Date: May 2022

I was already settled in my online school. I was enjoying and having fun and bonus point, I was writing my English Paper 2.

Until the bad news got in once more.

"Great-grandma passed away this morning."

It is exactly as they call it - the 5 stages of grief:

Denial, anger, guilt, depression, and lastly, acceptance.

Once more, Mom and I consoled each other, though I couldn't do anything to help because of school, I had to be strong once more - though I was allowed to let it all out.

I guess it has always been in my blood.

Never let it out even when I should. Carrying the weight of everything on my shoulders, pretending everything is fine just to keep the silence. I never had a problem. As long as everyone was happy-

As long as everyone was happy, I was happy too.

Though at the cost of my mental health in the long run.

Crying was a must-avoid. I had to keep the tears away. I had to mature fast.

The Jia that I am.