Grandson Believes His Grandmother Left Him Just an Urn of Ashes, Until the Urn Shatters One Day — Story of the Day

One day, you might turn to your loved one, only to find an empty space and regret like Hugo. He was always ashamed of his late Grandma Rosemary, who worked as a street sweeper. He condemned her when he got only an urn of ashes after her death until it shattered on the floor.

The gravel crunched beneath Hugo's sneakers as he approached the old cottage he once called home. With a suitcase in hand and a guitar case slinging across his back, the charming 25-year-old lad sighed as he stepped onto the creaky porch of his late Grandma Rosemary's humble little house.

The hinges of the rusty door groaned as Hugo pushed it open. The air was thick with the scent of dampness and stale bread. Cockroaches fled into the dark corners as Hugo entered.

Hugo thought he was hallucinating. Rosemary's stout figure appeared before his eyes for a moment. It had been an exhausting journey across the country, thousands of miles from Texas, where he was held up with his rock concert.

But now, the rising guitarist was here—at his late Grandma's shabby little house—a month after she was gone…

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"Grandma," Hugo muttered, the word escaping his lips like a prayer. "Missed your funeral. I'm sorry...I was...I was busy."

He threw his backpack on the dusty couch and carefully set his guitar on a table because, for Hugo, this guitar was his heartbeat. The peeling paint, grave silence, and musty odor irritated him. He missed his cozy apartment in New York. He had worked hard to get it, and returning to Grandma Rosemary's shabby cottage felt like traveling back to the days he lived in poverty.

The silence was broken by the distance hum of the old refrigerator. Hugo couldn't believe it still worked. Grandma Rosemary had got it for a steal from someone. It was outdated but functional.

Grabbing a bottle of cold water, Hugo glanced around at the deserted house. "Couldn't be here on time...I'm here now, but you're not with me, Grandma," he whispered to the walls adorned with pictures of Grandma Rosemary and him in different timelines.

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The wooden floorboards creaked beneath his feet as Hugo approached the shelves and lifted a picture. A wave of memories flooded his mind. The corners of his eyes stung, but he resisted the tears that threatened to escape. Hugo was just a baby, barely two months old, when he lost his parents in a road accident.

It is believed that if God takes something away from us, He gives back something more precious. After Hugo lost his parents, his Grandma Rosemary became his guardian angel who had his back.

His fingers traced the edges of the wooden frame with Grandma Rosemary's picture. She stood tall, holding a broom in one hand while resting the other on her hip. Hugo's eyes fixated on her weathered face that spoke volumes of her struggles as a road sanitation worker.

Because of her job, Hugo had been a subject of ridicule among his friends. Their teasing words echoed in his ears. 'Sweeper's grandson!' they used to call him, turning many pleasant school days into nightmares.

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Hugo's mind flashed back to the days when Rosemary stood outside his school in her uniform, waiting to walk him home. The weight of embarrassment and mockery would settle upon his shoulders like an unwanted cloak, forcing him to walk on the other side of the road while avoiding eye contact or any sort of conversation with his Grandma.

"Hugo, honey, walk to the side. Be careful. Watch out!" Grandma Rosemary often reminded him a dozen times, yet Hugo would give her cold shoulders and ignore her.

To him, Rosemary was not like all the other parents who came in posh cars and taxis to pick their kids up. She was just an 'ordinary and poor' sanitation worker wearing smelly clothes and worn-out shoes.

He was now a famous guitarist who embarked on tours and concerts across the globe. But not once did Hugo ever tell anyone about his Grandma and what she did for a living. He was still ashamed of her job. He felt Rosemary's weathered hands had swept away not just dirt from the streets but his reputation in school.

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A heavy sigh escaped his cigarette-smelling mouth. Those times he was subjected to mockery and laughter among his friends and classmates haunted him as he put the photo back with a gentle thud. Hugo looked around and sneered at his Grandma's old dresser. It was a steal. Beside it sat the second-hand study table she had got for him from a thrift store.

As Hugo ran his fingers over the aged wood, he remembered the argument that evening when Grandma Rosemary gently grabbed his arm when he returned home from school, saying there was a surprise waiting for him in his room.

"Grandma, this old thing? Seriously?" Hugo recalled taunting her, rolling his eyes dismissively. "I thought it was the new console I wanted. And you got me a thrifty good-for-nothing study table? Get something better next time! Something I want...not what you want, okay?"

Only Grandma Rosemary knew how she fought with the thrift store owner to cut down on the table's price, saying her grandson needed it because his back would hurt while writing and reading on his bed.

Hugo remembered seeing the color on Grandma Rosemary's face drain when he mocked her. An arrogant smirk played on his lips as his fingers ran over the scratches he had made on the table's surface with a pen. It was a permanent reminder of his childhood arrogance.

"But till the end, you never got me my console, Grandma!" Hugo smirked before approaching the kitchen.

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The pungent odor of stale bread and a sink overflowing with moldy dishes starkly contrasted with the imaginary scent of his favorite chicken pot pie and meatloaf that he enjoyed here all those years ago. These were Rosemary's signature dishes she made with her heart and soul the first week of every month.

Hugo couldn't help but smile, remembering the routine. The aromatic dishes meant Grandma Rosemary had received her salary— a cue for Hugo to flatter her with a new demand.

