Page 1 - The Prologue
Noas was smiling to herself when she heard the shrieking voices of her nieces, Aish and Qalish. She knew it meant that Jeje was teasing his cousins again. Then she heard her sister-in-law, Jeje's Mom admonished him for teasing his cousins. Laughter was loud. The conversations were fast and it took real skill to understand anything and everything.
The barbecue get together had became few and far between because nowadays everyone was so busy with their own schedules. The monthly barbecue was started when her closest nephews and nieces, Aish, Qalish, Jeje and his brother Dede were very young, and her youngest sister just graduated from the university and living with her.
She had been living on her own for the last ten years, since Ayu, her youngest sister had married and live with her husband. Her closest nephews and nieces had grown up and studying in universities in another states. This barbecue get together had became so precious to her and everyone.
Even though her health was not so good for the last couple of months, she insisted to host the barbecue when she knew her nephews and nieces were on study leaves. At first she was happy to see all her siblings and their families, but when her sister-in-law pulled her aside and insisted that she to live with them so that someone would always there to take care of her, the light of the day became dimmer.
She always valued her independence. She don't want to be dependent on someone else. That was why she always refused to stay with her sisters or brothers. But then. she knew she can no longer properly take care of herself. Lately she noticed that she misplaced a lot of things. She can't remember where she put her prescriptions. Once, she even the left the kettle on the stove until there was no more water left. Thank God nothing untoward happened to her.
But, then again, even though her sister-in-law would be happy to have her living with her, Noas don't want to burden anyone. That's why she decided to put her house in the market and use the proceed to pay the fees for the retirement home. Once she made that momentous decision she felt a great relief. She knew that for the rest of her life, no matter how short or long it would be, she would be comfortable.
She didn't regret her decision. She always live by her own rules and stood to the saying that 'If regrets are pennies, she would be a millionaire'. She would miss this bedroom. This was her sanctuary. Looking around, she soaked in the feelings of safety and security this bedroom always gave her. She looked at a small travelling bag that contained things that most valuable to her. Tomorrow, she had to ask her brother to drive her to the retirement community.
She took a deep breathe and took a tentative step downstairs. She needed to tell everyone about her decision. She don't know what their reactions going to be, but she knew that her family would embrace her decision with open heart.
Comments
Alice E, do you have a selective amnesia like most of us women? LOL. As for me, lately I kept on losing my money. Then I remembered, I had spent it on some new dresses/shoes. LOL
To tell you the truth, I won't tell my nephews and nieces where my retirement home going to be. I want to run away from all the noises. LOL :-P Well, I do hope that they will remember me, always, and won't feel reluctant to visit me. :D :D :D
I bet you would be the life of any retirement home! Hey, I keep forgetting and losing a lot of stuff lately, should I consider a retirement home as well?!! hahaha! Lovely blography noas but I'm guessing you won't be so lonely in that retirement home what with all those nephews and nieces visiting you the whole time! :)
Thanks Tara for pointing that mistake. I guess I always confused between 'independent' and 'independence'.
Is the correct sentence should be; "She always valued her independence'?
Thanks for participating in the challenge! I found it so interesting that you chose #1 and decided to write a prologue! You are so creative. It's fun to think into the future like this. I think you fooled a few people, too.
Re corrections: Can you spot a common error here?
"She always valued her independent."
Saba, agreed. People will always need each other. However, some people would always think that living with their relatives in the old age will become a burden. Personally, if I ever reach the ripe old age, I like to think I can still live on my own because I've been living on my own nearly my whole life. Of course, that's in another 2 century in the future. :D :D
Hi Noas!
People always need each other whether they are young or old. It is not good to think that old people are burden, Youth need the experiences of older people.
Youth
Onee-chan, you're right. We need to accept our weaknesses. No one is perfect. Well, though I like to be on my own once in a while, I do live among people. LOL. Thanks for the best wishes. And, if and when you come to Malaysia, just tell me. I will meet you, definitely. :) :)
Stranger, choices we make, one way or the other, will affect other people. Thus, we need to think deep before making any decision. Thanks for your nice words. :)
Thank you for the nice wish Anah. :) I hope I didn't make you speechless too long. LOL
My dearest neighbor, Noas.... It's great to have our own decision with full of responsibility. Just don't let ourselves not know our weakness.....and it's quite good to live among people.
Hmm....Best wishes always for my dearest sister, Noas. I really wish I could meet you when I go to Malaysia someday...oh, I don't know when. :))
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