It was from my Aunt and it wasnt good news at all...
She had called to said that my hospitalized grandpa is in critical condition.
I could recall Mum & Dad hurried to change and pack there stuffs.
Dad was taking out chulks of notes from his savings.
I was in a daze and didn't know what to do.
So I went back to bed and pray.
I prayed for grandpa not to give up.
Repeating my words over again till I fall asleep.
40 minutes later, I woke up.
My brother was calling out for me and the that was the first thing I heard:
"Ah Gong passed away..."
~~~
My Dad always told this story to remind me and my brother to work hard and study. Its about my grandpa:
My grandpa or Ah Gong (What my family usually calls), was a driver who delivered rocks and goods to construction sites.
During olden days, Ah Gong own his company and does delivery himself.
My Dad occasionally followed and assisted him.
His business was good and he was earned quite a huge sum of money at that time.
Then, with that sum of money, he wanted to buy a bigger lorry or a Bungalow (Property prices were very low in the olden days). And he's is to make a choice between the two.
"In the end, Ah Gong chose to buy a lorry instead of the bungalow or else now the bungalow would have been worth a lot of money. Thats why, money doesn't come by easily. You two better work hard and study now, else you'll regret in the future" quoted by Dad.
~~~
I sat myself up, leaning against the wall.
Staring blindy, trying to absorb whatever had happened.
and then I cried...
The skies lit up and the world today felt so different for me.
I was speechless the entire morning,
went back to school and bought myself lunch.
Yet, my mind's empty and life seems to slow down suddenly.
My brother and I went to grandma's place in the evening for dinner.
Mum & Dad was there.
There were a few elders already there chatting with grandma.
Grandma feels different.
After dinner, I sat down listlessly.
Listening to conversations in Hokkien.
And I begin to recall the times when Ah Gong was still around.
He would be assisted to his only chair he sat.
Ah Gong had stroke many years ago and there are three places he can only be in the house;
His bed, his only chair and the toilet.
Ah Gong's photo was on a table in front and I took a glance as I didn't want to look at it too long.
Afraid I couldn't take it.
Tomorrow will be the first day after Ah Gong's passing and I need to be at Grandma's place at 7am for prayer.
Next week will be his funeral and my exams following that.
Hope I can manage everything...
~~~
I've been thinking about the story Dad told us about.
Lorry or House.
and I concluded:
'Ah Gong didn't made a good choice of choosing to buy the Bungalow.
But to me, he made a wise one in choosing the Lorry.
Because I believed at that moment, Ah Gong didn't want his wealth to stop there and he wanted it to grow. That why he choose to buy the Lorry, as he wanted to expand his business and then more money will flow. Ah Gong chose to work hard to grow his money instead of having it spent on the house.'
And that is something to look up upon,
my Grandpa...
~~~
This post is delicated to my Ah Gong who suffered so much through this year.
I will and forever remember that story
I will and forever remember that story
and do you proud.
Rest in peace up there..
I love you.
