It was Saturday afternoon when I came to visit my very loving grandma.

She's probably one of the

toughest people I've ever met in my entire life. She is 80 years old, and yet she can still do everything.
When I say everything, it literally means what a 30-year-old could do.
"Hi Gran! What are you cooking?" I asked as I entered the kitchen, as I smelled something appetizing. I
smelled apples.
"Your favorite apple pie," she said, hugging me.
"That smells really good! how did you know that I would be coming?" I asked her
"Hahaha! Saturn, dear, I have these telepathic powers!" she exclaimed.
And yes, I guess she is right. She always knows what is in my head and in my heart.
"I wish I could have that power too, Gran!" I joked and smiled.
I went out to look at her garden. There are so many flowers. Different kinds of flowers. Grandma never
let her plants die, they were always fresh and blooming.
I entered the house and looked for Grandma. She is sitting on the balcony, and on the coffee table she has
prepared the apple pies she baked and a hot milk tea.
"I know that you only came for my stories, what would you like to hear, dear?" Grandma asked
"Hahaha! You really have telepathic powers, Gran. Do you have any stories there?"
One reason why I always visit Grandma is because of her short stories; whenever I hear them, they inspire
me to look forward to what life may bring. You may be thinking, where are my mother and father? I was
only 3 years old when mom died, and Grandma took care of me until I reached high school. Aunt Diane,
my mother's soul sister, offered to let me stay with her because Grandma's house was far from my school.
Up until now, when I'm finishing my high school year, I'm still living with Aunt Diane, Uncle John, her
husband, and Trixie, their cute little 4-year-old daughter. My father, Grandma's son, I don't know who or
where he is. Grandma doesn't want to talk about him either, but she always tells me that he loves me and
remembers me.
"Okay, dear, let me start by saying that in this world, there are many strange things that people cannot
explain. This story will say it all. There was a girl who fell in love with an extraordinary being. This girl
was having a hard time with her whole life. She has demons inside her. She was miserable, sad, and
hopeless. And there was this moment in her life when she was about to give up. She decided to go to the
forbidden forest."

I stopped and thought for a moment, "The Forbidden Fo--"

"Yes, dear, it was the blue forest."

The Blue Forest—I will never forget that forest. That forest was a thirty-minute walk from grandma's
house. That is where Mother was last seen and found dead. Whoever enters the forbidden forest might not
come back alive.

"While she was walking in the forbidden forest, she was amazed; she thought that it was a dark and
creepy place. But what she saw was full of blue. Blue flowers, blue stones, blue water, and blue sky. She
touches the flowers to make sure she isn't dreaming. And it wasn't a dream, what she is seeing is very
beautiful. But she didn't come to the forest out of curiosity. She wanted to die. She wanted to end her
agony. So, she waited. Maybe the forest was intended to look beautiful at first, but later it can kill you.
While she was waiting, she heard something—she heard footsteps. So, she looked around her, and she
saw a man coming to her."

“She looked at him and thought he didn't look like a normal man. There is something strange about him:
his skin color is very pale, he has blue eyes, long nails, long white hair, and is handsome. Yes, he is very
handsome.”

“The man asked her what she was doing there, but she ignored him. Hahaha, she is indeed fearless. The
man suddenly lifted his hands up, and as he lifted his hands, she suddenly floated and felt a hand on her
neck.”

“She can't breathe. She was choking, but she didn't mind. She didn't struggle; she thought that this was the
way she could die and looked the man in the eyes. The man started to feel something while looking into
her eyes. He felt her pain and her sadness. He puts his hands down.”

"Gran, wait. I want to pee." I ran fast and heard Grandma laugh.

I started to think how good Grandma is as a storyteller; when she tells it, it looks real. As if it happened in
real life. She always uses places that are familiar.

I came back and sat in front of her.

"Okay, continue, Grandma. I'm really focused on your story. Hahaha!" I laughed

"Well, after he puts his hands down. He asked the girl why she wanted to die. She said that she was
actually dead inside. She can see, touch, and smell, but she can't feel anything. She felt drowning but
breathing. She always felt useless."

"The man felt something in his chest; it felt empty and lonely. I can feel you, the man said. I can see
everything. The man never felt that kind of sadness. He gave her another chance to get out of the forest
and live, but the girl rejected him."

"The girl wanted to stay and die. She said that the world doesn't want her in it. The world has given her so
much pain. The man exclaimed that she deserved the world and shouldn't miss the things that the world
could give. It would be painful for now, but it will all get better in time."

She said that she had given up everything, but the man didn't want her to die, so he let her stay with him
for twenty-four hours, and after that, he would release her, whether she wanted it or not.

Grandma took a pause and breathed for a while.