"I want new shoes, Grandma. I saw an amazing white pair of sneakers on display at the mall! They're quite expensive, but I'm sure you can afford them!" he'd insist, his eyes fixated on Rosemary's purse.

"Next time, honey bee!" Rosemary would chirp with a weary smile. Her earnings were completely pooled into Hugo's education and groceries, with barely anything left to afford the expensive things her grandson had wanted or to buy anything nice for herself.

"But why not now?" Hugo remembered arguing with his Grandma. "You always say this...but you never get me anything. Look at my worn-out shoes—they'd rip any day, and my toes would pop out like little rats peeping out of their holes…Grandma, stop laughing, it's not funny, okay?"

"Honey bee, I promise to get you those shoes next time," Rosemary promised, hoping Hugo would forget about it with time.

"Whatever! You always say this!" he frowned, disappearing to his room.

The room echoed with the ghosts of those arguments as Hugo stood in the kitchen, haunted by the eeriness around. Droplets of water dripping from the faucet broke the silence as he grabbed his phone and quickly ordered takeaway dinner.

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"Make it fast, please!" Hugo told the restaurant staff, ordering a pepperoni pizza and a coke, and hung up before stepping into Grandma Rosemary's bedroom. It was like a sanctuary of memories when he walked in.

His eyes scanned the room, and for a brief moment, images of his Grandma flickered before him like an old film reel. Hugo knew she was gone, but her memories still lingered, wrapping him in the warmth and bitterness of bygone days.

Hugo gingerly walked around and stood still, staring at the room where Grandma Rosemary had once cradled him to sleep. The echoes of her lullabies still lingered in the air. The bedtime stories she told him about charming princes falling in love with beautiful princesses flashed before his eyes. It made Hugo smile.

He pressed forward and froze to the ground, seeing the old wooden crib adorned with his old toys. "You still had this crib?" Hugo gasped. It was the same cradle he had slept in when he was a baby. Grandma Rosemary had it carefully set beside her bed.

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Pictures of him, frozen in different timelines, adorned the shelves. Hugo walked around, his fingers gently grazing the glass as he glared at the photos. His eyes glistened with tears, but he held them back.

In one corner, an old sewing machine stood, cloaked in dust. The last thread Grandma Rosemary had used still adorned the spool, and a semi-stitched red shirt lay under the needle. It struck Hugo.

He realized his Grandma had been sewing the shirt for him. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Unbelievable, Grandma! On a scale of ten, how confident were you that I would come to see you all these years?" he whispered.

As Hugo stared at the shirt, a vivid memory flashed before his eyes—He was 17 years old at that time, bubbling with the energy and charm of a teenager awaiting prom night.

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Back then…8 years ago…

"Hey, buddy! You gonna ask Jane to the prom or what? Heard she's hanging out with Steve. Ask her out before he does!" Hugo's friend teased him.

Jane was the most beautiful girl in class, and Hugo had a crush on her. Somewhere in a cranny of his heart, he felt Jane liked him, but he never dared to ask her out.

"Yeah, man! You gotta look sharp. And charming! Girls dig a guy in a killer suit!" another chimed in, nudging Hugo playfully as they shared a hearty laugh while passing by a group of giggling girls.

Although Hugo laughed along, he brushed off their remarks. "Yeah, yeah, I've got this, don't worry!" he said.

I'm not wearing something my Grandma picked out from a thrift store, he mumbled.

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Laughter rippled through the corridor as his friends continued their playful banter, oblivious to the storm brewing within Hugo. The pressure to dress to the nines for the prom clashed with his reluctance to ask Grandma Rosemary for money to buy the suit he wanted.

"Alright, guys! Catch you later...I gotta get home early!" Hugo lied to his friends and hurried out of the gate. Minutes later, he arrived outside a luxurious boutique and stood still, admiring a charming black suit on display. He had gone there to check if it was sold out. Fortunately, the suit was still there on the mannequin.

His mind and heart were at war, wishing he were wealthy enough to possess that expensive shimmery suit. It would look so good on me. Jane would love to dance with me on prom night, Hugo thought as he pressed his hands on the glass pane and fixed his desperate eyes on the suit.

But it's so costly. Grandma can't even afford to buy me a pair of new sneakers. As if she's got the money in the world to get me this expensive suit? Hugo smirked and disappointedly turned around.

His excitement was tinged with frustration, and he was certain his Grandma wouldn't fulfill his desire. Hugo returned home and hurried to his room without noticing Grandma Rosemary, who sensed his distress.

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"Honey bee, is everything alright? What's wrong? Come here, son," she followed Hugo, concern etched on her face as she attempted to comfort him.

However, Hugo was not ready to listen to her or talk to her. Her voice annoyed him. Their poverty angered him. "You don't have to worry about me, Grandma!" he snapped, slamming the door shut in Rosemary's face.

Rosemary didn't know what to think. She thought it was about a girl. "Honey bee, please open the door. Is it a girl? Did she reject your proposal or something? Little man, don't worry. I'll talk to her if you want," Rosemary knocked on the door. She knew she shouldn't have said that. But her love for her grandson urged her to say it, which irked Hugo.

"Talk your age, Grandma! I know how to sort out my problems. It's not a girl. And I don't want to talk to you, okay? Just leave me alone...it's not gonna make a difference. Not that you're capable of solving all my problems. Just go away!" Hugo barked.

