[Friday, 25 August, 2006]

It was another disappointment when I could not get people down to Yongming’s grandfather’s wake. Out of the class of over ten people, I contacted those who I was closer to but in the end only Wen Chang could make it. The weird thing was that Yongming had only told me about it and he did not even inform Lynn. I betted if he had told the rest personally, they would make more efforts to go.

We met up at around 1815h and poor him had reached there much earlier right after work. I also sacrificed my time with Vivi when I could have accompanied her longer. The worst thing was that I was unable to send her home as I had to rush over to meet up with Ah Chang.

I met Xiao Hua at Lot 1’s door but we did not get to chat for long since Ah Chang soon arrived. Then, Ah Chang and I proceeded on to find Yongming.

I was just ready for the little buffet dinner. There were satays but I supposed they would those heated up in oven ones. Yongming’s friend was there and we sat together in the same table. I could not get used to the three of them speaking in English.

The embarrassing part was when we handed the condolence money to Yongming, since Ah Chang was shortage of four bucks and I had to pay for Lynn and Benson’s first, I had to squeeze out two one-dollar coins to fit the forty bucks. Since I had messaged the rest about the condolence money on the same invitation message and they did not tell me about paying, I took it that they were not interested to pay.

We left as his ritual started after setting up a few tables for him.

Last Friday, I did not go home straight after booking out. I had my dinner alone at Long John Silver, upsizing my drink to the largest cup. I sat there waiting for Bianhong while updating my diary.

Bianhong arrived after seven with his girlfriend and we set off to his grand dad’s funeral. We passed by Sem’s house and it was just somewhere further in.

I had actually been to the house before years ago, there were still some short captures inside my mind, After Bianhong bathed, we went down together.

I almost could not recognise his mum. His eldest sister, Wanyi, reminded me of Tiffany, whereas Wanting looked alike. Wanying, same as her elder sister, could not recognise me anymore. It was quite sad for a few years back both of them were always clinging to me.

Bianhong had many other cousins there and they were so cute that I was quite reluctant to leave. We crapped around and they often ganged up to bully me. They made me remove my watch like as if I was part of their family and even complained about the colours of my shirt.

Alvin Cheong went as well and followed by Chuanjie, Sichun, Junrong, Weixiong and another guy not to be mentioned. It was kind of a gathering, especially rare to see Weixiong around. However, I spent a lot of time folding the incest papers instead to try to impress the kids.

That early morning, I wanted to stay to accompany Bianhong as well as to play with the cuties. However, I was totally unprepared as Bianhong had only informed me when I was staying overnight in camp on Thursday night. The most important reasons were that I had a haircut appointment hours later and also the swimming outing with Gilbert, Chua, Weichuan and Kenny.

I really appreciated Alvin Cheong for sending me home, else I would have to take a cab with double charge instead.

Morning was to meet up with the GESS volleyballers to attend Mr Ng’s memorial for his first year death anniversary.

I didn’t sleep early of course, but managed to wake up in time. I took the train to Bukit Batok MRT and met Jinyang there, who looked like an Ah Beng, kind of beyond recogization. After calling him several times, he didn’t look up and I had to sound his handphone to make sure I wasn’t seeing his long lost twin brother.

We waited for Sichun who came with Tze Long and then met up with the twins and some of the juniors in secondary four. I couldn’t recognise most of them but my ex teammates seemed to know them well and I felt I was in a different world.

We took bus 852 (should be) to St. Mary church, where we “rushed” (Sichun was doing more of the running) into the place while the ceremony was near to begin.

I didn’t like all the songs. Pardon me but I felt if you were to memorialize someone, you shouldn’t sing praises of something else. Whatever. At least I had to show some respect.

I wasn’t supposed to feel sad anymore. The timing wasn’t just right. I didn’t know why the day reminded me more of the inter-formation game which I wasn’t allowed to take part in. I became quieter. The cough hit me more and rode me to devastation.

One thing I couldn’t understand was why Mr Ng’s son wasn’t present. He used to dote on this unfilial son, even brought him down for the GESS volleyball camp, who acted big shot. Maybe I wasn’t in position to judge whose fault it was, but What foe could they have? After his death, everything should be buried.

I heard that this spoilt child wasn’t staying with his mum anymore. She rented a whole house outside for him when he didn’t want to stay with her. How ridiculous it was.

If you don’t have the capability, keep your egoistic; if you can’t afford, don’t get it; if you don’t respect someone, don’t seek help from her. Insensible I must say.

Anyway, the secondary four juniors didn’t join us while we embarked to West Mall for a little light lunch at KFC. The chicken quality was way worse than years ago, and at first I thought it happened only for some branches but I realised they were all the same.

Then, we went Orchard for a walk, taking bus 106 from the inter-change and Mrs Ng dropped at Clementi. The guys including me and the girls were sitting so far away. Then, we parted at Orchard when the girls were going to Far East Plaza. I thought it was a good gathering but it ended up this way that we were divided into groups and separated.

The remaining of us (the guys) joined up with Chuanjie and took a walk around Takashimaya. Junrong bought a pair of Adidas shoes for around $150 and soon we bid each other goodbye.

A different Chinese New Year Eve it was.