Located one degree north of the equator, Singapore is no stranger to tropical thunderstorms or the scorching hot sun. It is no surprise that Singaporeans are proud (and grateful) for our walkways. They connect schools to bus stops, office buildings to malls and even, bus-stops to park entrances. This particular walkway was rather... special and different. It connected the roadside pavement to a Housing Development Block - Block 108.
Those who usually end up using this walkway were crossing the bustling two-way street from the famous Chong Pang Hawker Center in notorious Yishun (for cruel cat killers, hippy weed growers amongst others) to Block 108. After an ah-ma was knocked down, it was here where a tiny green square signboard was erected on an equally tiny patch of grass next to this street. The small white words on it read - "Look out for cars". It matters not that most in the neighbourhood are illiterate in English.
The hawker center is connected to Block 108 via a bracket-shaped sheltered crossing and walk-way. To avoid the rain after leaving the hawker center, you would walk further right, use the sheltered crossing to get across the road, and then go left by a few metres to reach the walkway. Alternatively, one could just brave the rain, cross the road and enter the walkway directly. Why is it important, you ask? Here is all that made the difference.
To avoid the rain, She crossed the road with the crowd under the sheltered crossing. Naturally, She continued to follow the crowd and turned left to THE walkway. It was here, She was lost. She was meant to go right to Block 122.
She was leaning against the cold metallic handles of the walkway for comfort. They provided little to her, for her anxiousness was apparent through those darting brown eyes of her desperately scanning for familiar or friendly faces. Suddenly, She was aware that this was not the road home and She was lost. The fear rushes through her veins, and engulfs her to the point where her voice was stuck in her throat. Her jaws have clamped up tightly. The passer-bys seemed to have missed this tumultuous struggle happening within, and hurried by her.
Time seemed to have slowed down to a trickle. It was a good few moments later before she mustered the courage. Drawing a deep sharp breath deeply, She spoke in Hokkien with her quivering pale lips as we locked eyes. "Auntie, where is Block 122? I don't know how to go home. This is mad."
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Walking Home
Short StoryA chance encounter with a granny, and our walk home. (Editing Story) PS This is my first time writing, so I am trying to refine my writing style. Further edits will come in the future. I am focusing on documenting now lest I forget the facts. Than...
