A conversation to remember
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
I walked into the house and saw my yeh yeh (paternal grandpa) seated on the sofa, he looked at me as I greeted him. Ma ma (paternal grandma) was not around, she must have went out. As I made my way next to yeh yeh, he asked the date that I am going to fly off, in Cantonese. I replied him and the next thing he said made me held my breath for a moment right after he finish his sentence. "Yeh yeh ng seh tak lei" (Grandpa would miss you) I look into his eyes and the lines on his face. For a 77 year old man, he sure is healthy, other than the eye surgery he had because he smoke too much which cause an effect to his eyes last few years.
I wanted to cry that very moment he said it, but I kept cool. Never had I thought that I would hear those words coming out from his mouth. I mean, he never express himself through words, but I would still know he love me with all his heart from the way he took care of me when I was very much younger and none of my cousins were even born.
I replied that I feel the same too and he continued telling me with a very concern expression that overseas would be dangerous especially when my parents aren't there to take care of me, and there are a lot of bad people out there so I should always be aware of who my friends are, he then ask me if I can stand the cold weather there since it's winter now, where would I be staying when I'm studying there and if I'd get use to the food there....
Finally, he mentioned that he wouldn't know if he could live to see me come back in 2-3 years. That broke my heart as I replied positively (I think he is the only one that I would say something positive too) saying "See those pictures taken 10 years ago that is hanging on the wall? 2 years is nothing compared to 10 years."
He then said that he wants to send me off to the airport. I hug him and agree to make arrangements. And also promise him to call back often and will study hard.
Yeh yeh, I love you. And honestly, I'm also scared that I wouldn't be able to see you again when I come back.
Honestly, I never really had a long conversation with my yeh yeh before and we usually have nothing much to say even if we meet, other than asking "Have you eaten?" Not, that we are in bad terms (which never happened) but mostly because of the language barrier. I'm not literate in speaking languages other than English and Malay, and yeh yeh doesn't know much English.
Despite that, I still had the most meaningful conversation with my yeh yeh today.
posted @ 02:52,
