Dear son, you’ve to take care of yourself as I’ll die soon. You’ve to do your own prayers after that as no one will pray for you after my death.

Always love you,

Mom

After reading this letter, my tears went off like a fountain. My mind went crazy. I hit myself for being so forgetful and sinful towards my mom. Through the blurring rain, I saw my world in the dark. I went madly. It might be too late for me to think of her, I thought. My unfaithfulness might have injured her greatly. This was a big mistake I’ve ever made.

Jang continued to say, “So, this’s what happening around you?” He patted Long’s back for a comfort, and suggested, “Why don’t I bring you to see her now?”

Long was silent for a while. Jang prompted him to do so with a gentle look. Long finally agreed to go with him in his jeep.

Scene 9

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The sun was hidden behind black clouds. It was probably a day full of misfortune.

There, in the village, throngs of relatives, and friends were gathered around Fong. She had suffered from a chronic heart attack. She breathed in difficulty. She could hardly breathe. She made an attempt to fight off the disease. She struggled to get her life loose from being caught by this deadly enemy. In a weak tone, she cried, “Long, where’re you? Mom misses you…Long….Long….Long………….Lo………..L………….” her breath stopped abruptly with her eyes opening wide. Someone closed her widely opened eyes gently. She has finished her journey as a human on this lovely planet.

Ten minutes later the room was filled with tears. Elsewhere in this room, people were sobbing. The atmostphere was immersed in tears.

Not far from this place, a jeep arrived. There, Jang jumped out of the jeep and then Long followed behind him. All eyes were on Long. He behaved strangely and he rushed madly to his dad, Heng. He approached him with joy and asked, “Dad, where’s mom?”

Heng tried to speak but no words came out. Long gazed alternately between the crowd and his dad. Slowly he could see his dad’s eyes misting over and he realised that he was in tears. Then from the corner of his eyes, he saw a figure at the doorway. He looked so strange. Long frozed. His eyes darted quickly around. He went into the room and for his surprise, he noticed one familiar body lying on the floor with people reciting around her.