Episode 2: Like Wildfire In Highwind (VI)

Whom will you choose - the man from a classier part of town or the childhood friend with his humble background?

Scene 6: Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai

It is early evening and the street is flooded with shoppers. On both sides sit dusty old shops piled high with what seems to be junk and trash of a bygone era. The trained eye, however, knows better.

He is holding her hand. For some reason, she feels self-conscious. Which is strange. This is not the first time she’s held hands in public.

The embarrassment causes her to become impatient – ‘C’mon, hurry up. Have you found what you’re looking for yet?

He pouts and looks at her from the corner of his eyes. ‘Oh, don’t rush me. You know it’s not easy sorting out the good stuff from the bad stuff in this big, tangled heap.’

‘I don’t understand,’ she replies, tugging at his hand, ‘why are we sifting through old junk – ’

‘Inspiration,’ he replies. ‘This is where I sometimes get good ideas on what kind of game or toy we can create.’

She looks at what he’s holding in his hands. It looks like a miniature train cabin, one of those early prototypes created by the English who were railways-mad. ‘That’s quite a common old toy. I’ve seen them around in plenty of shops. What are you going to do with this one?’

‘I’m going to take it apart and see the mechanism inside. Steal some ideas.’

She takes the badly scratched and dented toy in her hands. ‘Oh don’t. If you look at it carefully, it’s quite pretty. The design is wonderful. See how they’ve got the handle to the cabin door with its black, metal trim. The detailing in this toy is simply first-class. If you take this toy apart, you’ll completely destroy it – ’

He grins. ‘But that’s me. I’m a toy designer. I take my inspiration from wherever I can get it. If I have to take things apart, I take things apart. And sometimes, if I have to destroy something in order to get at what's inside, so be it!’

‘How hard-hearted that sounds! Why, you’re a vulture, a cannibal, a shameless thief!’

‘Oh yes, that I am!’ He makes a face, pretends to swoop down on her. She ducks and runs out of the shop. ‘Oh you can run but you can’t hide!’ – he flails his arms, tries to grab her.

She squeals and dashes down the street – oof! – she bumps into someone.

‘Twinkle! What are you doing here? What a surprise!’

Mei Kuen is holding a huge bag of shopping. New clothes, new shoes, new make-up. She peers at Twinkle and then Jeff. ‘Oh, I see. On a hot date, eh? Why didn’t anybody tell me you’re back? I’m so happy for you!’ she squeals in delight and squeezes Twinkle by the waist.

‘Oh, hello Kuen Kuen. We’re just looking for some things for work. Not really a date, you know. It’s business as well.’

‘You can’t fool me – I’m got eyes in my head and I can see what’s going on ...’ Mei Kuen hugs Twinkle over and over again. ‘Don’t forget to send me a card when the big day comes!’

Twinkle blushes. ‘What big day? We’re just taking things easy, one day at a time ...’

‘Yes,’ chimes in Jeff, suddenly alarmed, ‘what big day? We’re still young – no need to talk about such serious things yet – ’

But Mei Kuen’s gone off into a world of her own. ‘Ok, I can’t stand around here chatting with you two anymore. I’ve got things to do. I must get home!’

‘Goodbye, Kuen Kuen. Send my warm regards to your parents!’

‘Ooh, I will, I will! Boy, will they be surprised to hear from you!’

Mei Kuen takes off, her bags and bags of shopping swishing around her legs.

‘Oh no,’ Twinkle groans, ‘if’s she’s about to do what I think she’s about to do, I’m going to have a headache ...’

‘What is Mei Kuen going to do?’

‘At the market, we have a nickname for Kuen Kuen. It’s FM88.1.’

‘Why FM88.1?’

‘Do you know FM88.1’s slogan?

‘No. What is it?

‘It’s 聲為民開 — we broadcast for the public.’

Jeff laughs. ‘Well, what’s wrong with Mei Kuen broadcasting our good news. We’re together after all, there’s no need to be ashamed.’

Twinkle looks at him, utterly taken aback. How can Jeff forget he has a friend called Chi Yat Po who may be sitting at home feeling bad about this?

Episode Two: Like Wildfire In High Wind (V)

Catching Simon in the act ... that no-good, lousy two-timer


Scene 5: Café Light Nibbles, Nathan Road

A very sad smile flits across Anna's face. 'You won't think badly of me, I hope? For the sake of our friendship, please don't think badly of me - '

Twinkle almost stumbles over her own chair in her haste to get up and reach over. ‘Anna, it’s okay. I’ve been in relationships too and I understand – ’

‘No, you don’t.’

