Grandma Mary Loves Me (rarely updated)

Chapter 13

Days pass and everything went well, though I am being occupied sometimes with work, I always find a chance to rest, unlike back in the city were everything needs to be done fast paced. And even though I'm on vacation, I still had to finish some of my drafted designs, so I would not be that overloaded with my drafts and new projects when I come back to the city,

They treat me well and I felt like I'm not a visitor. I try to seek chances to help with the house chores everytime I got a chance to, though they don't ask and they keep saying they don't want to bother me.

"Thanks for always helping with the house chores, son, though you aren't obligated to help here. You are our visitor."

"Don't worry about it, Ma. I want to help. Besides, this house has also become my home. So I also need to help you with anything I can. I also don't want to be a freeloader. And I also want to thank you, not just for welcoming me, but also for loving and taking care of me, since I was a child."

With a smile, she look at me with a calm gaze, "You're such a nice man. I'm sure your woman will be glad. And no, I don't see you as a freeloader, you're a part of this family as well, and a visitor of our. You don't have to oblige yourself with helping us, but still, thanks for trying to."

We all continue to our schedules and works. Aunt received an unexpected call this morning while resting from preparing breakfast and washing the dishes. She respectfully answered the telephone and talk to the other person on the line. Her voice still calm and friendly.

"Good morning!" she cheerfully replied with a solemn voice, "Perez residence. this is Sylvia Perez speaking. How can I help you?" Her calm and amiable greetings.

"Honey." a gentle response from the phone.

"Martin?!" she asked.

"Yes, hon." the man was chucking in the other line.

"Martin! How are you doing? I miss you."

"Well, I'm doing great here, just a little busy packing up my things."

"Why? You're coming home?"

"Yes, the agency allowed us to have a vacation. Maybe I'll be there in two days. Will you meet me at the Country Dock?"

"Really?!" Aunt joyfully utter, "That's great! But, I'm sorry but that is too far from here. I'm not sure if I could go there."

"It's okay if you can't come. I also understand that it is hard to travel from there. Oh, I need to put this call down. I need to do a lot of things here."

"Okay, hon. Bye! See you at the port tomorrow. I love you."

"I love you too."

As the call ended, she put the phone down. She had a smile painted on her face as she goes back to her chores. She haven't gone to the Dock ever since she sent Uncle Martin to the ship about ten years ago or so, as it was to far and the transportation to that place is costly.

Grandma again turn the radio on after the call. The soothing voice of the radio announcer communicating with its listeners.

Uncle Martin returned home from overseas the next morning. Everyone was glad with his coming. He knocked
When she opened, a figure of a big, slightly muscular man appeared in front of her.

Her eyes shun with happiness as she saw him, she approached her husband and held his hands into hers. "Martin! I'm glad you're back!" Aunt excitedly exclaimed as she run to embrace her husband.

"Well, I'm glad the agency let us take a break. It's been years since I got home here. I miss you." He replied as he gently hug Aunt in his arms.

All were joyful in the return of Uncle.
He suddenly noticed me. "Who is this man, by the way?" He asked as he points his fingers towards me. "Is he one of Mark's friends?"

"No he's not." Aunt replied as she was about to introduce me. "It's Arnold, hon, my nephew from the city. He came here for a visit." Aunt Sylvia replied.

"You mean the son of your younger sister, Laura?" Uncle asked his wife.

"Yes, honey, he's her eldest, and he's such a nice man. He helps with the house chores and other stuff." Aunt then smiled and turned to me, "Arnold, your Uncle Martin is here. Why won't you greet your uncle?"

I stood up and offered a hand to shake, "Hello, Uncle Martin. It's nice to finally meet you." I greeted him warmly as I shake his hand, smiling friendly at him.

"Well it's nice to meet you too, young man." He reached out to shake hands with me with a smile. He had a slightly strong grip, typical of a big man working on ships.

"Martin, have you eaten already?" She asked. "There's still food in the kitchen if you are hungry." She leaded her husband to the kitchen.

He thankfully decline, "No, thanks. I'm fine. I've already eaten before I gone here. Where is Mark anyway? I haven't seen him."

"He's still in his work at the car shop. He'll be back later afternoon." her reply.

"Is that so? Too bad, I didn't catch him here. But I'm glad he had been a responsible adult, The money I sent for his studies all didn't go to waste." Uncle Martin replied. "I'm glad to have such a good son like him."

"Well, I'll just head on to the room to have rest." He got up from the sofa and went upstairs, carrying his baggages, leaving two paper bags in the small table in the living room with , leaving Aunt cleaning downstairs.

The day go on, a little uneventful, except for Uncle Martin's arrival. It was just a normal day. I did my workout routine by the afternoon and took a bath after. I went to my room and scrolled through social media for a while, catching up with what's happening with my family and friends in the city.

I took a ride around the village. It was a cool afternoon, the trees are swaying in the gentle blow of the wind that is also blowing against me. The sun shine behind the clouds, lighting up the whole place with gentle warmth.

The view of the province is amazingly breathtaking. Nature has been evidently preserved in this place, thanks to the responsible locals who maintain the place. The tall trees serves as umbrellas for the townspeople and vendors along the streets.

The place has a cheerful community, with everyone almost friends with each other, greeting as they pass by each other, unlike in the city where everyone has no time greetings each other, rushing to work. Only close friends and family greet each other on the streets shortly, if they had a chance to meet.

After an hour of going through the place, I went home and kept the bicycle in the garage. Grandma was sleeping in her room so I quietly went upstairs to get some new clothes and take a bath. I went back to my room after I cleaned myself, then I went to my room and read a book as I rested from my exercise.

The sun has set, marking the beginning of the evening. Still engrossed in reading, I heard a shout from downstairs, seemingly calling everyone.

"Dinner is ready, everyone. Gather up to the table." a tender shout from Grandma from the dining room.

As I went down to the kitchen, I saw Grandma preparing. I lend her a hand and helped her at preparing for dinner. As I was placing the set of plates and utensils at the table, Grandma went out from the kitchen with a pot of hot chicken and vegetable soup. The savoury aroma of the soup linger in the atmosphere of the dining room, inviting everyone to dig in to their full.

As soon as she finished preparing, everyone is already at the table. After Grandma uttered a short prayer, everyone went on to eat, Aunt serving food to everyone, passing on the dishes to the family. As the dinner progress, conversations exchange between each other, updating about each other's lives, creating a homey and peaceful atmosphere intertwining with the taste and aroma of delicious food. It was a beautiful image of a wonderful family.

Everyone ate to their full and went to sleep early. Aunt, as usual, was left at the kitchen to clean up after dinner.