My aunt passed away two days ago.

She was the wife of Mum's so-called brother, and we've been taught to address her as "kum-mo" or aunty, since young.

Kum-mo is something of a legend in the family. She was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 20 years ago, had a major mastectomy, a relapse which saw the cancer spreading to her right arm, but year after year, she's still putting up a fight, despite the doctor giving her only less than 6 months to live everytime she went back for her follow-up.

She was closed to mum, and the two used to trade tales of their children and daughters-in-law. You could say that they were confidantes.

Kum-mo took it really badly when mum was ill. Despite having really bad motion sickness which makes her nauseous whenever she travels in a car, she made my cousin brought her to visit mum, and our place is a distance away from theirs. She was unable to handle the fact that mum, who was years younger, was so badly struck down by the stroke. She kept asking me when mum will be able to walk and talk again, and for once, I was at a loss for words. But she put up a strong face in front of mum. I remembered her clasping mum's hand and telling her, "Don't worry, you will get well again. Look at me, I've survived, and so will you," with tears welling up in both their eyes.

I guessed mum's departure really dealt her a hard blow - she was depressed and lonely, and her health was failing. And she has no one to talk to anymore.

I feel bad that I did not look her up since mum's demise, but I was trying my best to avoid any people, things or routine that will remind me of her. Visiting her would mean talking about mum, our common subject, and I don't think i can handle that at this point in time.

I hope she will meet mum again in another place and time, and the two will have lots to catch up on.

Have a safe journey, Kum-mo.