003

MARA

It's been a week since I saw Grandpa. I missed him despite the fact he only stayed with me for three weeks. I missed the funny thing he did whenever he couldn't remember me. Every time I stepped inside the door, he would ask who I was, and then he would stay in the corner, his eyes following me as if I would attack him any chance.

I would chuckle, stealing glances at him occasionally, and, at the same time, sad because I knew why he was acting like that. It was the woman that beat him. He was traumatized and scared that he thought I would hurt him like that woman did. That's why he stayed in one corner for over an hour until he remembered me.

I wondered if he was like this in his home whenever that woman was around—just imagining him crying while the woman beating and pulling his hair angered me.

I always let him be and waited until he remembered who I was, and once he did, he would rush to me, hug me, and say welcome home. Pretty good lady. I'm sorry I don't remember you soon."

"It's okay, Grandpa. I always replied, and he kissed my cheek and followed me around. When I was cooking, he would stand beside me while watching me cook; when I was cleaning, he would help me by fixing the bed or sweeping the floor; and when I was doing laundry, he would help me hang the clothes. I felt so happy with him beside me like I had a real family. I don't feel alone.

He would always say good night and good morning and kiss my cheek. He was so sweet and caring, and I dreamed of having a grandpa like that. But now he isn't here. I don't even know where he is.

I felt so sad and lonely, like one of my family members had died. I cried at night sometimes. I missed him.

"Mara, table four." My manager called out, Snapping me out of my thoughts. I hurried, took the food tray, and brought it to table four; that man and woman occupied us.

"Hello sir, Ma'am, here 's your order." I carefully place the food in front of them, but when I look up, I meet eyes with the person I never expected to see.

"Jared?" I gasped.

"Babe! Do you know her?" The woman asked.

"No, I don't know someone working as a waitress. Sorry, Miss, you mistook me for someone else." He said, glaring at me, putting his arms around the woman's shoulder. I balled my fist, holding my tears. So this is the reason why I couldn't contact him; he already had someone else and was embarrassed to be linked to a waitress like me. This bastard, after he cheated on me, there's no shame on his body. I stormed away from their table and went to the ladies' room.

Even though he cheated on me, I couldn't bear humiliating him. I still love him. Four years of being with him are not easy to forget, and it pains me to think that he disregards those four years of us being together.

He was the only person closer as a family to me. He is my straight and the wall that supports me whenever I'm already giving up. He always helped me up again, and it didn't cross my mind that he would throw everything away after a few months that he was away. That's how easily he replaced me.

I wiped the tears that rolled down my face and stepped out of the bathroom, but I was surprised when someone grabbed my wrist. I looked up and saw Jared. I grit my teeth and yank my hand away, but he holds it again.

"We need to talk," he said, dragging me out of the diner through the back door. He led me to the bench, where I met Grandpa, which only reminded me of him.

He let go of my wrist and then faced me, furious. "Why are you here? When did you come here? Why you didn't tell me?"

Tell you? How can I tell you when you change your number? Wow! I planned to surprise you, but you surprised me instead."

"Let's end our relationship. I found someone I truly love, and she's the woman I want to grow old with. "My heart feels like being stabbed by every word that left his lips. I chuckled, hiding my pain.

"The same sweet words you told me before," I said, full of sarcasm. "Okay, at least I find out who you are before it's too late. Go back to your woman. "

Remember this, Mara, in this city, we are strangers. We don't know each other." He started. His words, like a knife, were driven into my heart. " No one will know that we know each other. You'll ruin my reputation if they know I have a relationship with a waitress before."

"Ouch! That hurt—this bastard. I wanted to claw his eyes that were glaring at me and shove them to his throat. I'm not a violent woman; I always avoid confrontation, but this guy was waking up the devil inside me.

"Don't worry. I don't want myself to be associated with the like of you as well." I angrily replied. I wanted to slap and pull his hair, but I was scared that if I did that, I might lose my job.

