PhantaceeWhen sobbing noises came from the Malay woman sitting at the table next to mine, I was so tempted to comfort her, but the thought of us wanting to be left alone when sad, stopped me from approaching her. On top of her almost-too-skinny figure, the little boy playing by himself seemed really young. I…Continue readingLonely Woman
‘SURPRISE!’ ‘Hey. Oh my god. Breakfast?’ Although I was a little grouchy in the morning, the sight of Shermaine and her plastic bag full of food did cheer me up a little. She had bought porridge for my whole family, and the both of us had ours in my room. As usual, she could only…Continue readingSurprise Surprise
‘Psst!’ The sound came from a car that had its window rolled down, while a feminine hand waved for me to go over. Walking slowly towards it, a woman’s head poked out and a few jerks shook her gently. ‘Yes?’ ‘Are you free now?’ ‘Yeah?’ ‘Come into the front seat.’ I went through the door…Continue readingDashcam
‘Kak, adik lapar.. ‘ Translate: (older) Sister, I’m hungry.. ‘Tapi kita tak ade duit untuk bendu tu.’ Translate: But we don’t have money for that. The Malay girl had a packet of instant noodle in one hand and held on her little brother’s hand in the other. Looking as plain as any customers you can…Continue readingInstant Fondle
*Knock knock* (dialogue between mother and son) ‘Still doing your work?’ ‘Yeah mum. What’s up?’ ‘Nothing. Just wanted to check in on you.’ ‘Hey, have you been crying?’ ‘A little. I miss him.’ He couldn’t let his mum cry herself to sleep and led her back into the empty bedroom, now missing a father after…Continue readingA Widow’s Replacement