"Grandma, why is the man so concerned about her? I mean, he shouldn't feel that way for a person you've
just met. And I assume he is like the watchman of the forest." I asked

"Saturn, everyone has feelings. Animals can feel pain, and plants can wither. In fact, his is worse; he can
feel everyone's pain." She answered
"Let me continue. So, the girl agreed, the man showed him the forest, and she felt better. It was like the
weight in her heart shifted. Having someone and not being alone. The man was amazed by this feeling; it
was like it was his first time feeling like that. The girl saw a beautiful waterfall and jumped in to swim;
the man followed him, and they played. The forest was full of laughter from the both of them. And you
know, I’ll cut it short, they felt tension between them, and yes, it was love. It was a new feeling between
them. But the world is unfair, especially because they have two different worlds."

"Grandma, I think I don't like this story. Tragic again?" I exclaimed

"Yes, it's tragic. The girl can't stay in his arms because she could die. The same as the man, he can't get
out of the forest because he was cursed. He made a promise to the girl that they would see each other
again. So, she decided to get out of the forest and live, and she said that he would be waiting for him."

"Love isn't hard. It doesn't require critical thinking and analysis. It doesn't have standards. It is not solved
through formula. It doesn't need a step-by-step procedure. It doesn't have a recipe. Love has no
limitations. Love is a blue sky; it is wide; it carries innocence and positivity. It allows you to pause and
breathe."

"And that was the gift the girl received—that for the first time in her life she felt at ease."

"Dear, when love comes, you will recognize it."

"I felt heavy in my heart with that story. I mean, how could they not do something for their love?" I
sighed

"We can't change the ending, my dear. Anyway, what's your plan for your birthday this coming week?
You are eighteen years old. We should celebrate."

"Gran, I will celebrate it as normally as I can. I will be coming here, and I will bring Aunt Diane and
Trixie with me. Uncle is busy with his work." I spoke

"Okay, take care, my dear." She kissed my forehead and waved goodbye.

As I was walking, passing by Grandma's neighborhood, I heard something. I turned around and saw three
men enter her house. I was about to go back when my phone rang.

"Hello? Aunt? I’m on my way home now." I answered the phone.

"Can you get Trixie at her nanny’s house? I might be going home late," she said.

"Sure aunt."

After Aunt called, I called Grandma to check if she was fine. Thank God, she answered. But I didn't tell
her that I saw three men enter her house, and she didn't tell me either. I guess they're her visitors.

The day passed, and my birthday came. We are here at Grandma’s Garden.
"Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with me. Thank you, Dylan and Allen, for struggling
with me in school and always tolerating me. More years with me! Hahaha!" Dylan and Allen have been
my best friends since I entered high school.

"Make it faster! We are hungry already!" Dy joked, and everyone laughed.

"Thank you, Aunt Diane, and to your lovely family. I’m very grateful that me and mom have you." Aunt
Diane was teary-eyed while listening to my speech.

"And, of course, Grandma, my beautiful grandmother, thank you, and I love you. Thank you because you
never leave me. Thank you for not letting me feel alone and empty. Thank you for being my rock and for
being the energy I needed."

After my speech, we ate, and everyone was just laughing because of Dylan and Allen. While everyone's
enjoying each other. The sky suddenly turned gray, and it started to rain. Strong wind also came, and a
portal appeared out of nowhere, where four people came out.

"What are you doing here? Don't ruin my granddaughter's birthday celebration! You are not welcome
here!" Grandma shouted with anger as if she knew them for a long time.

"Hi Granny! We are here to pick up Saturn. Your beloved and favorite granddaughter." A girl shouted
with a smirk on her face.

Grandma told us to enter the house, so I guided my friends and Aunt Diane there. All of them are
confused about what is happening.

I know what's happening. Should I do something?

I looked at the window glass to know what was happening outside. Grandma started to cast magic among
them, but they were very strong. I was giving her a message to see if she could handle it. She is not
responding in my mind. I can't hear her.

"Grandma please!" Suddenly, a strong light came out. She began to disappear and leave small sparkles.

"What happened to Grandma?!" Tears started to fall from my eyes, and I started to burst out. The sparkles
from my grandma began to gather and stick to me. Then I heard her whisper in my ears, "I am always
with you. Feel my magic." I can feel it in my whole body and in my hands. My tears didn't stop falling.

"What did you do to Grandma?!" I felt my body move from the outside and hold all of them by their
necks. It's like there are chains around my hands. I knew this day would come. And I remember Grandma
saying to me that I should prepare for this day. I should learn how to control my powers. I should study
all kinds of spells and magic. But she never told me that I should prepare myself for her absence. That she
will be taken away from me. That she will leave me.

The other man moved his hands, contradicting my powers, and I loosened my grip.

"Cousin, don’t be such a bummer. We are just here to bring you back to your real family. Everyone’s
looking for you. It’s sad that Granny chose to give up her powers for you. And by the way, I’m Mars.
Hahahaha! Just kidding! I'm Maxine, pretty name, right? but I really want my name to be part of the solar
system like yours." she said