It was so nice to miss out on the National Day observance ceremony at the office because I had other work matters to attend to. But I still ran into some colleagues when I got back to the building. The blinding sea of red (clothes) was rather corny. And oh, the irony of wearing slogans on tees and not be thrown into jail in the name of patriotism.
A polite chat with a colleague in the corridor that led to a question about whether I've seen the previews for our National Day Parade. Of course not. I simply shook my head. Colleague asked if I planned to do so this weekend. I looked at her. It was an earnest question. We've been colleagues for years, but we're not friends. I draw a very clear line between colleagues and friends. Colleagues, under normal circumstances, are people I don't befriend. I call very few colleagues 'friends'. At the last count yesterday, the number stands at 6.
In a normal superficial conversation, there isn't a need to dwell on my political and social opinions. It took 2 seconds to formulate an answer. "The family will probably gather for dinner in front of the telly, have dinner and watch the parade. Maybe we will hear the planes roar."
"So nice! I want to go to Marina Barrage to catch fireworks, but I'm a bit afraid of the crowds. Don't know if I can get there with all the road closures. Maybe I'll go earlier for a picnic." She walked away smiling. I could almost see the thought bubble above her head that was planning for the weekend's activities.
The exchange is saddening. I don't know what to make of it. I feel like a fraud for having given her a reply which painted a scenario I most resent and will never do. What I really wanted to say was- "Who cares about the parade?"
This is the price of conformity.
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