Sunday, August 01, 2004 @7:05 PM
[continued]
They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not as fast as she had done before.
"Ma," Bee Choo finally said. "I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to find a buyer willing to pay seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer a cosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road. Once we move in to our apartment, we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves..."
The old woman nodded knowingly.
Bee Choo swallowed hard. "We'd get someone to come in to do the housework and we can eat out - but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you. You will be awfully lonely at home and besides that, the apartment is rather small. There won't be space. We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a home. There's one near Hougang, it's a Christian home, a very nice one."
The old woman did not raise an eyebrow.
"I've been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! I hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there. You'd be happier there, really." Her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself.
This time, the old woman had no plastic bag of food offerings to cling tightly to; she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag, and her fingers traced the white seat.
"Ma?" her daughter asked, searching the rear view mirror for her mother. "Is everything okay?"
What had to be done, had to be done. "Yes," she said firmly, louder than she had intended. "If it will make you happy," she added more quietly.
"It's for you Ma! You'll be happier there. You can move there tomorrow. I already got the maid to pack your things," Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda.
Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier. She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance in her pursuit of happiness. She was happy now.
She had everthing a modern woman ever wanted: money, status, career, love, power and now, freedom, without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down - yes, she was free.
Her phone buzzed urgently; she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. "Stocks 10-per-cent increase!" Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up for her...
And while searching for the meaning of life in the luminance of her handphone screen, the old woman in the back seat became invisible, and she did not see the tears.
~END~
A sad story. This essay really reflects the ugliness of people in our society, the people who actually have the heart to abandon their parents, without considering the difficulties they face just to bring us up. I hope through this story, the message of being filial is brought across clearly to all. Let us all take up this responsibility and do our part for our parents! The love, care and concern they have for us over the years can never be replaced by money. Never. If you have not been spending time with your parents, start now. Show your love and care for them just by asking about their day and work. You will find it a whole new experience. Trust me.