Mum

         

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         Your beloved child is now an adult. Your child is already raising her own family and is living comfortably here in the bustling city. It really is different here compared to the scenic and peaceful setting I still call home. Forgive me Mum, for I haven't had time to visit you back in the village in a long time. I've been busy with work and the children are just starting a new school term. Whenever I have free time during the holidays, we'd all come to see you, alright?

          I remember back then when we were all just little tots, you raised and took care of the five of us by yourself since Dad had already passed on. Oh Mum, I still miss him dearly. Everyday, you would bathe, feed and made sure we were all set for the day so that we wouldn't feel abandoned in any way. Mum, you showered us all with equal amounts of love. Never was there ever jealousy sparked between us when we thought of your love.

         Back then, I frequently fell ill and every time I lay still on the bed with my feverish body, you'd tell my siblings to take care of themselves as you wanted to take care of me. Every morning, you'd sit by my bed and wipe the droplets of sweat that dripped down my burning forehead. Whenever I needed anything, you'd rush by my side as fast as you could and when night came, you'd accompany me as I slept till the morning because you were afraid I'd feel lonely.

        Couple years passed and I started feeling envious of my friends who were able to go to school. I wanted to be a student as they were too, but you told me that we couldn't afford it. Although that was what you said, you still tried your very best to fulfil my dream. Following that, you started working 3 jobs at once. Morning and night came and passed, we barely saw your face. However, you'd always be there during breakfast to make sure we were eating. Mum, you were so exhausted and yet you'd still make time to take care of us as you have been. You'd do anything for your children.

       You finally did it. You succeeded in being able to send me off to school. All the time and effort you gave were not put to waste. I was determined to repay all you had done for me. Everyday, I'd get up and promise myself to do well in school, and at night, I'd spend all my waking time studying even though you had told me to sleep as it was already too late for me to be up. With the effort and time I put into my studies, the straight As result I had dreamed off was now in my hands. I still remember that day vividly in my mind. I remember how proud you had been and the happiness that clearly showed upon your glowing face. The next year, I was offered to continue my studies in a university in the city.  The  thought of leaving you here in the village left me with a heavy heart but you looked at me with such tenderness and care and said, "Go, my child. An opportunity like this might only come once in a lifetime. Take the chance." You smiled as you waved me off, but despite the smile, I could feel your heart breaking at the sight of your youngest child growing up. I studied there for 3 years and soon after, I was offered a job.

Aren't you proud, Mum? I've finally succeeded.

Now, you've left us on our own on this Earth. The place that heard my complains, cries and laughs is now gone. Today, the feeling of bitter pain has taken place in my heart. Every single day, I'd regret not visiting you before you left. I'd trade my life and luxuries in this damned city to go back to living with you, Mum. Even though we had nothing else, we had each other. Forgive me Mum, I beg. Although you are far gone, you're still very much alive in my heart where you've always been and where you always will be. All you've done for us all is more than I can ever be grateful for.

Now you can catch up on all the nights of rest you lost for us. Sleep well, Mum.

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Aha! Felt like writing something up today but I hadn't found a writing prompt that I liked so I thought why not just translate my Malay exam essay into English. It doesn't sound as sad as it did in Malay though which is a little disappointing but I still like it nonetheless.

Anyway, this essay was done with the question which told us to write about being grateful for things people have done for us and to not forget those deeds even after they have passed on. Here, I wrote in the perspective of a daughter who came from a poor family of five siblings. The dad had passed so they were all left in their mother's care.

I may have shed a tear or two, writing the actual thing during the exam but I'm a pretty sensitive person in general. Lots of things could make me cry just as lots of things could make me laugh.

xx