Skills future

[ilikeoldchangke]

“yes, yes, I’m too busy… once I’m less busy, I will try and find someone who wants to have sex with me, clear up my shit and take care of me for the rest of my life.”

“Haiyah!, talk to you my life will get shorter ah.!” My mum lamented as she threw a peanut at me.

My dad, as usual, refuse to take part in a conversation like this and pretended to be engrossed in his phone.

After dinner, I sent my parents back home before trying my luck with Francis’s phone. He did not pick up my call after a few attempts. Maybe he’s trying to lie low after the accident.

I decided to drop him a mail instead. I told Francis i met and spoke with Chua in the toilet that day of the accident. That alone will not guarantee a reply, so I needed to throw in a lie. Not that Francis will be able to verify it anyway.

“Hi Francis, I’m sorry for the accident and your lost. I was in the same restaurant that day in Kovan. I met your friend Chua in the toilet and he sort of saved my life. I was choking and he helped me force the choke out. Anyway, Chua mentioned that I should consider taking up some additional coverage in case something like this happen to me again and he recommended me to go to you. Hope you are feeling better after the accident.
Chua mentioned something about a fortune teller too while giving me your contact. Anyway, if you are free to talk, I would love to connect about my existing policies.”

I hit the send button and I could only hope for the best.

Looking at my phone, I realised I have yet to give Sulyani a call or a message.
Then I was suddenly reminded of her blood stained underwear in my laundry basket. I quickly plugged the basin and poured in a copious amount of detergent. I soaked the panty and started to wash and scrub the blood stain off.

A bit of it did come off but it’s still badly stained.

“crap” I mumbled.

Was hoping to be able to clean it up and return to Sulyani, that way, I can use that as a pretext for a date.

I imagined in the future if someone asked me how I got to my first date with Sulyani in the first place, my reply would be, ‘ I stained her underwear with blood and she gave it to me together with her phone number.’ After which I will rise to a standing ovation with my arms open.

Leaving the underwear to continue soaking, I tried to google for a way to initiate a conversation. The standard pickups lines sounded boring and I don’t want to sound too mechanical.
I typed several versions of my opening line only to delete them away after reading it on my screen.

‘What you doing ? Where you’re at ?’
Sounds like I’m a creep.

‘you got plans this weekend ? want to chill ?’
Sounds too casual and she probably think’s I’m 16 mentally.

‘Have you brought in your laundry already ? don’t hang them outside!’
Sounds exactly like what a potential lingerie thief would say.

Just when I thought I’m all out of ideas, my fingers tapped something into the phone without thinking.

‘I can’t wash away the blood stains on your underwear, if you are free this weekend, I would love to take you lingerie shopping’

I burst out laughing at that message while laughing on my bed. This is funny. My head was filled with that funny image when my phone rang.
“shit shit shit!’

The sudden vibration caused my fingers to slip and my phone crashed onto my face.

I immediately picked up the call.

“hello…. Hello?”

It was Francis.

“Hi, this is Francis here…” His voice sounded exhausted and lifeless.

“oh hi Francis…ermm. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“thank you…ermm Jerry right ? “

“Yes, that’s me..”

Francis told me that he’s taking a break for a week or two because of the incident. However, he can recommend another colleague to help with my policy.

“oh I see.”

“If it’s ok with you, I will pass along your contact number to him.” Francis said.

“ermm.. ok… sure…hey Francis…just want to check with you.. Chua mentioned something about a fortune teller that day to me…did he…say …?”

“yeah.. he’s drunk.. he kept saying that the fortune teller say he will die that day.” Francis said in jest.” I wonder why he would curse himself like that…he should have known better to believe in shit like this.”

“Well, he was pretty insistent that the prediction will come true when we were in the toilet.” I said.

“I know, he has been going on about it for a while, which is why we promised to eat and drink with him until that day is over..” Francis said.

“what happened after you guys left the restaurant ? “ I asked.

“Chua refused to leave or get in the car.” Francis said.
He wanted to leave only after the stroke of midnight and refused to let anyone of us go back.

The lot of them ended up sitting in the carpark and talking in their vehicle.
“after a while, it’s already coming to midnight and Chua has fallen asleep. Everyone is exhausted. so I decided to just drive off.” Francis admitted. “if I didn’t, maybe he will still be alive..”

Francis started sobbing over the phone and I told him its an accident. Something nobody would have wanted to happen.

“Where is this fortune teller do you know ? “ I asked. “Chua said she is in a mental hospital or something.”

“It’s in a hospice….one that Chua sent his late mother to..”

Chua’s mother suffers from dementia and he puts her there to be taken care of. He used to visit her every week when she was alive and he met the fortune teller there.

“which one ? Can you tell me the address? “

“It’s all old and mental patient there…there’s no such thing as a fortune teller..” Francis said.

