Falling For The Girl I Bullied

I MISSED MY GRANDMA

Violet’s P.O.V.

“Violet, table four is demanding their bill”, Jenny announced when I was about to lift the order of table no 6. “Got it”, I yelled while going towards table no. 6. They were a lovely old couple who were chatting happily when I approached them with their order. “Here is your food. Please enjoy”, I said in a genuine cheerful tone while placing their food carefully on the table. “It’s so lovely of you, sweetheart. I am sure that your grandparents love you so much”, grandma spoke with love in her voice that reminded me of my grandmother. “They were, ma’am”, I said in a cracked tone and she immediately took my hand while looking at me sympathetically.

“No need to be sad, my dear. Call me grandma if it lessens your pain, honey”, she patted the back of my hand gently while comforting me. “Thanks…. Grandma”, I uttered the words with a bit difficulty as it was not easy for me to give the place of my grandmother in my heart to someone else. But I didn’t want to be sound rude to this lovely old lady. “Any time, my dear”, she beamed and I smiled genuinely at her. After that, I went straight to table no. four and gave them their bill. They were four businessmen in black suits and they were here to seal a deal while having their dinner. One of them who paid the bill left a good tip for me. I usually don’t pay attention to tips as I was not in desperate need of money but who mind having good money in his pocket? Of course, I also don’t mind having money in my pocket.

“O God… I am so tired”, Jenny complained while placing her hand at the back of her neck and cracked her neck after we came out of the diner after finishing our shifts. It was Saturday but very busy. I was tired too. “Yeah… it was really a day”, I said in a tired tone when we both walked towards our cycles in the parking area. “So, what’s your plan for tomorrow morning”, she asked me trying to strike up a conversation between us as I was not good at conversation. Jenny was older than me and was in her last year of community college here. She was the only child of her parents and was luckier than me in this department. However, she always had to deal with bills as her father was only a factory worker. That was why she was working here in the diner part-time to cover her college expenses.

“I am going to my grandmother’s grave tomorrow morning”, I told her my plan briefly and she nodded. “Here… keep this”, I gave her my half tip. “Violet… please don’t do this. You always gave me half of your tips whenever you get a good tip”, she said in an embarrassed tone while refusing the money that I was offering to her. “I am not doing any favour to you, Jenny. I am sharing my tip with you, not my salary. You need money more than me”, I said with a small smile on my lips. “Still”, she hesitated once again and I gave her a stern look while pouting innocently. She sighed and looked at me defeatedly. It always worked on her. “Fine… I am not going to argue with you”, she said while raising her hands in the air in surrender.

She was the only one with whom I liked to talk. We reached the place where we had placed our cycles. We bid our farewell and I drove my cycle towards my home. It was already 10 at the night and soon the streets would be deserted. The diner was not far away from my home and that was why I was not driving fast. I liked to feel the night wind against my face. It gave me a sense of calmness. I was alone against the whole world after my grandma died when I was only fourteen. My parents divorced when I was only nine and left me with my grandmother from my father’s side as none of them wanted to take responsibility for me.

I never got the answer to the question that always occupied my mind. Why did they give birth to me when they didn’t want to associate themselves with me? Was I a mistake or an accident for them? I still remembered the day as my worst nightmare when they fought badly in front of me and grandma and left the house with their luggage. Grandmother was sitting on the couch with me on her lap when we saw them leaving us helplessly. My grandfather was a government employee and my grandmother got handsome money after his death during his duty from both the department and the insurance company. She invested the money wisely when my father was still young and her wise decision worked for us in the end. She left a good amount and a house for me after her death. I followed her footsteps and continued the investment that gives me a decent amount every month as interest helping me pay all my bills.

I reached home and placed my cycle beside the front wall near the door. I opened the door and went inside. “Grandma…. I am home”, I announced and removed my shoes after switching on the lights in the living room. It was my routine whenever I came back from anywhere. It made me feel her presence inside the house. I missed her so much. She was my only companion and the only family that I know well. There was an aunt from my mother's side too who took my guardianship after my grandmother’s death on papers. I was glad that she didn’t force me to follow her to her home. She told me that she did due to my grandmother’s request but couldn’t take me to her home.

I never complained to her about this because I understood her situation too. She had a family to take care of and I didn’t want to be an extra burden on her. However, she called me regularly and stayed in touch with school teachers to get to know my progress like a responsible guardian. She and her husband, my uncle also visit me once a month and stayed with me for two days as they always come to any Friday night and stayed with me till Sunday evening. Her husband hated my mother but he never taunted me or said anything that could hurt me. He was not a father figure to me, but his presence sometimes gave me a sense of security. Sometimes, I really wished for a normal and carefree childhood and teenage life like the other children around my home and in my school. I envied them for being loved by their parents and for being carefree about their lives. They didn't have to be worried about paying the bills and keeping their lives at a steady pace. What did I do to deserve this solace?

I lay down on the couch in the living room and stared to the ceiling. I was used to this silence. I already had my dinner with Jenny at diner. I had a quite tiring day at school today. I was in the final year of high school and, to be honest, I was waiting to finish my school as soon as possible. I already had my plans for the future. I wanted to be a doctor and was already preparing for the medical college entrance exam. The school was hell for me due to someone specific that I didn’t want to remember even for a second. I decided to call for the night as I was so tired today. Tomorrow was another day that I would live as I wish. I went to my room upstairs after taking a bottle of water with me. After taking a quick shower, I went straight to my bed as I felt so sleepy right now. Suddenly something came into my mind that made me groan in anger. I huffed and sat down while looking at my bag pack blankly. I needed to finish someone else homework or else I would be doomed on Monday.