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Sighing under her breath, Rosemary turned around and returned to the dining table. She was hungry but never ate a crumb. How could she? Hugo skipped dinner, although he munched on a packet of chips and cookies in his room while his Grandma waited for him at the table with fragile hopes he would join her for dinner.

But it was already morning when Rosemary's eyes fluttered open. Warm streaks of morning light seeped through the worn lace curtains, casting a soft glow on Rosemary, who had fallen asleep at the table. The creaking door stirred her awake as she glanced up at the clock and rose with a start.

Rosemary rushed to the kitchen after finding Hugo packing his bag. "I'm so sorry, honey bee. Breakfast will be ready in five minutes, my love," she anxiously said.

But Hugo brushed her off, his words cutting through the air like a tornado. "No need for it, Grandma!" he retorted, storming out.

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"Honey bee...son, please, wait..." Rosemary ran after him as fast as she could. But Hugo had already disappeared, leaving her with a heart heavy with disappointment. Rosemary made herself pancakes for breakfast but couldn't have more than one before leaving for work.

Later that scorching afternoon, Hugo accompanied his gang of friends when two of them suddenly burst out laughing while nudging him to look. "Hey, buddy, that's your Grandma, right? The queen of the streets!" one of the guys jeered, prompting the others to burst into a wave of laughter.

"Yeah, man, she's Hugo's grandma! Maybe she's looking for a road sweepers' award or something by competing with those young sweepers!" another chimed in as the boys and girls cackled with laughter.

Shame crept up Hugo's spine. His anger flared not only at his friends' taunts but also at Rosemary, who was busy sweeping the road, unaware of the mockery behind her back. The weight of embarrassment hung heavy on Hugo's shoulders as he stared daggers at Grandma Rosemary, who naively continued her work.

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"Shut up, guys! Just shut up!" he snapped at his friends. "It's not funny, okay? God—"

'Hey, man, come back. We were just kidding. Hugo...buddy...." the boys ran after Hugo as he angrily stormed away.

"Man, we're sorry, okay? We won't do it again. Sorry," the gang caught up with him and apologized. But Hugo was still furious.

He nodded, and just then, his crush passed by in her car, giggling at him while eyeing his Grandma sweeping the road. It pushed Hugo to the edge of frustration. Hiding his face under the hood of his jacket, he continued to walk, hoping his Grandma wouldn't notice him, only to feel a hard press on his shoulder.

"Honey bee!" Rosemary stood smiling as the boys and girls giggled their goodbyes to Hugo and parted ways, chuckling and whispering things.

Rosemary had had a long day at work, and she was sweaty and smelly from hours of sweeping. At 72, she toiled hard, unable to retire and enjoy warm, cozy evenings by the fireplace like others her age. As the sole breadwinner, she worked really hard, even in this old age, to secure Hugo's future.

When she noticed her grandson amidst the sea of passers-by, she left her work and hurried to greet him. With a warm smile, she handed him a packet of ginger cookies she had bought for her tea break—a small token of love despite the challenges life threw at her.

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"Here, my boy," Rosemary said softly, her eyes holding a warmth that contrasted the coldness in Hugo's eyes. "You might be hungry. There's hot ginger tea in the flask. Have these cookies. I'll be home a bit late today."

"I don't want these damn cookies!" Hugo yanked the sleeve of cookies from Rosemary's hand. "Why do you always have to embarrass me? I can't believe you showed up here, handing me this...garbage."

"But honey bee...I was...I was just..." poor Rosemary stuttered, tears springing from her eyes. "I was assigned to sweep this street today on roll call. I..."

Hugo's words stung Rosemary as she clutched the broom for support. She was shattered into a million pieces, and tears wouldn't stop rolling down her wrinkled cheeks, but she remained frozen, watching her grandson storm away behind his friends.

Rosemary gathered the scattered cookies and put them near a stray dog curled up on the curb. Her ears kept ringing the words — 'I can't wait to leave you once I turn 18' — and her heart ached.

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Gathering her broken pieces together, Rosemary returned to her work, the weight of Hugo's words slicing through her heart. Silent tears mingled with the road dust as she continued to toil overtime, her hands sweeping tirelessly for the next two weeks to earn extra money for a little surprise she had planned for Hugo.

It was a pleasant afternoon when Hugo returned home from school, the alluring aroma of chicken pot pie and meatloaf greeting him. Alarm bells rang in his head as he realized it was Grandma Rosemary's payday. A small smile played on his lips, knowing this could be the perfect moment to ask for the suit he wanted.

"Hey, Grandma!" he greeted Rosemary, attempting to sound casual. "Smells amazing in here!"

Rosemary returned his smile while doing the dishes. "It's your favorite treat, honey bee. Please wash up and sit. Dinner will be ready soon."

A big, fat smile danced on Hugo's face. He knew he needed to act fast. "Alright, Grams, I'll be back in a heartbeat!" he excused himself and hurried to his room to wash up. Little did he know about the surprise awaiting in his room that would render him speechless.

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Upon entering, Hugo's eyes widened at the sight of the expensive, shimmery black suit he had wanted, neatly laid out on the bed. He froze in disbelief, not sure if this was a dream or reality. He turned around, only to find Rosemary standing there at the doorway, smiling.

"H-How did you know that I wanted this..." Hugo stuttered, astonishment and shock clouding his eyes.

