Chapter 3: Family & Miracle [Part 2]

"I don't know." Shaking his head in confusion, the grandfather replied, "I do not remember."

"What?!" The three of them were dumbfounded.

'We also started to get confused. Dad couldn't even fathom how an old grandfather like him could end up here without remembering anything. We observed that his body had no signs of physical violence or injury. My parents were relieved since it indicated that grandpa did not receive any rough treatment or been mistreated,' recalling those details, Helen said, "Fortunately, he did not encounter thugs or bad guys who might endanger his life."

Her parents were then convinced that this grandfather had Alzheimer's disease. After learning this, the only thing they could do was to take him to the local police station. Maybe they would get a report about the missing person, and there might be a family member of the grandfather who was worried and waiting for news of his whereabouts.

Finally, they took the grandfather over there and explained how they had met him.

After that, nothing so significant happened. The days went on as usual. At least until one week later. Helen's parents then began to notice that their stall business had gradually increased for over a week following that incident. There was a man who loved to come and buy her dad's merchandise.

Helen and her family were extremely grateful to God and to this man. However, they were also wondering. Why did this man, who was almost the same age as her father, always buy all their merchandise, and what did he do with that stuff? Then, in the third week, the man finally revealed his intentions and purpose—why he always came and bought everything from their stall.

'God is indeed just, and that's true! It turned out that the man was the son of that old grandfather that we had helped. That uncle also told us that he was going to move to America and intended to bring his father, that old man, to live with him as well as to treat his father's Alzheimer's.' She once again thanked God in her heart.

The man felt extremely grateful to Helen's family for finding his father. They even fed him and checked to make sure he was okay, safe, and sound. When his family and he learned that the 88-year-old man had suddenly disappeared from home and gone missing, they were very panicked and terrified.

Therefore, he decided to meet the person who had found his father. He was determined to return the favor. Of course, he also wanted to ascertain who they were and what kind of people they were. During those three weeks, it turned out that he kept an eye on them. He greatly admired this little family's persistence and patience. So, he decided to reveal his intentions today.

Helen's parents were also surprised and grateful but stated it was not a big deal. They said that, as humans, social beings, and fellow creations of the Almighty, they should help each other.

"He then invited us to have a meal at his house. At first, mom refused. She was afraid that we would inconvenience him and be a burden to him. However, that person insisted on inviting us until we finally felt moved and accepted his invitation." Helen smiled at the thought of how funny and cute it was.

Once there, they were greeted warmly and kindly. That certainly made them happy and sad at the same time. They were glad and happy since these new people they had just met were surprisingly able to accept them, despite looking like dirty homeless people, without looking down on them. They felt sad because her parents remembered how different the attitudes of their own relatives and families were when they saw them.

"How f*cking ironic…. People we thought and considered as a family turned out to be strangers to us, and strangers we didn't even know at that time genuinely treated us like part of their family," lamented Helen once again regarding this bitter fact and reality.

Helen still recalled being treated to delicious and delicate foods that they had not seen or enjoyed in a long time on that day. After the dinner session, that person made a highly unexpected announcement to the three of them.

"Ah, I almost forgot. There's something I want to announce to you," said the generous man while suddenly plastering a suspicious smile on his face. "I will give this house to you…."

The man named Anton Kusuma declared that he and all his family members in this house would be leaving for America the next morning to begin living there. Then, he intended to give this house to Helen's family, along with all the other stuff in it.

'At that very second, dad and mom froze. They couldn't believe what they heard and thought that maybe their ears were playing tricks on them,' Helen thought, patting and massaging her forehead at Uncle Anton's deeds.

'Mr. Anton looked very satisfied when he saw the shocked and bewildered expressions of the three of us. Apparently, he deliberately planned all this. While laughing, Mr. Anton explained that, in truth, he planned to sell this house. Yet, after seeing the condition of our little family having no home at that time, he and his family agreed to give us this house and land.'

Her father once again refused! He felt that this gift was too generous and not worth what they had done.

"Nevertheless, Mr. Anton was no less stubborn. He even threatened to give more if we didn't want to receive this gift." Helen really wanted to laugh but was also at a loss for words about Mr. Anton's behavior, which resembled more like the domineering tyrant who tried to act generous rather than a benefactor at that time.

"If you still insist on refusing, I'll make sure tomorrow, you might even get some of my company's shares and manage one of my businesses!"

"B-but Mr. Anton―"

"No more but!" he snapped, giving them a threatening look.

"Well… Dad eventually gave in. The three of us cried because we felt so grateful and touched. God finally answered our prayers by sending His gifts through Mr. Anton and that Grandpa," uttered Helen.

That night became the most beautiful moment Helen ever ever remembered. It made her even more believe that miracles definitely exist. As long as they try and believe in it.

The house that was given by Mr. Anton might not be considered huge for wealthy people. Nonetheless, this was more than enough for them. On the other hand, while it looked small, it was actually quite spacious compared to their old house. Helen's parents were people who preferred to live a simple life despite the fact that they once used to live with abundant wealth. Unlike their siblings, those who vied to flaunt each other's wealth and properties. If they looked closely, the house was fairly large, and the land was so big. Their new home not only had a garden in front and back, it also had one in the middle!!

It was evident that Mr. Anton and his family were so fond of the house with many gardens and plants.

"Wow! So beautiful…." commented little Helen who was amazed by the house. "I-is this our house? Will we stay here now?"

Her parents nodded and answered, "Yes, Helen. We will stay here."

Helen could see how touched her parents were at that time. Their eyes were still teary, but they were also smiling happily.

"What are you thinking? Why are you still standing there?" said Mr Anton who suddenly appeared. "Come here, I'll show you around first. Don't let yourself get lost in your own house later. Hahahaha…."

Before leaving, Mr. Anton had instructed his lawyer and legal expert to take care of all the important and necessary papers, including everything that Helen's family needed for their daily lives. Mr. Anton also provided extra money for their business capital. To tell the truth, he even wanted to pay for Helen's education. At least until she graduated from college, but her parents almost got a heart attack! Witnessing that, Mr. Anton eventually backed down and agreed to pay only for her elementary school education.

Helen's parents were determined not to trouble Mr. Anton further, even though he didn't find it troublesome at all. Her father then said about their daughter's school fees, they would inshallah[1] be able to cover it. Furthermore, the money that Mr. Anton gave was more than enough for them to start a new business. Not to mention that Mr. Anton would cover their electricity and water bills until next year. For the three of them, it was more than enough to return their favor. That was even very, very helpful for them. It was they who were afraid of not being able to repay his kindness. Truly, in this world, there were people as good as him.

Their lives returned to normal, and Helen could go back to school like a child at her age. Her father's business was starting to grow, and her mother was also able to rest and relax while taking care of herself and managing all the housework.

Helen always hoped and prayed that this happiness would last forever until she grew up and could make her parents happy. Later, she intended to take care of both of them so that her parents would not have to worry about the necessities of life and other problems, just as they had taken care of her. They only have to relax and enjoy life. That was Helen's greatest hope and dream. It was also one of her greatest regrets because she knew she would not be able to accomplish it. But Helen would still find another way to dedicate her dream. She searched for other means to honor her late parents. One of those ways was by pursuing and fulfilling her dreams and aspirations.

Though the togetherness and happiness of their lives were short, Helen still cherished them. It became one of Helen's treasured memories with her parents.

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[1]Inshallah = If God permits/God willing or God wills, it's used by Muslims (In Islam)