“I’m just curious… please…”

Francis gave me the name of a private Hospice in Serangoon.
I thanked Francis for the information, and he told me he will pass my contact along to his colleague.

After I hung up the phone, I went to my laptop and googled the address of the hospital. I’ll need an excuse to go there. I can’t possibly walk into the building demanding to see someone I don’t know.

Just when I was trying to wreck my brains how to gain entry to a hospice, my phone buzzed.

My eyes widened and I cursed out loud in my living room upon seeing what is on my screen.

“FUCK!”

I sent out that damm message to Sulyani. I didn’t mean to but I must have hit sent or something when the phone fell onto my face and when I was talking to Francis.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck. Oh fuck.” I looked at the chat history with my sent message marked with double blue ticks, telling me that Sulyani has seen that message, not only that, she has replied me as well.

‘Are you kidding?’ came the reply.

I immediately dialled Sulyani’s mobile. It connected and she picked up within three rings.

“I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to send that out, it was an accident.” I blurted

“Then why did you type it on your phone then ? “ Sulyani asked in jest.

“I was thinking of a way to ask you out for coffee…” I admitted bashfully, “ and I just can’t seem to find the right way to ask without sounding creepy.”

“Offering to take a girl lingerie shopping during the 1st date is not creepy at all by the way.” Sulyani laughed.

“I typed so many versions into my phone only to end up deleting them because it didn’t feel right.”

“why don’t you just call me and ask instead? Why rely on messages ? “

I apologised and since we’re on the line, decides to ask her if she is free that weekend since she has already given me the hint.

“I can do Sunday.” She said.

“Sounds good. Sunday it is then. Ermm… coffee ? lunch ?“

“sure… what about the lingerie shopping ? “ Sulyani asked in between laughs. “you sure you’re paying ? “

I laughed sheepishly on the line, unsure of what to say.

“See you Jerry.”

[ilikeoldchangke]

“see you.”

Putting down the phone , I punched my fist into the air a couple of times. That felt good. I’ve never asked a girl out before.

Sunday is the 30th. I marked it down on my calendar.

Now back to the hospice.
How can I gain access inside without resorting to breaking and entering?
I spent some time surfing the site of the hospice and reading up about it. Then I was struck with a brilliant idea.

Picking up my phone, I called my boss, Alvin.

“Yo Jerry, Merry xmas.”

“Merry xmas boss, a bit late though.”

“How are you ? You ok ? “ Alvin asked.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Boss, remember that time you asked me to take over that volunteer thingy…. For the department…”

“you said your plate was full right? You complained I kept piling stuff on you.”

“well actually having a few days of rest did me some good, I was thinking of bringing the department to a hospice for the volunteering. I have one in mind though…”

Alvin went quiet for a second before asking what am I up to.

“What is it ? this is not like you Jerry.”

“Nothing. I’m just you know… taking it up since I have a bit of free time.”

“You’re the last person I know to volunteer your time Jerry…”

“Hey, I’m not that bad..”

“Are you ok ? are you hiding something from me ? do you need to talk ? are your parents ok ? “

I reassured him that my parents are fine and after a while, I manage to convince Alvin that I want to organise the department volunteer day.

“which one do you have in mind? “

“The hospice at Serangoon.”

“Oh… that one.” Alvin said.

“have you been there before ? “

“Of course. My uncle is there.”

“what?”

“yeah, my mother’s brother.. he’s warded there for a while now… turned 85 last week. Doesn’t remember any of us though.” Alvin shared. “ Speaking of which, when are you heading down to check out the place ? Have you contacted the hospice yet ? If not, I can help you link up with the operations manager.”

“errr, well, I …”

“You’re still on leave, we can do it after you’re back next year..”

“No no, no. ermm.. actually I am feel kind of bored at home…. I can head down tomorrow…”

“ok. Give me a minute, I have his namecard somewhere. I’ll text you. “

“ok thank you.”

I poured myself a glass of water and went to my balcony. The glass almost slipped from my hand when I looked across the road and saw the newspaper stand set up right along the pavement.

That umbrella, the table, the unmistakable gait of the newspaper seller puffing away on his cigarette.

I immediately rushed out of my house and head across the road.

Standing about 10 metres away, I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. Don’t lose my shit and I can ask all the questions I want.
I approached the newspaper stand and the newspaper seller tapped his cigarette and tipped the white ash from his fag into a makeshift ashtray cut out of aluminium cans.

His posture is relaxed and he waited for me to start talking.

“Why ? “

“what why ? “ The newspaper seller asked.

“Why me ? “

He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

“how does this work ? Can you explain it ? Why some things I can change, and some things I can’t? “

“What exactly is it that you changed Jerry ? “ He asked.

“I saved people that should have been dead.”

“Perhaps they were not meant to die so soon in the first place.”

