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I snap back to life and shy away from the cup, sputtering, “No, argh! Just—don’t. I just—I need time to think.” I turn away from Second Uncle and take a deep breath. Inhale, exhale.
“Come, you do the Tai Chi with me,” Second Aunt says, but I bat her outstretched hand away.
“It’s okay, I’m alright, this is not a big deal, you’ve all just gone and KIDNAPPED Second Uncle. What the hell?”
Second Uncle starts shouting something behind his gag, and Fourth Aunt smacks him on the head and barks, “Quiet!”
“Jesus, Fourth Aunt!”
She looks at me as if to say,What’s wrong with a little bitch-slapping?
My mouth flaps open and closed wordlessly.
“Oh, Meddy, you upset,” Ma sighs.
“I mean, yeah? Sort of? Kind of hard not to be when there’s an actual person tied up to your toilet.”
“Meddy, calm down, we explain,” Big Aunt says quietly. And when Big Aunt speaks quietly, in that tone, nobody dares to go against her. I’ve even seen stray cats listen to her when she uses that voice.
I sigh and nod.
“Things get bit hotted when you leave room,” Big Aunt begins.
Ma nods and says, “Yes, we—ah—we get into a bit of argument with Second Uncle—”
At this, Second Uncle starts protesting but quickly quiets again when Fourth Aunt raises her hand.
“Wah, he saying all sort of thing,” Ma cries. “Very bad thing, so horrible, burn my ears.”
“What was he saying?” I ask.
“Aduh, a lot, deh,” Ma says. “He say we so bad family, we not know how to raise our children, is why they all leave—”
Hurt flashes across Big Aunt and Second Aunt’s faces, and Ma falters.
“I mean, that is mean, yes, but it’s just words,” I protest. But truth be told, I feel furious at the thought of him hurting Big Aunt and Second Aunt like that. What a low blow, and on a morning when everyone’s emotions are already running sky-high. A small part of me is glad that he’s tied up to a toilet now.A small part, though. Tiny. “I’m sorry he said that about you guys,” I say to them, but especially to Second Aunt. This can’t be easy for her, coming from her non-boyfriend.
Second Aunt sniffs. “Aiya, I no care, so what he say bad thing? He think his family so good, meh? His family is mafia! How can he judge our family?”
I nod. “So then what happened?”
There’s silence. Big Aunt and Second Aunt purse their lips. Ma looks down guiltily.
“Then he said the only one who didn’t leave has turned out rotten. That was when your mom lost it and threw her tea in his face,” Fourth Aunt says triumphantly. “Her hot tea.”
Second Uncle nods with renewed vigor, his eyes wide and now flicking back and forth from Ma to Fourth Aunt with equal amounts of terror.
“Aiya, not hot. Lukewarm only,” Ma mutters.
“Oh my god, Ma.” Should I be torn between hugging Ma and telling her off? I settle for squeezing her hand.
“How can say such thing about you? My Meddy is good girl, most filial girl! You go around world also cannot find such filial girl,” Ma says, shooting Second Uncle another death glare before patting my cheek. “And look, you are so beautiful bride. Cantik ya?” she says to her sisters.
“Yes, very beautiful,” Big Aunt says. Second Aunt nods proudly, probably admiring her handiwork more than my actual face. As usual, they’ve all gone and gotten themselves derailed.
“Thank you, I’m very flattered. Anyway, back to Second Uncle. So Ma scalded him with her hot tea—”
“Lukewarm!” Ma snaps.