MingKit - One✅

31

My last week here couldn't have gone by any slower. It felt like the longest week of my life. The only thing that kept me happy was the goodbye gifts the families of some of my patients gave me. I was worried they won't all fit in my car, but they did. I got Friday afternoon off, and I spent it going around the town to say my thanks and goodbyes to the people for being so nice to me during my three years here. I left early Saturday morning, trying to avoid traffic as much as I could. It took me about seven hours to get to the city and another half hour to get to my parents' house.

Ming texted insistently all through my drive, wanting to know if I'd arrived yet even though he knows it takes at least six hours to drive back. I finally replied to one of his many texts when I made a stop at a gas station to take a break. I told him to stop bothering me while I'm driving. He didn't. Almost every thirty minutes or so he'll send an 'are you here yet?' text. Argh, so annoying. It's not like he'll be waiting for me when I get there because he was at work. I didn't bother replying to anymore of his texts.

Since grandma passed away and my other brother and sister moved out, it's just my parents, P'Kieng and P'Kieng's family living in the house. P'Kieng has taken over dad's business so dad can spend some more time with mum, but instead of travelling and having fun, they stay at home like the old couple they are. I don't know how they don't get bored. When I start getting a proper paycheck I'll pay for a trip for them. They'll have no choice but to go.

Mum was waiting on the porch when I drove through the gates. P'Kieng's mischievous twins, Aat and Anong were waiting with mum, they've grown so big since I last saw them. Aat, the boy, run up and jumped on me excitedly. Anong walked, like the lady she wishes to be, to me and stretched her hand out.

"What?" I asked her.

"My birthday gift." She stated simply. I'd missed their fifth birthday. I made promises of grand gifts to appease them.

"You're not going to say hello to uncle first?"

"Hello uncle, where's my gift?" Aat said from atop my hip, where he was sitting with his arms around my neck.

"Shouldn't you two be out playing with your friends by now?" I asked them. The little lady still had a hand stretched out, with her palm up, waiting for her gift.

"Come here Aat..." Mum removed him from atop my hip "...they were too excited about you coming back, they didn't want to go anywhere. Let's go inside. Leave your things in the car, I'll help you unpack later. Welcome home son."

"Thank you, mum. You don't have to worry about helping me. I don't have too much stuff. Is dad here?"

"Yes, he is. Only you brother isn't here because he had to go to work. He said he'll be back early tonight, so he can see you."

"He doesn't have to if it'll affect his work though."

"I told him the same thing. Since you're going to stay here till you get married, he can see you whenever. This house is big enough, and if your wife doesn't mind you two can even continue to live here after you're married." I couldn't help but look away from mum. Call me chicken, call me a coward, call me what you will but I still haven't told my parents about Ming and me. I don't know that they'll approve, and I want to be with Ming as long as possible without any drama, but considering how mum just casually brought marriage up, I have to tell them soon. What Ming and I have isn't temporary. But not today though, I still need to unpack.

I followed mum when she turned toward the door to the house.

"Aaaah grandma. I want my birthday gift..." Aat whined while trying to get out of mum's arms.

"I want mine too." Miss Anong joined in.

"Okay, okay, I'll be right back." I turned back to the car and unlocked it. I had anticipated this would happen, so I'd kept their gifts where I could easily reach them. I grabbed them and turned to see that the reigning king and queen of this house were waiting excitedly behind me, well...except Miss Anong was trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

"They're too heavy. I'll carry them inside the house for you." Truthfully, I was stalling. I was worried they might not like it. After searching and not knowing what to buy, I'd called Ming for help and he'd recommended these toys. A blue indoor playhouse for Anong and a train set for Aat. Oh well, if they don't like it I'll just blame Ming.

Dad was watching tv when I walked in. He and I didn't exchange that many words, just some words of greeting before he turned back to the program he was watching

I watched anxiously as the kids tore the wrappings I'd spent hours perfecting into shreds. It hurt a little to see the wrappings being treated so terribly.

"Aaaahhh" Anong squealed after seeing what her gift is based on the pictures on the big box, but she quickly caught herself and quieted down. She walked up to. "Thank you, uncle." She said before turning away from me.

"You're welcome. I'll help you set it up later, okay." She turned and gave me an enthusiastic nod before returning her attention to the box before her. Aat didn't bother with a thank you. He was so engrossed in admiring his new toy he'd completely forgotten about me. I guess Ming was right. How did he know they'll like those gifts? I shrugged it off and turned to my parents, who were both laughing hysterically at whatever was playing on the television.

"Have you had lunch? Do you want me to heat up something for you?" Mum turned to ask me.

"No, I'll do it myself. Enjoy your show."

I went back to my car and after four trips I got all my stuff into my room. I stayed in there for another hour or so, organizing and putting stuff away. It was already after five pm when I came downstairs and handed out gifts to my parents and sister in law. They seemed please with them. Ming helped me with those too. It'll be dinner time soon, but I was too hungry to wait. My sister in law chastised me when she saw that I was trying to eat left overs even though she was preparing dinner. She whipped a quick meal together when she heard my stomach growl. My phone rang while I was having my early dinner...Ming.