This is just a life story of someone that I know. Its real,
alive and if you think that its a sob story then it is. To me, its
just a phase in the persons life, his dreams and his ups and downs
in his relationships
all of them a learning experience.
Ah Guan was a nice kid, 6 years old. He had a nice family. His dad
was a businessman, his mother a young career woman. Ah Guan shared
his time with his younger brother, and his grandparents on a small
plot of land where they grew fruit trees like durian, rambutans,
mangoes, pomegranates, chikus and all sorts of tropical fruit. So
sweet and juicy that none of the like can be found even this
day.
Days were spent learning how to ride a bike, playing with toys and
learning to build a good relationship with his brother that to this
day is as strong as it first was. There were times also spent
stealing coffee, the thick black and strong kind. Coffee that
granny always says we shouldnt drink. Fortunately she still hasnt
found out yet. Climbing the fruit trees and catching butterflies,
scraping knees on the granite floor while playing catching
with
granny
for not finishing his food
. Sigh
it was a sight to
remember. Still it was a childhood to remember. Ah Kong was the
strong guy who tended the garden of fruits all the way till he was
85. A strong man, a quiet man, a fearsome boxer in his day, tamed
now by the food and love of Ah Mah. Buying kacang puteh with the
some of the fruits that he sells off to the neighbors.
Mmmmmm
The evenings were a great ball of fun too. That was when Mommy and
Daddy comes home
Ah Guan used to hide in the closet and play hide
and seek with daddy. Waiting for him to open the cupboard that he
was hiding in and give him a big surprise and hug. And Mommy would
always come back with something special in the bag
especially her
tube of Mentos, Ah Guans favorite... even till this day. Mommy was
Ah Guans favorite. She knew how to play with him, building his
confidence, his character, his love for life with the same
determination that she had. And even when she reprimanded him
she
knew how to break his will but not his spirit, and there was always
a lesson to be learnt at the end of it. Ah Guan wanted to be
Mommys hero. And mommy let him.
Then there was one period of time when things started to seem a
little odd. Ah Guan was 6 years old. Mommy and daddy asked Ah Guan
and his brother to go outside the room, and things started to
change. Mommy and daddy started to talk louder to each other
until it became a screaming match
but what happened after that he
didnt know as Ah Mah would bring them away, trying to distract
them with sweets and other toys.
Not long after, it came to one evening, when Mommy packed a big
bag, a suitcase. What was inside, Ah Guan didnt know. Not till he
grew up. And Mommy started to wear her shoes to leave.
Ah Guan clung on to his mommy, Where are you going, Mommy? he
would question as always.
Going Out.
Where?
To a movie, dear.
I want to go also!! Persistent little bugger that he was
Cannot, its for adults only.
Ah Guan was usually obedient when it came to Mommy. And when he was
told that things werent for him, he would just say ok and let
things carry on. But this time it was different, and he could feel
it. He could see it in her eyes, something wasnt right.
But where got movie so late?
Midnite, only for Adults..
Why Daddy not going?
Silence
.
Be
b
b...because he must work tomorrow
And without a pause she continued
You be good ok? Mommy is not coming back tonight
after the
movie, I am going for a long trip for work. I will see you soon
take care of Di di
As brothers you must stick together
ok? So
no one will bully you...
What the hell was she saying? Ah Guan didnt comprehend
. This
doesnt make any sense at all. But he knew something was
wrong
The questioning went on and on
until Mommy started to cry and she
walked away
Why you cry Mommy..? No answers as she walked out
the door. Ah Guan still in a blur
ran after her
but his uncle
held him back
Daddy just stayed in the room
not a sound from
him.
Mommy walked out
and Ah Guan clung on to the metal gate that over
looked the path down to the main gate... crying out, Mommy!!! Over
and over
Even his uncle couldnt pull him down as he climbed higher and
higher just to catch a glimpse of Mommy as she disappeared down
that dark path towards the main road. With the strength and
determination that Mommy instilled in him, he clung on to the gate
until she was gone
not even the cane that rained on his back for
his disobedience could pull him away from gate... the gate that
Mommy passed through for the last time
Di di cried as he still
didnt understand
not now
not yet
.
This is just a part of the story
Submitted for itself
it shall be continued in another part,
another story
[This message has been edited by Derek Nature (edited 07 February
2000).]
