In the washroom, Randy turned on the tap and helped Jombo wash his hands.
The latter's eyes reddened. He was touched at the sight of Randy's little hands rubbing his wrinkled hands. As he grew older, the younger generations in the family would soon grow up and nourish the next generation, just like he did.
Randy asked casually, "Great-grandpa, do you still remember about your mother?"
Jombo seemed surprised by his question. Looking into the distance, he started recalling about his mother. "Of course, I remember about her. She's a great woman. Although she comes from a peasant family and is not well educated, she is kind and hard-working."
Randy turned off the tap. "Great-grandpa, I believe your mother must be a great woman to raise an honorable man like you, just like how my mommy is."
Jombo was thrown off balance when Randy suddenly mentioned Carla. He realized his great- grandchild had led him by the nose the moment he brought up this conversation.
Randy helped wipe Jombo's hand dry with a towel. With a smile, he spoke up, "My mother might not be clever, and she is definitely not a successful career woman.
"She is careless and forgetful. Sometimes, she would forget to season her cooking, or she would forget to put detergent into the washing machine. She doesn't even understand my research.
"Her hot cross bunnies actually taste awful, but Josh and Venus would always finish them. Well, to us, it's really awful, but we never complain about it.
"My mommy is in no way perfect, but she risked her life to give birth to us. She spends all her time and energy taking care of us.
"When we are in danger, she would always be there to protect us.
"She took up several part-time jobs to earn a living to send us to the best kindergarten, yet she was reluctant to spend even a single penny on new clothes for herself.
"When she got bullied and injured, she would hide her injury from us. But when we got bullied, she would put on a brave front to argue with the bully's parents. She would do anything to defend our dignity and protect our safety.
"To us, she is the best mother in the world. Although it was a rough time, we were happy living together. At times, we would be bullied by the kids from rich families, but we believe we could overcome any hardship as long as we were together."
At this point, Randy looked at his great-grandpa through teary eyes. After a short pause, he went on by saying, "We will go wherever mommy goes, even if that means we can't be a Giblo family member. As long as we can be with mommy, we don't care if we can no longer stay in a beautiful house, or go to school in a luxury car, or even lose our daddy."
Jombo was visibly panicked. "Oh, you silly Randy, who taught you these? You're still young, and you don't understand about the adult's affairs."
Randy said seriously, "No one taught me that. That's my genuine thought. I know you don't agree with daddy marrying mommy and that you've found Daddy another woman as his future wife. I saw that woman before. She is very mean, and she even scared Venus to tears. We don't like her. In fact, even if you find daddy another kind woman, we won't like her either. To us, mommy is irreplaceable. If mommy leaves, we are not staying as well."
Seeing the boy's resolution, Jombo gabbled in a panic, "Randy, you are a member of the Giblo family. No one asks you to leave. This is between the adults, and it has nothing to do with you. Don't think too much, okay?"
"But Great-grandpa…"
Just then, Mrs. Borah's voice and the sound of her footsteps rang out. "Randy, Josh, Venus, it's time for dinner!"
Randy stopped talking. He then wheeled Jombo out of the washroom.
In the meantime, Zayn and Carla were seen walking downstairs. The latter ordered, "Randy, Josh, Venus, wash your hands!"
"Alright."
As soon as the kids were no longer in sight, Jombo shot daggers at Zayn before he left the house.
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