Time flew so fast, the year was almost over. A few more days and the world would wee the new year!


    It had been a long time since Lisa returned to her mother''s house. She had spent her time starting a new business with her former junior in college in the past six months. Lisa''s online shop had seen a significant increase. She could buy her mother and sister gifts for the new year!


    While she was still working hard running her online shop business, her mother never sent her any messages or called, and neither did Lisa. It seemed that Kum was still angry with her about the divorce at that time.


    On the bright side, her younger sister, Be, kept in touch with Lisa even though she rarely texted her. At least Lisa knew how her mother was doing. Lisa could also send some money every month through Be to cover her mother''s medical expenses, although not as much as before.


    That night, Lisa just came home from Vira''s studio after she got done with the new products'' photoshoot and packing orders.


    Arriving at the boarding house, Lisaid down her lethargic body. She stared at the ceiling of her room which was starting to mold with a nk gaze.


    Lisa took a deep breath. The woman reached for her cell phone beside the bed, wondering if she should call her mother now.


    She felt so nervous. She took the initiative to contact her mother many times but their current rtionship often discouraged her.


    Lisa understood that no matter how angry Kum was, the middle-aged woman was still her mother and Lisa was her eldest daughter. They were still rted by blood.


    But when she was about to press the button on her cellphone to contact her mother, she remembered the stubborn attitude of the middle-aged woman, so Lisa put down her cell phone again.


    Lisa really wanted to apologize for what happened to her a few months ago. But she wasn''t sure her mother would forgive her anytime soon. She realized that she had made her mother disappointed and hurt in the past. The woman really felt guilty and sorry.


    Not to mention that she was raped by her ex-husband a few months ago. Of course Lisa wouldn''t tell her mother that. Kum certainly wouldn''t ept this harsh reality and instead med Lisa for it. Her mother would scold her for not being able to take care of herself as a woman.


    Lisa felt anxious about what to do. She didn''t know whether she should contact Kum or not. On second thought, the woman finally decided not to contact her mother but rather made a surprise!


    She would visit her mother''s house without notice. She would also give a special gift to her mother and sister on new year''s eve.


    With a surprise and a few gifts Lisa believed that her mother would forgive her. At least, Kum would sympathize and understand that her eldest daughter who''d upsetted her had changed and was struggling to be better.


    ***


    The day before the new year''s eve, all the streets in the capital city began to be crowded with traders selling trinkets and various kinds of culinary delights.


    That afternoon, Lisa went to a shopping center in Central Jakarta. She looked for stores that were holding big year-end discounts. The shopping center was crowded with many people, both tourists and locals alike. All of them were flocking to buy up discounted items!


    Half an hourter, Lisa wandered around the store but she still couldn''t find the right gift for her mother.


    When the woman paused to calm her mind, she saw a discount poster affixed to a prestigious boutique in the shopping center.


    Without thinking, Lisa immediately stepped in and looked for a present for her mother.


    After leaving the boutique, Lisa went to a supermarket and bought Be''s favorite snacks. She didn''t really understand Be''s taste in clothes so she just bought her snacks. After all, her younger sister was very fond of them.


    Two hours after Lisa toured the shopping center, she immediately ordered a taxi to her mother''s house in the East.


    Arriving in front of the fence, Lisa went down and swept the old building with a feeling of confusion. For a moment, she felt the house was very familiar. But she also felt that the house, especially the person inside it, seemed to reject her presence.


    Lisa swallowed hard. She really didn''t know what to say when she met her mother who had not spoken to her in a long time.


    Lisa knocked a little hard on the fence. She''d knocked several times but no one came to open.


    Lisa looked into the house and saw that there were no lights from inside except the porch light.


    ''Looks like Mom and Be are out,'' The woman snorted. She pulled out her cell phone and called Be.


    Shortly before the phone was picked up, the figure of a middle-aged woman and a girl carrying two stic bags came over to her.


    "Sister Lisa!?" Be shouted, surprised to see Lisa who was standing in front of the fence.


    Hearing this familiar voice, Lisa immediately turned to the source of the sound and smiled.


    "Be! Oh my God I really miss you!"


    Be hurriedly put down the stic bag then ran over to Lisa and hugged her tightly.


    "Geez Sis, I really miss you! Howe you didn''t tell me that you''reing here?" Be asked cheerfully.


    "I want to make a surprise!" Lisa replied briefly and cheerfully.


    Behind Be, Kum approached with expressionless eyes. The middle-aged woman took the two stic bags that Be ced carelessly and said, "Be, be a little bit responsible. Don''t put stic bags filled with foods on the ground like this!"


    "Oh, sorry mom. I was just so happy to see Sister Lisa here. She finally came to visit us."


    The middle-aged woman ignored Be''s words. When she approached the fence and opened it, Kum didn''t even nce at Lisa or say hello to her.


    It looked like Kum was still angry with Lisa.


    Seeing her mother''s cold reaction made Lisa very disappointed. She lowered her head, feeling very guilty and regretful.


    When everyone entered, Lisa tried to get her mother to talk. The atmosphere was very awkward, but Lisa had to venture into small talk, at least, to break the ice.


    "Mom, you have lots of groceries. I''vee home to celebrate new year eve with you and Be as usual, you know?" Lisa said in an awkward tone.


    Kum was silent for a moment. She put the groceries in the kitchen and said, "Lisa, you are my daughter, of course I can''t possibly forget you! In fact, I think you''ve forgotten about me! It''s been six months and you haven''t contacted me at all. I think you don''t need mother in your life anymore,"


    Hearing her mother grumble made Lisa breathe easily. It turned out that her mother was no longer angry with her. This was a great opportunity to mend her rtionship with her mother!


    "Sorry, mom, it''s not like I didn''t want to talk to you. I''m just afraid that you''re still angry with me because of the divorce matters," Lisa frankly said.


    "Lisa, leave it in the past! Mother is more worried that you won''te back to this family again. I only have you and Be in my life. Please, don''t do this again, okay?" Kum''s eyes started to water. She could not hold back her sadness.


    It turned out that there was just a misunderstanding between them all this time. Lisa could breathe a sigh of relief atst. The rtionship between the mother and daughter was finally restored.


    "Sis, what did you bring here?" Be asked while looking at the parcel that Lisa was still holding.


    "Oh yeah, I almost forgot! This is your favorite snack. I''m really confused about what to buy for you, so I just bought this," Lisa handed over a stic bag filled with various snacks to Be.


    Her younger sister smiled cheerfully when she received it. "Geez, thank you very much!"


    "And for Mother," Lisa continued, handing the shopping bag to her mother. "Brand silk scarves! I hope you like it!"


    Kum received the shawl with a look of amazement and a little worry. "Lisa, this is not a cheap scarf, why are you spending your money to buy a shawl this expensive!?"


    "Mom, take it easy, I bought this with a big discount. You don''t have to worry about the price!" Lisa answered with honesty.


    "But kid, don''t you have to save your money for your future?"


    "Mom, I earn profits from my online shop, so you don''t have to worry."


    Hearing that, Kum breathed a sigh of relief. She did not want her eldest daughter to spend money on luxury items like before.


    "Thank you very much, Lisa!" Kum spread her arms and hugged her eldest daughter in joy.