Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Walk

Hunched and wrinkled, the little old lady in her well-worn samfoo makes her way slowly to the little temple at Keong Saik Road. There, she will make her prayers and offerings to her Gods. Then, she will take excruciatingly slow steps back home, stopping along the way to rest her 70-something-year-old body, catch her breath and look out for passing cars.

The man offered her that first ride home.

She speaks Hakka, Hockchew and a smattering of Mandarin. That posed a major communication issue with the man who speaks only English and jarring Primary-3-level Mandarin. Somehow, they got along fine using hand gestures, nods and smiles.

The man learnt that she doesn't just walk home after each visit to the temple. She walks there too. He realized that the mere 3-minute car ride is a 30-minute walk for her. Then it became a habit for him to look out for the little old lady after her visits to the temple and fetch her home.
Recently, he hasn't seen her for two weeks. Another two weeks of stalking yielded no familiar figure. He hopes that her Gods are watching over her well.

15 comments:

Dawn said...

He's such a sweetie. Hope she's okay.

Dawn said...

PS Primary THREE? That's a bit high isn't it? :)

b.muse said...

Oh dear, hope she's ok.. No way to find out? =l

Your man is a priceless catch - with possession of a heart AND cooks for you! =)

Anonymous said...

such a cool little story.

Anonymous said...

in our busy lives...these are good interludes. we share someone's lives and think of them rather than ourselves all the time.

Suzie Wong said...

Man like him exist huh? I wanna meet the MAN

Anonymous said...

what a timely reminder that everyone's lives are interwoven...if only we care.
does she stay within the Befrienders' area?? if only there's a name, we could check it out.

geesmo said...

your man has a heart of gold. does he have a brother? :)

Anonymous said...

dawn: awwww....he's going to be hurt....but well...maybe pri 1....u know...heh!!!!

jun: i'm hoping he's cool too!

suzie wong: hehehe...after ur busy 2 weeks,we should do drinks soon!!!

geesmo: he's an only child....

natasha: am trying to find out and link up.

sereneannabelle said...

=)

need i say more?

sereneannabelle said...

i hope she's fine.

Anonymous said...

that is so extraordinarily kind. i hope she's doing well too.
dee

Anonymous said...

Your man is really very sweet. I hope that she's ok too.

blurblur said...

Your man is such a kind soul...and i really pray hard that she's fine..

imp said...

yellow, serendipity, blurblur: am trying to hang around to look for her!!!