“How would I know the difference ? “

“There is no way to know…. The choice is yours if you want to try” He said.

I hate it when he starts going around in circles again. It’s like he knows I hate it and yet he wants to do it to me to make me lose my cool.
Trying to calm myself down, I reminded myself to clear up as many questions as possible.

“what is the purpose of selling me the newspaper? “ I asked, my eyes drifting to a folded copy on the table.

“You tell me…” The man said with a grin.

“Are you selling the papers to anyone else ? “ I asked.

“No…. at the moment, only you.” came the immediate reply.

“So… there have been others?”

“Yes of course…but no one made it as far as you.”

“Are these a test for me ? “

“You can say that.”

“what are you testing me for?”

“To measure what kind of man you really are Jerry.” He said with that irritating smirk that I cannot stand.

“what do you want with me ? “

The newspaper seller told me all will be revealed in due time.

I told him what Chua said in the toilet. About the fortune teller.

“Who is this fortune teller ? “

“I don’t know. Maybe after you meet her, you can tell me instead.”

“I never said it was a ‘her’ “ I replied and the man chuckled before taking a deeper puff of his cigarette, secretly gleeful that he fell into my trap unknowingly.

He snuffed out his cigarette which has burnt down to it’s end and sat up, resting his hands on the table while clasping them together. He looked at me from head to toe for a while before he started talking.

“The fortune teller is accurate, she sees the end and unlike the newspaper I sell, her version is never wrong once the pieces are in place....”

“so your newspaper… it’s a prediction of sort ? “

“Not exactly..… my headlines merely show what the future may be if no variables or some variables are introduced.…. While the fortune teller sees what the future could be….along with it’s infinite possibilities and variables…along with the details.” He said coldly while knocking another cigarette out of his pack. “ There is a difference.”

I repeated what he said in my head a couple of times to try and understand what he is telling me.

“so you are saying you can tell I want to have chicken rice for lunch tomorrow while the fortune teller knows I want to have roasted chicken drumstick with a side of vegetables and that I will probably drizzle the chilli before the black sauce on the rice before I take the first bite.”

“hmmmm… it’s not that simple, but something like that.” He said while commenting the mention of chicken rice is making him hungry.

“So I guess you guys don’t talk…. Maybe you should link up…give a better version of the future…” I said. “ How do you do the lottery numbers? “

“ahhhh… always the question about the lotteries.” He laughed. “Those are nothing… a mere speck in an ocean of ever changing variables.”

“Do you buy the lottery then ? “

“Do I look like someone who needs money?”

He laughed and lit up the cigarette, taking a deep drag before blowing smoke towards me.

[ilikeoldchangke]

Looking at his clothes and footwear, he looks like the average uncle along the street. Nothing stands out, yet he everything about him feels different. The dark blue shirt with the folded sleeves worn over his white singlet. The black pants with a rusty buckle belt. The old pair of leather shoes that has seen a good deal of years on his feet.

Truth be told, this man can pretty much become invisible because no one pays attention to uncles like him. Especially not when he keeps to himself and stay out of other’s way.

I waved the smoke away from my face and asked how can I meet the fortune teller.

“ The fortune teller is may not see you..… you will need to get pass her sentry to get access to her. “

“what ? guarded ? as in like security guard ? In a hospice..? you kidding ?”

The newspaper seller laughed.

“If it were just security guards, it would have been a lot easier. You don’t get pass the sentry by brute force.” He teased while his fingers drew imaginary circles on the paper in front of him.

“I know where she is, she’s in a hospice at Serangoon.” I said. “ I can find her.”

“ahhhh, you know where she is… but do you know who… she is.. or how to get to her ? “

“do you ? “

“I can sell you the information.” He said.

“How much?” I have 200 thousand sitting in my bank account, I’m sure I can afford to pay a little for information.

Instead of asking for money, he tapped the newspaper in front of him. The one that is folded with it’s headline hidden.

“buy this newspaper, and I will tell you how to get to the fortune teller.” He grinned.

I asked the man if anyone has refused to buy the papers before.

“Yes. Of course.”

“Why?”

“fear…it’s as simple as that… fear.”

“What is there to fear ?”

“Maybe one day, you might turn the page and see something you don’t want to see ? “ He offered. “you never know.”
I sighed and pulled out a $10 bill. I dropped it on the table and his finger broke contact with the copy of papers. I picked it up and tuck it under my arm.

“Alright. Done… How do I get to her ? “

“Ward 32…there’s a private ward within that ward, it’s unmarked, you’ll have to get pass Arturo.” He said.

“what ? Who is Arturo ? how do I get pass him ? “

“A visit to the fortune teller without an invitation….. it’s going to be a challenge to get pass Arturo..”

“How do I get an invite then ? “

“You don’t.”

