A good person

A good person 

When I was in form one, my grandmother came to live with us. Mother said that Grandma was beginning to forget things and it was not safe for her to be alone.

Ever since my grandfather passed away two years ago, Grandma seemed to have lots the desire to go on living.

One the first day she arrived, I was sad to see her looking so unlike herself. She used to be so full of life. Now, she hardly spoke and was not interested in anything. Mother told my brother and me to try and make Grandma happy. There were times when she seemed like her old self. But she was like the weather sometimes sunny, sometimes glom my.

One afternoon, I returned from school to find a note that said that grandma had been admitted to the hospital. I was terribly worried for Grandma. What was wrong with her? Would she die?

That evening, Aunt Lina arrived from Kuantan. With her was a young Indonesian maid. Her name was Kak Yati. We went to the hospital together. I was relieved to see Grandma alive. However, she was now unable to walk and to use her right hand. She could not feed herself or even button her own blouse. She refused to even look at any of us. She was depressed. Kak Yati took over. She refused to give up and continued talking cheerfully, telling Grandma her name, where she came from and all about herself. At first, Grandma ignored her but when Kak Yati went on and on, I saw her look at Kak Yati with surprise. She allowed Kak Yati to help feed her and dress her. Mother and Aunt Lina looked relieved.

After three days, Grandma returned home. Taking care of Grandma was a round-the-clock affair. But Kak Yati was a gem. She never complained or grumbled even trough Grandma would lose her not rest. Very often Grandma would loss her temper and shout or feel sorry for herself and weep. Kak Yati ignored her outburst and cheerfully cared for her.

Aunt Lina decided to let Kak Yati stay with us and went back to Kuantan. What we would have done without her. I do not know. It was Kak Yati who coaxed Grandma to learn to walk. After four months, Grandma was able to walk for short distances without support. She continued to get better day by day. Best of all, she became her old cheerful self, laughing once again and telling stories of her younger days.

A year later, Kak Yati had to return to her own family in Indonesia. On the day she left solo, there was not a dry eye in the house. We all went to see her off at the airport. Grandma came along. She was very sad to lose Kak Yati. Even though we may never see Kak Yati again, she will always be in our hearts.