So Ahri

“Mother, look what I have brought, the children cleaned up the room and thought of bringing some of your things.” The middle aged woman who has a resemblance to her brought out a box.

“What are these?” Her wrinkled hand that is free from the dextrose opened the box, there she saw familiar items that she used to keep her busy.

“Grandma, look at this sketchbook, isn’t it yours? I remember you teaching me how to paint in my art class! So you really are an artist.” The eldest grandchild was so lovable as he smiled at her. Seeing the old sketchbook she smiled and looked at the contents. The old smell of the paper and the almost fading colors and sketches made her remember the past self who has been dreaming of being an artist.

“Also this one, it is a bit old but when we tried to recharge it still worked. But there’s a passcode so we couldn’t check if the apps are updated or still working.” She handed an outdated tablet to hers. The screen still functions well, she tried to remember the passcode, three times tried but still can’t but when she saw the wallpaper on the screen she encoded the numbers that are relevant to the photo.

“Oh, it opened!” The three of them were glad, the first thing she did was to look at the gallery of the old tablet.

“Who are those Grandma? Are they celebrities? Why do they have make-up?” the grandchild asked, that is when her teenager grandchild peeks over.

“I know them! They were quite a famous idol group back then, and a lot of artists cover their songs!” She delightfully mentioned her favorite artist, comparing them.

“They were my favorites when I was younger.” She replied and continued to look at the gallery and some videos.

“I remember the old times, that boy band was what father and mother fought over, I was so scared back then.” The other man, who is her son, commented.

“They fought?”

“Yeah, you were still a baby that time and I am in middle school I think.”

“Son, don’t mention it again, not with the kids around.” She cut him off to talking more, it was like yesterday and the memory of her husband's words still ringing in her ear.

“You are already married and have children to take care of! How can you spend so much money on those entertainers? Think of your position!”

“This is my money that I saved up, and besides I can bring the kids over there and I reserved safe seats so that they won’t feel uncomfortable.”

“That is what I mean, you spent dollars on those other men and even bringing your children! You are not young anymore and get over your fantasies of this boyband! Act your age! They don't even know you exist!”

She can’t forget that heated conversation that almost led them to divorce, she still ended up attending the concert with her friend, she gave the ticket that is supposed to be for her husband. They could have enjoyed it as a family, but it hurts her with the words her husband threw at her. He made her feel like some kind of a woman spending cash on trash. In the end, her husband came to fetch her and the children at her friend’s home. After they reconcile she discovers that her husband is having problems with the company he is working for going bankrupt, not knowing if he will receive a severance pay. He is just worried about the expenses and how the jobless will bring food on the table to feed his wife and two children. She has kept a part time job with a decent earning at home, the emergency fund has got them through a month until her husband gets a new job.

“Well, it was quite a concert, I still have a faint memory of the lightning and the songs are quite catchy.” her son changes the topic.

“Dad, have you been to their concert before!?” his daughter called out to him.

“Oh my gosh! I envy you father! Grandma, do you have an autograph? Can I borrow -- no , I mean take a photo! It is precious, it needs to be kept safe!” She was so thrilled and excited. A regretful smile formed and added wrinkles on her face.

“I did not have any personal autograph but you can show the merchandise I have at home, they are still sealed and kept in the safe box. You can also have them, just make sure to take care of it alright?”

“ Really Grandma!?Oh my! I am so excited ! Thank you, I love you very much!” she kept squealing about it, it reminded her of the younger self who is full of life and enthusiasm fangirling over her favorite band, they continue to share stories until the time to depart has come.

“We will visit you again maybe tomorrow or the next day, we’ll bring more things to keep you from being bored.” Her daughter fixed the blanket and gave the medicine to her.

“It’s fine, these are enough for me.” She looked at the tablet and touched the slim frame of it.

“Do you still regret it Mom?” she asked, looking at her old sick mother lying on the hospital bed, silence overcame them and the sound of the apparatus was only heard. She didn’t answer back, understanding the current mood, she left her.

“I remember I downloaded an app before, is it still working?” She scrolls over the tablet screen and checks the apps, some are outdated and no longer working, until she sees the one she’s looking for. A lively music plays as the app runs and updates.

“It’s still working!” with her poor eyesight she grabs her reading glasses to view it clearer, the voice over brings back a lot of memories.

“Are you ready to be loved?”

She fawns over and feels like a teenage girl again, the otome game that was so famous back then is still working. While waiting for the app to be fully updated the medicine kicks in and she feels sleepy, blinking her drowsy eyes, she can see the video introduction and the start of the story that she has played several times ago.

“Ahri…”

“Mom!”

“Gran-- ughh!”

“Hmmm…”

“Aris--!”

Her head is a bit painful and her vision is spinning.

“Faster call the doctor!” The surrounding is noisy and several people are crowding the room.

“Nurse, don’t be too loud. Let me rest in peace.” she weakly told the people around her.

“No! Lady! Don’t say such things!” Still with her eyes closed, she frowns, why is the nurse calling an old woman like her lady, or maybe it was another ploy of the nurse to flirt with the handsome doctor that was assigned to her.

“Goodness, that nurse is flirting during the shift.” is what is on her mind, still trying to open her heavy lids, she points out at the nurse that is being too loud.

“Leave and let me rest in peace please.” with her words the vision blacked out and only voices can be heard.

“Arissae please open your eyes!”