Ellie was having some “bak chang,” which are meat dumplings, since their visit coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, sitting in the middle of Jazzlyn and Julian while facing Luna on a square table in an old shop.

  “Oh no no…” Luna commented as she put down her fork after her first bite.

  “Oh, why? Not much to your liking?” Julian asked as Ellie and Jazzlyn shared a knowing look.

  “It’s so different from the ones in the West,” Luna commented briefly before sipping her iced coffee.

  “Right, the West had a more savoury kind and its’ triangle instead of square like this and sweet.” Julian pointed out the differences.

  “Oh, but you love them, don't you? I remember you always had them for breakfast in school. Your dad would pack them the night before from this shop.” Julian said to Ellie, who smiled.

  “You have a great memory, Julian.” Ellie praised as he helped to unwrap another one for Ellie.

  “Oh, oh, that’s enough… I’m trying to watch my weight.” Ellie said with a little embarrassment. Jazzlyn could tell Julian was trying hard to hide his smile, smitten by Ellie’s reaction. She noticed Luna wanted to interrupt when Jazzlyn struck up a conversation.

  “When are you leaving?” Jazzlyn asked as Luna halted her interruption on the couple.

  “Oh, tonight,” Luna said in a sad tone as though she didn’t want to return. Jazzlyn could understand after last night’s accidental revelation.

  “Oh, that’s quick…” Jazzlyn commented flatly when Julian interrupted.

  “Me too. Are you catching the 7 pm flight?” Julian asked Luna, who nodded.

  “You too?” Luna asked as Julian nodded. “We could ride together to the airport. I’m staying near your hotel.” Julian offered as Jazzlyn noticed the change in Ellie’s bubbly face earlier.

  “Oh, let me do the honour of picking you up instead from your hotel.” Luna offered, as Julian knew, not to reject knowing her pride.

  “Sure. Thanks in advance! I will treat everyone to this meal!” Julian offered as everyone thanked him.

  Ellie was clearly realising her strange feeling when they left, and Julian was still engrossed in a conversation with Luna in the taxi.

  Jazzlyn noticed her upset friend as she hugged her on the shoulders. “Cheer up! You had his number, and well, that Luna is still legally married. Who could steal your crush away?” Jazzlyn teased as they strolled the old streets.

  “Who are you talking about? What do you mean?” Ellie grimaced in annoyance as Jazzlyn chuckled.

  “Ellie, it hurts here, doesn’t it?” Jazzlyn pointed at her heart, and Ellie slowly realised Jazzlyn was right but snarled at her.

  “Psychologically, you’re in denial. Now you’re angry. Next, you would be begging me to try to think of ways to engage with Julian more, am I right?” Jazzlyn continued to tease as Ellie recalled that she was referencing the five stages of grief.

  “I’m not even grieving, you know…” Ellie refuted flatly as Jazzlyn chuckled.

  “Speaking of which, Isla texted and asked if you wanna visit him…” Jazzlyn showed Ellie a picture of a written address, and the moment she saw it, Ellie knew it was her old home.

  Her dad was still staying there after all these years. It’s been a long while since she was back, and she had not seen him since they shifted. She always wondered how he was doing.

  “Nay… Let’s not.” Ellie shrugged the idea away as she didn’t want to upset her mother.

  “Too late, Princess had gone over. We should grab some dumplings for him!” Jazzlyn suggested as she pulled Ellie back to the shop. The duo knew Ellie would hesitate because of the past, but they also knew she missed her father. It was a good chance for them to reconcile, even for just one night.

  In front of the old house, Ellie was reminded of the happy days she used to help her father pluck out weeds from the lawn. She missed the days when the family was still so harmonious, and she hated that it was torn apart because of money. At times, she wished her mother would be less spindrift, but she knew it was a fact she could not change. Old habits die hard.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Go… Call out.” Isla urged Ellie.

  “Quick… It’s warm…” Jazzlyn nudged Ellie, who was hesitating. “Why don’t you both go in? I will just wait outside.” Ellie decided to run away under pressure.

  “Ellie, you’re already here. Just go in and say hello. Give him these gifts. He is now retired. Alone. Gardening as always. At least show your concern since you’re in town.” Isla nagged as Ellie nodded while grabbing the bag of dumplings before pressing the doorbell.

  “Who’s there?!” Uncle Kolopis answered from the main door. It jolted Ellie, who nearly ran away, only for Isla to pull her back while Jazzlyn giggled at her reaction.

  “Bah*, bah, look who’s here!” He exclaimed excitedly as he quickly opened the door to invite them in.

