Wednesday, September 09, 2009

My Little Sister.

Time check - 1026am.

By this time, my sis should be nearing Hong Kong Airport. The whole family woke up after a mere few hours of sleep to send my sis off to her five- to six-month long attachment at Sanya Holiday Inn Resort, Hainan Province. She'll route at Hong Kong for 2 nights before flying over to Hainan on Friday evening from Hong Kong International Airport.

For the first time, my sis is going away for a long trip away from home, and my parents worried expressions are apparent. I bet they can hardly work efficiently at the moment. Since young, my sis has been independent like myself, but because of her absent-mindedness and carelessness, my parents, and their parents included, are ever-anxious for her. Because of her, I have also become a naggy brother, always checking on her to eat on time, pack her bag, attend school punctually etc etc etc.

My dad was extremely jittery for the past few days that it got quite irritating. I have never seen him like that before, not when I went for my attachment for 2 months in Perth, nor when I had a trip to Langkawi with dear. Perhaps I have convinced them that I can take care of myself well enough to keep them from worrying. My sis however has not been successful at that. For days, he had been talking non-stop, mostly nagging at my sister, and sort of instructing her to do things she should do way before she set off.

Even this morning, he was still nagging at her - don't worry about money, just spend where it's needed; remember to see a doctor when you feel the slightest bit unwell, don't kid with this kind of thing; get a paycard and let us know the number so we can contact you if we need to; don't you dare go to their nightclubs; avoid patroning roadside stalls; don't go jogging alone; don't swim in beaches; don't work and forget your meals; the list goes on ...

He was so anxious for my sister this morning that he was actually taking away my wallet and watch on the book I'm currently reading and asking, what's this?! No need to bring along?! Despite my frustration at his constant flow of naggy words, I chuckled at his sudden bout of obscurity. Here is my dad who always gives us the freedom to do things on our own, only adding on advices as and when he sees a need to, yet now he's unconscious of what he is supposed to do, putting up a front as if he's really not worried for my sister. Closer friends will know I do not have strong relationship with my dad, but even closer friends will know how much I love my dad even when he can get me all red at times. This, is my dad.

While my dad was continually nagging at my sis, my mum was directing her worry towards the bulky luggage she's bringing over. In there are all her face care products, clothes and many other stuff. Big, and heavy. The whole morning my mum was saying, "How is she going to carry such a big luggage?! And she still has another carry-on baggage!!!" In her voice, shivers could be felt reverberating across our living room, even in the large departure hall when she continued saying that.

My mum is someone who can take things in her stride easily, looking on the brighter side. No, she's never looked on the dark sides at all. But I guess letting your own daughter go on a long away trip for the first time is never easy. The whites in her eyes were turning red this morning while we waited for my sis companion to arrive, which faded when her friend reached. Throughout the whole breakfast session too, she was quiet and unlike her usual self when it comes to chatting with others. And this, is my mum.

Myself? I refrained from nagging at my sis this morning. All I ask for is a safe and enjoyable trip for my sis, and I trust her to take good care of herself. I'll be honest - I'm not acting like what I've just said. It's because my parents are already overly anxious for her that being an elder (eldest for that matter) brother, I should be reassuring them that my sis is more than capable to look after herself. How will I get used to not nagging at anyone early in the morning and preparing only a person's share of breakfast? My worry was too overwhelming to even feel my hurting left wrist when I carried her luggage ...

Fortunately my grandparents did not come along this morning. My mum probably inherits from my grandma a little, as she will definitely tear at the point of departing. She did when I left for Perth last year, what's less? My grandpa will stand at one side and be as naggy as my dad, while although he will not cry, you can sense his worry all the time. That's because he always calls us in the afternoon to make sure we've eaten, and while my sis is there, no one will be doing that that often, I'm sure she'll be able to feel it.

My little sister must be unable to contain her feelings as well. She's not one person that usually tears on such occasions, and well, she didn't, but from when I went to bed at 11pm till 1am in the morning or so, she was doing the household chores, afraid that no one will help my mum to do them, especially mopping the floor which woke me up in the middle of the night. Not only until 130am +/- when she finally went to bed, so effectively, she only had 1.5 hours of sleep. Haha ... my silly little sister ...

It's best if she doesn't see this when she manages to come online. I'm sure she'll enjoy her trip there and bring back a whole lot of new experiences with her.

Hui~ If you really see this, remember to keep in mind those naggy chants the 3 of us always recited. Be more careful with yourself and enjoy your internship fully. Hopefully kor can find some time to visit you in December or some time next year if I manage to take a leave. I bet mummy can't wait to fly over in December already. Take care of yourself and have all the fun you can get! =D

1 comment:

-=Music Rainbow=- said...

hahaha! what a good bro...i believe ur sis must have felt some sadness though she didn't express it..but going to oversea is a good training opportunity for her and i bet she will love it and missed it when she returns..i'm a hainanese and i heard fr my distant relatives that the place there has changed a lot so i believe it's no longer as "luan" over there compared to before so no need to worry too much. thanks for your tag in my blog too! =)