Part 2~> The lunch box







What do you mean by memory?

History? Past?

Well.. memory for me means valuable lesson. :P





Its afternoon, I am standing outside the school main gate directing the flow,

helping primary 1 student out of the school.

Zhou Xing Yong mother, sneakily carrying a lunch box to the school gate. I called on her, and she was kind of embarrassed and greeted me. "Mr Lim.."

<>"Hiyoo.. didn't i told you not to sent any more lunch box to your kid anymore..?
What if every mother starts to bring lunch box for their kids? You are going to jam the school gate!
These primary 1 to 3 kids are still very young. They might fall easily. We don't want that to happen. I'm sure YOU.. also don't want that to happen right..? You can ask Zhou Xing Yong to bring the lunch box to school himself right? So please.., promise this is the last time."

"erm... ok."


Zhou Xing Yong is a well behave, quiet and polite student in class. But he didn't like to mixed around with the other classmate. He keep everything to himself.


There was once i catch him sleeping in class. I was thinking since its a one off incident i shall close one eye and let him off this time.

The next day i catch him again. This time i woke him up and asked <>"what happen to you?"

He didn't say a thing. And again i decided to give him one last chance.

Third Day, same thing happen again! I asked him over. <>"Xing Yong, Whats wrong with you!?"

Zhou Xing Yong lifted his head. Tears flowing down his cheek. "My mum is in the hospital. Last night I stayed back and accompanied her in the hospital."

After what Xing Yong said, my anger disappeared. In fact, i actually felt ashamed of myself.
<>"Xing Yong, why is your mum in the hospital?"
"Its lung cancer."
I feel sorry for him. Thinking at his age, how will he be able to cope whats awaiting for him ahead.

While I am having dinner with Hui Xian my mind cant stop thinking those moment Xing Yong mum sneakily sending those lunchbox every noon for him.

The next day after school i went to the hospital to visit Xing Yong's mum.

When i first saw his mum i almost couldn't recognise her at all. She shelve her hair and is very thin now. She look really weak.

When she saw me, she tried to sit up and greet me but half way there she fall back to her bed.

<>"Auntie please don't move, rest on the bed."

"Mr Lim.. Thanks.. Thanks for coming..."

At the corridor Zhou Xing Yong dad said to me, "Only 2 more months left. hmm.. I really don't know what to do..?" Tears flow..

Back in school i went to the principle and told him what had happened to Xing Yong.

<>"Xing Yong dad is 50+ years old, his mum is leaving very soon. Can we do a fund raising? No matter how much the amount is, as long as we can help any single bit." Without any hesitation the principle agreed.

After 4 days of fund raising, we raised $52120. When i sent the money to the hospital, Xing Yong mum is already in a semi-unconscious state.

Xing Yong dad said "we are bringing her home today." Tear stored around my eye..

"My Lim, can you do me a favour?"

<>"Mr Zhou, please say.. as long as its within my power i will do it."

"Few days ago, she kept on holding Xing Yong hand saying she can no longer sent lunch for him anymore. Mr Lim, can you allow her to sent lunchbox to Xing Yong for 1 last time? Because only by sending lunchbox to Xing Yong that will make her feel shes doing her job as a mum." I turned my head wipe my tears off.. <>"Mr Zhou... no problem, i will do the arrangement."

Afternoon, an ambulance parked outside the school gate.

Mr Zhou and one paramedic helped Mrs Zhou on to the wheelchair.

My eyes filled with tears.. Standing at one side directing the flow of the crowd at the same time witnessing every bit of the moment.

Mr Zhou bought a lunchbox. The pale and very weak women on the wheelchair stretch out her thin arm to get the lunchbox. The paramedic slowly pushes her to the gate. At the other side of the gate, Zhou Xing Yong. He stretched out his arm as long as he could to get the lunchbox from his mums hand.

"MUM...", Xing Yong cried out loudly.

At this moment i saw Xing Yong's mum looked up trying to say something but was unable to do so. Shes just too weak to even speak.

Xing Yong cried out.. "MUM...!! Don't go.. I don't want you to go.. I don't allow you to go.. Don't leave me..!!"

The barrel blocking my tears from dropping finally gave way.. I am so cruel.. I felt ashamed of myself on what i have done in the past.

The next day Zhou Xing Yong mum past away.

After the funeral Mr Zhou came to see me. He return the money. He say this money can use to help more needy students. And he also thanked me for the help. He passed me the money and left.

Everyday i will look for Xing Yong to console him.

"Mr Lim.. Don't worry please.. I'm ok already."

"Mr Lim, in fact very early i already knew this is coming. Its not that i didn't want to disobey your order to stop my mum from sending lunchbox every afternoon. Its because only in the afternoon that i can have the chance to taste my mum cooking."

I am puzzled, <>"why only in the afternoon?"

"Mum is very weak, dad didn't allow mum to do any of the cooking and housework. It is only when dad left for work then mum can sneakily do the cooking for me. She insisted to sent me the lunchbox."

At this moment my mind can only think of Hui Xian..

My Hui Xian.. how i wish you were here. I finally understand what you mean by Mother Love....

Treasure every of your memory. For me, i will never forget the magical moment when Xing Yong mum passed the lunch box for the very last time to him. It taught me how powerful love can be. Memory is something that help you in any other way to make your life better but its something money cant buy...

-The End-

10:52 AM



[-Be simple.Be original.Be yourself-]