Of the Past

November 6th, 2005

20 years ago, a little baby girl was carried to a kind lady for looking-after. This kind lady took care of the little girl like she was her daughter, despite the fact she already had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. The lady bathed her, fed her, played with her and patted her to sleep. When night comes, the little girl's mother would carry her back home to spend the night. The next day, she is again carried to the lady's house as the mother had to work. This carrying to and fro went on for a very long time. Even when the little girl started school, she still went back to the lady's house everyday after school and only went home at night when her mother came to fetch her. Feelings grew between the little girl and the lady, even between the little girl and the lady's children. During the day when the lady has to do housework, the little girl played with the lady's youngest son, 4 years older than her, and youngest daughter, 8 years older than her. They grew up playing and fighting together, and though squabbles were aplenty, love between them was abound. Even her other 2 older children treated the little girl just like a sister, caring for her, teaching her homework and looking after her.

The little girl knew this family so well and they treated her so well. Maybe they just treated her as a guest in the early days, but soon, when the little girl fitted in so well with them, she was just like a daughter to them. They took her on holidays abroad, paying for her full expenses and air tickets. They bought her stuffs when they went out, knowing exactly what she liked and disliked. The kind lady cooked all her favourite foods for 14 years, 3 dishes and a soup without fail. It got to an extent that when the little girl left the place, she couldn't eat her dinner for the next month due to the absense of soup. The little girl and the lady's family were so close that she called the lady "Mama" and the lady's husband, who absolutely doted on her, "Papa". She was so proud of them that she went around telling all her friends that she has 2 sets of parents, 2 Mamas and 2 Papas. Her own family was very glad that she was so close to the lady's family and not once did they think of being jealous or envious.

Alas, the time came when the little girl had to grow up. Growing up entails independence and responsibility and hence when she was in Sec 2, her mother gave the little girl her own set of house keys and told her that now she is old enough to stay at home by herself and hence no longer the need to go over to the lady's place after school. The little girl was solemn throughout her mother's speech. She understood her new-found independence and responsibility, therefore she didn't resist. She went over to the lady's house the next day and hugged her tight. She played a last game of Monopoly with her "brother" and "sister" and let them win all the money. She got the newspapers ready for the lady's husband when he got home from work in the evening. 7 pm came and her mother came to fetch her back.

The little girl cried.

The kind lady cried.

The "sister" cried with her brother standing beside her looking sad.

The lady's husband hugged her with eyes shining suspiciously.

When the little girl got home, she couldn't do anything but sit on her bed. Her mother walked in and said,"You silly girl. You can visit them anytime. They stay so near us. You could go back once a week if you like, but you must remember, now you are independent. You can't depend on that Mama anymore."

For the next 7 years, the little girl went back frequently to the lady's house to sit down and have a nice chat with her. If the lady's son was there,she would play with him, or just enjoy the squabbling that always ensued when they meet. Now the little girl is already 21 years old, in university and have a life of her own. She spends less and less time going back to the lady's house, because she has no time. But she has not forgotten her life there and she knew she will be welcomed back anytime. The lady visits her at the little girl's house from time to time too, chatting with her mother and just basically catching up with each other.

Last Saturday, the lady's youngest daughter got married. The little girl was invited, of course, with her parents to the wedding dinner. When they got to the dinner venue, the first person the little girl saw was the lady. Significantly older with lines crinkling at the corner of her eyes, she still looked the same. Even though they met only recently, the little girl suddenly felt a tug at her heart. "She looked so old. But she still is as nice and caring as ever. I've grown up; she has too. In fact, she grew at a faster rate. With an ailing health and weak bones." The little girl went over and greeted the lady. When the lady saw her, her eyes lighted up with pleasure and directed them to their seats.

The dinner started and the little girl stood, shell-shocked, when the newly-weds walked in within the midst of dry ice and flowers. Is this really the "sister" she played Monopoly with? Is this really the "sister" who used to be such a tomboy, never a skirt in her wardrobe? The little girl stood dazed, watching a lovely vision walk past her on the aisle, her charming husband beside her, an Aussie no less.

The dinner went by pretty quickly and soon it was time to go. As usual, the couple and their parents stood in a line at the exit, shaking hands with everyone and thanking them for their coming. The little girl shook hands with the groom, his parents, and she turned to the bride. Impulsively, the little girl hugged her. The bride was surprised as they seldom show such display of affection with each other but tears could be seen in her eyes. Then the little girl hugged the lady and her husband. Turning away to go, the little girl felt nostalgic and happy at the same time.

The little girl knows that she is always welcomed in the lady's family. She will always be missed and thought upon. And she, in turn, will miss them very greatly.
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I love you, Mama. I used to have so many reasons for not going over to pay you a visit. Those are excuses, I know now. I can spend so much time going out with friends, yet I can't even spare a little time going over to chat with you. I'm sorry and I miss you.

Thank you.

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