“Ok then how do I get pass Arturo without an invitation ? “

“… you’ll figure it out…I hope… I can see you at the door with Arturo, anything beyond that is blocked.”

“You’re speaking in riddles again, can you just go straight to the point? “ I asked, my patience on the verge of running out.

“…. I have nothing more to tell you…..…answer your phone Jerry…” He sucked onto his cigarette and I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket.

The newspaper seller got up and started to pack up his makeshift stand.

Looking at my phone, I realised it was my boss.

“Hello ? “

“Jerry, tomorrow morning, I pick you up… we head down to the Hospice around 10am ? “

“Ok sure.”

The newspaper man started walking away and I retrieved the papers I just bought from under my arms. Opening to the front page, I almost dropped the copy of papers.

I shouted at the man who is about to turn the corner.

“hey wait !”

I found myself frozen to the ground, unable to move as I looked at the headlines. I alternate between looking at the headlines and the man.
Our eyes met and he gave me one last smile.

“Remember Jerry, my papers shows one version of what the future… may be..…..” He said before disappearing into the shadows round the corner.

My heart started racing again as I looked at the headlines.

On the paper is a picture of the newspaper seller. I finally know his name.
His name is Hock Chuan.

It’s 27th today.

He’s going to die on the 30th.

………………………

[StellaM6869]

Nice updates TS, thanks

[mejihi]

Awesome story bro, camping for more updates!

[badboy]

The master weaver is back in his element again!

Finally got something to look forward to b4 sleeping..haha..


Cheers
Badboy

[Spermster]

This is damn good!

[Felixsk]

Originally Posted by Spermster

This is damn good!

Not only good, is farking good

[FlatTop]

Excellent updates. Looking forward for more excitements.
Probably Jerry can up Sulyani soon.

[pinkdotpower]

Fantastic story. Camping here for more!

[ninenine90]

so pleasantly surprised that my fav writer is back!

i'm still trying to recover from having my mind thrown through the blender..

[RamosKiapArm]

Wonderful writing skills. Please continue bro TS.

[ilikeoldchangke]

62 year old Hock Chuan was found lying face up behind Kallang estate market on the morning of new years eve. A cleaner discovered the body at 3am in the morning during a heavy downpour. Preliminary investigation revealed that Hock Chuan has been dead for more than 12 hours. There are no identification found on him and the police identified him through his fingerprints in the database. Hock Chuan served 10 years in prison for robbery and assault before his release a few months earlier in January 2018.
Some hawker stall owners recognised Hock Chuan and revealed that he eats at the food centre every morning. Sometimes they would see him take a morning walk around the area. When asked if they knew what he did for a living, no one had any clue.
The authorities have retrieved the CCTV footages around the area and investigations are underway.
Police are trying to get in touch with his next of kin, a daughter by the name of Suwen. If the public has any information they would like to share, please call the hotline 1800-225 xxxx.


Aside from a large picture splashed across the front page of the carpark behind the wet market with the blue police tent on the wet ground, there was barely any information to go with the report.
Accompanying the headlines at the bottom of the page is an advertisement of hair loss treatment. Makes me wonder if I’m meant to feel like I’m about to rip my hair out while reading the headlines.

I went back home and read the newspaper cover to cover.
There is very little information given on Hock Chuan’s death. The rest of the news don’t interest me, I only found one other article puzzling when it spoke of another visually impaired tissue paper seller missing. A total of 3 within 3 months.
Hock Chuan’s death took up the whole headline.

Base on the article, i know the area which he stays, the place he goes for breakfast every morning and his body was discovered on the 31th at 3am. Estimated time of death of 12 hours before meant whoever killed him, did it around 3pm in the afternoon on the 30th.
There’s no way it could have happen at the open air carpark in broad daylight. There’s too many people around.
Someone killed Hock Chuan and dumped him at that spot in the middle of the night.
It’s late but I could not sleep. There’s too many things on my mind.
The fortune teller, Hock Chuan, my date with Sulyani.

I made myself a cup of coffee and printed out a map of the market where Hock Chuan’s body is discovered.

Talk about old airport road food centre with any foodie and you will be bombarded with recommendations about the good hawker fare in that area.
It opened in 1972, that’s a 46 year old food centre. However, the location which Hock Chuan is found, is not at the hawker, but at the less well-known wet market located a couple of minutes away.

Kallang Estate market has played 2nd fiddle to it’s more famous sibling for a long time. I used to go there for breakfast with friends after morning runs when I’m in university, but it’s been a while since I visited.
Orientating myself using google map, I sipped my coffee and looked at the carpark via the satellite view.
The market is framed by 3 roads. Main road being Old airport road, while Jalan Tiga and Jalan Empat goes around the back. Coming from the main road, the only way you enter the carpark of the market is via Jalan Tiga.
From there, you turn left and you will be greeted with a long line of parallel parking lots before another left that takes you into the small open air parking behind the market.
Referencing the crime scene photo on frontpage, I could see where the police blue tent has been set up. Going down to ground level on google earth, I could see Hock Chuan’s body is found on lot 14 of the open air carpark.

