"Its the strangest thing, Mika" Beatrice mulled over the phone. "He just sat in one corner and didn't say anything the entire morning. Mai chap wa pun(1)."
"Don't be silly, Bea! Dogs don't say anything because they can't. Kao em hai yan lah(2)...stop treating pets like humans!"
"Tapi... there is one cause for concern" Beatrice insisted, ignoring Mika's admonition.
"Bea... I've got a meeting coming up at 5 pm. We'll discuss this the moment I get home, okay?"
She sensed Mika rolling her eyes at the other end of the line.
"Okay...balik makan or not? I'll call you eight-ish if you're not home by then."
"Today's meeting is going to be a short one, I promise. No need to cook dinner tonight, I'll ta pau something back for us. And Bea?"
"Yah?"
"Get some fresh air - go jalan-jalan in the park or something.. its not good to stay in the house alone for too many hours. Rosak your brain only. Love you, 'kay"
"Love you too. Bye."
Beatrice carefully replaced the pale blue receiver on its cradle, before pacing the living room frantically.
"I am NOT going to worry over nothing! Yes, I will go out!"
As if to affirm her thoughts, Dot shuffled up to her - wagging his tail, walking leash in mouth. She had to smile.
"Come Dot, lets jalan in the park" she sang as she grabbed her house keys.
(1) Didn't want to acknowledge me.
(2) Dogs aren't human.
"Don't be silly, Bea! Dogs don't say anything because they can't. Kao em hai yan lah(2)...stop treating pets like humans!"
"Tapi... there is one cause for concern" Beatrice insisted, ignoring Mika's admonition.
"Bea... I've got a meeting coming up at 5 pm. We'll discuss this the moment I get home, okay?"
She sensed Mika rolling her eyes at the other end of the line.
"Okay...balik makan or not? I'll call you eight-ish if you're not home by then."
"Today's meeting is going to be a short one, I promise. No need to cook dinner tonight, I'll ta pau something back for us. And Bea?"
"Yah?"
"Get some fresh air - go jalan-jalan in the park or something.. its not good to stay in the house alone for too many hours. Rosak your brain only. Love you, 'kay"
"Love you too. Bye."
Beatrice carefully replaced the pale blue receiver on its cradle, before pacing the living room frantically.
"I am NOT going to worry over nothing! Yes, I will go out!"
As if to affirm her thoughts, Dot shuffled up to her - wagging his tail, walking leash in mouth. She had to smile.
"Come Dot, lets jalan in the park" she sang as she grabbed her house keys.
(c) Maggie Chong, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(1) Didn't want to acknowledge me.
(2) Dogs aren't human.
3 comments:
sigh...why are the chapters too short!!!
fgm: sorry dear, still recovering from the 'flu right now. :)
owh!
get well soon!
*hugs*
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