Mommies and the Photostat Machine

I was in the midst of photocopying some documents when my colleague, EL came by , holding a small pile of papers in her hand.

Our large copier machine cum printer which strategically situated at the middle corner in the office also functions as a catch-up spot for many of the office staffs. One may be waiting for her photocopies processing, while another is on queue for printing, so conversation surely strikes.

Suddenly came another editor, trying to squeeze in to staple her segregated papers, and she may join in the casual initiated conversation of the first two people. Then three of them will be seen standing by the operated machine, talking and giggling, before not talking to each other again for weeks, until they bump together at the photocopy machine, once again. Vicious cycle huh? No la, we’re just busy.

Back to EL and me. She came with her papers and naturally had to wait for me to finish. EL is one of the Maths editors, and she recently came back from her maternity leave. Wait, not so recent, actually it’s already a month. We used to talk and share about our pregnancy stuffs last time (both of us first timers), and since she’s back in the office, I haven’t gotten a chance to say hi to her until this morning.


Me : Hey EL! Oh my..I’ve been so busy, haven’t got time to talk to you since you're back!
EL : Ya.. No worries.. *smiling* Actually I also been up to my eyeball these few days.. with the books coming up and all..and I just heard Tan Sri wants to see Matriculation Maths series to be in bookstores in May..haiyaa..
Me : Ya lor.. *giggle* Heard about it too. So how’s your baby? It’s a girl right? What’s her name?
EL : Ohh..she’s good..The name’s EC.
Me : I see..who’s taking care of her when you’re at work?
EL : Babysitter. She doesn’t live too far from my house, around 4km away..ok la..
Me : Hey that’s not far at all. Good la..for you. So EC now, she’s 3 months already I suppose?
EL : Ya.. 3 months and..err.. *thinking* 5 days..
Me : I see. So what can she do now? Surely pro already ah, turning to sides.. (I didn't mention about breastfeeding being made known by her earlier that she's not interested)
EL : Mmm..I’m not too sure la.. Because I don’t see her that often..
Me : *confused* Oh? Why..?
EL : Ya laa..I send her off to babysitter’s house every Sunday and I pick her up every Friday night, after work..
Me : Ohh..*not too sure how to react* but you said the babysitter’s place not too far.. then why don’t you fetch your baby after work, everyday..?
EL : Ohh no la..you see after work, I get home already 6.30pm, and some more so tired..I don’t think so laa..
Me : *nodded, pretended to understand* ..err..but don’t you miss your baby?
EL : No laa..I don’t think I miss her that much.. *smiling, normal expression*
Me : Okay there... I’m finished. See ya around!
EL : See ya!


Hmm.. and I, on the contrary, going back home almost every lunch hour to breastfeed Aaqil, despite my busyness. Actually that’s an excuse, the truth is, I miss my baby.

I’m impressed that two mothers’ feelings could also generate quite a big equilibrium. I’m not saying who’s right or who’s wrong, but human individualities always enlighten me, in their colourful gamut of emotional perceptions, differences and mentalities.