“Mary, 5.5.1933-6.6.2013’’ was marked on the gravestone.
——–
“Oh! Mum, you see! It’s the latest smartphone. How cool and chic it is!’’ Peter said with glistening eyes.
Peter was an ordinary university student suffering from severe myopia. Like his peers, he was obsessed with electronic gadgets, ranging from smartphones to notebooks. His grandmother, Mary, though old, was still healthy. As granny, her only hobby was chattering with her beloved ones. Her family really meant a lot to her. Peter’s Dad, a business man, always wore a suit and handsome tie to look smart.
“Ding-dong” the doorbell rang.
Dad was back from work. He carried his grey briefcase clogged up with a pile of paper. He was texting with his phone at the same time.
“Hey, have your dinner first,” mom yelled impatiently.
Although the dishes had been cold already, they looked attractive and smelled fantastic. While eating, Peter, Dad and Mum were glued to their gadgets. Peter was plugged with his earphones and trying the advanced functions of his newly-bought phone. Dad was reading the news with his tablet. Mum was watching drama series, featuring a family full of love. As usual, three of them focused and lived in their own virtual electronic worlds. This scenario happened every single day.
“It’s an eyesore,” granny grumbled.
She drank the tasteless soup alone, grumbling and frowning. Dead silence. Not even a word, except for the humming of the air-conditioner.
“This world’s changed dramatically. It’s SO disheartening and deplorable. Am I too outdated? I’m TOTALLY not fitting in this robotic and cold-blooded world,” she sighed deeply.
Nobody even noticed that grandma was moaning. It was raining cats and dogs outside. Water poured like a waterfall. The thunderstorm was the only one who listened to her, giving her responses.
After the meal, grandma went to her gloomy bedroom. The light was dim. Leaning on her blue pillow was with traditional English style patterns, she took out a thick album from the shelf, full of dust. The dust fell like snow. It was extremely old and the cover was crumpled. Grandma flipped over the black and white photos slowly cautiously with her wrinkled hands. Sighed.
“All things’ve changed…not the objects and people in the photos. On…only by the snapshots can the good old days be kept…,” she murmured. Tears welled in her eyes.
There were a few blurred words under the last photo with the caption, “TV Time”. An elegant woman, a young graceful lady and a chubby young man were sitting together. They squeezed in the cramped two-seat sofa. They sat in front of the old TV and all burst into laughters.
Grandma jumped into the time machine and this warm photo brought her back to forty years ago.
The room was noisy and lively, with them all enjoying their chitchats and the TV show.
“This pro…program i…is so hilarious! Ha ha,” Peter’s dad hiccupped.
“Yeah! Can’t stop laughing.”
They were thrilled, delighted and overjoyed. Full of noises. The industrious fan worked hard to fight the scorching sun. It was warm and full of love.
Holding the photo, looking at her dearest grandson who used to be so intimate with her, she sighed.
A tiny stuff could be so powerful.
“Hey… Could you please put away that na..nasty thing? My…love,” she begged.
Peter was fully immersed in the mesmeric computer game. Mum and Dad were also focusing on their own gadgets.
She was “curious” about the bizarre phone beside Peter. She picked it up.
“DON’T TOUCH IT! DON’T TOUCH IT!” Peter shouted rudely.
The phone slipped from her shivering, leathery hand and hit hard on the floor.
“Bang!”
Grandma swallowed hard. The clock stopped.
The phone was cracked and a spider web appeared. Both of their eyes were brimming with tears and ire.
Granny dragged herself to her room…
It was not until the next day they knew what happened. A letter was found beside her cold body.
“Dear all,
It’s my choice. Love you al
Mary,
6.6.2013 ”
Everyone fell into silence.