‘What do you mean?’

Anna drops her head. Her hair falls over her face, obscuring her eyes.

Twinkle can’t tell if she’s started crying. She hopes not. The lunch crowd is thinning out but there are just enough people inside the café to make it a very public place. ‘Anna?’

‘Let me ask you a question – ’

‘Sure. Go ahead.’

‘How many boyfriends have you had?’

‘Oh – four, including Jeff, that is. My first boyfriend was when I was in middle school. A silly guy called Billy.’

‘And what’s the longest relationship you’ve ever had with any of your boyfriends?’

Twinkle scratches her head. ‘Simon was my longest, I think – eight months.’

‘Eight months. Did it feel like a long time to you – eight months?’

‘Yes, actually. In the eight months, I went through a lot of ups and downs with Simon. Basically, he had a lot of things going on in his life – family relationships, career, his friends and workmates – and I was dragged into everything. I was so glad actually when it was all over. To tell you the truth, I couldn’t take it anymore!’

‘Well, before Jeff and I went steady, he was seeing this girl Selena from the D'amor Departmental Store in the building across the street – did he tell you that?’

‘No. I didn’t know this. Go on – ’

‘I had just joined Tung Ming as a trainee and Jeff was my mentor. We spent a lot of time in the office around each other and almost everyday after work, he’d invite me out to supper.’

‘But what about Selena?’

‘I found out about Selena only after six months. She came to the office one day and threw a bunch of letters on my desk. Letters that Jeff wrote her while they were dating – ’

‘Ouch – ’

‘By then, I was too deeply involved. I didn’t know how to get out of it – ’

‘But what was Jeff’s explanation about Selena?’

‘He said it was over between him and Selena. That it had been over for almost four months. That she refused to let him go. That she was the jealous, possessive sort and wanted to make his life miserable if he dumped her.’

‘Oh my God – was it true?’

‘I don’t really know. At the time, I believed Jeff. He was so sweet to me and I was emotionally very attached to him.’

‘Yes, I see. I don’t blame you. Then what happened?’

‘Jeff threw away all those letters from Selena. He burned them, I think.’

‘You never had a chance to read them, see what’s inside?’

‘No. Anyway, I’m glad actually. The less I know the better.’

‘Yes, that’s true. So, how did you two deal with Selena?’

‘Jeff told the boss and Mr Cheuk gave orders to the security personnel to prohibit Selena from stepping foot inside the building to harass us.’

‘That’s awful.’

‘I know. I felt so guilty about the whole thing. Luckily, I had Jojo. She was also a trainee then and she walked me home everyday just in case Selena came up and tried to do something funny to me.’

‘You and Jojo are very close, huh?’

‘Yes, she joined the company about a year before me. She was finishing her traineeship when I came in.’

‘So did Selena come and bother you?’

‘Actually, once or twice I saw her in the streets. I think she thought I wouldn’t recognize her but I did. She looked pretty bad, she didn’t groom herself properly, she was skin and bones, and her eyes were these two huge dark globes with bags underneath. At the time, I told myself had I been Jeff, I would’ve dump such a person too. But now – now – ’

‘You think perhaps Selena was going through depression?’

‘Yes – ’

‘As a result of being jilted by Jeff?’

Hot tears spring into Anna’s eyes. ‘Yes, yes ... ’ She grabs Twinkle’s hands. ‘Oh Twinkle, what have I done? Is this the punishment for me for stealing someone else’s boyfriend? I checked and checked my horoscope and it says I’m perfectly matched with Jeff and yet today he and I have broken up. I cannot think of any logical reason for this except that I’m being punished for stealing Selena’s boyfriend in the first place!’

Twinkle, now on the same seat as Anna, puts a hand around her shoulders. ‘You mustn’t think that, Anna, you mustn’t! You didn’t do anything wrong, you were innocent!’

‘Twinkle, you asked me how I feel about Jeff today. Do you still want to know?’

‘Yes, er, yes …’

‘I hate him, Twinkle. I hate him. Really, really hate him.’

‘Oh, Anna.’

‘Yes, I’m ashamed to say it but it’s true. When I went away after we broke up, I thought about the whole thing and I realized the relationship was doomed from the start – ’

‘Why did you say that?

