10 Years
She was nervous. Last stroke combed through her short, tomboyish hair.
On her father’s scooter, the family of three squeezed comfortably in. Her Dad in front, while her Mom held her tightly from behind. She tightened her grip around him.
Just another family’s gathering. Somehow, the whole idea of her fidgeting around the kitchen, as clueless as she always was in the cooking sphere, made her want to jump off the bike and rush back home. Can she make that far to home? She wasn’t sure, thus she remained seated. Besides, boiled chicken with lemon leaves had always been her favorite.
By the time she managed to freak herself out, Dad made a smooth stop in front of her relative’s house. It was a celebration day.
A wide door opened, leading to the living room where a stainless steel, round table was placed next to an elaborate wooden sofa set. An impressive wood-made ancestral altar located next to the sofa set and faced the main entrance. A coupled of men seated near the table, noticed the newcomers.
-Here is X family! Come fast.
Her uncle extended the hand to lead their ways to his house. As being warned in advance, she folded her arms, bowed respectfully before all the men. Her Mom’s voice echoed in her head, ” they told me you were unmannerly. Remember you didn’t fold your arm when you bow?” She was embarrassed. She could only imagine how ashamed her Dad would be. She felt so unwelcome. She wanted to go home.
Her Mom hurried to the kitchen, where aunties and cousins already squatted on the floor.
– Hi, sorry I’m late.
– I’ve been here since 8. Check a look at the chicken I bought. 2 pairs. Got it from a guy near my house, he raised the chicken himself.
She saw her auntie when she passionately described her close contact with a chicken guy while removed chicken hair without even looking down. Its naked, pale skin started to unveil under the bright fluorescent light, following her auntie’s brisk, decisive pulls. The smell of chicken’s blood and boiled body pervaded the room, which 4 sides were surrounded by cement wall. Under the heat of summer and boiling pan, the temperature was unbearable.
Another auntie, with one hand on her hip, opened steamer’s lid and poked at the steaming sticky rice. Her spectacles fell halfway on her nose bridge, gave her an tiring look.
– It should be done any minute. I cooked it since 6AM. She wearily smiled at her. She returned it awkwardly and diverted her eyes away almost instantly. Well, who did not only came late but also were an absolute waste of space? She wondered around trying to find petty tasks to do. In vain. She didn’t know how to hold a knife properly. She didn’t spend enough time in the kitchen.
That was why.
Outside, a roar of laughter erupted from the living room, where the men seated. She never knew what was so funny. Everyone laughed. She tiptoed to reach the bowls placed on top shelf while her mind wondered which joke they were laughing at.
14 Years
– What do you want to be?
– Me?
– Yes.
– I’m thinking about working for a MNC. Or opening my own fast food chain, because I liked KFC a lot.
– Haha. Ok, that’s nice. X, look at your daughter. she so much grown.
– She is. Grow so fast these days. She almost as tall as me!
– I already taller than you Mom.
– That’s true
…
– I’m concerned for her some time. Not careful, she will be single for good. Too strong as a girl, you know. Woman should find herself a man who can tend to her. No need to be too independent, breadwinner or so.
– Aiz, who needs one, right Y?
– Yes, correct!!
– No, it’s not. Y, who takes care of you when you get old? A very lonely life I tell ya. No money can make up for it.
– … No
20 years
She listened to music on her way home from uni. Ear pods on her ears. She drove scooter, as her Mom liked to put it, like a maniac.
The lyrics read in her head:
Bùa Yêu này (Here comes the love spell)
Không yêu, yêu hay không yêu Không yêu hay yêu nói một lời thôi (Love me not, or love me, please just a word)
Nếu anh có yêu nói đi ngại gì… (If you do, why don’t you say something?)
Em luôn vui, em hiền lành (I’m always happy, I’m always good)
Không hay đi chơi, nấu ăn ngon (Hangout no often, Cook great food)
Em may, em thêu thùa này (I can sew, I can embroider)
Yêu thương ai yêu hết lòng này. ( And I love one ’till eternity)
The song made it to top 5’s most popular songs in the country.
Since when hangout often becomes a turn-off for men? Since when putting on a happy mood regardless of the amount of shits life throw at you becomes a must-have of a qualified girlfriend?
Photo by Anh Q Tran on Unsplash
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