It has been almost two weeks since my mother broke the news that Mrs. Ingrid is getting married again. In these days, I got myself a driving license. Actually, when I was abroad with my aunt, I drove almost everywhere. I had a driving license too of course. So I decided to take a driving test and I passed it.
The work hour is almost finished. I started to tidy up the files on my desk and separate them. The one that needs more work goes on top of my files rack, and I took the ones that're finished and put them on my supervisor's desk for further reviews, which means Coco's desk.
"You look so rushed to go home. Going somewhere tonight?" Coco asked.
"Yes. Actually in a few hours I will board the plane to my mother's house." I said while putting down several files on Coco's desk.
"Well, lucky for you. Tomorrow is my son's baseball match and as a good parent I am obliged to attend it. Even though I found baseball to be boring" hearing Coco's lament made me laugh, "Good luck for your son's team then!" after I said that, the clock dings once, it means the work hour is over.
Immediately I went to my desk and grabbed my purse and practically stormed out of there towards the elevator. In the elevator I bumped into the one and only partner in scandal, Oscar.
"Hey, Rani we meet again. You look rushed" Oscar said while looking at me. "Yes. I'll be going to my mother's house" I said with a light smile.
"Good for you. I didn't see you much this past few days. How are you doing?"
"I was a little busy. How about you? I heard you just got a promotion. Don't forget to treat me delicious food okay." He let out a small laugh. And then the elevator arrived at the 1st floor. I was about to go out when Oscar said, "Do you want me to give you a lift? We live in the same apartment anyway, and I bring my car today. So, it will be much faster than taking a bus". I hesitate a little but when I was looking at my watch, I should probably take his offer. So I nod, "Thanks"
We both went to the ground parking lot and board his car and he started it then he drove out of the parking lot. In his car, I noticed a few pill bottles, I took one of them and asked, "Are you sick?"
Oscar glanced at the bottle I took in my hand, "No. It belongs to… someone". I tried to read the label but I couldn't figure out what it was, "Seriously, these people need to learn to write properly" I said a little frustrated. Oscar chuckled a little. The ride home was peaceful, with me and Oscar talking about our work.
When I arrived home, I immediately call for a taxi. And then I took a quick bath and double check my things. Then the taxi arrived just in time.
***
When I arrived in B city, my mother has been waiting for me. I walked to my mother and hugged her. "Mom, it is night already, why are you picking me up. I can get home by myself. It's too dangerous for you to drive at night" after we loaded my baggage in the car trunk, I immediately took the driver's seat.
"You have a driving license?" my mother asked a little surprised. "Well, yes. I took the test a few days ago. I'm not gonna let you drive a few hours tomorrow" and then my mother smiled while getting in the passenger's seat. Then I drove to my mother's house.
After arriving at the house, I took my baggage and went straight to my room before falling asleep.
In the morning, I woke up at seven. Fortunately I got plenty of sleep time last night so I wasn't sleepy. I went out of my room but I saw my mother already busying herself in the kitchen making breakfast.
"It smells so good mom" I said cheerfully while taking a seat on the chair. "It's almost done. Wait for a minute" then, my mother took a plate and gave it to me. Chicken, egg, and vegetable fried rice, "You remember my preferences?" this is the dish that I like the most when I was a child. Of my ten years away, I only eat it once.
"Of course I am. I'm just glad to have my daughter back�� and then we eat our breakfast while chatting about various things. After eating I did the dishes.
When I noticed it's already nine o'clock, I stood up to get ready, "Mom, we should get ready now so that we can depart at ten. It took 4 hours to drive to our hotel and another 1 hour to the wedding venue". My mom nods in approval.
The drive was very pleasant. I drove while my mother choose the music. We also made a few stops to buy snacks or foods at the roadside stall. "Mom, actually we can buy all these at once in the gift shop"
My mother frowns a little, "Oh come on, Ran. By buying here, in the roadside stall by locals, we're helping the economy and hopefully improving their quality of life!" And then she started preaching about capitalism.
'Geez, mom. I'm working for those so-called capitalist, you know' I chuckled at that thought. "What are you laughing about? Do you think this is funny?? It is a legitimate, absolute, and real social problems!"
"No, I wasn't laughing at those mom. I was laughing at your enthusiasm. I never knew you were so concerned about the society" My mother looked at me, then sighed, "When your father's business went down ten years ago, and I started this… common life, I realized that we lived very much more comfortable than most people especially in the city. It was hard at first, but then I met wonderful neighbors. Their warmth helped me to cope. I was glad you weren't there. I couldn't imagine you have to endure the same things as us. Even worse, I couldn't imagine how it would be like if you were ostracized because you were no longer the little miss of the Bhanurasmi family, instead the daughter of the fallen Bhanurasmi family".
I was stunned a little, "Well, I am happy that you're happy now" I smiled while looking straight to the road ahead.