Lot 14 is located right beside an access pathway that spans over an open drain. It’s also right beside a row of shophouses.
Swiping my mouse around, I could see that particular lot is surrounded by HDB blocks. And yet Hock Chuan was dumped right there.
I tried to imagine myself as the murderer. How would I do it ?

I mean I can’t possible drag a body across an open field in front of a large estate and expect to get away with it. Most likely it’s done with a car.
A car that comes in in the middle of the night, probably a MPV or SUV with foldable seats. From within the car, I can open the boot and kick the body out. Body rolls down the car, I shut the boot and I drive off.
There is a major issue with this method though, because it would mean the car I’m driving will have to pass through the parking gantry. Those comes with cameras too and the reader will have read my In vehicle unit, thereby putting me at the scene of the crime.

I struck that thought out of my head and started all over again.

Why lot 14, why not 1, why not 20 ? Why 14 ?

Fooling around on google map is not going to cut it for this one. I’ll have to go down to the market and get a feel of the ground.

I wish I can do it the next day but I’m headed to the hospice.
It’ll have to wait another day.
28th December 2018
Friday
9.45am

It may be end of the year and I’m on official leave but I’m still not going to be late when meeting my boss. I’ll hear no end of it. I have to arrive before he does.
Entering the hospice, I waited near the sheltered drop off and a few minutes later, I saw Alvin’s car turning into the compound.
He parked the car and after getting out, reached for his smokes out of habit.

I gestured to the compound and to the no smoking sign before he absentmindedly put the smokes away.

Alvin looked at me left and right before asking me if I’m ok again.

“Jerry… Jerry, I tell you… serious matter.”

“what is it ? “

“I can tell something is bothering you..”

“huh?”

Alvin tapped his chest before putting his arm around my shoulder.
“I have been in the military for a while and I learn how to spot individuals with some deep rooted problems that they cannot share.” He said.

We stopped a distance away from the administration office and Alvin told me vaguely that all problems in life, can be solved.

“I’m really ok.” I replied but Alvin cut me off with a raised palm.

“I understand…. Really, I understand.. it’s ok with me if you don’t want to share… but I just want to say, if you need to talk to someone, I’m here.” Alvin added that he has seen a lot of young men caving in because of stress.

“I don’t want that to happen to you even though I don’t really like you.”

“wow… I cannot tell if that is a compliment or not.”

“it’s not.”

“ok.”

“anyway, if you need me to take some work off your desk, let me know ok? I care about the mental health of my team.” Alvin said in a reassuring manner. “did I tell you about the time when I was a trainer and a recruit tried to turn his weapon on another trainer during live range ? “

“You think I’m mentally unstable? “

“of course not…..relax…” Alvin tried to calm me down in an exaggerated manner, “but ah….I think anyone who runs off in the middle of a meal to shake down an old man needs a bit of help….”

“it’s not what you think…”

“it’s ok Jerry, it’s ok… calm down… i know you must be feeling awful and embarrassed, that’s why you ran off saying you need to read the newspaper.” Alvin said, so sure of himself that he is right. “you’re just too embarrassed to face me. I understand.”

I gave up trying to reason with Alvin and we entered the administration office to look for a guy call Tom.

He’s in charge of operations and he will help coordinate the team’s volunteer work at the hospice.

“Hey, Tom and Jerry, what a coincidence… haha.” Alvin laughed while Tom and I gave him the ‘meh’ look.

We went to the meeting room, Tom offered us bottled water and we got the boring part of the discussion out of the way. After that, I asked Tom if it’s ok we walked the ground a little, explore a bit.

“Sure. You can take a look at the facilities, anywhere that has no locked doors are accessible.” Tom said.
He gestured to the activity centre and the garden, adding that those places are popular with the old folks.
“Wards along level 4 are out of bounds, Level 1 to 3, you are free to take a look, but I must warn you, the folks at level 3 can get a little too friendly with unfamiliar faces.”

“what about ward 32 ? I think I have an uncle that stays here.” I said. “ Can’t remember the name… Tan something something.”

I made that shit up. Tan, Lim , Lee, Ng, all these are popular surnames in Singapore. You could throw a stone and hit one of them on a train.

“well, you can drop by and look for him, it’s activity time now. Ward 32 houses patients with mild dementia, sometimes they remember everything, the next moment it’s all gone. But they’re still quite ok and independent.” Tom said.

“ok, sounds good.” I said and I thanked Tom for his time.

I will be giving him a list of volunteers and coordinating the time for the team to come down on a weekend morning.
Tom showed us the way out and excused himself because he has other matters to attend to.

