Last weekend...

30th January, 2010.

The sliding door stood ajar…
The apple-green curtains drawn back a little…
The old clock high on the wall struck 1 in the afternoon,
I was back at home…
and at the time,
lying flat on my back by the door…
With a paper-folded fan in one hand…
my sony-E in the other…
Profusely sweating, and continuously praying,
for the electric to come back on.

I could only see the palm trees from where I was.
The sun was shining so brightly – it made the trees glowed in hallows.
But the sounds and noises from all around me…
Back then, I remembered thinking… “Ah…life is taking place”.
The sound of Mom’s clutters in the kitchen…
Dad with the running hose in the backyard…
Children playing tag next door…
Occasional honking of a van and the
clinging of bells from a bicycle passing-by.

I found myself thinking of my childhood days.
The ‘me’ back then, wouldn’t be lying still and waiting patiently…
Just a couple of hours before…
I went into town with Mom and Dad.
Out of the blue, they bought me new dresses.
So, this is how I am being grateful.

A lot of things have happened in the past…
Sad, happy things…
But I think, I know enough now to say this…
It’s difficult to give up on life – never give up.

A lot of good things will come…and
of this, I am sure.
The ‘evidence’ is still with me till this day – tightly clasped onto my wrist…
Snuggly close around my finger…
A bright, glittering amulet in times of darkness
– a dream came true –
A coming-of-age gift from Mom and Dad.

Yep. Everyday is like a present.
Be it in the form of a sunset…or a text message…
A pat in the back…the “Are you okay?”…
The world is how we ‘look’ at it.

I felt glad coming home that weekend.
From the ice-blended chocolate to the steamed fish…
It is good to be home.

Maybe an hour later or so…
Unknowingly, I drifted off to sleep.
Lying spread-eagled on the marble floor by the door.
Do you want to know something?
The electric came back on as soon as I woke up.
So…no harm done.
Sweating is good for your health, by the way.LOL.

A strong, sweet smell wafted through the whole house…
It’s one of my favorites…
“Mom, are there durians in the kitchen?”
“Yeah, I bought some earlier at the market for you”.

Life is beautiful…