Move on (2)

"Grandma! This house looks so old!" a young Alex had once exclaimed, marveling at the vintage charm.

"Me and your grandpa bought this when we were young," his grandmother had shared, the history of the house interwoven with their youthful dreams.

One day, after a particularly tough encounter with bullies at school, Alex returned home, nursing both physical and emotional wounds. His grandmother, always a comforting presence, offered solace and care.

"What happened, Alex?" she inquired, concern etched on her face.

"Just fell down," he replied, downplaying the incident, yet finding comfort in her gentle touch as she treated his wounds.

"Be careful, Alex. I can't bear it if something happens to you," she admonished, her love for him shining through.

"I love you, my dear, and I will always love you to the end," she declared, her words imprinting on his heart.

Years passed, and the inevitable cycle of life led to the cremation of his beloved grandmother. Alex, watching the final rituals, felt an overwhelming mix of grief and gratitude for the years they had shared.

After the ceremonies concluded, Alex stood before the now-empty house. His belongings gathered, he locked the door.

Suddenly, he woke up, the vivid dream still fresh in his mind. Glancing at his mobile, he realized it was only 5:30 am. Unable to go back to sleep, Alex decided to make his way to the kitchen for some coffee.

As he stepped into the kitchen, the aroma of brewing coffee filled the air. To his surprise, Emma was already there, preparing a morning brew.

"Good morning, Alex!" Emma greeted him with a warm smile as he entered.

"Good morning, Emma!" Alex replied, his tiredness giving way to a hint of gratitude at the unexpected company.

"Wanna some coffee?" Emma offered, the inviting fragrance of fresh coffee wafting from the pot.

"Sure," Alex said, appreciating the gesture. Emma swiftly prepared a cup of coffee and placed it on the table, creating a quiet moment of connection in the early hours of the morning.

In the early morning light that filtered through the kitchen windows, Alex hesitated before sharing his thoughts with Emma.

"Emma," he called out, uncertainty lacing his voice.

She turned to face him, her eyes reflecting concern. "What is it, Alex?" she asked, giving him her full attention.

"I'm thinking about selling this house," he confessed, the words carrying a weight of reluctance.

Emma, sensing the significance behind his decision, approached him. She gently wrapped her arms around him from behind as he sat in a chair, offering a comforting embrace.

"Why do you want to sell?" she inquired, her voice a soothing presence in the quiet kitchen.

"I don't know," Alex admitted, the weight of his past evident in his words. "I think I want to move on from my past."

"I don't know," Alex admitted, the weight of his past evident in his words. "I think I want to move on from my past."

Feeling the heaviness of his emotions, Emma continued to hold him and gently asked, "So, if you get rid of this house, you can move on?"

"I don't know!" he replied, uncertainty clouding his thoughts.

"Look, Alex, it's your only memory. You have to preserve it!" she said, her voice carrying a sense of understanding, and she kissed him on the cheek.

Alex, now sporting a smile, expressed his gratitude with a simple "thanks."

Just as they were lost in the moment, they heard a noise at the door and saw Issable just waking up.

Issy saw them and remarked, "You can continue; I have some work."

"Wait, Issy!" Emma called out.

"No! I am going to my room!" Issable swiftly retreated to her room, leaving Alex and Emma to share a brief moment of laughter.

The morning sun bathed the town in a gentle glow as Alex, Emma, Lily, and Issable made their way to the local cemetery. The air carried a sense of tranquility, and a light breeze rustled the leaves on the trees, creating a soothing melody.

As they reached the gravesite, Alex stood before his grandmother's resting place. The tombstone, weathered by time, bore the inscription of a beloved name. The surrounding flowers, carefully placed, added a touch of color to the scene.

Emma, sensing the significance of the moment, stood beside Alex in silent support. Lily, with her innocent curiosity, asked, "Who is this, Alex?"

"This is my grandmother," he replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "She was a wonderful person who loved me unconditionally."

Expressing his love with a heartfelt tone, Alex whispered, "I love you, Grandma. I love you till the end."

Issable, understanding the depth of the moment, added, "She also loves you till the end."

With a shared acknowledgment, they paid their respects, carrying the warmth of their memories as they walked away from the gravestone, united in the bond of love that transcended time.

"So? Deciding to sell the house?" Emma asked as they walked away from the grave.

"Brother, are you trying to sell the house?" Issable expressed shock.

"No! I am not gonna sell it! It's my only memory now!" Alex declared, his decision firm, and the significance of the old house preserved in his heart.

"I'm glad you're not selling it," Emma said, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the room.

Issable added, "It's a part of our history, Alex. Grandma's love is woven into every corner of this house."

Alex, feeling a sense of gratitude, looked at his sister and Emma. "Thanks for helping me realize that."

The trio decided to spend the night in the house, cherishing the moments they had together. As they settled into different rooms, the quietude of the old house embraced them, echoing with the whispers of the past.

In the morning, they bid farewell to the place that held cherished memories. Alex locked the door, not as a symbol of closure but as a promise to preserve the connection to his grandmother's love. The journey back home was filled with a shared sense of contentment, knowing that some things are too precious to let go.

As the car carried them away from the countryside, the old house stood silent, a guardian of stories and a testament to the enduring power of love.