OVER THE BRIDGE.ㅤ| jjk

seven

SEVEN: NEW YEAR GIFTS

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22nd December, 2013

"Tsuki, do you know why I love the winter season?" a softly spoken voice was heard.

"Why is that, obacchan*?" a lighthearted reply Tsuki spoke.

"Well, the chilly winter freezes the river. The water becomes this brittle, crystal-looking state. The water can become fragile yet also lively. Spring days are when the wind comes, the water moves elegantly alongside. The water deals with different states like us human beings, we're so similar it's like we're connected," a soft smile was seen on the grandma's face.

━━

15th November, 2014

A granny with a hunched posture was walking around the local hospital, nurses and friends of hers were questioned by the sweet lady. She told the receptionist that she would be taking her three-hour day leave, and headed towards her old neighbourhood. The same question was asked, the grandma was pleased with the answers and went back to the hospital.

━━

16th November, 2014

"Darling, would you mind helping me order this set of headphones online?" the grandma was holding a crumpled paper that was taken out of her pocket, words written by pencil were seen.

"Sure, Aoi*-san." the nurse answered politely.

━━

28th December, 2014

"Happy birthday obacchan!" Tsuki greeted her grandma while holding a plastic box.

"Thank you, Tsuki," the silver haired woman held an affectionate smile on her wrinkled face.

"Obacchan, I made your favourite taiyakis!" Tsuki showed the freshly made red bean filled dessert to her precious grandmother.

"Tsuki, you didn't have to! Come and eat it while it's still warm with me," the nanna said ever-so gently.

"It's the only way I could make up for my family not visiting again..." Tsuki said wistfully as she looked down at her shoes.

"It's ok Tsuki, you're the person I look forward to seeing the most during visits anyways," the frustrations building inside Tsuki was washed away like a retreating wave.

Both sat on the bed that grandma slept at every night, catching up on each other while enjoying the warm treat. The lavish orange from the setting sun reflected on two figures, the tranquil ember glow returned the smiling faces of a family bond. Even if it was only two people that it showed, the crinkled motherly face that it radianced is no lie.

"Oh Tsuki," the mother figure called.

"Yes obacchan?"

"I got you a gift," the grandma's eyes lit up when she was reminded of the present prepared.

"Obacchan! It's your birthday, what do you mean present—"

"It's my birthday, doesn't mean I can't give gifts to my grandchildren," she said as she kneed down at her bedside table.

A small frown was visible on Tsuki's face.

"Here," a brand new set of headphones was what grandma was holding, it wasn't the latest version but definitely nice quality. The silk black headset would have not cost little.

"Obacchan... this is... this is too much obacchan—"

"I saw that your wired earbuds weren't working last year. So I thought this little gift would make you happy," nothing but a tender smile was seen on the grandmother's face.

"Obacchan..." feeling her eyes getting watery, she refused to let them fall.

"Obacchan! You love doing the traditional new years events right? I'll take you to hatsumode* during new years this coming week!" Tsuki declared with glistening determined eyes.

"Tsuki... You know I can only go out for three hours a day..."

"It doesn't matter! Three hours is more than enough!"

━━

30th December, 2014

A ringing phone was heard from downstairs.

Tsuki walked to the cordless phone to receive the call, "Hello, is this Takahashi* Tsuki?" a prompted voice asked.

"Yes?" answered Tsuki.

"Ah yes. Hello Takahashi-san, you were the only relative of Takahashi Aoi who currently resides in Japan. Therefore we are only able to contact you. We are terribly sorry to say that Takahashi-san had passed away in her slumber last night. She received a sudden heart attack at 1:14:35 am. Her condition was getting better but this was truly unexpected..."

The speaking voice of the receptionist was failing to stay, the clustered words were sinking down the deep moana.

'Obacchan... died?'

━━

Loud crackling sounds were heard from the outside. Slowly opening her heavy lids, Tsuki noticed that she was laying on top of her assigned homework. Facing the closed window, different coloured fireworks were shot up in the sky. The dark night had glimmering fireworks that rained the heavens with. Listening to the fading sounds the fireworks made, a sad smile was seen on Tsuki's tear stained face,

"Are you enjoying the view up there, obacchan?"

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(word count: 767)

obacchan* = grandma (in japanese)

aoi* = blue (grandma's name)

hatsumode* = visiting shrines

takahashi* = high bridge (the last name of tsuki's father side)

here's a lil angst for ya'll (tsuki was about 14, which explains why she was behaving this way)

also thank you so much for 200+ reads on wattpad!! ily all <33