A Billion Dollar Exchange

Liling knew she had to put extra effort in her studies, apart from the reading aspects, she didn't have any issues with the practicals. She was already perfect in playing the keyboard, her choice of instrument. Her friends wondered why she didn't choose violin like other girls would, they where only about three girls that played the piano in the whole music department . She liked what she did and that's what mattered the most.

Three days after her birthday celebration, she decided to visit her mom again. Knowing her dad too well, he may not be there always, so she chose a period she was sure he was in the workshop. She bought some fruits and veggies for her mom, boarded a taxi and headed for the hospital.

She walked into her mom's ward, her mom was already awake, reading a book.

"Mom..." Liling wavered, afraid that her mom didn't want to see her.

"Lili" Ah Kum raised her head and motioned for Liling to come forward.

"Where have you been?, Mom had been worried " She asked worriedly ash she held Liling's hands.

"Mom, dad said I caused your illness, ....and chased me away " Liling said as tears gathered up in her eyes. She was quite emotional.

"Lili dear, you know it's not possible, mom just had a minor heartache, that's all, and I've told you to stop taking what your dad says to heart, it's never true. My little Lili will never harm me okay? " Her mom consoled her lovingly. "Now, wipe your tears and don't cry, okay" Ah Kum replied as she wiped Liling's tears with her palms. Liling moved closer and hugged her mom tightly.

"Mom, I missed you... so much, don't ever leave me okay? "

"Ha ha, mom can't leave Lili. " Ah Kum raised her arms and wrapped them around Liling. After staying there like that, Liling released herself and searched around for the things she brought for her mom, she found it abandoned by the side.

"Mom, I brought some fruits for you, you will like them* Liling chuckled a little as she brought out the fruits and veggies and placed them in a bowl on the coffee table in the ward, washing the fruits thoroughly, she peeled the apples, carrots and bananas and cut them into cubes. She put them in plate and served her mom with a fork.

"You like it? " Liling asked as she smiled at little.

"Mmm, my Lili is very thoughtful " Liling watched as her mom slowly devoured the fruits, her eyes beamed with satisfaction. But this lasted only for a second and it dimmed once more.

"Mom, why does dad hate me so much?" Liling's voice quivered as she stared at her mom's face.

Ah Kum's hands froze, she raised her eyes and stared at Liling. "Lili, your dad doesn't hate you, he is just frenetic, and so he takes it out on you and... me sometimes, you shouldn't be asking those kind of questions, you know your dad loves you very much" Ah Kum raised her hands and caressed Liling's cheeks. Liling smiled a smile that was not a smile, she stared at her mom wondering if her mom knew she wasn't that ten year old girl anymore, who would believe anything she was told. She was twenty for God's sake and she knew when someone hates her to the core. Her father definitely did. She stared at her mom's expressionless face as she ate her fruits, Liling definitely didn't want to press on the topic, knowing it was a touchy subject, she didn't want to get her mom down once again.

"I'll be discharged today" Ah Kum brought Liling back from her thoughts.

"Is dad coming to take you?

"Not really, but he had already paid the fees, I'll be going on my own"

'I can see how much he loves you' Liling thought in her mind.

"Okay, I'll take you home then, since dad would be at the workshop by now, I'll have to check you out now because I don't want him coming back and raining insults on me." Liling quickly stood up and made for the door, Ah Kum's face fell as Liling left, she didn't know what to do, her family was in shambles but she couldn't do anything.