#23 Visiting Grandma

Since I was going in secret, I uninstalled the tracking app in my phone and took a train to the hospital. It was my first time taking public transport, so I didn't really know where to go.

"E-Excuse me… How do I go to Shibuga Hospital?" I got ignored everytime I asked that.

"Um..." a passerby saw me and asked me if I needed something. "How can I help you?"

"Ah! Can you please tell me which way should I go to reach Shibuga Hospital?"

I was glad that someone was finally willing to help me. I got onto the next train after thanking the person who helped me. It took two stops before I could reach Shibuga station.

I checked the map on my phone and it showed that the hospital was still quite a distance away so I took a taxi. Luckily I had enough money on me or else I will have to walk.

"Thank you."

The driver was quite friendly so it wasn't difficult to communicate with him. I entered the hospital and went to the reception counter for the 41st's room card when I saw Eric walking out of one of the rooms.

I was surprised to see him there because it was just the second day of our school trip, "why are you here?"

He sighed in annoyance and I could see a frown between his brows.

"This is the reason why our school trip is set at my place." He answered and walked away, without giving me a chance to ask. I really wanted to know what he meant by that but meeting grandma was my top priority.

Walking past the rooms, I looked for Room 41. There, I could hear grandma's coughing before I even entered the room. I knocked on the door before entering, only to see her sitting upright on the bed.

I thought it wasn't a good time to talk to her when she's not in good health, so I kept the photograph matter behind my head and went to get a cup of water for grandma.

"Thank you, Amana."

Grandma accepted the cup with her shaky hands which worried me whether or not she would drop it. I looked around to see if there was anything that could hold the cup and found a straw on the bedside table. I cleaned it before putting it into the cup of water and let grandma sip the water with it.

"Use this to drink the water, grandma."

I held onto the cup for her while she drank. It was my first time taking care of a patient so I hope I did it right.

Grandma's cough finally calmed down after taking some medicine, so I sat on the chair beside the bed and took out the photo from my bag. Frankly speaking, I doubt grandma would tell me straight up about the boy in the photo. Instead, she might lecture me for stealing the photo from her place.

The photo was already in my hand but I hesitated to ask. Not until grandma noticed.

"Amana, did you come here to talk about something?"

"Y-Yes. About this…." I revealed what was in my hand and grandma sighed.

"I suspected you would take it but I didn't know you actually went and did it." I apologized with my head down, not knowing if I should continue my sentence, until grandma spoke again. ���So, what is it about that photo?"

I flooded her with questions that were on my mind the whole time, about who he was, about him appearing in my flashbacks and dreams.

Fortunately, grandma was willing to talk about it and I got almost all the information I needed to know. Though, there was just one problem that bugged me.

"Grandma, did you say that he just left before I came?"

"Yes. He is a very slim and tall, handsome young man your age. Both of you seldom play together so I understand how you could forget him."

I was so confused when I heard that. I don't remember seeing anyone when I came except Eric. Did I miss someone while I was talking to the receptionist?

I took a closer look at the photo again, and the boy felt even familiar the longer I look. I remember father once told me that I've met my fiance before when I was little but we did not interact much with each other. Could it be…..

"My fiance?" I asked grandma but she just responded with a smile. She didn��t deny it so I guess I was right?

Soon, it was time for grandma's check-up so I left the room when the nurse came in.

"Well then, I'll come visit again next time, grandma."

I took a taxi to the train station and headed back home. I was glad I was able to go through this alone without losing my way.

As soon as I got home, my sister was running towards me in tears.

"Amanda! Where were you?" She hugged me tightly with her snot all over my clothes. "I was so worried when you didn't answer your phone!"

My phone? I quickly checked my call list and saw lots of missed calls from my sister. I put my phone on silent since I was in the hospital but I never expected to get so many calls from her.

"I'm sorry, alright? Now get off of me." I pushed her away and gave her a tissue to clean her running nose. "The trip to Shibuga was a long way. I am exhausted."

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Not really."

I went to my room and took a bath. I never walked so much before until I got sore feet. I didn't know the reason but I somehow felt happy going to the hospital today, even though I got found out in the end.

We had lunch later than usual today all because of me disappearing out of nowhere and caused them to worry. Despite that, mother still invited me to eat at the dining table and lectured me while we were eating.

"Sorry, mother. I won't do it again."