The moment he is gone, I told Alvin I will be walking around a bit.

“Boss, you can go off first.. I want to explore the place. “

He didn’t look convince at all.

“Something is up Jerry, I can tell. You’re up to something.”

“i…i… no…really… I just…”

“don’t deny it… nothing escapes the eyes of this old soldier.” Alvin said.

I sighed and admitted that I’m up to something.

[ilikeoldchangke]

There is someone in ward 32 I want to see.

“there ! I knew it, now you are telling the truth.” Alvin said, his excitement going up a notch.

“Is it a lost relative ? is this about money and inheritance ? “ He asked excitedly.

“errr… no… I want to ask some questions ..” Seeing Alvin so excited, I decided to rope him in for help. I mean the fortune teller is guarded, an extra pair of hands will come in handy since I don’t know what I’m up against. “but I need to get pass Arturo.”

“Ar…tu…ro ~~” Alvin said it slowly, emphasising the 3 syllabus word as he gets himself lost in his throughts.

His eyes widened before he said it again.

“Ar…tu …ro…~~ “ This time round, his hands rose and opened outwards like a magician performing a trick.

“You know him ? “ I asked.

“No… but he sounds like an X-men with special power.”

I almost wanted to slap my forehead but Alvin started to formulate his own theory.

“Ok… I think I know what you are after… let me help you..”

“huh ? what am I after ? “

“Base on my years of experience, for someone in your age to be embarrassed to share about something, it’s got to be one of 2 things…especially when you are single.”

“what are they ? “ I asked.

“it’s either about your erection or your family.” Alvin said confidently. “ Since we are here and not in Geylang, I believe this is about your family.”

I could not stop my boss and he seemed to get more excited by the minute as he fed and swallowed his own theory.

“In a hospice, with the old folks, this has to be about your grandparents. “

“Jesus…” I mumbled.

“Your grandfather had an affair… and you are trying to find out …”

I almost vomited the water I was drinking in my mouth.

“you’re kidding right ? I mean… listen to yourself. “

“Unless you can tell me a better reason why you paid $50 for newspaper, run off in the middle of lunch to heckle an old man, I believe this is about family and blood.” Alvin said. “ That old man, is he your grandfather? “

“fuck no!” I said.

“Don’t use vulgarities with me Jerry.” Alvin said as we came up to level 3.

Ward 32 is right in front of us.

We stopped talking and I approached the entrance to the ward.

Ward 31 and 32 shares a common activity area in the middle. The residents are largely mobile and looking in through the door, I could see many of the residents milling about.
Some are chatting, a few watching television, some are on the bed. There’s even one playing games on his mobile phone.

I stepped into the ward and immediately saw the massive frame of a man blocking me.

He’s got to be 2m tall at least with the body of wrestler. His face and chin are peppered with stubbles from an uneven shave. He doesn’t look very old, probably in his late fifties give and take.
His dressing though is a mix and match of his own clothes and the hospice gown.
The man wore the hospice top that looked a bit too tight fitting on his large frame while on his bottom, he wore loose fitting berms that exposed his hairy legs.

The man held a half-eaten 6 piece red bean bun on his right hand while his left hand held a single golf ball.

“Who you ? “ he asked, his voice coarse and low like a giant bellowing at an unwelcomed guest.

“errrr”

“You who ? “ he asked again as I looked at Alvin.

“we’re visitors… here to ermm.. look around.” I said.

“You who ? who you ? “ he asked again, taking a step towards the door and driving us back.

I could see the nursing staff in the ward, she seemed too preoccupied with other residents to see us.

“Hi, ermm, we’re visitors… can you let us in ? “ I asked politely.

“You who ? who you ? “ The man asked again, gesturing at us with his half eaten buns. I could see the red bean filling spilling out, the shop he got the bread from sure is generous with the fillings.

I cleared my throat and spoke slowly, explaining our intention word by word, however, my explanation was met with the same reply.

“you who ? Who you ? “ the man asked, his frown setting deeper into his expression. It’s like he could not understand us.

I tried waving to the staff who was busy in the ward but she could not see me.

“come come come… Jerry, I try, I try.” My boss offered.

“huh?”

Alvin pulled me back and stood in front of the massive giant.

Again, comes the same thing from him.

“You who ? Who you ? “ the giant asked.

“I …..Alvin, He….. Jerry…... who are you ? ” Alvin said, jabbing his thumb backwards to point at me before resting both hands on the side of his hips like a mafia boss trying to negotiate a bargain.

The man finally stopped giving the same reply and answered us.

“I ……am …..Arturo…”

Alvin gasped and turned to me, gesturing with his hands spreading up and outwards, emphasizing the size of the man in front of him as he spoke to me.