‘I realized I was doing all the work. Don’t get me wrong. He is a nice guy. He knows how to say all the right things. He knew how to talk sweet. He was the sweet talker. But it was me who did all the emotional work, all the mature part of our relationship, I had to be responsible. He was like one big kid, always needing to be persuaded, always needing to be taken care of, always needing to be cajoled. I give you an example – do you know he has never shown any initiative in building a future for our relationship? Do you know that all he ever wanted to do was just go out and have fun, that’s all? That when I start talking about serious things like saving up, he’d just laugh it off and accuse me of being a worry-wart?’

‘Yes, Jeff is too playful and immature sometimes.’

‘Twinkle, I’m sorry to be unloading on you. I just hope you have better luck with him than I have.’

‘Thanks, Anna, I hope so too.’

‘For me, the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is this – ’

‘What, Anna?’

‘Never love someone who is in love with himself. Such a person has no room in his heart to love others the right way.’

Episode Two: Like Wildfire In High Wind (IV)

Love hurts too much. Is it worth the trouble?


Scene 4: Café Light Nibbles, Nathan Road

Anna nurses a sandwich between her fingers. She takes tiny bites. ‘What’s the matter? Your appetite isn’t too good today – or is it the food? Shall I call the waiter?’

Twinkle pushes her chicken rice backwards and forward with her chopsticks. ‘Anna, can I be frank with you and come straight to the point?’

‘Uh huh.’

‘I’m curious.’

‘What are you curious about?’

Twinkle drops her face, flushing furiously. ‘This is so embarrassing. I don’t even know how to broach the subject – ’

Anna sips her pomegranate juice. She puts down her sandwich, wipes her mouth daintily, and peers at Twinkle. ‘I know things have been a little awkward between us but that’s the past. We can talk to each other openly, nothing to be shy about, yes?’

‘I’m curious to know – ’

‘Yes?’

‘How did you get over Jeff? I mean, you were dating for two-and-a-half years and suddenly – oh Anna, you know what I mean!’

Anna’s eyes are serious. She looks at Twinkle intently. ‘Where are these questions coming from? Are you feeling unsure about Jeff, is that it? I can assure you there’s nothing between the two of us anymore – ’

‘No, that’s not it, Anna. What I’d like to know is how do you – did you – go from being Jeff’s steady one minute, ready to marry him if he proposes, to suddenly forgetting … forgetting about the relationship and letting go of him the next. How did your emotions change so much? How did you switch off?’

A cloud passes over Anna’s face.

‘Oh, I’m sorry I hurt you – ’ Twinkle reaches over and touches Anna.

Anna waves it away. ‘No, no, it’s not your fault. I am the one responsible for my own feelings. I must learn to handle my past. This is my past.’

Twinkle is blown away. ‘I admire your determination.’

Anna takes out a tissue and sniffs into it. ‘It didn’t come easy. I learnt it the hard way.’

They sit in silence for awhile.

‘Do you know what I’m determined about most in my life now?’ Anna suddenly asks.

‘No, what?’

‘I’m determined never to fall in love again – ’

Twinkle is horrified but tactfully conceals it. She takes big gulps of her iced milk tea. ‘I’m sure that's the way you feel now but you may feel differently tomorrow - ’

‘No, no, if anything this experience with Jeff has taught me, it is that sometimes - maybe even always – love isn’t enough!’ Anna wrings her tissue in her hands, clearly distressed now.

‘That’s – ’ Twinkle pauses, unsure how to proceed for fear of tripping up and making things worse - oh, why did she have to start the subject!

‘Anna, I do respect your feelings very much but perhaps, you’re too hasty?’

Anna shakes her head. The afternoon sun through the large shop-window catches the sheen of her long, immaculate hair. Other diners stare at her, amazed and enchanted by this pretty, delicate little thing.

‘If love were enough, you and I wouldn’t be sitting here this afternoon having this conversation. Because believe me, I loved Jeff. He was the first guy I ever loved and I think, most likely, he'll be the last.’

Suddenly the room feels as if it's beginning to spin. Twinkle grabs hold of the table to steady herself. 'I don't understand, Anna. You said you were over him. You said you had no more feelings. That it's all in the past - I really don't understand!'

Anna sets her mouth in a determined way. 'Can I really tell you what I feel about Jeff now? Do you want to know?'

