After Benjamin recovers from slitting his wrist and goes back to the mental hospital, I decided to process the documents to discharge him and wait for my turn as many people are lining up in the Counter Section. When the lady calls my name, I slightly bow my head to see her and gave the requirements. While waiting, I look around and saw my cousin waving his hand on the exit door. I smile and say thank you to the staff upon receiving the receipt and go to my cousin.
To maintain my cousin's medication, I decided to go to the restaurant that I've been working on and talk to the owner who always looks for us, "Grandfather, can I have a favor with you?" he was shocked when I kneel and put the level of my head on the dusty floor.
"Just tell me, get up" I shyly look at him and gather my thoughts to speak.
"Can I use your information to create a bank account? I want to take a loan and start a business to sustain my cousin's financial needs. I'll not run away and pay for your generosity for us. We don't have any blood relative left, and it hurts me seeing him live like a living dead. Please, I'm begging you, help us." I held his hand while my lips are quivering.
"I'm always waiting for you to ask for help from me, you suffered a lot since the incident 10 years ago. Thank you for being strong despite your hardships, I'm proud of you, my son" he slowly wipes the tears on my cheeks and hugs me. I hug him back and cry. He found both of us floating on the sea-side, and decided to gave us a shelter to stay, education, clothes, money, and a delicious meal.
When I was young, Benjamin cannot speak for almost 5 years and always stare at the outside while sitting on the last corner of this restaurant. Because of it, Grandfather brings him to the psychologist and was diagnosed with Post-traumatic Mutism.
I also take a test and found out that I have Photographic Memory and difficulty in expressing my feelings because of neurological problems. The lady on the white robe suggests that I need to take MRI and consult the doctor as I show symptoms of Selective Amnesia. And now, my Grandfather saw my improvement and always encourage me to let out my feelings if things don't work out.
"You always take care of him, but how about you? Look at the mirror.." he helps me stand-up and goes to the cashier where the human mirror stands. I stare at my reflection and notice how the gloominess reeks all over my body, "All of the underpaid works that you've been picked just to support your cousin's financial needs; I want to ask, did you even think to reward yourself?" I didn't even bother to respond as I don't know how to process what I've heard just now.
"I'll close the restaurant for 1 day, tell Benjamin that we'll go to Chromusical Park. Remember, don't keep things on yourself as I'm here, we're family, right?" I look at the big old box with a brown ribbon and shrugs my shoulder at ease before hugging him.
"Thank you for being patient with us. Since you adopt Benjamin and me, ten years ago, I never once told you these words but I want to tell you that even I have difficulty in expressing myself. I love you, Grandpa. I'll try to adjust and call you as my Father next time" I felt a teardrop on my t-shirt and saw him crying after unlocking my hands unto his body.
"Can you repeat what did you just say? I'll make it as my ringtone" he anxiously pick his smartphone and find the recording app. He taps the button and put the phone near on my lips that made me unbelievably stare at him before laughing on the floor. He looks at me with excitement in his eyes before releasing a smile and slightly pinches my nose. So cute.
"Hey, wear your best outfit for today, we will rock the world and go crazy, yeehaw!" Grandpa shouted like a cowboy as we're in hurry to go to the bus station, "We're late, Benjamin didn't hold back to emptied the alcohol on my refrigerator. You should drink with me, ungrateful!" I heard my cousin laugh at his jokes and run toward him. He dizzily hugs Grandpa before drinking the hangover soup.
