Point of View: The Story (chapter 6)
"This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental."
Part 1: The Departure (continued)
I understand that mom has a good intention. She wants me to be a good girl. But I doubt if she understands me clearly.
Whatever! About the relationship between me and my mom, and the one between me and the foreigner, I will just let it go with the flow! It is not like I cannot communicate with a stranger at all. I just do not start the conversation, especially when there is nothing important to talk about.
Just keep on eating! Don’t think about it too much!
Wow! A meatball! My favorite food!
Om nom nom!
“Sigh! I wonder if I’ll have the chance to eat this meatball again when I’m in Japan.”
After talking to myself, I lift my hand holding chopsticks to pick up other meatballs from the pot. Suddenly, there is another pair of chopsticks appears on the meatball I pick up, too.
I gaze at my right with a pout face and squint. In front of me is my third brother, who is also squinting but having a smile on his face.
My third brother is very tall with a wide shoulder and smooth latte color skin. His face is not that handsome (in my eyes), but because his lip is always pulled toward his ear, he seems like a friendly person, which is true.
On the other hand, my lip is always pulled down to my chin, which pushes away other people from approaching me.
“I picked it up first!”
Bong Oudom (‘bong’ is a word referred to someone older than you whether it is a female or male) lets loose of his argument inducing face, remaining only his big smile with “Hehe!” coming from his mouth. He sacrifices the meatball to me without any regret.
“Sela, when you’re in Japan, you’ll eat sushi! Why are you complaining about not having a meatball to eat?”
“I can’t eat fish! You knew it, right? Also, it’s raw!”
“You should try it. Japanese food is good for health. You might lose some weight by just eating it. Who knows?”
“You’re right! I’ll try it, then. I hope I can lose 2-3 kg in Japan!”
While I am speaking to him, bong Dom takes his glass full of Coke and drinks it. It is just a normal action, but I opens my eyes widely because of it.
“Wow! Bong Dom can drink Coke?! Unbelievable!”
“Gulp, gulp! Ahhhh!”
“Amazing! When you were young, you could only drink tea! But now look at you! I’m so proud of you, my brother!”
“Hehehe!”
He laughs out loud as if he is also proud of himself. I was just joking around, brother!
Speaking of which, my first brother was also a picky eater. After his marriage, however, he can eat everything!
Is it because of the power of love?
Nah! More like the power of wife! You must eat whatever your wife makes! Hehe!
As for me, will I be able to eat Japanese food? Right now, I cannot eat even some types of vegetable, fruit, and Cambodian food.
My brothers are incredible! They can adapt themself as they grow older!
What about me? Can I change myself?
If I compare the 10th grade me and the 12th grade me, I can see that I have also changed a little bit — for better or worse.
When talking about changing for the better, there might be only one thing.
Sela who was a lazy student but thought she was intelligent became Sela who has a clear goal in mind and tries to catch it.
And the factors changing me are Sak and Nimol — the scholarship enthusiasts — and my seniors — my ideal.
Especially, the one who pushed my back to make the first step into the world of competition is…
“Bong Dom! You know what? The fact that I could take the scholarship exam is thanks to you!”
Bong Dom chewing meat lifts both of his eyebrows.
“Hmm? Really?”
“Wait? You don’t remember?”
“Remember what?”
“Don’t you remember? That time I had a hard time deciding whether I should study to take a scholarship exam because it was too difficult for me! Then I asked you and you said ‘Go for it, sis! Get a scholarship and bring honor to our family!’ Hearing your word, I woke up and realized what to do immediately!”
“Really? I don’t remember any of it.”
Bong Dom replies to me as he takes food from the pot, leaving me staring at him with my lower lip falling to the ground.
He does not remember what he said… it means he does not care about it at all!
If so, why were his face and voice so serious at that time?
Also, if that is true, doesn’t it mean that my determination and hard-working for all this time are for nothing?
Wait… I do not spend time with my third brother that much, but I kind of know that he is just like this. I just unconsciously make myself believe in him.
But still! Hearing “I don’t remember” from him, I am speechless!
Sigh… it’s okay, Sela. Even though his encouragement in the past has no meaning for him, it is invaluable for you! It is the energy which pushes you to reach this point.
It is a motivation, but not a promise which you must keep. Likewise, you do not have to forget it when it is forgotten by him! He forgot, but your dream has not died yet!
And now your dream has even come true! Why are you even complaining?
I accept the truth and keep on eating the soup.
Now that I think about it, my brother and I are the embodiment of ‘Man’s and woman’s mindset are totally different!’
To be continued…
