28 February 2008

Epilogue

"Do you know what your problem is?"

Beatrice reluctantly moved her attention from the delicious novel that she was just diving into to the owner of the voice with the accusing tone. It was Mika, arms akimbo over her fashionable dress, her expertly made-up-to-look-like-there's-no-makeup face stern, her long silky blue-black hair whipping in the cool morning breeze.

"Huh? Apa dia?"

"Do you know what your problem is?" Mika repeated.

"No, what is my problem?"

"Your nose is either stuck in a book or glued to the PC. When are you going to get a life? And a date?"

"I do have a life, okay!" Beatrice protested weakly. "I have you, and my Dot, and my 'net friends, and um... erm..."

At that, Mika smiled broadly at her. Rather too quickly in fact, Beatrice realised a little too late.

"Beatrice Kueh! Its high time you came out of your shell, woman. You are wasting your life that way. What are you... 35 this year? How are you going to meet someone like that? Come on lah... you can't be hiding your fabulous self from people all the time. And pets die sooner or later. Lets go shopping and give you a nice makeover!"

"Tapi ha..."

"Uh huh...No 'but's! You are coming with me!"

Beatrice heaved a sigh of resignation. Growing up with Mika since their kindy days, she knew when she was beaten, fairly or not. Once Mika made up her mind to shop, nothing short of an unnatural disaster occuring in Malaysia could stop her. And foundation on her sensitive, easily-inflamed skin? Aih...

'Hmm... if I can divert her attention with the 50% discount bins, I may still have some daylight to stroll in the park with' she schemed as Mika happily strategised the day's shopping agenda.

"Ahah! If we do this right, we may be able to stay in the shopping complex the entire day. Oooh... this is so exciting!" Mika bubbled.

Beatrice groaned inwardly and outwardly at the same time. And prayed really really hard that there would be a cute guy or two to catch Mika's eye.

'And then maybe, just maybe, I will be able to escape the madness!'



(c) Maggie Chong, 2008

1 comment:

FairyGodmother said...

i like.

so far, i like the way you actually mix the bahasa with the english making them sound like all of us.

*shivering with excitement*