Spoilt, Rotten

When I had no appetite at dinner and disappeared into the room, I had no idea that the helper would come knocking on the door with food on the tray. She reasoned, "Two bites also good." She had decided to cook noodles with fish chunks and a touch of chilli, something she learnt off the recipes in the books. It was quite tasty. I finished everything on the plate. She gave me the usual bits of fruit, but added more of the longans and kiwis which I love rather than the papayas and rambutans.

Honestly, I'm rather spoilt on matters pertaining the domestic front. Growing up, I never had to do any household chores unless I felt like 'playing'. The maids sorted out everything. During the years I lived on my own, the part-time cleaners came in 4 times a week, resulting in no other cleaning necessary since I don't cook at all. I didn't even bother drinking water from a glass. I simply stuck to bottles so that I didn't have to wash them. I still do that now. Hahahaaa. I've never shown interest or bothered to cook, sew or acquire any sort of womanly skills. Instead, I had tons of fun with DIY furniture kits. By the way, I'm the one who fixes taps, lightbulbs, Ikea DIY cabinets/shelves and watnots at home, not the man.

Now, the man's mom spoils me rotten in every way. She makes sure the vitamins, food, the bird's nest are properly set out according to the schedule, helps to arrange errands and whatnots. Then there's the current helper who's ever so obliging and sweet. There's no reason to even bother sewing a button that has fallen off on a shirt or make the bed in the mornings. Clothes that are fragile head straight to the dry cleaners. While I put soiled clothes into the laundry bags, I'm guilty of just leaving them on the floor at times. Till today, I'm not sure I can operate the washing machine or the dryer without a manual. I don't even know what washing powder we use at home.

I've come to be rather fond of the helper. She schools me in academic Bahasa and writes out notes for me, just in case I need them on trips or events. When I come across phrases in the news articles I don't get, she explains the phrases and the concepts thoroughly. Once, I asked her to translate 'governance and accountability', and she did it unblinkingly. Respect! She's going off on her Hari Raya holidays for 6 weeks. It's such a well-deserved break for her. I'm just so nervous at how I'm going to cope without her! While I'll make do with part-time cleaners, meals at restaurants and the flat whites from the cafes, it's just not the same because she's the only one who's able to brew a cup of flat white and the biluochun in the exact proportions I like. :(