The little girl studied the biscuit tins. Rows of gold tinged containers holding all sorts of confectionary treasures. She pawed eagerly at the tins, causing the top tins to wobble. Grandma rushed to pull her back. Ever protective.

Grandma carried the little girl in her arms. Level with the tins. She allowed the little girl time to admire the different biscuits in each tin. Even when the little girl started to weigh heavy.

They had always been close. The little girl had visited often, even before the accident. Now, the little girl lived with Grandma. Now, it was just the two of them.

“Which one you want, Ming? Which one you want?”

The little girl pointed at the tin with the ice gem biscuits. She always chose the ice gem biscuits. Grandma could see why. The bright colored toppings were attractive. The little girl liked to play with the biscuits before eating them. Sorting them by color. Forming patterns.

Grandma paid the storekeeper at Auntie’s Store for the biscuits. She only bought the minimum amount each time. The biscuits stayed fresher that way, and there was little money to spare after the passing of the little girl’s parents.

Grandma led the little girl by hand and started the short walk home. The little girl with a plastic bag of treasured ice gem biscuits grasped tightly in her hand.

***

Ming sat quietly next to Grandma.  She had managed to come home early from work and decided to bring Grandma out for a walk. The doctor had said that familiar surroundings would be good for Grandma. Slow the progress of her dementia.

There were no surroundings more familiar than the neighborhood of Yishun. Ming had stayed here with Grandma since she was a little girl. Since her parents passed.

They had stopped at Auntie’s Store. Located at Block 734, the store had been run by the same auntie for as long as Ming could remember. The store was a time capsule. Auntie had never bothered to re-arrange the layout of the wares she sold over the years. The same freezer kept the ice cream treats that Ming once scampered to reach. Packets of nasi lemak remained unsold from the morning. On the side of the store, familiar rows of biscuit tins sat tidily.

Ming bought a small packet of ice gem biscuits and brought them back to Grandma. She offered Grandma a piece, which Grandma took happily. It was not the healthiest food option, but it was food that Grandma would eat. Ming had learnt that, sometimes, to care for someone, you had to let them be.

A little girl wearing a worn t-shirt and baggy shorts walked up to Ming and Grandma. Ming had never seen this girl before. Must be daughter of new neighbor, she thought.

The little girl spied the packet of ice gem biscuits and held out her hand expectantly. Ming was about to pass a biscuit to the little girl when Grandma took one from the packet.

Looking at the little girl, Grandma said.

“Ming ah. You want? You want?”

The little girl looked surprised, but nodded. She took the ice gem biscuit and ran off gleefully. Not taking a look back.

“Ming ah. Don’t run so fast. Don’t run.”

Ming held Grandma down as she agitated to chase after the little girl.

“Ming ah. Don’t run. Don’t run.”

Ming soothed Grandma by running her hand gently down Grandma’s hair. She felt the agitation ease out of Grandma’s body. She felt damp on Grandma’s shoulder. It was only then that Ming realized she had been crying.