Twinkle does not know whether to nod or shake her head. The possibilities of Anna's answer terrify her. Does she want to know? Does she need to know? Why, oh why, has she gone and stirred up a hornet's nest?

Episode Two: Like Wildfire In High Wind (III)

I love to bake cheesecakes and watch people eat them ...

Scene 3: Belvedere, The Peak

She is sipping a pink lemonade by the pool, keeping an eye on Seraphina.

These days, you just can’t take your eyes off the hired help. Take your eyes off and the furniture won't get dusted, the windows will only be summarily wiped down and the vacuum cleaner stashed into God-knows which corner of the house.

'Seraphina, Seraphina – where has that girl gone? – Seraphina – '

She abandons her lemonade. It is too hot to sunbathe anyway. The glare is shining straight into her eyes. So much for the view of the harbour.

‘Seraphina – oh, there you are. Is the cheesecake ready? Is it done?’

Poor Seraphina ducks back into the kitchen, slipping and sliding on the slippery floor. Too much wax on the marble, must remember to use less the next time – she makes a mental note.

‘Madam, the cake is almost done. I can see it’s nearly there – ’

‘Did you test it with a skewer?’

‘No, Madam – ’

‘Then how on earth do you know it’s almost done? Ai, do I have to do everything myself?’ – she pulls her robe together.

In her soft pink slippers, she pads across the floor, walking in such small mincing steps, she resembles a tiny geisha. The living room glistens in white. The sofas are white, the marble floor is white, the bearskin rug white, the vases and its tulips all white. The only thing which isn’t white is a crimson red painting on the longest wall – a painting of a village scene in Florence, Italy.

‘Have you made sure Angie’s room is spotlessly clean?’

‘Yes, Madam – ’

‘Good, she’s coming back today and I want everything to be perfect for her. Perfect from top to bottom. Did you remember to tell Joe to pick up the sushi?’

‘Yes, Madam – ’

‘Wonderful. Ok, Seraphina – you can bring me the cocoa powder now. The cake’s done. I want to finish up the tiramisu.’

Seraphina reaches into the enormous fridge in the sparklingly shiny French-styled kitchen and pulls out a canister of cocoa. Madam is driven by an urge to keep everything in the house spick and span, absolutely driven. This extends to managing the smallest detail in the kitchen. She likes – no, needs – everything to be put away either in the cupboards or in the fridge. Nothing must hang about – be left lying around – or be tossed casually on any countertop. And, not only are objects to be stored away neatly, they must be, if possible, stored in airtight spaces.

‘Seraphina – did I tell you how much Angie loves tiramisu and cheesecake?’

‘Yes, Madam, Angie loves tiramisu and cheesecake and lobster thermidor and abalone soup and sushi – ’

‘Yes, yes, yes!’ – she claps her hands happily like a child – ‘Oh, I’m so excited to see Angie. At last, after four years! It’s too long, just too long – I can’t wait!’

She finishes dusting the tiramisu. Seraphina, meanwhile, has gingerly moved the cheesecake out of the oven. Ordinarily, they would have left the cheesecake inside to cool but not this time – Angie likes her cheesecake warm and jiggly, straight from the oven!

The abalone soup is simmering gently on the stove. Seraphina does not dare go near it. It is Madam’s speciality and a very skilled, light hand must be employed in dealing with this soup. Also, a highly sophisticated palate is required to discern the level of seasoning the soup needed. Seraphina’s tastebuds have been spoilt by years of eating devastatingly sour food that’s been spiked with obscene quantities of jalapeno chillies. She doesn’t trust herself to go near such subtle delicacies as an abalone soup.

Instead, she plays with the lobster which is sitting gloomily in a very large roasting pan – all dressed and nowhere to go! She adjusts a sprig of parsley that has been tucked into the lobster’s belly.

And not a moment too soon – they hear the car pull up in the driveway. ‘That must be Joe! Oh they’re here! Seraphina, get the door - ’

Seraphina pulls open the massive doors with some effort.

‘Aunt Tiffany! Oh, Aunt Tiffany, how wonderful you look!’

Madam Car spins around like a giggly schoolgirl, slightly shy in her bathing robe but proud her figure is still as svelte and slender as when she was a teenager. Her matching bathing suit fits her like a second skin. ‘Angie, Angie – stop spinning me, I’m getting dizzy. Let me look at you instead. Oh, you’re not too bad yourself – what a lovely, lovely girl you’ve turned out to be! It must be our family genes!’

