Take My Heart's

THUNDERBOLTS

Not usually this afternoon the sky is not bright as usual. Black clouds have been continuously filling the sky. But strangely, not a drop of rain that fell soaked the ground. In a room that was not too spacious, grandfather sat quietly in his favorite rocking chair. From the window of the room, both grandfather's eyes continued to lead to the cloudy sky, then again staring at the narrow courtyard of his house. Grandfather let out a long sigh, expelling all the turmoil that kept on plaguing his mind. But in the end, grandfather again ended up in his long daydream.

Grandma who was heading to the kitchen immediately stopped her footsteps. Both of his eyes then noticed the strange habits of his beloved husband. Usually when you are relaxed, grandfather really likes to play his rocking chair. But what he saw now, grandfather did not play the rocking chair at all. Grandpa sat quietly like a statue. There was a bit of anxiety and also a curiosity about what was troubling grandfather's mind. Although grandfather never told the problem he was facing, grandma could know that grandfather was facing problems just from his behavior alone.

Curiosity seems to be much greater than any other affair. Grandma who had been watching grandfather in the doorway, finally decided to approach her husband. There was no smile that grandma used to show on her lips. Lately, grandma has always felt that there is something that is being hidden by grandfather. Although it is difficult to make grandfather tell the problem, he as a wife can not stand by to see her husband was upset.

"What are you thinking?" tanya granny patted grandpa softly.

Grandpa looked surprised. So engrossed with his own thoughts, grandfather until not aware if the woman who was always in his life was standing next to him. Grandfather smiled slightly, trying to hide all the things that were troubling his mind. Although grandma is a wife she loves very much, grandfather does not want to give more burden that should be his responsibility.

"What are you thinking? If there's a problem, tell me. I am your wife. We've been living together for decades. So, can you open up a little bit to me? Don't always keep your own problems!" grandma says.

Grandfather took a long breath. If his wife had said that, grandfather could not deny that he was not okay. Grandpa looked closely at grandma, then smiled wryly looking at grandma who looked worried about him.

"If you don't want a story, I won't force you to tell a story. But one thing you have to remember. No matter what happens, I will always be with you. I will always be by your side until death do us part" said granny smiling wryly.

Although somewhat disappointed, grandma did not want to force grandfather to do something he did not want to do. Grandma will be faithful to wait until grandfather himself who wants to tell all the things that disturb his mind.

Grandma finally gave up and decided to leave grandpa alone in the room. However, when leaving the room, grandfather tightly grasped granny's hand. Gramps grips sontak hands make grandmother undo his intention to leave. Whether this was just his feelings or not, grandfather's face looked weak helpless. It seemed, the problem Grandfather faced was very heavy.

"What's wrong? Are you hungry? Get your hands off! I'll cook something."

"No. I'm not hungry." Again the grandfather smiled wryly, then again said but with a sad face, "forgive me. I'm really sorry for you."

"Why are you sorry? Did you do something without my knowledge?"

"No. It's not that." Grandfather let out a heavy sigh, "pardon me. All this time I haven't been able to make you happy. I still can't give you a better life than this. I'm sorry, my wife. All this time I still can't be the husband you can count on. I feel like I failed at being a husband and also the head of the family. I can only trouble you and our grandchildren."

Grandma was surprised to hear that. Happy, of course, grandma felt because grandpa was willing to open up to her.

"Even if you say so, I still feel like a failure. As a husband, I let you make money. I let you help me meet the needs of our family. This should be my responsibility, not yours."

Guilt was growing in Grandfather's heart. Unknowingly, her tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Do you remember what I told you before we got married?"

Grandfather stared in confusion, trying to recall the words his wife had told him before marrying him. The longer you think about it, the grandfather can't find the answer. Maybe because of the age factor, so that his memory is not as good as when he was young.

"Looks like you forgot," guess grandma was a bit disappointed.

"I'm sorry" said the grandfather, feeling guilty.

Grandma smiled slightly, then said, "Not to feel guilty. It's only natural that you forget. That was a long time ago. I told you once that I accept you for who you are. No matter if you are rich or poor, I will always be with you. All this time, I've never considered our situation a problem. I was glad to be able to help you. You don't have to feel guilty like that. Me and our grandchildren can understand our situation."

"I am truly grateful that God has brought me to you and made you my wife. You and Khalisha are the most valuable people in my life" said the smiling grandfather. There was a feeling of relief that grandfather felt after revealing his heart.

Grandma's face immediately reddened so shy to hear Grandpa's words. For a lifetime, only this time did grandma hear grandpa say those seromantic words to her.

"So, never again do you think that you are a bad husband and also fail! I really don't like hearing it. Let alone putting on such a sad face, it really does not look like you. My husband I married was a tough guy and not a quitter. Want to work hard for me and also our only grandchild."

All the turmoil that had been bothering Grandfather's mind immediately disappeared just like that. Grandpa feels like the luckiest man in the world. Having a wife and a good-natured grandson is a gift. Although the financial condition of his family was all short, grandmother and Khalisha never once complained let alone thought to leave him. They both continue to support whatever their decision is. In my heart, my grandfather was so grateful. For their sake, grandfather's determination grew stronger. As much as possible, grandfather will try harder to give a decent life for his wife and grandchildren.

Without them noticing, there was a pair of eyes that kept watching them. All the conversations that were going on inside the room, everything he heard without a single one left behind. Yes, since then Khalisha stood in the doorway of grandfather's room. His two eyes peeked out from the small crack of the open door of the room. He felt today's school meeting was a lucky break. If he hadn't come home earlier, he wouldn't have been able to hear all of his grandmother's and grandfather's conversations. Their conversation made him determined. He will do whatever it takes to make two people happy in his life. He had to find a job to ease the burden on his grandparents. No matter how tired it is, it is worth the sacrifice of his grandparents in raising him.

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