Natalie Yap

Natalie Yap lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She has a B.A. in psychology from Monash University, and has previously worked in performing arts marketing. Her next story will appear in Emerge Literary Journal.

Content by Natalie Yap

Nian cheese on a white plate. A knife rests on its side.

Fiction,

妈妈

BY Natalie Yap

“I tell you, ah girl,” said Auntie Mel, “once you give birth your entire world will change. All the things you thought were important—career, money, even your husband lah—become secondary. Motherhood will become you. Listen to ah yi.”

My mother couldn’t help but chime in. “Yeah yeah. Once I had you everything else melted away.”