The Day When It All Began
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, April 30, 2022
It's been a week since my grandma left to join my mother and my grandpa in heaven. I don't know how I feel right now. It feels so hard to describe.
All I do all day is daydream, looking at the family photo made up of my mom, grandpa, grandma and myself. A photo taken one month before mom died in an accident 10 years ago. I forgot how many times I cried until it felt like my tears were dry. I cried until my chest hurt so much.
"Grandma, what should I do if you go?"
"You're going to be okay, Lea. You're a strong girl just like your mother. You're going to be okay!"
That was the last message grandma said to me that day. She says I will be fine. But Grandma, what I feel is just the opposite. I'm not okay without you. I am alone, truly alone.
A message came to my phone. Let me guess, it must be from Jo. He worries too much about me. I always tell him that I'm not a child, so he doesn't have to watch over me all the time.
"Lea, have you woken up yet? Don't forget to have breakfast and don't forget to feed Ron. If you are feeling better, go to school and play with your friends." I read the message Jonathan sent this morning, not much different from the message he sent sent yesterday.
"You should think about yourself. How is your study? Are you okay? Your mom said, you live in the campus dormitory. I'm so jealous, I feel like I want to go to university soon too. But, I'm not smart like you." Even though I'm acting annoyed every time Jo sends a message. But still, I replied enthusiastically.
"School?" I thought with a sigh. I stare out the window. My view fixed on the swing hanging from a big tree in the yard.
I still remember, the swing was installed by Uncle Gabriel, our neighbor who is also Jonathan's father. He intended to put up the swing so Jo and I could play together. But what happened, we fought even more because we wanted to play the swing.
And that tree is a tree full of memories of my grandfather. Because the tree continues to grow until its branches enter the house through the window. My grandma had often asked grandpa to cut it down for fear of causing harm, but he always refused, because that tree had special memories for him. The tree that he planted with his father when he was young.
"Lea...!" Aunt Marily called out to me. It seems, even today Aunt delivered food for me.
"Aunt Marily?"
"You just woke up?" She asked. Just as I expected, she brought a large bowl filled with food.
"Ah no, I was awake earlier. What did you bring?"
"Rissoto, for your lunch." She said, handing me a bowl filled with hot risotto.
"Auntie, I told you not to bother delivering food. I can cook." I said reluctantly. Even though we have been neighbors for a long time, I still feel bad if I am given food like this every day.
"What are you talking about? I already treats you like my own daughter. Since Serena died and Jonathan went to university in Zurich. Me and your uncle feel lonely. That's why you better come to my house every night and we have dinner together."
"B-but-"
"It's okay. Tonight, I wanna going to cook Zurcher Geschnetzeltes. So make sure you come, okay?" Said Aunt Marily. Her gaze looked threatening. I can understand why Uncle Gabriel is afraid of his wife.
"Zurcher Geschnetzeltes? Haven't eaten that for a long time. Last time, when my grandma was still healthy. When was it? I think, last year's fall." I muttered.
When I turned and looked at every corner of this house. It feels like all the memories are coming back. As if I could see all the things that I've been through for nearly 17 years of my life.
I put Aunt Marily's rissoto on the table. I guess I'll eat it now. Considering it's 11 o'clock in the afternoon and I haven't eaten anything since morning.
"It smells so good." The aroma of broth and meat is so tempting. Aunt Mary's rissoto was the best.
Meow...
Just before my first mouthful, Ron appeared with a pitiful look if he hadn't been fed yet.
"Oh my gosh, I forgot to feed Ron. In fact, I just read a message from Jo not to forget to feed him. Oh my God, I'm so stupid!" I screamed to myself.
"Sorry Ron, I forgot to feed you. Wait a minute, okay?" I said as I rushed to prepare Ron's favorite food. Cat food made from tuna.
"Here, eat a lot. Don't be angry okay?" Ron immediately ate his food with gusto. Turns out, he really was starving. What kind of employer am I?
Dring...dring...dring...
The phone rang. Who? What are the condolences from your friends? But it's been a week since Grandma died.
"Hello, good afternoon?" I said, it seemed like my condolences.
"Good afternoon, could I speak to Miss Lea Bichsel?" I don't know who called. A man, from the sound of his voice, I don't think he knows. Who? What do you want?
"Ah yes, it's me. Is there anything I can help?" I asked nervously. Hopefully not a debt collector or something.
"Meet Miss Bichsel, My name is Damien Lachance. Butler, Mr. Pierre Malverick!" He said. "Pierre Malverick? Who is he?" I thought.
"What do you need with me?" I asked. Somehow I feel afraid. Suddenly, I remembered the movie I had seen with Jo. About a lonely girl who was abducted by aliens.
"When can I meet Miss Bichsel? I have something important to tell you!"
"W-what? I-"
"I have something important to tell you."
"What's important? I don't know Pierre Malverick!"
"Miss, do you not know Mr. Pierre?" Asked the man. He was silent for a moment, as if confused by my words. "Really, who is Pierre Malverick? How come you know me?" I thought. Because I was too nervous, I swallowed hard repeatedly until my throat was dry.
"Miss Lea, can I come to Miss Lea's house tomorrow?"
"Come? To my house? But-"
"Relax Miss, I'm not a bad person. I just want to-"
"No, you can't ! S-sorry!" I immediately hung up. My body was shaking, I was so scared. Grandma, just died. Why has something like this happened?
"Come on Lea, eat a lot. Why don't you look so excited? Are you sick?" Asked Aunt Marily as she poured Zurcher Geschnetzeltes onto a plate.
"Yes, your aunt deliberately cooked a lot because you eat here. So, eat a lot!" Said Uncle Gabriel, he had already eaten three slices of bread before dinner had even started.
"That Uncle, I-" I hesitated to tell them about the man who called me this afternoon.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Asked Uncle. Even though I've been asked, I still have doubts. During this time, I have troubled Uncle and Aunt a lot.
"Lea, if there's a problem. Tell me and your uncle, we'll try to help you." Aunt looked at me sadly, even though she was fussy and sometimes fierce. But Aunt Marily, very kind.
"What about your school? Your aunt says you haven't started school yet?"
"Not about my school. I'll come Monday"
"So, about what?"
"A stranger called me"
"Stranger? Did he scare you?" Aunt asked starting to panic.
"I don't know. But, he knows my name and he also told me about a man named Pierre Malverick." I said.
"Pierre Malverick?" Uncle and Aunt's expressions instantly changed. Like surprised and confused at the same time. They looked at each other, as if they knew something.
"Do you know who Pierre Malverick is?"
"No, it's not like that. Then, what else did that person say?"
"He wanted to come to the house tomorrow, but because I was afraid, I immediately hung up on him. What's wrong? Does you know anything?"
"No, I am not sure. Tell you what, if that person comes tomorrow. You can call me. I will accompany you!" Uncle Gabriel answered. Hearing it, made me sure, they must know something. Or, they know who is Pierre Malverick?
"Okay. Thank you Uncle Gabriel."
"No need to thank me. Take it easy, nothing will happen, then eat a lot!" He said. I smiled and nodded. A bowl full of Auntie's Zurcher Geschnetzeltes. I hope, hopefully it's not a bad thing, because now, I don't have anyone who can support my life anymore.