However, over time her rebuttal became lesser and lesser. Then on the day, I came of age, her attitude toward me changed completely. She became cold and unyielding.
This time, however, I truly just wanted to celebrate her birthday. Couldn't she know that after more than ten years, I finally called her "Auntie" again, just like before?
I just shook my head and replied, "Yes, Auntie, I understand. Don’t worry. I really just want to celebrate your birthday this time. I promise."
She started typing ... then stopped. After what felt like an eternity, she finally replied with a cold "Hmm."
I let out a wry laugh and decided not to press further.
This would be the last time I celebrated her birthday. The last chance to repay her kindness.
***
When I got home, Auntie was not back yet. I glanced at the clock in the living room, it was already eleven thirty at night and she never stayed out this late before.
I recalled that when I was still a child, I was afraid of the dark. As soon as Auntie knew about it, she would go home to accompany me, no matter how busy the company was. She even turned down meetings for me.
However, once she learned about my feelings, she started avoiding me. Her eyes grew distant and stranger when she looked at me.
The toys that she once brought for me from every business trip stopped appearing, The bedtime story and chatting before bed were all gone. She started coming home later and later.
Now she played the role of a polite but detached elder, her words filled with artificial warmth and long-standing insincerity.
At half past twelve, my Auntie finally showed up in a drunken state. However, when I opened the door to greet her, I saw her leaning on a tall man. Her cheeks were flushed and she rested her small face against his chest.
Pain stabbed my heart. The ache spread in my heart.
This was the scene I had feared most, which was Auntie becoming someone else’s woman. It was the reason I could not let go of my feelings, why I confessed to her year after year.
However, my fear became a reality in front of my eyes. So, I just lowered my head and did not say anything.
Half-drunk, Auntie pushed me away with a look of irritation. "Joey? Didn’t I tell you not to wait up for me? I don’t need you taking care of me anymore."
With that, she grabbed the man’s arm and headed upstairs to the second floor. The place where I had not set foot since I grew up.