"What do you mean by that? Are you mocking me? Me?" He laughs, running his eyes from my head to my toes with his mocking stare. " I am the head of the finance department of that building. You see that huge building across the street. I am working there. I am respected and admired by my coworkers, and you, a waitress mocking me?" He laughed.

"Stay away from me where I couldn't see you. I want you to find another workplace away from where I work." I laughed.

"You're making me laugh. Who do you think you are to order me? You are no one to me, so you don't have the right to tell me what to do. If you want us to treat each other as strangers, that's fine. I will treat you like an invisible bastard, Jared.

"You!" He grabbed my wrist harshly but quickly let me go when we heard footsteps approaching.

"Good, pretty lady." Jared throws a last warning glare at me and storms back inside the diner. I slump on the ground, crying. How could he do this to me? I thought he loved me, but he had only met a city girl and had already forgotten everything about us.

"Good, pretty lady. What happened? Why are you crying?

Grandpa!" I cried and hugged him tightly. " I just missed you," I whispered.

"I missed you too. I've been asking Jay Jay to bring me to see you, but he declined, so I ran away so that I could see you." He grinned.

"What? You run away again?" He nodded his head. "Grandpa!" I pretended to be angry while wiping my tears. Jared, I hate you. How could you do this to me?

"I just missed you so much." He lowers his head sadly.

"I'm not mad, but please don't do this again. Have you eaten?"

"No, I'm just wandering earlier because I forgot why I left the house and felt hungry. That's when I remembered why I left the house in the first place to see you; I remember you gave me food, and then I remembered this place, so I came here." He grinned.

"Come on. Let's get inside. I still have work to do. I buy food for you, and you eat inside. Don't go anywhere. Wait until I finish my work. You might get lost if you leave." I hope Jared wasn't there anymore.

"Okay! He grinned."

We went inside the diner, and I guided him to the corner table away from other customers and let him settle there.

"Wait for me here. I buy food for you." He nodded, smiling. I smiled and went to the cook.

"Mara, where have you been? Can't you see we are busy?" John scolded me.

"Sorry, it won't happen again."

"Table five." He said and handed me the tray.

"John, can I have a carbonara with garlic bread and a large orange juice? I'll pay for it. I give it to Grandpa." He didn't reply, but I know he heard me. I brought the food to table five, and I was surprised to see the man with a poker face and one of his companions the last time.

"Here's your food, sir. Enjoy your meals." The other guy smiled, but he looked at me with a blank face. I bowed my head and returned to John, and I smiled to see the food I ordered was ready. I paid for it after thanking him and

brought it to Grandpa.

"Grandpa, here's your food. Eat it all, okay? And don't leave." He smiled and nodded his head. I patted his head and continued my work with my eyes, occasionally glancing at Grandpa.

After he finished his food, he stood up and looked around him, disoriented. I quickly rushed to him.

"Grandpa, what's wrong?" I asked worriedly.

"Where I am, and who are you?" He asked, looking around.

"Grandpa, can you sit down first? I am good, pretty lady, remember?"

"Mara, table six," John called. Luckily, my manager wasn't in the dining area, or my ears would explode with his annoying voice.

"Grandpa, don't leave. Stay here, okay? I still have work. Please stay okay." I let out a sigh of relief when he nodded his head. I ran to John, took the tray of food, and brought it to table six. I looked at Grandpa, and I gasped when the man with a poker face tried to lead him out of the diner. I quickly ran to them and pushed him away.

"What do you think you are doing?" I glared at him and wrapped my arms around Grandpa.

"Good, pretty lady, this man—I don't know him. I told him I didn't want to go, but he forced me." Grandpa cried, his arms wrapped around me.

"Don't cry, Grandpa. I won't let him take you." I cooed, wiping his tears.

"Who are you?" The man asked, glaring at me.

"I'm his granddaughter, and who do you think you are? I could sue you for kidnapping." For the first time, the man laughs, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Sue me? Do you know who I am? I am his grandson.