"I noticed you eyeing it outside the boutique one day, son," Rosemary confessed. "So, I visited the store to find out how much it cost. I worked overtime every day to afford it. I might be a poor granny! But as long as I'm alive, I'm ready to pay any price to put a smile on your face, my love."

"Oh, Grandma, I love you...I love you so, so, so much!" Hugo wrapped Rosemary into a tight hug, momentarily forgetting the harsh words he had uttered in the past.

Rosemary swept away in the moment and embraced him back, tears of joy streaming down her weathered cheeks. She hoped this happiness would last. But Rosemary's fragile peace and joy came crashing down two weeks later.

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It was the day of the prom.

Rosemary was determined not to miss the significant moment of her grandson's life and took a rare day off work. She adorned herself in her best dress, gathered her hair into a neat bun, and waited for Hugo.

The door creaked open as Hugo stepped out in the brand-new suit, looking like a groom. Rosemary's eyes welled with tears as she cupped his face tenderly and looked up at him.

A shy grin broke across Hugo's face as he prepared to leave for the prom. Rosemary quickly grabbed the house keys and asked him to wait a minute as Hugo smirked.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked Rosemary.

The smile and excitement on her face faded, and disappointment etched lines on her forehead. "I'm going to the prom with you!" she chirped.

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Hugo burst into laughter at the innocence of Rosemary's confession. "To the prom? Grandma, are you kidding me? It's a high school event. Only students are allowed, not parents or relatives...and certainly not oldies like you. You can't come. That's silly of you to think you can go to the prom. I bet you don't wanna look the 'odd' one out!"

Tears sprang into Rosemary's eyes, but she held them back and played along. She laughed with Hugo, feigning self-deprecation. "Oh, silly old Rosemary! I wonder what got into me, honey! Please go on...have a nice evening!" she chuckled, masking the heartbreak beneath the surface.

"Thanks, Grandma!" Hugo had a hearty laugh and left for the prom.

Rosemary laughed at herself and changed into her humble home clothes. Hugo's laughter ached her heart because she had never been to a prom before, so she didn't know the modern rules of the celebratory night.

Rosemary sat alone in front of the fireplace, envisioning Hugo receiving his honors at his graduation in two weeks. Tears sprang into her eyes, and she couldn't wait to attend the event that would mark her grandson's milestone with all the other proud parents.

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A few weeks passed. It was Grandma Rosemary's much-awaited day—Hugo's graduation. She took another day off to witness the milestone and even invited her friends from work to share in her joy. Chatting about the grand event and her grandson's future, Rosemary excitedly made her way to Hugo's school.

Just as she approached the gate, Hugo noticed his Grandma and her colleagues. His eyes bulged in disbelief, and a cold sweat broke onto his forehead.

He looked around—the place was filled with some of the wealthiest guests in town. All were dressed to the nines. He turned to his Grandma, who wore the same dress she had worn on his prom night.

Hugo could not afford to get his image tarnished. He didn't want to become the center of attraction for all the wrong reasons. He didn't want people laughing at him. He bolted to the security guard and discreetly slipped $20 in his hand.

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Tempted by the unexpected cash, the security guard nodded and stormed to the gate. "Wait, where do you think you're going?" he stopped Rosemary and her friends. "Do you have a pass? No entry without a pass."

Rosemary exchanged a curious glance with her friends and turned to the guard. "I'm sorry. You must be mistaken. I'm a student's grandma. My grandson, Hugo, is graduating today. Please, we want to see him," she pleaded.

"Sorry, Ma'am. I can't let you in. You need a VIP pass to attend the ceremony. All parents and guests have the pass. Do you have a pass? If not, please leave."

But all Rosemary got were cold shoulders and harsh replies. "Please leave now, or I'm calling the cops," the guard barked.

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Rosemary's heart sank. Her friends offered consoling words and left her alone, patting her shoulder. But Rosemary refused to leave. Disheartened, she stood outside the gate under the scorching sun and carefully listened as the wind carried the sounds of the grand ceremony.

As names were called out one by one, Rosemary's heart soared when Hugo's name on the mic echoed through the air. Raising her hands in gratitude and joy, she whispered: Thank you, Lord...thank you so much for this day!

Snapping her tears away, Rosemary returned home. She gathered the money she'd saved in the cookie jars and bought everything needed to prepare her grandson's favorite dishes. First went the chicken pot pie, followed by the meatloaf, and then the chicken casserole. Rosemary even baked a little plum cake and plated it on the table.

The aroma filled the air as she waited eagerly at the door. When Hugo finally arrived, much later than expected, Rosemary greeted him with open arms, her eyes gushing with emotions.

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"Happy graduation, my love. And an early happy birthday!" she chirped, her voice dripping with joy and unspoken disappointment for missing Hugo's graduation. Little did poor Rosemary know that her heart was just moments away from cracking into a million shards.

The air in the room thickened as Hugo dismissed Rosemary's hug and gently pushed her away. "Why did you come to my school, Grandma?" he yelled. "And in those clothes? With all your sweeper friends? Do you want everyone to know I grew up in poverty? That I'm a sweeper's grandson?"

Hugo's hurtful words cut through Rosemary's heart like a sharp knife.

"Honey...I..."

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She stood in silence, shocked and frozen, feeling the weight of her grandson's words. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she was too paralyzed to let them fall.

"You know what? I've had enough of this nonsense. I'm turning 18 the day after tomorrow...and I'm going away from you…from this damn poverty-filled house…and all that humiliation I've been facing because of you," Hugo seethed and stormed to his room.