  “Uncle Kolopis!” Isla and Jazzlyn greeted him excitedly. “Bah, Bah… what brings you all here?” Uncle Kolopis asked as his gaze met with Ellie.

  “Daddy…” Ellie called, and Uncle Kolopis nodded with a bright smile.

  “We went to attend our primary school reunion dinner last night. How can we not come and see you right?” Jazzlyn explained.

  “Come, come in and sit.” Uncle Kolopis invited them as they all went in.

  “Here, some dumplings for you.” Ellie left it on the dining table. She noticed the setup was minimalist now compared to the elaborate days when her mother wanted to show off.

  “Bah, Bah, don’t need to spend so much on me. I have my chickens and vegetables behind. Enough for me. Now, you all stay for dinner and finish up all this food for me…” Uncle Kolopis said as Isla and Jazzlyn giggled.

  “Yes, uncle!” They both agreed in unison while Ellie smiled and nodded before Uncle Kolopis went to get busy in the kitchen.

  “Help yourself with the drinks from the fridge and make yourself at home!” Uncle Kolopis said from the kitchen. That sounded exactly like the good old days when the girls used to visit each other. Each of their parents will always tell the girls the same thing.

  “Alright, uncle!” Isla replied before the girls gathered at the dining table.

  “How was the lunch?” Isla teased Ellie.

  “Normal…” Ellie answered flatly as she shook her head, indicating she didn’t want her dad to know anything.

  “Oh, that’s not exactly what I heard…” Isla teased further as Ellie smacked her lightly.

  “Don’t worry, I already plan a meet up in KL with him to speak further on my finances…” Isla revealed, which made Ellie roll her eyes.

  “Make it two. Why don’t you come too?” Jazzlyn wriggled her eyebrows as Ellie rolled her eyes again.

  “Who needs a drink? I will go get some…” Ellie asked before standing up while they both raised their hands.

  Ellie walked into the kitchen while her father was plucking some spring onions. She could see his garden from the window where he was standing.

  “Oh, need some drink? Help yourself.” Uncle Kolopis told Ellie nonchalantly, as though Ellie had been staying with him for years.

  “Dad, I heard you have retired?” Ellie tried breaking the ice.

  “Bah, bah, yes. Your dad is old now. But don’t worry, the garden keeps me busy, and sometimes those uncles and aunties in the shop will look for me if they have issues with their accounts. How are you? You seem to do very well and are still with the two best friends, bah?”

  Ellie chuckled. “Yes, I am in a small firm doing accounts. Jazzlyn is going to register her marriage next week.” Ellie announced that Uncle Kolopis was so delighted.

  “Now you girls are getting married already… That’s very good news! Lucky, I am cooking tonight. I shall prepare a feast to celebrate!” He exclaimed as Ellie let him.

  It was rare to see how happy and full of energy her father was. Back then, he was always so tired after work and had to endure the scoldings of her mother, who couldn’t understand him. For once, she was grateful for their divorce and wished she had spent more time with her father. She finally knew her witty side must have been inherited from her father.

  “What about the mat salleh* girl? Is she married?” Uncle Kolopis asked as he busied himself with a frozen chicken he had just taken out of the fridge.

  “Isla was, Daddy. But her husband passed away five years ago in an accident.” Ellie updated him.

  “Bah, bah… poor girl… Sigh, her parents left early too, now her husband. She is very lucky to have you both by her side. She is very blessed. Now, you? When are you getting married? Where are my grandchildren?” Uncle Kolopis tried to change the topic as Ellie chuckled.

  “Daddy, don’t rush me… Now, I need to serve our guests some drinks first.” Ellie tried to make excuses.

  “Bah, bah, always like to escape my question like this, huh? Come on, Leiking, everybody now either has a partner or is married or has kids. You want to leave your old father, the only one without grandchildren, oh?” Uncle Kolopis whined as Ellie laughed, noticing her dad addressing her ethnic name, which only he does.

  “Daddy, no money oh…” Ellie lied.

  “Ehhh, got a house, got a car, got a job. Enough la. You only need a guy now, Leiking.” At this rate, the girls who were eavesdropping from outside the kitchen burst out laughing while Uncle Kolopis and Ellie laughed together.

  “Uncle, you’re right! Come, let us help you cook a feast so we can all enjoy it!” Jazzlyn concluded as they all chatted in the kitchen while preparing dinner.

  For once, Ellie felt like home again. She wished her sister could be here to witness this and vowed to someday bring her back to visit their old father more often since she was more financially capable now.

  Glossaries:

  *Bah - An expression commonly used in Sabah to express contempt or disagreement

  *Mat Salleh - a colloquial Malay term used to describe white people