A snippet
She tried to press a red packet into my hands, although I have only helped her with the extraordinarily simple task of leading her to the nearby bus interchange. I told her I couldn't possibly accept it. I shook her hand instead and when I did, she tried again to put the ang pao in my hands. No cheating, I smiled and told her. I led her to the escalator, which goes down into the bus interchange. She was here in Woodlands to visit relatives and got lost in the chaos of the shopping mall. Seeing that her steps were shaky, I held her arm and stayed with her until she had safely descended. Happy New Year, I said to her. Happy New Year, she said to me. Then she thanked me for the umpteenth time before departing.
I really hope someone sends her to the interchange next time. Of course, she could've been one of those independent-minded old folks I meet ever so often. Won't accept help even if it hurts them otherwise. As I go back into the mall, I think about my grandmother, whether her steps are shakier now and whether she would choose to keep walking if they were, so that she could see more and take in everything before it is too late. Or if she would stay stubbornly seated, so that she will not fall and instead let her bones and strength degrade.
I really hope someone sends her to the interchange next time. Of course, she could've been one of those independent-minded old folks I meet ever so often. Won't accept help even if it hurts them otherwise. As I go back into the mall, I think about my grandmother, whether her steps are shakier now and whether she would choose to keep walking if they were, so that she could see more and take in everything before it is too late. Or if she would stay stubbornly seated, so that she will not fall and instead let her bones and strength degrade.