Chai and Pin 12
Chai eventually was well enough to go home.
The couple settled for a smaller ground level apartment in Tiong Bahru.
They continued to subsist on the rent from the bigger apartment and Pin's freelance book-keeping jobs.
When they saved enough, the couple took trips to visit their friends.
Each day involved Chai putting in the garden he tended himself.
Pin would be doing her crafts or watching tv.
It didn't seem if anything would rock their world.
Neither ever mentioned Ah-Boy anymore.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On the eve of new year, the couple went to bed after watching the fireworks on tv.
"How many years have we been married?"
"You are always so forgetful. 63 years."
"Wah... that is very long hor?"
"Ah boy would be 62 now. I wonder if he is a grandfather now."
"Haiyah, why you suddenly mention him again?"
"No no, nothing. I just suddenly thought of him. Maybe because its new year."
"That boy was a lost cause lah. He was so wild to have done what he did."
"You should say. That boy is like you, a wild horse. Just that he is luckier to get away, you met me, the horse tamer."
"What a way to put it."
"Do you resent me for being so hard on you all these years? Limiting your freedom and your spirit?"
"Tsk! Don't say that lah..."
"When i am gone, you must carry on yourself ok? Never lose your spirit... sniff"
"Aiyah, just chatting, why you suddenly go all weepy again? Nothing to cry about lah."
"... ..."
"Ok ok... sleep liao. Switch off the lamp."
"... ..."
"I'm not joking. You must promise me to keep your spirit."
"Aiyah, sleep liao lah. Why still say this?"
"Because for 63 years, you never mentioned you loved me, yet you know i love you."
"... ..."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The next morning Chai woke up.
Pin remained blissfully asleep with a smile on her face.
Chai looked at his lovely wife, and thought of the beautiful girl he had met 63 years ago.
Then he walked to the living room and put in Pin's favorite Carpenters CD into the player.
Looking at the cross-stitch on the wall, Chai cries to himself quietly.
"I know you always loved me. And even if i never said it, i know that you know too, that i love you."
********** END **********