My Mother's Last Words.

My Mother’s Last Words.

All my bags are packed and I am ready to go.

Daddy dispensed his typical Asian Father advice:

Send money home.

Don’t do the sex.

Don’t wear short short and tight tight.

Don’t waste money. If got extra, send home.

My brother promised to stay in touch.

Unless he is busy playing basketball or out partying with his friends.

Mummy took my departure the hardest. There was nothing that I could say that would stop her crying.

“You are always leaving.”

“But I will be back in three months.”

“But you’re still leaving.”

I hugged everyone goodbye for the last time before walking through the departure gates.

I wanted to stay a little longer but I have a plane to catch and they are already home.

I had just gone past the security checkpoint when I hear a commotion that made me turn around.

It was Mummy trying to break through the wall of security. Flustered, desperately trying to reach out to me.

“Ah Girl! Ah Girl!”, she cried.

I tried to go back towards her but the officer stopped me.

“Mummy! Mummy!”

She kept gesturing to my bag while the guard kept telling her that she can’t go through, that it’s for passengers only.

I couldn’t make out the words she was saying but I reckon that it must be important.

“Please”, I begged. “Let me through. It’s my Mum.”

No.

I see her pointing furiously at my bag but I didn’t understand.

“Ah Girl! Ah Girl!”

In the end, she somehow managed to break free and rushed towards me.

“Mummy, what’s wrong? What is it?”

“Finish the water in your bottle. No liquids on plane.”