“THAT girl is not good for you. She takes advantage of you,” the past echoed in Shane’s ear for the millionth times. “She rolled her eyes when we speak. That is rude. What sort of a girl is this? Can she even do housework?” “I am not dating a maid, ma. Don’t worry.” “See, shouldn’t she be here helping you, instead of staying in the room?” “I asked her to relax. After all, she is our guest,” Shane started to feel frustrated. “You don’t like her, do you?”
“Leave her while you still can. I tell you, she doesn’t appreciate your hard work. She will only spend your money. Then, she will leave you with a broken heart when she finds someone better or richer.”
“Her name is Jane and I love her,” Shane confessed. “She’s the one.” “I can’t handle this, Shane. I am too old to deal with this. If you are sure she is the one, then it’s your fault if the relationship goes awry. Don’t say I didn’t warned you.” “Ma-“ Shane watched his mother wiped her hands on the green cloth before walking away. He was left in the kitchen for a few minutes before his siblings started an intervention. There were hurtful words thrown in the air about Jane, and it was a shock to Shane as he thought his siblings liked her. He listened and defended the love of his life, but he couldn’t do it any longer as he was outnumbered. It came to a point when one of them had to get her thoughts across by shouting. “Stop arguing and go to sleep,” their father interrupted. “It’s late. You are all too loud.”
“Pa, what do you think of Jane?” “Can’t we talk about it in the morning?” “No, I want to know.” “I’m sorry son, but I am with your mother,” his father shook his head. “I’m leaving,” Shane decided loudly, walking past his family to pack his suitcase. It was raining heavily when he left home with Jane.
They booked into a hotel room and caught the next flight out from his hometown. He planned to visit his family since the beginning of the year, but after what happened, he swore he’d never go home again.
With so much anger, he stopped contacting his family. Within months, the anger died down, and he yearned for his family, more so when one of his friends lost his mother to cancer. It changed his perspective on his family. Two years had passed since the argument. Shane was a changed person, and everything that happened was history. He admitted that his family were right all along when Jane spent his hard earned money and left him with a broken heart. She admitted that she didn’t love him. That was when he regretted not listening to his family.
He wished he had listened to save himself from the heartbreak. His thought vanished into thin air when the pilot announced that they were going to land. He looked out the window and took in the scenery of his beautiful hometown. He was both nervous and excited to see his family again after being a stranger to them for years.
When the plane landed, he retrieved his suitcase and took a taxi home. It was a half an hour’s ride before the taxi driver stopped the car in front of a newly painted house with two lanterns hung above the garage.
The gate was open, so he walked towards the front door. He read the red banner with couplets on the door before running his fingers along his father’s calligraphy.
When the door flung open suddenly, Shane froze. He wasn’t ready to meet his family. He didn’t know what to say to them, but most of all, he was ashamed for the way he acted the last time he visited.
He stared at his youngest sister, who was taller and had grown into a lady. With no warning at all, she pulled him into a tight hug. “Gladys, I asked you to get the broom but until now-“Shane heard his mother coming towards them.
When she saw Shane, her mouth fell open. Shane had not seen her for two years, but she didn’t look as if she’d aged. Apart from a wrinkle and her greying hair, it looked as if time was on her side. He heard his father next and, he was as shocked to see Shane. His father looked older as he was thinner and his hair was thinning. “Ma, pa, I am sorry for leaving suddenly the last time I visited,” Shane lowered his head in guilt. “I should have stayed or at least called.”
“Come in, come in,” his mother invited. “You were right, ma…about her.” “Son, I didn’t want to be right. I wish I was wrong,” she stated. “Coming home today is a wise decision. You are just in time for the reunion dinner and everyone is home.” Shane apologised to his parents and siblings after having a heart to heart with them. He missed his mother’s cooking and the companionship of his family.
He was glad to take the step to visit home and apologised. While waiting for the New Year, they talked and played cards. Carina Lim bears different messages through her fiction. These messages could be useful in life. She can be contacted at mermaidgal03@yahoo.com