Angie gives a hearty laugh. She hugs her aunt and they shower each other with kisses.

Joe, the chauffer, quietly carries Angie’s luggage into the house, hands them over to Seraphina.

‘I’ll get the sushi – ’ he says and efficiently disappears back to the car.

‘Angie, come to kitchen. Guess what I’ve got for you – ’

Angie pushes her sunglasses up to her head, leaves it perched there, as she whips her scarf off her neck. ‘What are you up to, Aunt Tiffany? What have you been doing?’

She spots the cake on the table, squeals and dashes over to the kitchen drawers, looking for a spoon. ‘This is heavenly – ’ she murmurs, digging straight into the soft, warm cake. ‘So, so, delicious – oh my God, you remembered!’

Madam Car giggles. ‘My dearest Angie, you’re the only person in my life – the only person I know – who eats cheesecake straight from the oven and with a spoon!’

‘Yes, it’s a pudding for me, a wonderful custardy pudding!’

Madam Car cannot resist. She pulls out a spoon and joins in.

‘I haven’t lost my touch, eh?’

‘Superb! Top marks! Oh Aunt Tiffany, I love you!’

Seraphina, luggage deposited in the guest room upstairs, wanders back into the kitchen and stands sombrely in a corner waiting for instructions.

‘Seraphina, you silly goose – come here!’

‘Yes, Madam – ’ she inches her towards the kitchen table. To her astonishment, a spoon is thrust at her. ‘Come and eat this cake and tell me – isn’t it the most wonderful cheesecake in the whole world?’

Seraphina puts her spoon in and take a tiny glop. She sticks the glop into her mouth and tastes. Heaven …

‘Seraphina, this is my favourite niece – Angie. She’s just returned from Vancouver. From now onwards, she’s staying with us, until she finds her own apartment and sets up her own den. You must take good care of her, understand?’

‘Yes, Madam.’

‘Angie’s just completed her Masters in Marine Biology. She’s a scientist and we’re so proud of her!’

Seraphina nods. 'Oh, I see – that’s why Angie loves seafood.'

'Yes. And that's why I'm so eager to introduce her to Chi Yat-Po. Remember that delightful young man I was telling you about?'

'The young man with the fishing float?'

'Precisely.'

Angie, satisfied with wolfing down a chunk of cheesecake, wanders to the abalone soup and takes a sniff. 'I'm hungry for soup and lobster.'

Madam Car laughs again. 'I have two words for you - 'boy,' 'friend.' When you have a 'boyfriend,' we'll see if you dare eat like a horse still - '

Angie smirks. 'There's not an ounce of flab on me, Aunt. I'm fitter than a fiddle.'

'Vainpot. It's just as well you've got my genes. Your Mum's always the fleshier one.'

'Yes, Mum sends her love. She wants to know when you'll be going to visit her.'

'Sorry, darling Angie. Hongkong is just about as cold as I'd like a city to be. Vancouver's an icebox. Tell your Mum to come over instead.'

Angie drops the lid back on the soup. 'So who is this Chi Yat-Po person you're so eager for me to meet?'

Madam Car twirls around and claps her hands again. 'Oh, you'll find out soon enough, soon enough, my pretty niece!'

Angie feigns a pout. 'Another one of your projects, Aunt Tiffany?'

'No, my dear! Oh how crass of you to say that! Chi Yat-Po is a one-of-a-kind sort of person. There are not many people like him these days. Oh, what's the use of my telling you. You've just got to meet him yourself. You'll love him!'

'Love him, huh? We'll see about that - '

Madam Car gets up from her chair. 'Ok Angie - shoo shoo! Go get washed up and changed. Your uncle will be back in a minute!'

Episode Two: Like Wildfire In High Wind (II)

Two's a company, three's a crowd ... the dangers of an inter-office romance


Scene 2: Frankie’s Office at Tung Ming Toy Co.

For a minute, there is an uncomfortable silence. Just a minute, and then it passes.

Anna smiles and picks up a folder and hands it to Frankie. ‘I think this one is due as well – ’ she says. She turns and gives Jeff a tiny smile.

Twinkle catches the look. She is puzzled.

Jeff is impatient. ‘So Frankie, what is your decision on the matter?’

