Just a fortnight ago, I got some bad news from Mum. Gran, Mum’s mum, had tumbled over backwards and got critically injured. My heart sank.

When I was a little boy, a stroke had left Gran paralysed down one side of her body. After the strike, she had to be on a cane and moved about very cautiously. I had thought that bad things would no longer come to Gran after that fall, but I was wrong.

A high school senior with an exam on the way, I cannot afford the time to go and accompany Gran. My parents do not want me to know about Gran’s condition. Whenever I ask after Gran, they will say that everything is going in the right direction. I have a hunch that they are lying. I sense that Gran is teetering on the very edge of death, yet I have no way to help her anyway. I wish God could give her a hand and let her stay with us longer.

A few days ago, when I got home, I found all my family out somewhere. I browsed through Mum’s WeChat messages. They confirmed my suspicions. The worst thing had happened. Gran had fallen again and she was in ICU.

I realise that my life should not stop where Gran’s life might end. I should look up and look ahead. May Gran beat the odds this time.