“see… see… Ar…Tu…Ro…. X-men !”

I ignored Alvin and told Arturo we are here to visit.
“Can you let us in please? We just want to speak with someone..”

“No… no visit…go away.” He growled.

By then, I caught the attention of the nursing staff who looked exhausted as she tried to wheel a man to the bathroom. She saw Arturo blocking us but chose to look away.

Alvin cut in to try and negotiate our way in.

“Yes, yes visit…. We go in…..Meesee ( nurse ) say we can go in…” He gestured like a army officer trying to explain something to a clueless recruit.

Arturo shook his head and took another step forward to push us towards the exit.

“hello friend… we need to get in, back off !” Alvin said. I could tell he is about to blow his top.

Alvin tried to push his way through but Arturo barely budge.

“Fuck he’s like a fucking wall.” Alvin said.

“boss, boss, ok, ok, let me do it… let me do it…..” I said.

“No!. I know how to handle people like these. I eat salt, more than the rice you eat.” He said, displaying that stubborn streak.

Alvin whipped out his wallet and pulled out a $50 bill.
Arturo’s eyes widened and Alvin smiled.

Pointing to Arturo, Alvin said his name.

“Arturo…..” Then pointing to the dollar bill, “ Yusok Ishak….ahhhhh…..Arturo…..Yusok Ishak…...”

Repeating the names again, Alvin handed the money to Arturo.

“Arturo… Yusok Ishak…. Friend..”

There was a moment of hesitation before Arturo took the money.

I could see the triumphant smile on my boss face as he gave me a smirk look. However, when he tried to push his way in, Arturo pushed him out again.

“who you find ? you find who ? “ Arturo asked.

Turning to me, Alvin wanted to know the name of the person my grandfather had an affair with.

“What?”

Ignoring Alvin, I told Arturo I’m looking for the fortune teller.

“I’m looking for the fortune teller.” I said.

[ilikeoldchangke]

Now it was Alvin’s turn to look surprised.

“huh ? “


I could see the expression on Arturo’s face change. That twitch in his expression. He knew who I was talking about.

“No fortune teller…” he said.


“I know she is here, Chua told me.” I said and I could tell he knew who I was talking about when I mentioned Chua’s name.

Arturo took another step forward, blocking the door entirely, sending us back into the corridor.

Alvin took out his wallet again, pulling out another $50 bill.

“Arturo… more friend ? more friend ?“

Alvin handed the man another bill which he pocketed without giving way to us.

“Hello, money take already, faster move aside ah..” Alvin said.


Arturo turned and looked at his casio watch, the old classic black version with a squarish face. The watch looks tiny on his large hands. Gesturing to his watch, I guess Arturo wanted to tell us not to waste his time but my boss Alvin, he took it as a competition of sort.

Pointing to his silver Seiko, he flashed his watch at Arturo.

Arturo saw that and decides to flex his body size.


Spreading his arms at Alvin, he said his name like a wrestler announcing his entrance into the ring.

“i…. AM……. Arturooooooooooo !”

Not wanting to be outdone, I watched in horror as my boss mirrored his movement before announcing his name as well.


“I …. Am….. Alvin…… Lee…… Meng…. CHyeeeeeeeeeeee….!” My boss said, emphasizing the ‘chye’ with the bottom row of his teeth exposed and his eyes wide open. He looked like he was about to do a Hakka war cry.

“oh come on.” I lamented but the game is on. A game of seeing who’s dick is bigger between 2 men who looked like they should be withdrawing their CPF savings soon.


“You Kimchi…! “ Arturo bellowed…

“You Bim Bim Bapppppppppp!”

“Roti prataaa…”

“You mutarbakkkkkkkk!”


“come on Boss stop it, you’re agitating him.” I said but Alvin shrugged me off.

“I’m going to win this ! I’ll fucking win this…” Alvin said with a determined look on his face as he rolled up his sleeve.


“I go MP (member of parliament) complain you! ” Arturo said in an agitated manner like a disgruntled resident.

“I go minister!” Alvin replied almost immediately.

“I go Prime minister !” Arturo raised his voice, there’s no hiding his agitation now.


“I go senior minister!” Alvin shot back, an almost delirious expression visible on his face as I alternated between the 2 fighting seniors.

“I go… minister mentor !” Arturo said, panting and grinning, knowing full well that is the highest ranking minister Singapore ever had.

Not wanting to be outdone, Alvin looked around before looking down into his shirt pocket at his cigarette.


“I go… Minister Menthol light…!” Alvin shot back and I could feel my legs on the verge of buckling as Arturo looked like he was about to lunge at Alvin.

“Enough la ! stop it….” I tried to put myself in the middle of the 2 of them but they both shove me away.


Things are going to get ugly fast if I don’t do anything.


Bringing his golf ball up, Arturo proudly announced the name of one of the most expensive clubs in the country.

