"Mum, I don't know if he will like this one or this one."
"Mum, I think he will like the black and white one."
"Do you have your money ready?"
"Yes."
I shove my hands deep into my pockets to take out my small crumpled bills and coins to buy the mug.
***
I wonder if he liked it. It's after school. I see mom ready to pick me up, but I really wonder if he liked it.
Let's stay back for a bit.
I walk to Mr. Wong and stand right beside him, with my arm against his leg ad my head up to his waist.
Mr. Wong puts his hand on my shoulder. "Hello, An____, do you see your mum?"
But I just look up at Mr. Wong. I don't smile and make eye contact with him.
"Did you like the cup?" I say, making sure to make the intonation of my sentence sound like a question.
Mr. Wong smiles and bends down and looks at me. "Oh, I loved the cup, An___. It is such a beautiful cup. Thank you very much!"
Good.
I squint my eyes to affirm my happiness.
"I bought it with my money."
"Wow, you did? Thank you very much. I use it every day to drink water. You should see it on my desk! I love it a lot."
And then he stares at me.
This sweet, little kid who saved up money to buy me a mug.
He doesn't smile, but has a look of contentment on his face.
And as he pauses, looks up at me and smiles - for an unnatural duration of about 20 seconds - I feel the complex emotion of gratitude illuminating from him, an 8 year old.
It's not just a pretty gift that he gives to Mr. Wong on his birthday. It's the act of giving something back to his teacher whom he respects and appreciates. How awesome to make such an impact on a kid that he would learn the lesson of giving. I am blown away by how certain I am of his gratitude before he tilts his head up higher, smiles from ear to ear, and runs off to his mom to go home.