Another night had passed in a foreign place imbued with the warmth of human connection. Like the days before, Mary woke early to exercise, savoring the fresh air. Suddenly, she heard the engine sound of a car outside coming to a halt, followed by the exuberant shouts of children.
“She’s back! Mother, she’s back!”
The children here referred to Ms. Evelyn as ‘mother,’ as they, once forsaken, no longer had mothers of their own but a shared maternal figure in the form of the orphanage director.
From within the kitchen, Ms. Evelyn heard her name being called and hurriedly abandoned her half-cooked pot of porridge to rush outside. She flitted past Mary, utterly oblivious to her.
A young woman’s voice rang out from the car’s door, carrying familiarity and joy.
“Here, these are your gifts. I’ve got something for each of you, so share, alright? There’s enough for everyone, no need to fight.”
A little girl gazed at the young woman with astonished eyes, mustering a voice to ask.
“Where have you been, big sister? We’ve missed you so much. Mother talks about you every day.”
The young woman bends down, gently stroking the girl’s glossy, short black hair, her eyes deep and sharp from heavy makeup, responding in a soothing tone.
“I’ve been busy in the city and couldn’t come often. I’m going to see Mother right now, don’t worry.”
As she lifted her head, her eyes met the human and familiar face of the woman she still called ‘mother.’ A boundless love radiated from those eyes. Without a moment’s hesitation, they fell into each other’s embrace. Ms. Evelyn erupted in happiness as her once little girl finally returned to her arm after many years away.
She gently touched the young woman’s face, now adorned with layers of makeup, smiling at her growth and self-care. With her voluptuous figure, balanced proportions, youthful, smooth skin, and professional success, Ms. Evelyn quietly celebrated the milestones her daughter had achieved after enduring many hardships.
Stepping back three paces, Ms. Evelyn scrutinized her head to toe – her hair, clothes, handbag, shoes – and then let out a knowing chuckle as if hinting at something profound. Seeing her mother’s unusual expression, the young woman couldn’t help but voice her curiosity.
“What is it, Mother? Have I been away so long that you fear forgetting me that you must look so closely?”
Ms. Evelyn fixed her gaze on her daughter’s face and leisurely responded.
“The little girl of yesteryears is no more. Has there been someone who has entered your heart, someone more important than your mother? Don’t hide it. Let me share in your joy.”
The young woman feigned annoyance and clung to her mother’s arm as they walked into the house together.
“It seems I can’t keep anything from my wonderful mother anymore.”
Two figures walked side by side, from a distance indistinguishable from members of the same household. Although they had been strangers at the outset, years of nurturing, protecting, and fostering affection had made them irreplaceable in each other’s lives.
Ms. Evelyn couldn’t comprehend why, from the moment she first met this child, she suspected this little soul would become an integral part of her life, a bond that would never be severed.
Ms. Evelyn’s room wasn’t large but sufficient for the mother and daughter to sit and share confidence after long days of stories. The room’s furnishings were simple, only the essentials, for Ms. Evelyn cherished the minimalist lifestyle. Everything should only be enough to meet the demands of life, not too much nor too little. She held the philosophy that simplicity brought serenity. Her daughter, whom she had nurtured and educated, shared many traits except this one.
The girl rose, walked over to the bed, sat down, and browsed in disapproval.
“I’ve told you this mat is old, Mom. It would be best if you replaced it. And who still sleeps on mats these days? Let me buy you a new mattress this afternoon.”
Ms. Evelyn scolded her daughter lovingly.
“All these years I’ve raised you, and now you’re grown, you criticize me for being outdated. Yes, your ‘outdated’ mother has raised you since you were in the cradle.”
Seeing her mother pouting, the daughter sat down and wrapped her mother’s arms around her from behind, resting her head on the back that had comforted her.
“Please, don’t be mad, Mom. I’m just worried about your back, working hard daily for us and not sleeping well.”
Moved by these words, Ms. Evelyn held her daughter’s hands, pulled her opposite, and tenderly asked in a low voice,
“Is that man treating you well? What’s he like? When is he coming to meet me so I can be assured? …”
The daughter interrupted her mother.
“Why are you asking so many questions, Mom? We’ve only just met. When the time is right, I’ll let you know.”
Ms. Evelyn couldn’t help but be anxious. Every mother wants her daughter to find a good place to lean on early, especially since her daughter is headstrong, which makes her worry even more. She feared the girl might journey the world and not find someone who would truly cherish her.
Before the girl’s mother’s coaxing, she could no longer hide and began speaking of the one in her heart with palpable excitement.
“He is a mature and very talented man. He also works in a field related to books… If I were to be more specific, you might be shocked.”
Upon hearing this, Ms. Evelyn grew even more curious, nudging her daughter’s side.
“Quick, tell me before I have a heart attack!”
The girl’s excitement grew as the conversation progressed.
“His name is…”
Suddenly, the door swung open. Mary, carrying a tea tray, stepped in. She intended to set it on the table when she realized Agnes was sitting across her. Caught off guard, her hand froze, the tea tray trembling lightly. The piercing glare across the table felt like it was drilling through her heart, causing it to throb painfully.
Ms. Evelyn, eagerly waiting to hear the rest of Agnes’s story, suddenly stopped upon noticing the abnormality. She scanned each face before posing a question.
“Have you two known each other before?”
Agnes turned her face away. Her reply was icy cold.
“How could that be?”
The response only made Ms. Evelyn curious, and she looked at Mary as if she wanted to ask the same question.
Mary responded, undeterred.
“I could not.”
Still unconvinced, Ms. Evelyn pressed on.
“My daughter used to study in Saigon. You also lived and studied there. You may have met anywhere.
Agnes, annoyed, interrupted her mother.
“I already said no. Saigon is a big place. Without fate, we would not meet.”
Mary turned away to hide a bitter smile before responding.
“That’s right. If we had met, we must have been enemies in a previous life.”
Upon hearing this, Agnes paled but tried nonchalantly to avoid her mother’s attention.
Ms. Evelyn, thinking this was a humorous remark, laughed out loud.
“You do have a way of humor with words. We live in different cities, yet we met so that we might be enemies from past lives.”
Agnes, unable to bear it any longer, softly chided.
“Mother, you are strange. We were talking about us, and you suddenly diverged. It’s off-putting. I’m going to my room.”
Once Agnes left, Ms. Evelyn turned to Mary with a smile.
“My daughter has been stubborn since childhood and hasn’t changed. I always worry about her, afraid that her stubbornness will cause trouble. If only she could be as calm and gentle as you, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
Mary thought to herself, what kind of fate is this? When she thought everything had ended, it was just the beginning. Now, with nowhere left to go, after a great struggle, she had found a temporary shelter. But this situation made it all the more difficult.