Frankie puts up a hand, he’s perusing the final details on an important account, does not want to break his concentration and start all over again. Chairman Cheuk is out of the office and will be back later in the afternoon for an important meeting and he needs to give an answer so that the team can move forward on this major account.

Twinkle tries to catch Anna’s eye but the latter is looking at Jeff’s face.

‘Frankie, can you please try not to keep us in suspense? We really need to know!’

Frankie puts down his document. He can see it’s no use telling Jeff to wait another minute. ‘Sit down, please, everyone sit down – ’

Twinkle slides into a chair next to Anna. Jeff sits at the far end.

‘Jeff, Twinkle, I’ve given this much thought. I’m prepared to give you both a second chance if you will reassure me that you yourselves have considered matters carefully and are serious in your decision. I hope you will not waver – ’

‘Of course, of course! Twinkle is a hundred-percent committed, I guarantee that!’

‘I need to hear that from Twinkle, not you, Jeff. Well, Twinkle – ’

She gazes up at Frankie, tears of gratitude glistening in her eyes. ‘Yes, I’m committed. I won’t back down from my resolve.’

‘Have you sorted out the things you needed sorting out? Have you given yourself a chance to think things over? Or do you need some more time? I'll understand if you need more time.’

Twinkle shakes her head. ‘No, I don’t want to think anymore. This is the best thing for me. I just need to keep busy with work, that’s what I need – ’

‘I’m glad to hear that. Well, Jeff, Anna, it looks like we have Twinkle back on the team. Anna, will you inform Human Resource to do up the necessary paperwork today?’

‘Of course, Jeff. I’ll do that straightaway – ’ Anna turns and smiles broadly at Twinkle, extends a hand. ‘Welcome back.’

Twinkle takes her hand, gives it a friendly shake. ‘Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me.’

‘As long as you’re committed to your profession and are happy to continue working here with everybody, you’re welcomed anytime.’ Anna pulls Twinkle over for a quick hug.

‘Wonderful! Wonderful! Thanks so much for the second chance, Frankie! I can assure you I will make sure Twinkle gives her very best to the company!’ – Jeff pumps Frankie’s hands up and down. ‘I will supervise her like a hawk, she won’t have a second to goof off while I’m around, boss!’

Frankie breaks into a small laugh. ‘This company always values good people. Creativity, talent, hardwork and loyalty are what we appreciate. Twinkle has these values and we were so sorry when she quitted our team a few months back. But, I do understand sometimes one has personal issues that need sorting out and in order to do that, one needs to take a break from work. I just hope there are no more personal issues between the two of you and we can get back to work as professionals once more – ’

‘Don’t you worry, I’m always professional in my conduct!’

Jeff reaches over and gives Twinkle’s hand a squeeze. ‘The skies are blue again!’

But she has no eyes for him at the moment. She is staring at Anna, a very strange thought is crossing her mind.

‘Anna, can we have lunch together afterwards?’

‘Sure, Twinkle, of course, I'd love to.’

‘All right, you guys – ’ Frankie switches back to general manager-mode, ‘back to work before I bring out the big stick!’

Anna leads Twinkle out of the room with a friendly hand on the shoulders while Jeff skips out behind them. 'Ooh, I have my foot-shuttle partner back again, ' he says, sing-song.

Episode Two: Like Wildfire In High Wind (I)

Happy so long as nobody mentions the name 'Jing Ko'





Scene 1: Hong Kong Airport

He is craning his neck. The crowd keeps shoving him and he struggles to maintain his spot at the front of the queue – Here, Ah Pa, hold my arm!

He grabs hold of his father, makes sure the man doesn’t get swept away – ‘Why is the airport so busy today?’

‘It’s the peak season. Everyone’s coming and going from their holidays. Chi Yat-Po, your Kou Kou is going to be so delighted to see you again – ’

He hangs on to his father’s arm. Every muscle in his body feels sore. He has slept badly, tossing and turning the whole night. In the middle of the night, he had a nightmare, sees Koon Sing coming after him with a brandished sword, runs like mad and falls off a precipice, but not before he first spots Twinkle standing in the background yelling for him. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be all right – he keeps yelling back, to reassure her, to stop her from rushing after him, but it seems like the more he tries to pacify her, the angrier Koon Sing becomes. It’s a bad omen, that’s what it is. Bad, bad omen.