Hugo angrily stuffed his clothes into his suitcase and looked up. He clenched his jaws, and his eyes blazed with fury. He sidled past his Grandma and returned with a new electric guitar.

"Do you know what this is? An expensive gift from a friend's father!" he taunted. "Can you afford something like this? Tell me, Grandma? Can you?"

Rosemary stood in silence, unable to find words.

"There! The answer is evident," Hugo declared with slow, angry claps. "I'm leaving this damn town for the city the day I turn 18, which is the day after tomorrow. I don't want to end up sweeping the roads like you, get it?"

Her grandson's words landed like a sledgehammer, shattering Rosemary into a million pieces all over again.

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She stood still at the doorstep. It was Hugo's 18th birthday, but he was not home to receive her warm wishes or hugs. He had left for the city that morning, bidding a brief farewell to his Grandma. He requested her to take care of herself and promised to send her money as soon as he settled into the new band in the city.

Years passed.

The letters and financial support Rosemary received from Hugo dwindled until they ceased altogether, leaving her abandoned and completely forgotten. He stopped taking her calls, and all Rosemary got were unanswered rings each time she rang him.

She never missed her Sunday church masses. She never went to bed without telling her rosary. She never stopped fighting with God for a miracle and never lost hope of seeing her beloved grandson again.

***

A month ago, Hugo received a call from a neighbor about his grandmother falling seriously ill. Despite the urgency, he could not be by her side as he was on an important tour abroad.

While Hugo basked in his newfound fame and entertained people in a corner of the world, his Grandma Rosemary succumbed to her illness and passed away.

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Present day...

The stillness of the cottage was shattered by a sharp knock on the door. Hugo thought it was the pizza delivery guy and answered the door, only to meet Simon, Grandma Rosemary's old neighbor. A big, brown dog sat beside Simon and looked up at Hugo.

"Yes, how may I help you?" Hugo asked Simon.

"Hello, Hugo. You may not know me. But I know you! I've seen you in your old school pictures. You look more charming in person, my boy! I'm Simon, Rosemary's neighbor. I was the one who called you when Rosemary was in the hospital...and when she passed. I've been taking care of Sunny...and I have something for you."

Simon handed an urn to Hugo. "This is your Grandma Rosemary's urn."

"Oh, thank you so much, Simon. I was told somebody had her urn. I thought I'd ask in the morning as it was getting dark. Anyway, thank you for taking the trouble," Hugo replied with a plastered smile.

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"Don't mention, son. Hold on, Rosemary wanted to give this to you," Simon handed Hugo a small envelope.

"Thanks...and have a good night!" Hugo was just about to close the door when Simon interrupted again.

"One second, young man. Sunny here—he is your responsibility now. Rosemary rescued him from a sewer when he was a pup. He's all grown! Guess Sunny has found his new human!" Simon said as he gently patted Sunny on the head.

Before Hugo could protest, the dog darted past him and curled up beside Rosemary's bed.

"Yeah, whatever!" Hugo mumbled and slammed the door shut. Frustration swirled within him as he angrily placed the urn on the table. The unexpected burden of caring for Sunny clashed with his plans and tours. So he decided to abandon him on the way back to the city.

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Hugo tore open the envelope and pulled out a note:

Hugo sighed under his breath and put the letter back in the envelope. "Last wish!" he muttered and rolled his eyes.

He stormed into Rosemary's room and scanned her drawers and closet for hidden valuables or money. He had read bizarre online stories of people finding unsuspecting valuables after their loved ones passed. So he decided to try his luck.

Hugo laughed at himself for being so silly. Grandma and hidden valuables? I gotta be kidding. Nothing...not even a dime. And just a damn urn with her... ashes. Wow! he exclaimed.

His gaze shifted to Rosemary's picture on the wall, and a bitter smirk crossed his face. "Look at you, Grandma! What did you earn out of years of sweeping and scrubbing the streets? NOTHING! And what did you leave me? NOTHING! Just an urn with your ashes! Great!"

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After having his takeaway dinner and feeding Sunny two slices of pizza, Hugo spent the night in his old room. The next day, he climbed up the attic to see what else was in the house besides the old, thrifty furnishings. Searching under his phone flashlight, he stumbled upon an old wooden box.

"What is this? I hope I don't get a heart attack at finding diamonds and gold in it!" he joked as he opened the box, only to sit back in disbelief—an assortment of sweet wrappers, ticket stubs, old letters, and dried flowers lay inside. Beneath these trivial items was an old brown diary.

What are these weird things? And a diary? Is it Grandma's? Hugo contemplated, and just as he was about to open the diary, Sunny began barking ferociously at a rat.

Hugo hurried down to the living room and tried calming the dog. "Hey, shut up...quiet...shhhh, doggie, good boy...QUIET!" he yelled while waving his hand at Sunny.

Sunny growled and advanced towards Hugo. He backed off in fear and immediately grabbed the urn with Grandma Rosemary's ashes to scare the dog.

"Quiet...shhhh...shut up!" he waved the urn at Sunny. The urn slipped from Hugo's grip and shattered on the floor.

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"Damn it! Now what?" Hugo stood near the scattered ash. Meanwhile, a terrified Sunny retreated to the bedroom and hid under Rosemary's bed.

