My 75 year old mother sent me a WhatsApp message asking me to buy 120 mandarin oranges for Lunar New Year.

“Ok. I’ll send them over tomorrow,” I replied.

You can read the history and significance of mandarin oranges during lunar new year here.

At the supermarket, I saw the last 4 boxes of 40 mandarin oranges and I started carting them straight. I thought, 120 for mum and 40 for me.

Better to buy more because I remembered I had to think twice about eating them when I only bought 20 last year.

Come delivery day…

“I only wanted 20,” she said.

“Huh?! You said 120! Read the message you sent,” I said.

“Why didn’t you ask,” she said.

Yup. I should have asked this question before I bought the mandarin oranges.

Why is it my fault now?

Why didn’t I ask? Because I don’t question my mother. It was never allowed and I never dared.

Maybe she wants to give it to others.

Maybe my sisters or her neighbours wants to buy mandarin oranges together too.

“Nvm, I said,” and I started texting my sisters on the situation.

One sister started a group call and said nothing but laughed.

Another answered and started laughing too.

I had put them on speaker mode when I answered and started laughing together too after hearing them laugh. I even teared while laughing.

Three women in their 40s laughing their ass off must have made quite a din. Mum became angry and started scolding us and said we sounded like mother hens. The laughing stopped and restarted.

Despite having everyone on the line, nobody answered the question of who can adopt the excess oranges.

“Why didn’t you ask,” they questioned.

Nobody questions the madam! I said.

Mum decided to take a box of 40. The sisters decided to adopt a box each. Problem solved.

Dear Mother, why did you get so angry?

Sorry, I should have asked.

Come to think about it, I should have asked about being exclusive in relationships. I didn’t know you have to ask about such things. Why would married people or those in relationships go out with others other than their other half? Not only do I have to ask, I should have verified too.

I should have asked about family background and check on having a parent doing jail time too. It really didn’t occur to me. I mean, who does?

Sorry mum. I never dared to ask you about relationships because dad was the only man you had and I didn’t think what you saw and heard was relevant.

I didn’t dare to ask you questions because I was afraid of being snubbed, scolded and ignored or treated like an idiot because I remembered being told children should be seen and not heard.

I am today years old that I realised I am your child but I am not a child anymore. I am expected to ask.

Sorry, I will ask.

More about what mother said here.