Chapter 8: Chapter 8

“Grandma Rosa, Grandma…” Lora called as she ran into the mansion, she left home very early this morning so that she can spend as much time as she can with her grandma before leaving and she doesn’t want to waste any minute.

She knew that opportunities like this can be rear because her dad never consents to her going to the mansion easily, and the drive from where she lives to the mansion already took two hours of her time.

“Maria, where is grandma Rosa?” she stopped to ask one of the house keepers she met at the living room.

“Welcome Miss Lora." Maria said looking up from what she was doing when she heard Lora’s voice. "She’s in the garden.” Maria replied smiling at Lora who smiled back in return.

The house keepers in the mansion are also like family to Lora, she respects and treats them as one of her own and they all loved her as well, when her dad, Lucio asked that Lora move out of the mansion, all the housekeepers became gloomy as if someone had died, as time went on they all became used to her not being around and everyone have adjusted to seeing her occasionally.

“Okay Maria, how’s your family.” Lora asked as she walked on in a hurry. “They’re fine, Miss Lora.” She answered and went on with her work.

“Grandma Rosa.” Lora called as she walked up to an elderly woman who is in her mid-seventies, she is standing and giving orders to a maid in the garden, she looked quite strong for her age, Lora thought.

“Lora sweetie, my baby.” Grandma Rosa answered, with her voice shaking a little with age as she speaks, she reached out and hugged her granddaughter.

“I’ve missed you darling.” She said holding Lora’s face in her palms. “I’ve missed you too Grandma Rosa.” Lora said as she gave her a kiss on both chicks.

“What’s all this Grandma?” she asked pointing to the table full of delicious looking dishes, her eyes wondering from one corner of the table to another in surprise.

“For you, sweetie, happy graduation.” Grandma Rosa said patting her chick tenderly. “We are going to celebrate your graduation, come and sit down.” Grandma Rosa said as she took Lora’s hand, and they both walked to the table and sat down next to each other.

Her grandma loves to eat out in the garden rather than in the dining room, she had requested her son Lucio to buy her a dining set and place them in the garden, then Lora had asked her why she needs a dining set in the garden, she had told her that it brings her closer to nature and that she loved the air in the garden because it relaxes and calms her nerves.

“Grandma, isn’t this food too much?” Lora asked again looking at the large table full of different dishes. “No, it’s not sweetie, you need to feed this young body of yours, you look like you are not eating enough, my God look at you.” Grandma Rosa said shaking her head with her eyes scrutinizing Lora who unconsciously looked down at herself wondering if she's really not looking good.

“When I was your age I loved to eat, not just to eat but to eat good and healthy foods, and you know what?” she asked, looking from the table to Lora.

“What?” Lora asked, her eyes widened with curiosity. “I was the centre of attention back in those days because I looked so beautiful, my skin glowed so much that men could not take their eyes of me.” She told Lora and they both laughed even Paula one of the maids who was standing by to attend to them smiled.

“Your grandpa then, said I was every man’s dream and that he won a jackpot when I agreed to marry him.” Grandma Rosa added, her eyes glowing with laughter, Lora chuckled with laughter herself at the statement.

“It’s true.” Grandma Rosa said when she saw Lora chuckle with laughter. “Yes, off course Grandma.” Lora replied in agreement, smiling this time when she saw the look on her grandma's face.

“Silly girl.” Grandma Rosa said smiling at Lora who is still smiling herself. “Paula, come and serve the food.” Grandma turned and said to Paula the maid standing in a corner waiting to serve them.

“Where is Papa? Is he not joining us?” Lora asked her grandma looking around her smile fading away. “He’s not home sweetie, he’s out taking care of business.” Grandma Rosa replied.

“Oh, okay, I thought he would be here to celebrate with me at least.” Lora said looking down at her plate feeling a little disappointed.

“Don’t be sad dear, you know how he is.” Grandma Rosa said sensing her disappointment. “It’s okay grandma.” She replied and started eating.

“The food is delicious, I’ve missed this grandma.” She added, trying her best to hide the disappointment in her face. “Eat up sweetie.” Her grandma said and smiled as she watched her dig into the food. It’s been a while since she saw her eat.

They both ate their food in silence for a while, and then her grandma said. “Have you being in touch with your mother? She asked out of the blue, Lora, taken by surprise, looked at her grandma.

“No.” she answered, still munching some food in her mouth. She suddenly felt her throat go dry, so she picked up a glass of water and drank some gazing from the dishes on the table to her grandma. Her grandma and her dad have never approved of her speaking about her mum let alone talking to her.

Grandma Rosa seeing how surprised she was shook her head a bit. “I know you are surprised sweetie, since I was the one who forbade you from talking about your mum.” she said, her eyes fixed on the table looking at nothing in particular, Lora said nothing, instead she started to stir the food in her plate with tears suddenly building in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry sweetie, I owe you and your Mama an apology, I shouldn’t have let things turn out the way it is.” Grandma Rosa said seeing how her question affected Lora. “What do you mean grandma?” Lora asked looking a little confused.

“It’s nothing sweetie, eat up, maybe some other time, it’s getting late and you have to be on your way now.” Grandma Rosa said. “Paula, pack some take home food for Lora.” She continued, gesturing to Paula who immediately carried out her order.

“But grandma I just got here.” Lora said as she lifted up her head from her plate to look at her grandma. “So what?” Her grandma replied, shrugging her shoulders a little. “This meeting is over.” She said and slowly stood up, mumbling something on her way out.

“She’s getting worse by the day." Lora murmured, confused at the sudden turn of event. “Sorry Miss Lora, I guess that’s how it is with old people.” Paula said handing her the take home pack she packed for her.

“Thanks Paula, I have to be on my way then, please take care of grandma.” Lora said after a little pause and left for home.