Rumour Has It

Chapter One

A drop of sweat trickled down May Wan's face. She quickly wiped it off with the sleeve of her blouse, not letting the afternoon weather slow down her momentum as she scooped out the twentieth bowl of her famous tau huay.

"One tau huay with extra sugar. Enjoy!" May Wan smiled as she served the bowl to a customer seated at her stall, which was getting increasingly crowded.

"Ma, you want to have your lunch first? I can manage the stall," May Wan's son, Handsome, asked her as she returned to the counter.

"Nevermind, later can. You go eat first," May Wan replied.

"Okay. You want me to get anything for you?" Handsome asked.

"It's okay. I'm not that hungry. You go ahead," May Wan brushed him off as she started scooping another bowl of tau huay. Handsome shrugged and left the stall.

"Hi. Can I have one bowl of tau huay please?" a deep masculine voice came from across the counter.

May Wan looked up from the counter to see a tall, middle-aged man with a captivating set of pearly whites. His hair, black with hints of silver, was slicked back. He donned a polo t-shirt tucked into a pair of khaki pants.

"Oh, sorry! Didn't see you there," May Wan said sheepishly as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"That's fine. You seem very busy," the customer said with a warm smile.

"Just a little. Today's crowd is still manageable," May Wan smiled back.

"So, how much would that be?" the customer asked.

"$1.50," May Wan replied, "Having here?"

"Yes," the customer said as he handed a few coins to May Wan.

"Thank you. Please have a seat," May Wan said as she gestured to an empty table.

"Sure," the customer said and made his way to the table.

Minutes later, May Wan approached the customer with a bowl of tau huay.

"Here you go," May Wan said as she placed the bowl on the table.

"Thank you," the customer responded, "By the way, I can't help but notice that you're the only person managing this stall. I assume you're Boss Lady?"

"That name was my children's idea. So embarrassing," May Wan chuckled.

"I think it's cute," Andy grinned.

May Wan blushed at Andy's comment, then looked over at the counter and said, "I better get back to work. Enjoy your tau huay."

Twenty minutes passed. May Wan's new customer walked up to the counter with his empty bowl.

"Oh, you can actually just leave that on the table," May Wan said as she took the bowl from him.

"Well, I wanted to pass my compliments to the chef," he flashed a toothy smile, "Now I know why everyone raves about this place."

"Oh... thank you," May Wan stammered, her cheeks growing red.

"I'm Andy, by the way," the customer said as he extended his hand to her.

"I'm May Wan. Hope to see you here again soon," May Wan reciprocated, shaking Andy's hand.

"Definitely," Andy assured before leaving the stall.

~~~

A few days later, Andy dropped by Boss Lady Tau Huay again.

"Welcome to Boss Lady Tau Huay. Can I take your order?" Handsome greeted Andy at the counter.

"One bowl of tau huay please. Having here," Andy replied as he handed Handsome some cash.

"One bowl of tau huay coming right up!" Handsome exclaimed.

May Wan walked towards the counter with a tray of empty bowls and nearly collided into Andy, who had just turned around to head towards an empty table.

"Sorry, sorry," May Wan apologised, before looking up and locking eyes with Andy.

"It's my fault. I turned too quickly," Andy smiled while maintaining eye contact.

May Wan snapped out of her daze and gestured towards the counter, "You ordered already?"

"Yes, I did," Andy replied, "And I must commend your staff for being so welcoming."

"Oh, that's my son, Handsome. He likes to help out here," May Wan explained.

"Ah, I see. You've certainly taught him well," Andy said as he sat down at a nearby table.

A moment later, Handsome appeared with a bowl of tau huay for Andy.

"Thanks Handsome. I'm Andy. I was just telling your mum that I think you're doing a great job," Andy said.

"Of course. My Ma trained me well," Handsome quipped.

"That's exactly what I said," Andy chuckled.

"Great minds think alike!" Handsome exclaimed and raised his hand for a high five, which Andy reciprocated with enthusiasm. May Wan couldn't help but laugh at their antics.

As Handsome left to attend to new customers, Andy turned to May Wan and gestured to the seat across from him, "Why don't you take a seat? You must be tired. Handsome seems to have the crowd under control."

After a moment's hesitation, May Wan shrugged and sat down opposite Andy.

"Handsome reminds me of my son," Andy remarked as he took a spoonful of tau huay.

"Oh, you have a son?" May Wan asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Well, I used to. He died in a car crash, along with my wife," Andy said with downcast eyes.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," May Wan responded with concern.

"It's fine. It was many years ago," Andy said, "What about you? How many kids do you have?"

"I have three kids — two boys and one girl," May Wan replied.

"If all your kids are as hardworking as Handsome, you and your husband are very lucky," Andy remarked.

"Actually, my husband left us a long time ago," May Wan said softly, looking away.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Andy said quickly.

"It's okay. It was a long time ago," May Wan said.

Andy nodded empathically and glanced at his watch.

"Oh dear. I better hurry," he said as he took another spoonful of tau huay, "I have to go meet my students."

"Oh... you're a teacher?" May Wan guessed.

"No, I'm a social worker. I help students with special needs," Andy explained.

"Oh, I see," May Wan said, "Boss Lady Tau Huay recently received funding to help support its transformation into a social enterprise. I hope to be able to help and empower those with special needs. Maybe you can advise me."

"Sure, I would be glad to help," Andy said as he flashed his dazzling set of teeth.

May Wan felt a sense of warmth envelop her heart as her lips curled into a smile.