that will have to wait until later.

She is scarcely able to speak as we softly leave her room and the apartment.

Helping her was exhausting, and she looked heavier today. Her weight resting on me, by the time we get to the cab and the driver comes down to assist me get her into the vehicle, I'm fatigued.

I slump down alongside the cabbie as she reaches the driver's seat and gets the vehicle into motion.

I tell him the hospital's location, lean my head back against the chair, and meet Grandma's closed eyes.

Does she sleep well at night?

Though her appearance is melancholy, as she opens her eyes and sees me, she grins.

I execute the same move as I depart.

Her hands contacting mine will spark something I know.

"Anita , where did you get the money from?"

I carefully shut my eyes, thinking we may postpone this till later. I'm only concerned about her health right now, but I'll tell her everything after the operation.

Though plainly in a horrible attitude, she speaks up and says, "Child, don't lie to me." I almost smile at her caution.

I roll my eyes at her and respond, "I don't lie, Grandma," to which she nods.

"Talk to me honestly now. How did you arrive at this place?"

That, I was aware of!

In order for her to survive, she must think that I have surrendered into my sadness and abandoned my dignity and sense of womanhood.

That is untrue, no.

If nothing else, what I've done is better than being someone's slut.

I aspire to conduct honorably.

I promise her, "Grandma, I did nothing," and I offer her two hands a delicate squeeze as if to reassure her.

She offers me a wrinkled look. "Nothing?"

I nod.

I want to try it even though I know she won't fall for my deceit. Perhaps she'll let you leave eventually.

She exhales heavily and falls quiet, as if she had given up. I am on the brink of believing she has given up totally till she speaks up again. "A magic happened then?"

I chuckle a little. "Yes, you have always told me to believe that God will perform miracles, haven't you?"

Her lips are twitching in a scowl, showing a serious attitude; she doesn't look happy or persuaded.

It's crucial that I advise her quickly before she decides against getting the procedure as she feels the money is coming from the wrong source and she is thinking the worst about me.

I let go of her hands and sighed as well, remembering back on our voyage since her injury as I stared out the window.

Grandma knows I'll do anything for her.

Sincerely, this offer was too wonderful and too seductive to turn down.

I didn't want to take it.

It's beginning to seem like the contract isn't a huge concern.

We're just going to be together for a year, following which I'll resume my normal life. But will Grandma understand?

With her eyes partially closed, she continues, "I see you don't want to tell me."

"No," I say.

She throws me a peek. "I just feel this isn't the right time to tell you about this."

"Is it that bad that you can't tell me now?"

"Mother, no."Looking intently at her, I snap back, "I didn't do anything wrong." Her countenance is devoid of expression.

"Believe me, I didn't do anything wrong."

She utters, "Until you tell me what it is, I can't believe you," and I sigh in exasperation, relaxing as the hospital approaches.

I continue, trying to maintain my calm so she won't suspect anything or figure out there's more to this. "I requested assistance from my supervisor," I explained.

She nods and instructs me to keep going.

"It is more like an advance salary and I will pay up with my monthly pay..." I blather on without actually grasping what I am talking about. I sound perplexed.

Grandma doesn't seem nearly as perplexed as I anticipated she would. Instead, she provides a sympathetic nod, and I'm relieved that this appears to be coming to a finish at least.

"What then are you going to do for him in return for this help?"

I can't help but grin at her assured answer to my questioning and her evident comprehension of the problem.

sat down and locked one other's gazes.

Before she even looks up to acknowledge us, the automobile stops, startling us out of our daze, and my mouth drops.

The taxi driver screams, "We're here," as he leaves the car to open the door for us.

When I eventually lock my lips, Grandma says something in my ear. "We will talk about this later if I survive it."

What initially leaps to your mind? Do you think Anita should tell Grandma the truth?

What happens if the people discover the truth? If you were in her shoes, how would you react?

Don't forget to discuss your ideas, express yourself, and cast your vote. Thanks for reading.