I Will Always Remember You - Hmong Sad Love Story

Chapter 4: Moving On

Some days when I got sick again, it was only Grandpa Va who cared and found me medicine. He really cared for me. He would even farm and do all the work and tell me to go rest. "If you're tired, you can go rest, I can take over for now." He says. "No grandpa, I got it." I say back. Whenever it rains, he would make me go to sleep first and sneak out of the house to get more wood for us both, he had to sneak because he knew that if I knew what he was doing, I would stop him and do all the stuff so he had to lie to me. He would usually feed me more than himself whenever there was only a little bit of food left which made me feel very bad, so I tried not to eat as much no matter how hungry I was. Grandpa Va is 70 years old but sadly he told me that he doesn't have much to live. He told me the only thing he wanted was a son like me. He never got married or had any kids so just me was good enough for him. I love him so much as my grandpa. It's like he was my real grandpa. Another year has passed and Grandpa Va was getting older and older by time. "Hey son, you should start talking to girls and get yourself a wife soon. I won't be here with you forever so I can't help you for the rest of your life." Grandpa Va says. "Please don't say that grandpa, no matter what, I won't let you leave me so soon. If you're no longer here, I will die with you too." I say. "Don't say that son, I've already taught you everything I know. You should be able to live on your own now and get yourself a wife. You're already 18 years old so you should be able to help and support yourself without me. I believe in you, son." Grandpa Va says. I thought to myself that I will miss Grandpa Va so much when he leaves. He was the only person who supported me and helped me when I was all alone by myself out there. I would go fish every day and give him fishes to cook for us and I would go out in the wild to go kill some animals for me and Grandpa Va to eat. I didn't care if I had no wife or anyone, as long as I got Grandpa Va with me forever then I'm happy but what he's saying is true. I am growing up now and I have to live by myself. One day I woke up early to hunt and came back home with 10 squirrels and 5 fishes. As I was getting closer to home, I was excited for Grandpa Va to see all the animals I got for us both. When I reached home, the house was quiet and there was no fire. I felt uneasy and called Grandpa Va because usually he will be feeding the chickens by now or be inside sitting by the fire. I called out but heard no answers. I then ran into the house and saw Grandpa Va laying on the ground on his last breath. I ran to him and panicked. "Grandpa! What happened?!" I yell. "H-hey son, I'm sorry I can't live with you forever, I hope you understand and won't be mad at me. I already told you that I taught you everything you need to know, please don't fail me and go live your life." Grandpa Va weakly says. "No grandpa! didn't you tell me that you were going to stay with me?! Don't leave me! What am I going to do without you!" I yell back. "S-son, take my stuff and live with it, I hope you know that you were like a son to me, I love you, s-son. I will always guide you and watch over you." He says in his last breath. "Grandpa!!!!!!" I scream.