II
724 Words
‘Where are you going mom?’ I asked mom while she was preparing their lunch.
‘Work, dear,’ mom responded, ‘and I will be home late today, okay, make sure to lock the door.’
‘Mom, it’s 12 noon.’
'And?' She asked in a sarcastic way, 'I know dear, I can read the time'.
‘You just got home at 6 am. 'Don’t you think you’re overworking?’ I'm worried, ‘I’m not in the age to let you die because of overwork, okay?’
'You’re exaggerating, I’ve had enough rest. And who knows, I might save enough money to send you to music school for college?’ she smiled with enthusiasm. But I don't like that idea. Ever since she was hospitalized for pneumonia and other things I can't understand, I have stopped playing the piano. I'd rather focus on school to keep my scholarship. And after I graduated from high school, I looked for a job. I'm not talented anyway. I never won any of the competitions I attended. So, I am just being practical and wanted to put my energy on things that truly matter.
'What’s the point of going to college if you die of overwork? Just give up on music school mom, state university is not bad. Are you belittling them?'
‘Of course not. My boss went to a state university too. Look at her now. She's successful. I really look up to her.’
'So, why can’t I just go to a state university? You might look up to me too, just like what you do to your boss.'
‘Jean. Enough. Your dream is not there. You want to be a pianist, right? If they offer that course, then sure you can enroll there, but no, they don’t.'
‘As if I can really be a pianist,’ Jean sighed. 'It’s not my dream anymore'. I’m not even good at it.'
'Jean enough, you’ll go to a music school. Final. I don’t even know why you gave up on that dream when it’s all you wanted. All I want is the best for you.' That's it. I'm not talking again.
'Okay, let’s talk about it again next time, okay. I really have to go to work.'
‘How about lunch?’
‘It’s okay. The boss always gives us food there. Don’t cook too much for dinner, just enough for yourself, okay? See you later.’
‘Okay.’
‘I love you, dear.’ Mom paused after opening the door.'
‘I love you, too,’ I replied.
‘I thought Aunt didn’t want you to work?’ Dan, my friend and one and only cousin, asked while we were on break.
‘Yes. She doesn’t know.'
‘What if she finds out?’
'How? You’ll tell her?' I tried to make it sound like a threat.
‘Wow, scary,’ Dan replied sarcastically, ‘now, I really want to tell her.’
‘No!’ I hugged him like my life depends on it. Aside from mom, he's my comfort person. My playmate since the day I learned to talk. We're both raised by single mothers. One whose husband died and one who's left behind. Since he's the only man in our little family (my aunt, mom, me and him), he's more mature than those boys around his age. He knows how to screw up the door, put on a light bulb, fix some wiring and things in the kitchen like the clogged sink, lost faucets, etc. He's a reliable man and all the ladies in the house love him so much. Sadly, he'll be leaving next month.
'Ha-ha, okay, okay. But seriously, it’s a fast-food chain. It’s not impossible for Aunt to pass by here and see you.'
'That’s why I asked to be in the kitchen. My cooking skills are my card.'
'Duh, as if. You’re just frying ready-made chicken and fries.'
'Seriously, don’t jinx it, okay? I need to save up. Mom is eager to send me to music school, it’s not fair that she shoulders all the expenses.'
‘Why not just tell her that you don’t want to go?’
‘I already did. But she's not listening.’
‘I’m really amazed by my aunt, she’s more desperate to achieve your dream than you do.’
'It’s not like that. I’m just being practical,' she said while absent-mindedly dipping her fries in the ketchup continuously.
- Writer