Hugo quickly looked at the mess and noticed a glistening locket amidst the ashes. He picked it up and opened it, only to find pictures of a young Rosemary and a man named Henry.

Who is...Henry? Hugo pondered. Grandpa's name was John. Who is this guy, then...and why would Grandma possess his photo in her locket?

He quickly gathered the ashes in a plastic bag, rushed to Simon's door, and knocked. "I'm sorry for bothering you. Do you know anything about this locket? I found it in the urn," Hugo asked Simon.

"Good Lord! Did you dig into the urn?" Simon exclaimed in disbelief.

"No...I..." Hugo stuttered, hiding the fact that he had accidentally broken the urn. "No, I was curious, that's all. I just opened the urn and found this on top of the ashes."

Simon believed Hugo and nodded. "Before she died, Rosemary gave this locket to me and told me to put it in her urn...along with her ashes. She said it belonged to her past. Nothing more."

The revelation left Hugo bewildered. He thanked Simon and returned to the cottage, realizing there was more to his Grandma's life than he had ever known.

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Hugo hurried to the cottage, trying to make sense of everything. But nothing struck. Suddenly, he remembered the diary he had just found and grabbed it from the attic.

He sat on the couch and flipped open the pages as the words penned on it took him to a time before his birth, before his parents' birth, before technology—to a beautiful era where lovers communicated through letters...to an age where cell phones, laptops, and the internet were a fantasy.

***

It was the spring of 1949.

Rosemary, a little girl in an orphanage, was sitting by the window, watching raindrops patter on the streets. She was scared of thunder and lightning and clutched her little raggedy doll named Mr. Whiskers she had for protection.

The caretakers used to scare naughty children, saying the rain monster would take them away if they didn't behave. Rosemary was so scared. It thundered, and the lightning lit up the gloomy streets. Yet, she sat by the window because she loved the rain, which held a sentimental memory.

"What are you doing there, Rosemary?" Sister Agnes, one of the caretakers, asked her while passing by.

"I'm just watching the rain, Sister Agnes," Rosemary gingerly replied. Sister Agnes nodded and walked away, leaving Rosemary to herself.

Just as the little girl pressed her cheeks on the glass and admired the rain, she saw a car pulling outside the orphanage gate. A wealthy-looking woman wearing a red scarf and a little boy, probably of the same age as little Rosemary, got out and approached the entrance.

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Rosemary's eyes lit up at seeing the bright red scarf around the woman's neck. She quickly jumped off the window sill and ran to the main hall. She hid behind the staircase and nervously watched the rich woman and her son greet the nun in charge of the orphanage.

"Hello, everybody!" the rich woman chirped and distributed old toys and clothes to all the kids while her son frowned and crossed his arms in frustration. Evidently, he was annoyed and unwilling to give away his precious toys to those kids.

"Henry, darling, please distribute the toys," his mother, Anna, called out to him. But Henry refused and ran to the corner to watch the rain.

Anna sighed and busied herself playing with the kids when Rosemary noticed the red scarf on the coat hanger at the entrance. She quietly crept to the spot and grabbed the scarf before bolting upstairs to her room.

"Hey, wait!" Henry, who noticed Rosemary running upstairs, suspiciously turned to the rack only to notice his mother's missing red scarf.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

He furiously dashed upstairs and barged into the little girl's room. Rosemary's heart throbbed in fear. She quickly hid the scarf under her bed and clutched her raggedy doll, which had no eyes, nose, or any facial features.

"Where's my Mommy's scarf?" Henry confronted Rosemary.

"I-I don't know. I didn't take it," Rosemary stammered.

"Liar! You stole it. I saw you running with it. Give it back!" Henry's frustration mounted as he barked.

"Please, I didn't take anything. I promise," Rosemary pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"No, I saw you stealing it, you liar. Give my Mommy's scarf back!" Henry's screams echoed through the corridor, drawing Anna's and the nun's attention.

"What's going on here? Henry, honey, why are you shouting?" Anna rushed to Henry while briskly noticing Rosemary.

"Hey, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" she gingerly pressed Rosemary's shoulder.

"Mommy, she stole your scarf. I saw her running with it," Henry chimed in, an accusing finger at Rosemary, who was sniffling.

Before she could say anything, Henry pulled out Anna's red scarf from under Rosemary's bed and showed it. "Look, Mommy. I told you...she's a liar...and thief!"

Anna glanced at Rosemary, who hung her head in fear. She was scared the caretakers would punish her for stealing.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

"Rosemary, why did you take the scarf?" the nun lashed out at her.

"I-I just wanted to feel warm...like her. It reminded me of the red scarf my Mommy gave me before leaving me here last year. I lost it," Rosemary cried, rubbing her eyes.

Moved by the little girl's confession, Anna took the red scarf from Henry and gently placed it around Rosemary's shoulders. "It's now yours, honey!" she whispered as Rosemary smiled.

"I-I'm sorry for shouting at you," Henry stepped forward and apologized to Rosemary. "Here, take my teddy. His name is Bon-Bon. I used to hug him to sleep. He's now all yours!"

"That's my young man!" Anna kissed Henry on his head and rubbed his back in pride.

As days passed, she and Henry visited the orphanage every second and fourth Saturday. During this time, Henry and Rosemary harbored a close friendship. However, Rosemary's adoption left Henry heartbroken.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

To keep their friendship alive, Rosemary promised to meet him every second and fourth Saturday outside the orphanage, her words lighting up Henry's heart and eyes.

