Chapter 9

You know those short questionnaire pages in the magazines where they ask famous people about what they are reading, what they are listening to, what they have in their bags…? How come I don’t get to answer such questions?

Well, yeah, obviously I’m not famous or anything… duh! ... But still? Wouldn’t it be fun? I mean, I know, no one out there in their right mind would probably be interested in what I have in my bag – except for a snatch thief, probably – but still, I bet even the most normal, boring, ratty looking old bag has a secret or two to share.

So, I have decided, that I will share. Call me whatever you want, but I will tell you what interesting (or boring) stuffs I have in my bag, and whatever other interesting things I can think of about me. And, you feel free to share too – interrupt anytime (in case I don’t have that many interesting stuffs in my bag…)! This little exercise will also give you something more about me to think about, apart from how flat my life’s been lately, or how sloppy I can get sometimes, and how clumsy and ga-ga I’ve been lately when I am around Ean… Ahem, right, lets not get sidetracked here. We all know what a distraction that subject can be!

So, enough small talk, let’s get started! (P/s: let’s pretend this is some absolutely glossy and glam magazine, like Cosmo or Vogue, ok? Well, it’s only pretend!)

What kind of bag are you carrying right now?

An army canvas bag, perfect for all occasion. … … Kidding! Gosh, I can’t afford a Coach or a Dior, and you know how I feel about spending three months pay on a bag which probably can only hold one miniscule hand phone and a tiny wallet and already have problem closing itself; but hey, I’m not that un-glam either!

For work, I’m using a large leather carry-all I bought from HOL during the recent Megasales. The quality is average, for I don’t need anything too expensive to bring to work. But I do love the design. The style is quite close to the super hot Balenciaga City Motorcycle bags; two toned, with funky rivets and buckles at the front, and a few long leather strings at each end of the bag to soften the look. I can fit everything I need in it.

What is the most interesting thing we will find in your bag?

Hm, that will have to be the so-called lucky charm Kaelyn gave me for X’mas last year. It’s a cross between a monster, a teddy bear and an octopus. It’s blue, and ugly as hell. But Lyn calls it cute. She also said that it has the powers of a guardian angel, “a guiding spirit who will show me the way, and bring me good fortune, enabling me to feel lucky, confident and contented.” I don’t know about luck, but I do think that anyone (or anything) would run the other way after one look at that ugly face!

What is the one thing you will splurge on?

Shoes shoes shoes! I always believe that you have to be comfortable on your feet. Nothing is worse than having blistered heels and squashed toes in the name of fashion. Comfort and style has to go hand in hand for me. I don’t believe in sacrificing my feet. Having said that, not all “comfortably fashionable” shoes come with a high price tag; not all expensive shoes are friendly to the feet either.

What is your favorite outfit of the moment?

Fortunately, or not, it’s not a smart looking corporate suit, though I do have quite a few nice ones hanging in the closet. But at this point in time, suits = stressful-times-at-work, so there’s no way they can be my favourite.

The combination I absolutely love at the moment is a turquoise baby doll dress I bought from Cats Whiskers. It is very girly, with lace trimmings along the neckline, short frilly sleeves and a flowy skirt which stops just above the knee.

For a laid back look, I team it with a pair of brown leather thong slippers and a large rattan shoulder bag. For a dressier ensemble, I wear it over jeans with strappy silver heels from Nine West, semi-precious green turquoise dangly earrings I got from the flea market at the Curve, silver bangles of various sizes, and a metallic turquoise clutch purse from Sg. Wang. I wore this to our department dinner a few weeks back and -

*ping*
You have an instant message from Kaelyn Yang:

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: helloooozzzz! wat u doing?

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: hmm, not much, just replying some mails. u? (Lyn will laugh her head off if she finds off what I’ve been doing in the past half an hour, so of course I’m not telling her!)

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: i see you’re telling the whole world about your upcoming company trip to Redang

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: *smile with tongue out* oh yeah! its definitely something worth shouting about!!

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: have you found your bikini yet? the trip is next week, isn’t it?

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: NO!! i’ve NOT found my bikini yet because SOMEONE ditched me and our weekend shopping plans, and went for a date instead!!! *broken heart*

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: *embarrassed smile* well…

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: btw how did it go? the date?

I sit back and wait for Lyn’s reply. This should be good. I am just about to click back to my “pretend interview” page when my hand phone starts to ring. Ean’s name blinks on the screen. Gawd, I hope this is not about the report I just threw on his desk before I rushed off. Today was one of the rare days where I left work on time.

“Hi Ean! What’s up?”

“I need to see you.” Just like that, no greeting; the usual teasing missing in his voice. He sounds all serious.

“Er, now?”

“Tu,” he pauses, and sighs, “I just – I don’t feel like being alone right now. Can we just talk? – as friends?”

What is he talking about? “Ean, we’ve always been friends, you know that! I –”

“I just signed the papers today, Tu. The divorce papers. It’s final now. It’s over, for real.”

“Oh Ean, are you ok?” What am I saying? Of course the poor guy is not ok! Duh!

“Is it alright if I drop by? Just for a while?” Then I hear a small smile in his voice. “I’ll bring supper?”
I smile, and hear myself agreeing. “Sure, come on over.”

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: oi! where u been? have i been chatting with myself the past hour?

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: don’t b such a drama, lyn, i was on the phone for only 2 minutes there.

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: oh with ur mom?

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: no it was ean.

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: wat he want?

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: he’s coming over – NOW!

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: WAT?!!! its 11pm! r u crazy tu?

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: his divorce just got finalized. he didn’t sound very good, lyn. he just didn’t want to b alone right now n i can understand that.

Kaelyn *life’s an eternal wonder* says: ok dun do anything stupid. i'm coming now.

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: wat? wat for?

Tutu *Destination Redang ~ ooh, can’t wait!* says: lyn???

Kaelyn Yang has logged off.

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It is a very peaceful and quiet night. Even the wind has granted the city its gentle presence. The sky is clear, with a collection of stars competing against the brilliant glow of the metropolitan’s megawatt illumination.

In Mr and Mrs Sachiiya’s sweet scented garden, Ean, me and Kaelyn (in that order) sit on a large blanket over the grass, sipping lush, full-bodied Merlot, compliments of Ean (his idea of supper!) and munching on barbeque flavored chips (compliments of my tidbits collection). We talk about nothing, and everything. As cliché as it will sound, words are not important.

We are just three people linked to each other in some way or another, sharing bottles of wine, and exchanging silly stories which get sillier as more wine is consumed. Silently, as if by unspoken agreement, we seem to be also healing wounds, offering comfort and support, building bonds and coming to new understandings.

It’s quite beautiful, actually.

Even Lyn has stopped treating Ean like he is the enemy. Or maybe it’s just the alcohol at work?