The Rainy Evening

It was Tuesday, 17^th July. It was raining cats and dogs. I left my house under my black umbrella and head to the library. I had a bag which had the three books I had to return.

I reached the library at 2:30pm but it was so dark that it looked like it was 8pm. The library was small. There was just a dim light hanging from the ceiling, the librarian’s small rectangular table and five circular tables. The librarian had left a note ‘Out for lunch’. I sat on table-4 which was close to the window, waiting for the librarian.

A book caught my eye, which was left open at table-3. I went and picked up the book. The title read ‘My Greatest Regrets’. The book was opened to page 178. The first paragraph read, “She did so much for me and yet I could not say to goodbye to her. I miss my Grandma Becky. If only I could change-”. I could not read anymore as everything went hazy. Tears had filled my eyes.

My Grandma Laren had passed away when I was five years old. She had told me so my tales and fantasies. I don’t have much to remember her by. Just some photos, a card I made for her birthday and a letter from her. At her death bed, when she had just a couple of hours left with her, she wrote a letter to me. In it she wrote that she loved me, and I was her favourite. Also, nobody liked death, but she wanted to accept and welcome it. Her greatest regret was not being able to see my aunt getting married.

Grandma Laren was the bravest woman I knew. She fought so many diseases but alas, cancer took her away from me. My soft cries turned loud, and I buried my face into my hands.

Suddenly, I felt strong gushy winds blow onto my face. I looked at the window. It was closed. When I turned my head back towards the table, I saw a bluish translucent figure standing beside the table. It was not any ordinary figure; it was my Grandma Laren. “Grandma Laren!”, I cried aloud. She smiled angelically and I hugged her. “What, how, is this a dream?”, I was confused. She shook her head and said, “Dear Thea, be strong and with every strong decision, you’ll feel my presence”, and then she disappeared.

 I was speechless. I had met my Grandma Laren. I smiled. This was indeed going to change my life.

At this moment, I am in the hospital. I have Leukemia. My mom is sitting beside me and my dad has gone to pick my brother from school. The doctor comes in and says that I have to get my chemo done. My mom gives me a worrying look and I tell her, “Mom, I can handle this. I will be strong. I’m going to make my grandma proud.”