Racing to You ✓

24 | time

"Keiki!" 

I turned around to see Makua craning his head over the crowd, trying to wave me over. I chuckled and gestured for Deandre to follow. 

Deandre's soft smile slipped from his lips as he pulled out his phone, and frowned at the screen. He mouthed "Sorry" before answering the call. 

"I'll be over there," I told him, in which he returned a nod. I meandered through the crowd again to get to my parents' side. 

"There you are," Makua chided. "Look, I've got both your Tūtūs on FaceTime." 

I greeted my grandma, who was joined by my grandpa soon enough. They fussed over me as usual, complaining how it was still way too cold in Toronto now for them to want to visit, and how I should head over to Hawaii as soon as possible. We brainstormed ideas for activities to do and places to see once my parents and I headed back in the summer holidays -- which caused me to be bustling with restless and longing energy by the end of the call. 

I was still giggling when someone tapped my shoulder. My smile immediately faltered when I took in Deandre's troubled expression. 

"Giorgi called," he swallowed. "Gramps is in the hospital. I've got to go."

"Wait," I said, grabbing hold of his wrist. "I'll go with you." 

He hesitated, looking down at my hand. I turned to my parents. "I'm going to the hospital with Deandre." 

They were visibly shocked. Māmā recovered first. "How? Do you want us to drive you there? What about dinner?" 

Deandre shook his head. "I came here with Theo Atkinson. He's said that he'll drive, and we'll probably just grab a bite around." 

"I'll make sure to eat," I added. 

"Okay," Makua said. "Take care, son." 

As we rushed towards the exit, where Theo was already waiting, I swear I caught a glimpse of tears in Deandre's eyes. 

***

I leaned back into my seat as we waited for the doctor. Giorgi had brought up some food for Theo, Deandre and I, but no one had really touched it yet. 

As if reading my thoughts, Deandre lifted his head from his hands. "You guys should eat." 

"Especially Lani," Theo agreed. "You just finished performing."

My stomach betrayed me by rumbling, and I sighed. "Fine, I'll have a pie. But y'all should have a bite at least so no one gets gastric."

No one spoke while I self-consciously devoured the chicken pie before me. 

Deandre waited until I was done when he regarded Giorgi. "What happened?"

"I was preparing dinner when I found your Gramps slumped on the couch," Giorgi replied, frowning. "I thought he fell asleep -- it had been a hard day -- but when I realised he wasn't breathing and I couldn't feel his pulse, I called the ambulance right away." 

I inhaled sharply, but Deandre merely nodded weakly. "Thank you, Giorgi." 

Giorgi managed a small smile. "Of course."

The rumble of Theo's stomach interrupted, making him smile sheepishly. "I'm so sorry. I should--"

"Is Mr. Williams' family here?"

We more or less bolted from our seats and rushed up to the E.R doctor that had exited Gramps' room. 

"Yes," Deandre breathed. "I'm his grandson. Deandre Williams." 

The doctor spared us all a glance. "Good evening, I'm Dr.Inthavong. Your grandfather suffered from a heart failure episode. According to his medical record, he was a heavy smoker and drinker for several years?" 

"Yes," Deandre replied quietly. 

"And he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease?" 

"Right," Giorgi cut in, an edge to his voice. "Five years ago." 

Dr.Inthavong regarded Giorgi. "To clarify, you are Dante Williams' caretaker?" 

"Yes." 

"Have you noticed a decline in Mr.Williams' state recently?" 

"Yes, but I attributed it to the Alzheimer's," Giorgi replied. "I should've monitored his vitals more closely--"

"Most of his organs seem to have been failing for a while now," Dr.Inthavong interrupted gently. 

"I know," Deandre spoke up, his voice wavering. "He was too old and too weak for all the medication and treatments. Not to mention the Alzheimer's on top of everything -- he just wanted to live as normally as he could until the end." 

"How much more time does he have?" Giorgi asked. 

Dr.Inthavong exhaled slowly. "Less than two weeks, give or take."

"Days," Deandre whispered. 

Dr.Inthavong dipped his head. "I am unsure whether he will regain consciousness or not, but you may visit him during visiting hours and just spend some time with him." 

The silence stretched as we took all of it in. Giorgi cleared his throat. "Thank you, doctor." 

The doctor nodded again and held the door open to Gramps' room. We entered one after another quietly, the silence only broken by the occasional beeping of the monitors. 

Deandre stopped beside Gramps' bed, and stilled. Even though I was always aware of how fragile life was -- emphasised by my family's culture -- it was a jarring thing, experiencing one coming to an end. My insides were definitely knotted with too much emotion for me to untangle. 

Giorgi sighed, cutting through my jumbled thoughts. "You kids can accompany Dante. I'll come back in when you have to go." 

"I think Deandre would be staying too," Theo said, as Deandre seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. "Why don't we give them some private time, Lani?"

As reluctant as I was to leave Deandre and Gramps, I recalled Theo's previous hunger and relented. "Alright. It's getting late, and you seriously need food." 

"Don't worry," Giorgi murmured to me as he held the door open. "I'll keep an eye on the Williams."

I smiled gratefully, but as the door fell shut softly, I knew that last image of Deandre holding tight onto his Gramps' hand would be forever etched into my memories.