Creatures of the Heart

Dormancy

At 25 years old, Woon looked exactly like her baby mug shot. No amount of blusher could create the contour of high cheekbones on her chubby face. She had given up on makeup since her teenage years, but she needed to look pretty that day. So, she glided the red lipstick across her pudgy lips. The crimson shade contrasted her pale complexion and reminded her of old Chinese movies with jumping vampires.

A knock on her bedroom door brought her back from fantasy land. Her father entered and frowned at her. "Quickly change. The matchmaker is coming soon. Wear that blue cheongsam."

Her father had been fussing over her the whole morning. Mrs. Phua, the best (and most expensive) matchmaker in Melaka, will be visiting their home with a prospective husband. Earlier that week, Mrs. Phua briefed them about a man – Chin Huat Long. He was 28 years old, the only child in his family. A photo of a lanky man standing beside his petite mother gave no clue of his personality.

"He's a teacher. Must be a good man." Her father beamed at the photo after Mrs. Phua left. "Both of you should be a good match. I'll be so happy when you get married. At least I can die in peace."

Woon never cared about getting married, but the idea of having a family of her own and placating her father seemed like good reasons to take the plunge. All she wanted was to be normal.

She nodded at her father. "Okay Pa, I will change now."

Half an hour later, she was engaged.

*

Eight years had passed since that day.

Woon opened her eyes. A clank followed by a thud rang through the fog of her sleep. She pushed herself up on her elbows. The sound rang out again, clearer this time.

She reached over and shook her husband. "Wake up. I think someone is downstairs."

"Hmmm..."

"Wake up!" she hissed into her husband's ear.

Chin grumbled, switched on the side table lamp and fumbled with his spectacles. "What? It's 3 a.m."

"Shhhh. Listen."

Clang. Thump. Bang.

Chin got out of bed, eyes wide. He grabbed the steel pipe by the bed. "Go check on Mimi and wake my mother. Then call the police."

He moved to the bedroom door. Woon grabbed her mobile phone and followed closely behind. Chin slid the door open. The dark stairway revealed nothing. He let the door slide open wider. A beam of yellow light flashed up the stairway. They moved out of their bedroom. She dashed to the door across the landing while he started down the staircase.

Woon went into the room and woke her daughter. The five-year-old stirred. She carried the child and made for the adjacent room through the attached bathroom. She shook the old lady snoring in bed. The woman sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Woon dialled the police and whispered, "Hello, ada pencuri masuk rumah saya... Alamat saya 4 Taman Seri Puteri. Tolong cepat! (Hello, someone broke into my house....my address is 4 Taman Seri Puteri. Please hurry!)"

Glass shattered and a loud scream came from downstairs as soon as she ended the call. Her mother-in-law and Mimi, fully awoken, looked at her with fearful eyes. She rushed the two into the corner of the room and hugged them tightly as she told them to be quiet.

Loud voices mixed with heavy footsteps ascended the stairs. Light filtered through the door gap and shadows flitted across.

Mimi cried. Woon covered her mouth but it was too late. Deafening knocks erupted and shook the door frame.