This morning, he wakes up early and tries to keep to his usual routine – goes down and buys breakfast for himself and Ah Pa, exercises a bit on the balcony – the fresh air always does him good – reads the papers, he enjoys sports, comics and the local news – and has a chat with Ah Pa. After that, he goes down and washes his pick-up, his trusty old pick-up which he has had for five years years.

Five years, has it been that fast? Seems only like yesterday, he was saving every penny, scrimping here and there, in order to accumulate enough for the second-hand pick-up. One of these days, he’ll save up and get his old dad a better apartment. Yes, that’s his next project. An apartment with larger rooms so they’ll have more space and live comfortably. Maybe one with a nice view of the city, instead of their present apartment which has no view at all, hemmed in on all sides by old buildings, which are studded with ugly, old air-conditioning boxes and bamboo poles bearing loads of washing. Yes, that’ll be his next secret project. But he’s got to make a little more money first. Got to figure out a way to make those whelks and mussels around his fishing float grow more profusely to meet the increasing customer demand for these delicacies. Got to manage the timing right. Yesterday, a restaurant wanted to know if he could supply 50 kilos of whelks and mussels a week during the peak tourist season. He did not know the answer, told them he’d have to go do a bit of calculating first, investigate if the timing of the whelk and mussel harvest season is right, before he could give an answer. Of late, his fish and shellfish are fetching high prices – with more and more seafood restaurants opening in the harbour area.

‘Son, stop daydreaming and help Kou Kou with the bags!’ – oops, Chi Kam Kiu has arrived and she is staring at him with those beady eyes of hers, grinning from ear to ear, her arm looped around Greeny’s.

‘Chi Yat-Po! Aren’t you glad to see your aunt, you silly boy?’ She gives him a hard hug, knocks the wind out of him. ‘Hey, I’m gone a few weeks and you’re looking so tired and haggard. Languishing without me, are you? Is my vegetable business still on its feet or have you manage to drive it to the ground?’ – she pinches his cheeks, pokes him in the stomach. He jumps away, he’s ticklish.

‘Kou Kou, stop teasing me! Otherwise, I won’t carry your bags!’

‘Hah, see if you dare! Don’t want your presents, do you? Anyway, if you won’t carry my bags, someone else will – ’ she grins at her husband. Greeny gets the hint, picks up the largest suitcase and puffs up his chest.

‘Wife, this way – follow me …’

They walk past the long queues.

‘What did you get me, Kou Kou? Something expensive and very nice, I hope!’

‘Cheeky. I got you a teddy bear, a pink one with big blue bow, for you to hug when you go to sleep – ’

‘Hey, that’s not funny. I’m not a little boy anymore!’

‘No, you’re not. You’re not. You’re my grown-up nephew, a man. And I’m very proud of you. So, Chi Yat-Po, tell me – how’s your love life these days?’ Chi Kam Kiu catches him by the elbow.

He makes a quick move, shakes her off, and walks quickly ahead – ‘Quick, everybody – this way, before the traffic jams starts and we are stuck here!’

‘This Chi Yat-Po, always so shy when asked about his love life - incorrigible – ’

Greeny pats his wife on the back. ‘Josephine, this is Chi Yat-Po. Like you’re always telling me, he’s one who is fond of keeping things to himself. Be patient. When he’s ready, I'm sure he'll tell us what's on his heart.’

‘He’d better. Life is too short for this kind of dilly-dallying. You better be a good influence and teach him that!’

Greeny gives one of his slow smiles. ‘If a duffer like me can find romance, surely Chi Yat-Po will do better.’

Episode One: Goodbye Is The Hardest Word (V)

Twinkle, why are you covered in bruises?

Scene 5: At Twinkle’s Apartment


Kan Sui Zhong has whipped out another bowl of soup. This time, chicken feet with pumpkin and adzuki beans. Interesting flavours, he thinks, as he takes a tentative sip – Daughter, come and have some!

She sits on the sofa, feet up, flipping through a magazine. The cover reads: ‘How To Know If It's The Real Thing.’

‘Daughter, this soup is going to make your skin beautiful – if you don’t drink it while it’s hot, all its efficacy will be lost!’

She gets up, walks listlessly to the table. ‘Ah Pa – I told you I’m not hungry. Why do you still insist on cooking up so much food?’

He grins. ‘Can’t a man be happy his daughter is back home? Lam-Lam, do you know how worried I was when you were away? I didn’t know when you were coming home, when I’d see you again. I was worried your departed mother will hound me for an answer!’

