This incident happened when I was 8 or 9 years old, when I was still studying primary school.

Given my young age back then, my Mum always accompany me to school due to safety reason. Given my height barely reaching her axillary line, thus not able to hold her hand properly, I will always curl my arm onto her arm while she will carry my bag on her back and an umbrella on the other hand.

During the short 10 minutes journey, we will talk about everything under the Sun. I will share my thoughts about everything I could think of, and she would listen patiently to what I have to say. Those days were nostalgic.

Then, on a fine day, my Mum was bringing me to school and I curled my arm onto her's, just like the usual, this madam stepped in.

This madam I mention is the mother of one of my friends, and is branded as being "very rude" by my Mum, for she likes to address people she knows with their full Chinese name, including the surname. She was walking on the same path but in opposite direction. Being a friendly neighbors, my Mum stopped her steps and started a small chat with her. This small chat changes everything.

Being under the sun and I am not in school yet, my Mum had to cut the conversation and send me off to school. This madam then made a comment about how "big" I was and yet still curl my arm onto my Mum's like a "little toddler". Upon hearing this, I released my arm and put it down to the side like a little soldier in attention.

I didn't notice the expression of my Mum's back then, but I think it must be quite hurting, because since that comment onwards, I have never curl my arm onto her's anymore.

A simple comment changes everything. No more curling. No more sharing of thoughts. Just because of a comment that threatened my little ego, the simple act was abandoned.

Sorry Mum, I didn't stand up for you because I had to protect that little ego.

Why am I bringing up this incident? Because we curled our arm together, after the dinner treat for my Mum. However this time, she curled her arm onto mine, and she said how we curled our arms together before and how I will curl my arm onto other girls next time.

Clearly she is enjoying this simple act of bonding, and how she wants to hold it longer before my arm slips away, again. But I would like to say this, my arm will not slip away, because both of us miss each other, miss this simple act of curling, miss the close bonding we shared.

I love you Mum.