Years passed.

Henry, charming and handsome, and Rosemary, blonde and beautiful, now 18 and 17, grew up to be best friends. However, Henry had harbored a secret fondness for Rosemary and gathered the courage to propose to her just days before leaving for his higher studies in London.

They met at the beach, where they usually walked and played on the shores. Although Henry didn't have an expensive ring, he nervously pulled out a fake diamond ring and got down on one knee that evening.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Torn between his friendship and the unknown, Rosemary hesitated with tears in her eyes. "Henry, you're my…friend! I've never seen you differently," she said, unintentionally breaking a piece of Henry's heart.

Henry would have otherwise cried. But he knew Rosemary had feelings for him, although she hid them.

"I'll wait for you, Rosie. For as long as it takes!" he promised, withdrawing the fake ring.

A few days later, Henry was set to leave to do his higher studies in London—thousands of miles away from his beloved. It hurt him, but he knew that sometimes, distances made the heart grow fonder. The young lad was drunk and drowned in love with Rosemary.

Henry met Rosemary at their favorite beach before leaving for London the next day. "I wrote these for you!" he handed her a bundle of love letters and a fluffy little teddy bear.

"I have to go, Rosie, but I'm giving you a piece of my heart. Keep it safe until I return. And when you miss me, just hug him!"

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

"Boy, I never knew your heart is made of cotton and velvet!" Rosemary teased.

They locked eyes, and at that moment, something beautiful...something unexplainable...and something melodious blossomed between them. Rosemary coughed and distracted Henry. "How about you get me some candy?"

"You always find a way to make me smile...and to avoid eye contact!" he chuckled, returning with a handful of sweets. Rosemary unwrapped a candy and shared a bite before giving Henry the other half. They had as many as ten candies that day!

"Won't you tell me those three magical words, Rosie? At least now? Just once…Pleeeeeease!" Henry looked at her, unable to hold back his tears.

"I will...but you have to wait!" Rosemary said with an immaculate blush, her eyes glistening with tears.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

As Henry boarded the plane the next day, Rosemary stood outside the airport, watching the plane soar into the sky. Neither anticipated that they would never get to see each other again.

***

Hugo's hands trembled as he flipped through the remaining pages of the diary, desperately seeking a continuation of the poignant love story. But he only found blank pages, and an unposted old envelope bearing the name 'Henry' with an address.

What happened to them after that? Why hasn't Grandma written after Henry left for London? Hugo's mind was plagued with thoughts.

He searched for the teddy bear Henry had given Rosemary all those decades ago. But he didn't find it. The plastic bag with his Grandma's ashes drew his attention as he remembered her words to Henry: 'And this teddy! I'll take him to my grave...mark my words!'

Tears sprang from Hugo's eyes as he gently lifted the bag of ashes. He put it back and rushed to a thrift store nearby. "I want an urn. Do you have one?" he asked the shopkeeper.

"Thanks!" Hugo hurriedly slammed the money on the counter and returned to the cottage with a new ceramic urn.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

He cautiously emptied his Grandma's ashes into the urn and decided to leave for Henry's place the next day and find him. As Hugo prepared to embark on his journey to the city thousands of miles away, he stopped to look at Sunny, who sat on the doorstep, desperately watching him with his big, brown eyes.

Although Hugo had initially wanted to get rid of the dog and abandon him somewhere on the highway to the city, he couldn't bring himself to do it now.

"You were with Grandma in her last days! Thanks is a small word...but I still wanna thank you! You were by her side even when her own grandson...I failed her and—" Hugo paused, tears springing into his eyes.

"Sunny, old pal, looks like we're in this together! Let's uncover Grandma's secrets, shall we?!" he sniffled and whispered to the dog, patting his head as Sunny wagged his tail and followed him to the bus station.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

After a string of exhausting bus rides, hitchhikes, and motel stays, Hugo and Sunny arrived outside a huge mansion in the unfamiliar city where Henry supposedly lived. With the urn cradled in his arms, Hugo instructed Sunny to wait and approached the door. Gasping and nervous, he knocked.

Moments later, a young woman answered the door. "Yes, how may I help you?" she asked.

"Hi...I'm looking for Henry. Is he...is he around? Can I see him?" Hugo replied.

"Henry? I'm sorry. I don't think I know anyone by that name here."

Hugo's heart sank. A part of him told him that Henry would have died by now. With his fragile hopes of finding Henry now broken, Hugo turned around to leave when a voice called out to him.

"Did I just hear Henry?" an older man approached the door as Hugo turned around with a start.

"Yes!"

"Try this address, young man. But heed my warning, pal—the path may not be as smooth as you hope. Go there...and you'll find out for yourself!" the older man chuckled.

"Thank you, sir!" Hugo shrugged his shoulders and smiled before leaving.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Soon, Hugo found himself outside a humble house surrounded by a little rose garden and a white picket fence. An older man was pruning the roses. With the urn in his backpack, Hugo motioned for Sunny to wait at the gate and cautiously approached the man.

The older man ceased his actions and gently turned around. "Yes?" he replied.

Hugo's heart fluttered with joy. Grandma Rosemary's beloved Henry—the man she loved but never said those three magical words to—was standing in front of him, aged with the sands of time.

Before Hugo could utter a word, Henry's gruff voice cut through the air. "You're not getting any of my roses, you hear me? Get out of my property!" he barked.

