Not too long ago, my elder sis S was proposed to.
That set off a series of events that kept our mum Mrs Lee very busy.
But we don't know why -- Mrs Lee was deliberately kept out of any organising committee that's related to Sis' wedding.
It was our bi-weekly family gathering at our childhood home and Mrs Lee is busy talking to herself.
"So this box contains gold bracelets. This one, there are gold chains -- some with pendants, others are just plain," she said as she set on the table numerous tin boxes. "I think it makes sense to sort them by jewellery types rather than where or whom they came from, right?" asked Mrs Lee whose question was targetted at everyone in her home but received no answer from everyone in her home.
"Hello?" Mrs Lee said in a sing-song drawl.
It was a tone that carried imminent threat. Not an aggressive one. More of the type where you'd hear in haunted houses where the psycho matron would teasingly tell kids hiding and shivering in the cupboard that she's going to find and hunt you so you better "come out, come out wherever you are..."
Sis immediately looked up from her iPhone and said "yes, yes," without knowing the context.
Younger Barry, his head still buried in his bowl of cereal, gave a thumbs up.
I took a more hands on approach, and leaned towards the boxes of jewellery.
Stanley my sex bunny friend would be most happy to be involved in any conversations that revolve around family jewels.
"This BIL of yours is very BILF," he once said to me.
BIL, as you must know, is short for Brother-in-Law.
BILF, as you also must know, is short for Brother-in-Law I'd Like to F.
"It's such a pity he's straight," Stanley had said. "I mean, he is. Right?"
As I examine mum's jewellery collection, I realise one thing. If she had pawned all of those pieces, they could well go into the initial deposit for a condominium. Where were all these when I was strapped for cash and struggling with the sky-high interest rates when I had my first property, I thought to myself.
But now's not the time to rake up the past.
Sis, meanwhile, is raking up the present.
"This is not very modern," she said matter of factly, lifting a gold chain with a jade pendant the size of a thumb.
"This was your grandma's," Mrs Lee said. "Of course it's not meant to be modern."
"This suits you, Mummy," Barry said as he walked past us, heading for the kitchen likely for a post-late breakfast snack.
"You should pick something and wear it for your wedding or tea ceremony or pre or whatever post party you have," Mrs Lee suggested. "I wouldn't know how many of these parties you've planned since I'm not involved actively," she said sourly.
Sis, whose EQ is extremely high, leaned on Mrs Lee's shoulder like a limp, drowsy cat, and said "that's because the matron of the household is so high and mighty she cannot lift her finger to do these menial tasks. She's supposed to just sit back, look royal and enjoy the proceedings."
"And wow, this is a lovely ring," Sis added, and lifted Mum's hand to have a better look.
"This one was from your sei guai lou dou," she said, using the vulgar but endearing term that translated to your bloody dead daddy.
It was an almond-shaped jade pendant ringed with tiny diamonds. Jade is obviously Mum's favourite gem. She currently wears a jade bangle, has this jade ring, and at least a dozen other jewellery items that features the green gem.
Sis looked at me and smiled, telling me telepathically that she's such a powerful manipulator.
Lunch at Mum's that day was an extra noisy affair -- on top of Barry's chewing.
"You've got to work on chewing without any sound," Sis said to Barry whose love for food is on par with his love for family.
Barry grinned and showed us what noisy chewing can do to food morsels.
Sis glared back coldly and showed Barry what silent threats can do to younger brothers.
Mrs Lee broke the ice.
"You know, I'm just very happy for you that you've finally found Eddie and are getting married," she said with a blissful sigh that only mothers can carry off.
Sis chewed silently unlike Barry.
"And if you prefer that I sit back and let you do all the leg work for this wedding preparation -- if that's what you want," Mrs Lee added gently, "then I'm more than happy to let you run with it.
"After all, doing this on your own can bring you joy too," Mrs Lee said.
Sis could stand it no longer.
"No, Mummy, that's not what I meant. That's not what I want. Of course I want you to be involved. You're a large part of my life," Sis said.
Barry stopped chewing loudly in case he missed out on any developments.
"I just thought I was sparing you all the drama and stress that I'm going through."
Mrs Lee gently placed her wrinkled palm on Sis' and smiled.
"I'm of course happy you are free to help, Mummy. For a start, maybe you can help me plan the guest list from our side of the family?" Sis smiled at Mrs Lee sweetly.
Mrs Lee turned to look at me and Barry and smiled, telling us telepathically who the real powerful manipulator of the family was.
No comments:
Post a Comment