MING LAN

Chapter Five: Dad’s Daughter

“You’re already twenty four. Should get married anytime. Do you have a boyfriend?” My father asked her one day.

Ming Lan shakes her head looking at everyone, at me the last one. “I’ll let you know when the time comes. Just don’t force me.” She says softly, unhappy at the idea of her getting married.

I see my Dad nod his head again.

“I’ll support both of you here.” He says again.

“There’s no need, Appa. I have money…” Protest Ming Lan

Ming Lan sounds bitter, refusing her father. Her heart is protesting all the sudden showers of concern for her, feeling the prick of pain in her heart thinking of being neglected for so long. There is a mixed feeling inside her; happy, sad, bitter, overwhelmed over the DNA result.

‘I just hope everyone leaves me alone. It’s suffocating me with all the sudden attention I’m getting. I’m so used to being alone, taking charge of everything by myself. My father is scaring me with the sudden change of attention and things around me now. I need time to get used to these new feelings inside me, having a brother and a father, suddenly...after twenty four years’.

“It’s not that. It’s my duty to take care of my mother-in-law and daughter. I had neglected both of you for so long. It’s time for me to help. Keong, remember that. Bank in for her every month.” Dad turns to look at me.

“Every school holiday please take Amma to the city. Stay with me. I miss both of you too. We should be staying together but I let you stay here since you’re used to it and love this place. I’ll think of ways to take you and Amma to the city. There are schools there too, but not so soon. I can come here too for a change of air.” He looks at Ming Lan.

“You also need a car. How can you take Amma on a motorbike? Too dangerous. Ah Keong, that’s your work to help your sister. Get her a car, for their safety.” Says my father in the living room after our dinner. Ming Lan did not object this time.

Her grandma listens without commenting, feeling happy for her granddaughter.

I nod my head. Just too happy to do that for her. I love her. I want to keep her happy and safe for me. With my father’s permission I can easily do so much more to keep her happy. I have my own plan too. My heart beats excitedly. Father orders me to look after his daughter. I’ll gladly do that for my Ming Lan.

We stayed for a week. “I’m on my vacation,” Said my father to me when I asked him when he intended to go back. I shrug my shoulders, just too happy too, to stay longer here too. The cook cooks for my father everyday, letting ‘Amma’ help her with the utensils she needs.

“Amma, I want to grow more fruit trees. Can you get some from your friends?” Ming Lan asks her grandma as we are having our lunch.

“Can. They’re coming to town in two days. I can ask them to bring the young trees over here.”

“No more seasonal fruit trees Amma. 3 soursops. 3 pomegranate, guava, lime, lemon…”

“Why not some durian trees? You have empty land out there. Coconuts.” says my Dad.

“Ok. The small breed of coconut, Amma. It’s popular now.” adds Ming Lan.

Amma nods, smiling happily at her granddaughter.

Sometimes I drove to my office when the manager called for me and drove back here in the evening. I do not have to tell my father everything. He trusts me.

I get the workmen to come and repair the fence. Explaining to them how it is supposed to be, then I let them start working. The three workmen begin their work, fencing up the whole empty piece of land with barbed wire. Taking up a week to complete that.

I tell them to begin with the chain-link fencing, dividing the piece of land into two parts, the house compound and the fruit trees together. Not forgetting a small gate to the other side of empty land. The men are hardworking, coming to work everyday. I come and go to watch them working.

I drove my Dad and Nancy home before I went to my office. I come and go regularly by myself. Helping Ming Lan to dig holes for the trees Amma bought. Durians and coconuts on the other side, which needs bigger and deeper holes. Ming Lan gets the workmen to dig holes for her, paying them for sweating out. Saved my inexperienced energy and backache.