Hugo was taken aback. "No, listen, you're mistaken. Actually, I—"

"Out of my property. I know you've come to steal my precious roses. Go away!" Henry mistook Hugo for a thief and grabbed his cane, attempting to chase him away.

Sunny bolted in their direction and tugged at the cane, trying to protect his buddy. Frustration and anger etched across Henry's face.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

"Are you attacking me with your dog? I'm going to call the cops," he yelled and stormed into the house, leaving Hugo fearing for the worst.

"Sunny, boy, what did you do? Let's get out of here," he bolted out of the yard as Sunny ran after him.

Later that evening, Henry sat by the crackling fireplace, clutching a little teddy bear. Persistent knocks suddenly shattered the tranquility.

81-year-old Henry, who was accustomed to solitude, was startled. His house had never seen a guest in decades. He assumed it was the mischievous kids playing tricks and sat back in his chair, frowning.

Henry's frustration mounted as the knocks escalated into loud, thunderous bangs. Armed with his walking cane, he opened the door to scare away the naughty kids, only to see Hugo and Sunny there.

"YOU??" Henry gasped as his eyes widened in surprise and anger. "What are you doing here? Can't you people leave this old man alone? Get out—"

"Henry, wait..." Hugo stopped Henry before he could slam the door shut. "I'm Rosemary's grandson!"

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

The crimson on Henry's face drained, and tears suddenly sprang into his eyes.

"Yes! I'm Hugo—Rosemary's grandson. And I'm here to talk about her…and you," Hugo said, staring right into Henry's eyes.

Visibly shaken, Henry invited Hugo inside. The living room was adorned with red scarves and teddy bears. There were candy jars and things Hugo knew his Grandma Rosemary loved.

"H-How did you find me?" Henry stammered as he sat on the couch.

"After reading this," Hugo laid Rosemary's old diary on the glass table along with the candy wrappers, ticket stubs, and love letters Henry had penned for her.

"Oh, Rosie, why didn't you come back? Why did you leave me?" Henry broke down as he read the diary and ran his fragile fingers through the candy wrappers and letters.

"I found this!" Hugo broke Henry's silence and showed him the locket that belonged to Rosemary. It made Henry break down like a kid.

"What happened after you left for London, Henry?" Hugo pressed Henry to talk.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

"Rosie stopped writing to me. I was hurt. When I returned from London, my parents told me she had moved out of the town to live somewhere far away...and before leaving, she had told them to tell me that she never loved me...to move on...and to find someone else. Rosie broke my heart, and I haven't been able to move on..." Henry revealed, bursting into tears.

"After my parents passed, I sold my mansion and moved here to live alone for the rest of my life, surrounded by her memories. I never found love again. I couldn't. Rosie had rented my heart for eternity...and my heart belonged only to her. I would walk to our favorite beach nearby every day...where we spent those memorable, beautiful days...and watch the ocean and waves she once loved..."

"Maybe your parents lied to you, Henry. Why would Grandma leave you when she genuinely loved you? Maybe they told her to stay away from you because she was poor. Maybe they threatened her to leave you? We don't know what happened. Grandma...she took the truth with her to the..." Hugo paused, sighing a deep breath.

"Do you know where I found this locket?" he shot a piercing stare at Henry.

Hugo took out the urn of ashes from his backpack and placed it on the table. "Your Rosemary hasn't gone anywhere, Henry," he said, placing a comforting hand on Henry's shoulder. "She's right there in front of you...I think it's time to say goodbye to your Rosemary."

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

A momentous silence lingered, only to be shattered by Henry's loud sobs. He stormed to his room as fast as his fragile legs could carry him and locked himself inside.

An emotional storm engulfed Henry as Hugo approached the door and stood silent, tears gushing in his eyes.

"Henry, I'm leaving my phone number on the table. I'll be in this town for two more weeks. Call me...I'm there for you, okay? You're not alone," he said and left his contact number before leaving.

A week later, Hugo's phone buzzed in his pocket. "Hello?" he answered the unknown private number. Tears sprang into his eyes, and the next minute, Hugo was in a taxi to the hospital.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

"Hi, I'm looking for a patient named Henry...81 years old..." he hurried to the reception.

As soon as Hugo learned Henry was in the intensive care unit, he stormed upstairs, only to run into the doctor. "I-I'm Henry's friend. Is he...is he alright?" he asked, panting.

The doctor shook his head sympathetically and patted his shoulder. "We tried our best, but...it was a massive heart attack. We're extremely sorry."

Henry slumped into the chair and buried his face in his palms. Moments later, a nurse approached him, saying, "Excuse me, Sir. Before passing, he asked me to deliver a message. It's for a man named Hugo. Are you Hugo?"

Hugo glanced up at her and saw a note in her grasp.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

"Yes," Hugo nervously grabbed the note bearing Henry's last wish:

The warm rays of the golden sun tingled Hugo as he stared at the turquoise-blue sea in front of him. It had been three days since Henry passed. Sighing a deep breath, he patted Sunny on the head and told him to wait at the shore before approaching the sparkling sea with the two urns in his hands.

Hugo released Henry and Grandma Rosemary's ashes in the water and stood there, watching the ashes flow away with the waves. "In heaven, you shall meet!" he tearfully whispered and sat beside Sunny as they watched the sunset.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

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