Like Chow Yun Fat in Pirates of the Caribbean welcoming his guest to Singapore, Arturo lowered his voice and said it in a mysterious tone while spreading his arms.


“Singapore…. Island …. Country…. Club…” After that, he proudly waved that golf ball in front of Alvin’s face, making absolutely no sense in his line of defence, argument and his line of thought.


I watched my boss roll up his sleeve further beyond his elbows and reached for his wallet.

Pulling out a plastic card, he mimicked the same pose Arturo did.

“ NTUC ….. Fairprice…… warehouse…. Club….” Alvin gasped before waving that membership card in his face.


Arturo looked like he was about to suffer a heart attack. His face wobbled as he shook his head. After that, something seemed different about him. That crazy antics he was displaying earlier is now gone.

What greeted us was a pair of calm eyes and a body relaxed with steady breathing.
Throwing the golf ball down, he looked up at the both of us.


“Are you fucking out of your mind ? Ok.. what the fuck do you guys want ? “

“Fuck I knew it… I knew you were fucking with us.” Alvin said, boasting that his military experience as a trainer could easily differentiate those who were trying to malinger.


“You were fucking with me too!”

“No you were the one fucking with me!” Arturo insisted.

“you started fucking with us first..you dimwit…” Alvin shot back.

“EH, I from Hwa Chong one ok !” Arturo argued.


“Oh fuck off, I’m also from Hwa Chong one…everyone from CEO to mad people, they all come from Hwa Chong, so what!” Alvin gestured angrily while turning to me, asking which JC I came from.

“yeah ! you’re one of the mad one.!” Arturo spat.

“Yeah, so are you!” Alvin retorted.


“Are you listening to yourselves? Stop it…” I lamented “ The only person I knew from Hwa Chong is Annabel Chong.(famous porn actress in the 90s)”

Both of them stopped talking and turned to me, going all quiet for 3 seconds before turning back and resuming their squabbles.


“stop it , stop it please…” I separated the 2 old man who were still gesturing and pointing at each other.

“Please… the fortune teller…” I said to Arturo.

He took a deep breath before turning his attention to me.

“What do you want? “ he asked.


“I want to save a man.” I answered honestly.

“Which man ? “

“A newspaper seller.”


Arturo looked at me and our eyes never broke contact for a good 10 seconds. He knew who I was referring to.

“Alright… you can go, he stays here.” Arturo said, gesturing for Alvin to remain.


I thought my boss would protest being left out, but he seemed please that he won the verbal fight.
Arturo gestured to the packet of Menthol cigarette in my boss’s shirt pocket before putting 2 fingers to his own lips. The message is clear.


Alvin gestured with his head towards the staircase and it’s done. The 2 man, both Hwa Chong Alumni, walked quietly towards the staircase, probably looking for a spot to steal a smoke break in the middle of a hospice.
I stepped into the ward and no one else paid much attention to me.


I don’t know who is the fortune teller. I only know it’s a woman.

As I venture deeper, I could smell incense. It was then I realised that nested within the ward, there is another private room.


I walked over to the doorway and when I looked inside, I saw a woman sitting cross legged in the middle of her bed. In the 4 corners of the room, stood 4 others. They remained motionless as they faced the corners of the room like a child being punished. They just faced the walls.
It was a disturbing and eerie sight and I hesitated to step in.

The woman is young, probably in her late thirties at the very most. She’s pretty but her hair has been shaved. She looked like she is meditating, and I don’t know if I should knock.

Suddenly her eyes opened, and we made eye contact.


“Hi Jerry “ She said.

Of course she knows my name. She knows everything.

Gesturing to a chair in front of her bed, she offered me a seat.


“Please…. Sit.”

I sat down and kept eyeing the 4 figures facing the wall. Their presence creep me out.

“ You have questions Jerry… lots of questions…” She said.


“Yes I do..”

She took a deep breath and her gaze seemed to penetrate my head.
She kept looking at me like she is curious about something.

I waited for her to speak but she didn’t.

I took that as a sign to start talking but she raised a finger, a signal I took to remain silent.

Goosebumps rose on my body when all at once, the 4 men and women facing the was turned around at the same time. It’s like a coordinated drill but no command was given. All 4 of them filed out of the room and the fortune teller got out of bed.

She poured me a glass of water and I thanked her. She walked back to her bed and sat down. Without saying anything, she took two pieces of paper, wrote something on it and folded it into half. She then put the pieces of paper down on the desk beside her bed before turning her attention to me.


“There is a price to pay for a consultation with the fortune teller.” She said.

“I’m guessing it’s not in monetary terms. “

“No…. the price for everyone is the same.” She said

“what is it ? “

“I tell you… the exact day you will die.” She said with a warm smile. “ That is the price I’m asking for.”

………………………