chapter 3: The plan

"Granny, where are you?" shouted Olivia felt intense opening the kitchen door. She quickly ran inside the room and started shouting her grandma's name. "Granny, where are you!" shouted Olivia heavy fast breathing

"I'm inside dear!" replied grandma softly from the living room. Olivia quickly entered the room and opened the door

"Good afternoon granny." said Olivia standing at the door and she was surprised seeing her grandma lying down "That's unusual of her grandma." she thought to herself "It's either she was cooking or doing one thing or the other." Olivia thought to herself inwardly

"Welcome my dear and how was school today?" asked grandma gently

"It was fine granny!" replied Olivia and she was shocked to see her grandmother's face paled and quickly rushed to her side.

"What happened to your face granny?" looking at her grandma from head to toe. "Are you alright?" asked Olivia frightened

"I'm just a bit tired..." replied grandma, eyes dropping red, pretending not to show her discomfort to her grandchild and Olivia quickly cut in.

"A bit tired or you're tired?" asked Olivia unsatisfied with the reply.

"Yes tired I think. I was sleeping before I heard your voice outside." said grandma yawning "And that was the reason why I opened the door unlocked, so that I could sleep undisturbed."said her grandma gently

"Oh, I'm sorry grandma," said Olivia quickly.

"It's okay dear." said grandma tiredly.

"Grandma, you need rest. And have you taken some drugs?" asked Olivia concerned.

"I've taken pain killer." replied grandma gently.

"Have you eaten?" asked Olivia quietly

"Just little." replied grandma

"Little?" exclaimed Olivia eyes popping open "And hope it's not malaria?" she added quietly.

"I think so." said grandma uncertainly.

"Have you told them at work?" asked Olivia.

"I have called my madam on phone and I explained how I feel." replied grandma

"Okay what did she say?" asked Olivia eagerly.

"She asked me to take the week off and take care of myself!" replied grandma.

"That's thoughtful of her!" said Olivia relieved.

"Yeah. You know what?" said grandma looking at her granddaughter "I declined and said I'll resume work tomorrow, that it was just a little cold." said Mrs bill quickly

"But why grandma?" Olivia was dumbfounded.

"I don't want them to give another person the job!" replied grandma hands shaking.

"Oh I see!" Olivia sighed, she knew it was because of her, her grandma was working tirelessly and she thought she was old enough to assist her with the job. She'll be clocking sixteen years very soon. So she's not a kid anymore. She thought to herself and felt her grandma pains and concerned for her.

"Granny! I have an idea" smiled Olivia suddenly.

"What's that?" asked grandma surprised.

Olivia's grandmother was dazed for a moment, she looked at her grandchild, and saw the huge smile on her face and she was suspicious of what could be the plan that made her smiled beautifully.

"Granny, the plan is I'll work at your boss house!" Olivia cut her grandma off from her thought. Grandma was bewildered for a seconds "You would work at my boss house?" asked her grandma mouth wide open

"Yes granny!" replied Olivia smiling face

"That's impossible dear!" said her grandma not satisfied with the plan.

"What's impossible there, grandma?" asked Olivia narrowed her eyes, enquiring

"You're still schooling and that will distract you!" said her grandma quietly

"Oh! it can't distract me granny, it's just for the main time, for you to get well." said Olivia pleading with her eyes "I can do it, trust me granny, I can cook, clean and wash. You raised me well granny, you know!" said Olivia assuring her grandma.

"Alright dear since you have promised me, it won't affect your studies. You can help me anyway." said her grandma finally after a deep thought

"Really?" asked Olivia excited.

"Yes but under one condition!" replied grandma softly.

"what's that?"asked Olivia heart pounding

"it's just for few days and you will resume back to school?"said grandma

"Yes grandma."replied Olivia clasping hands and she hugged her grandmother tenderly "Can you call your madam back and tell her the truth now?" asked Olivia gently.

"I will!" replied grandma, rolling eyes at her daughter smiling

The phone rang and Mrs Smith picked-up the call and they both talked on the phone for a while. Mrs Smith replied back to Mrs bill telling her she would come see her later in the evening.

"She said she's coming in the evening to check on me." said grandma.

"Alright ma, what do you want to eat now?" asked Olivia smiling, her plan had started working.

"Nothing, I'm okay for now." replied her grandma. "Go and cook what you will eat and I will eat mine later in the evening." said Mrs bill tiredly

"Okay granny, make sure you have a good rest." said Olivia and pecked her on the cheeks.

Later in the evening, Mrs Smith came over to their Olivia's house as she promised. Mrs Smith dressed gorgeously and Olivia was stunned with her dress. Mrs Smith was in her late thirties. Olivia could see in her appearance that, Mrs Smith wasn't an ordinary woman with the way she spoke. Olivia was overwhelmed with Mrs Smith's outfit. She was a big woman, beautiful and still looking very young.

"Here's coffee ma'am." said Olivia extending a glass of coffee to Mrs Smith politely.

"Thank you dear!" said Mrs Smith cheerfully "Have you taken any tests?" she turned directly to Olivia's grandma.

"I haven't and that won't be necessary, madam." replied Olivia's grandma gently. Olivia's grandma didn't want to be a burden to anyone. She only wanted to treat herself with herbs and concoction. She didn't have money for test and medicine.

"You have to do the test, Mrs bill." she said concerned. "Take this card please and give it to the doctor in charge, he's my family doctor and when he sees that he'd quickly attend to you." said Mrs Smith affirmatively at grandma.

"Thanks Mrs Smith, I'm really grateful." said grandma cheerfully.

"Don't mention Mrs bill, you have been helpful to me and my family and this is just a little way to say thank you!" said Mrs Smith pleased to help grandma. She was looking over to the quiet girl (Olivia) that sat down ever since they had been discussing.