Chapter 3 Her Fortitude

(Dahlia POV)

But sadly, I wasn’t able to catch up to any of them. Their cars resumed maneuvering.

The person who saves me… I only glimpsed his eyes for the last time, gazing directly into mine before his car disappeared into the night. 

Then I remembered how our lips meet.

I lightly touch my lips.

The kiss. Is that enough for him as my gratitude for saving me?

Back to reality, It was just foolish of me to go back to the middle of the road while a few minutes ago I wished I wasn’t there. Not to mention, there was a traffic officer coming. So, I just went back to where Grandma was waiting for me. I approached her and hugged Grama tightly. Her body is thin, which is I can easily hug her.

“Oh Dahlia, I haven’t paid for a coffin yet so don’t send me to Death in this cheese trap.”

I just smiled. Guess she realized what had happened.

“And I still want to live with my beautiful granddaughter.”

Grandma loves to make fun of me. Silly.

I looked at her as a happy Grandma. Enthusiastic. Loves to make fun of me. Cracked jokes whenever she feels that I am quiet. But a few people tell me before Grandma adopted me, she was unkind and peevish.

To what I see and witness to her. It's impossible for me to believe them.

“Your adopted grandchild Grandma.”

“Oh fine. I take it back. You are not that beautiful. I take it back."

“Sorry, Grandma.” I smile at Grandma's huff.

“What was I thinking then? It seems like my body thought your hat was worth saving than myself.”

“People sometimes act without thinking things through. But use that brain, Dahlia,” she chuckled lowly.

She's a rude Grandma sometimes, but even if she is like this. I won't let her die in an accident.  I am very grateful to her. She adopts me, gives me a family, and a home to call my own. Makes me feel that I belong to her family.

Many have told me; Grandma will only serve her as a maid. Whoever who tell me this, Grandma showed me that they were really wrong.

She considered me as her child more than her real grandchildren that made them heretic from her.

“I didn’t know who saved me. What are they? Humans? Or creatures that—”

“G-ma, you’re talking supernatural again. They’re just amazing people. Fast people. I am thankful Grandma they were able to act quickly to help us.”

“Too fast to be human, Dahlia. I doubt it.”

Grandma's imaginative reign once again. But her being a fictionist really helps me in the novel I am writing. That makes me think sometimes we are real relatives.

“Well, too bad I wasn’t able to thank the one who saved me. He saved me but I fell on him, and he must be hurt.” I sighed.

"I didn’t even repay him properly for saving me. He almost harm himself for what he did.”  

And I can't tell Grandma what happened exactly, that I lost my first kiss.

Then that can't really be called my first kiss, right?

One more pedestrian lane and we’re in front of the bus stop.

“Perfect timing,” The rain crashed angrily after we reached the shed. A bus also happened to stop by.

The queue in front of us came in first. That’s fine, I was only dropping Gramps inside for a solo trip. The driver was our neighbor, and I knew him well. He used to be friends with Grandma’s late husband.

“Uncle Bert, the usual address for Grandma.” I smiled at him to hide my anxiousness about earlier.

Somehow, I knew my grandmother could feel I was smiling. He’s gone blind but I didn’t want him to be wrapped in fear again. Our eyes are not only the window to the soul but also tragedy’s window into our soul.

“Why won’t you go with your grandmother?”

“I don’t have to. Think of the fare you’d be losing if you give me that free seat,” I winked at him.

Yes, Grandma got more than a senior citizen discount. I don’t pay her ride. Uncle Bert scratched his neck.

“Promise. Twenty minutes and I’ll be home. Don’t worry about me, Grandma.”

I said after she was properly seated.

Grandma understood why our setup had to be that way and she’s used to it.

“Hey kid, you also haven’t paid for a coffin. Just be careful. But it’s really fine with me if you come along.”

“No. You know a writer’s life, G-ma; you have to take a stroll and look around. Imagine the money when I finally become a famous writer. Off you go, I’m taking too much of your time. Uncle Bert, please look out for my grandmother,” I got off the bus and just waved at them.

Grandma could no longer see the smile on my face. At least that’s exactly why people should always smile. While you could. Even if it makes you look nuts.

It's not forbidden to smile, is it?

I started walking back when the bus left. I have feet for a reason, and the fare I would be saving could be used to mortgage the land where Grandma’s family's teashop stood. If we lost that little business, we’d be scraping by each day just to survive for our expenses.

The rain has turned into a downpour. It's freezing and I was cold under my sweater. But my mind reminded me again of what had occurred earlier.

Dahlia, you’ll never meet someone like him again.

Guess there are still gentlemen who’re willing to risk their lives to save other people. But…

I recalled what Grandma said about them. It’s true that they moved like the wind. Especially that man… it was odd how he pulled me over in just a blink. And if he’s from inside the car, how could he possibly be there beside me?

Nope.

I shook my head.

Having the wild imagination of a writer gets the better of me at times when things should be taken as they are and not be overthought about... A little spark of curiosity and what-ifs often end up in an interesting story.

@Death Wish