She tastes the soup. ‘It’s all right. Tastes not bad.’

‘Lam-Lam, I know you don’t like me to interfere with your life but I must say I’m very happy with the decision you’ve made – ’

She stares at her father. Moves to the far side of the room. For some reason, she does not feel like continuing the conversation.

‘I know Chi Yat-Po is a nice boy and all. And he’s been your best friend all these years. And he obviously cares very much for your wellbeing. But – ’

‘But what, Ah Pa, what do you want to say?’

‘Don’t jump at me. I’m not saying anything a reasonable parent wouldn’t say. Chi Yat-Po, for all his virtues, is not an equal match. Your world and his world – well, they’re worlds apart! You know we Chinese have a saying about bamboo doors facing bamboo doors ...’

She scowls at her father. ‘He is no longer in my world, as you put it, so please can we talk about something else – ’

Kan Sui Zhong sighs happily. ‘I’m glad you think this way. Chi Yat-Po is a happy fishmonger. He is satisfied with his fishing float and his fishing stall and cutting and cleaning and selling fish. He will wake up every morning and do this without complaints. Chi Yat-Po, if you’ll forgive me for saying, is just like his father – simple-minded and singularly without ambition.’

Twinkle feels her ire rising. ‘How can you say that, Ah Pa – you don’t know him as well as I do – ’

‘Hey, before you jump to conclusions, let me tell you this. When Chi Kam Kwai was a young man, he was completely like this as well. Having enough to fill his rice-bowl was all he cared about. Tell him about more enterprising matters, he’s gone – like a shot out of the door.’

‘And what’s your point, Ah Pa? Isn’t Uncle Chi Kam Kwai happy as he is? Isn’t he doing well being a good provider for his family?’

‘Good provider? You call that being a good provider? Hah, his one young son has nothing except a fish-stall and a fishing float. They live in a small apartment with two bedrooms and a tiny kitchen. Everyday, they work from sun-up to sundown doing something which every man, woman and child in Hong Kong knows is a menial, lowly job. What does Chi Kam Kwai have, I ask you?’

‘Chi Kam Kwai is contented. Isn’t that enough?’

‘Contented? Contented is what people say when they’re failures and cowards. People who can’t make headway in this world and don’t have the courage to go out there and make a grab for their piece of the pie! Now Koon Sing - that Koon Sing is a different species altogether – ’

‘I’m so glad you approve of Koon Sing – ’

Kan Sui Zhong does not notice the sarcasm in her voice.

‘With Koon Sing, you’ll never ever have to go home to a man who stinks from the sweat of his labour. With Koon Sing, you’ll be able to expand your horizons, go where your poor mother and I have never gone before. With Koon Sing, you’ll be able to see the world, conquer the world! You’ll have something Chi Yat-Po will be never able to give you. Do you know what that is?’

‘What is that, Ah Pa?’

‘Respect. Respect from people in this society. You ask yourself – how many people are going to respect the wife of a fishmonger. I dare you, go to the street and tell people – I’m the wife of a fishmonger and see what they say. See if they will give you a second glance.’

‘Ah Pa, I know you mean well for me but can we not talk about Chi Yat-Po anymore?’

‘All right, all right, as you wish. I only hope you appreciate your good fortune that a man like Koon Sing finds favour in you – ’

The doorbell buzzes.

‘Who can that be?’

Jeff’s face appears at the opened door. Kan Sui Zhong flings himself at Jeff, gives him a bear hug, to the surprise of the younger man. ‘Uncle – ’

‘Ahh, speak of the devil! Come in, my dear young man, come in. You’re just in time. Soup!’ – Kan Sui Zhong snatches up the big bunch of flowers from Jeff's hands, propels him into a chair, forces him to sit in it, drags a bowl of soup before him and forces a spoon into his hand. ‘Eat, eat! Lam-Lam, here's some flowers for you, isn't it lovely!’

Jeff digs into the soup. ‘This smells wonderful. You’re a very good cook, Uncle – thank you ...’

Kan Sui Zhong beams, he massages Jeff’s shoulder as if he were a prized bull. All of a sudden, from the corner of his eye he catches Twinkle glaring at him – ‘Ah, Koon Sing, you sit here and eat your soup. I’ve suddenly remembered I’ve got something important to do –’

‘Where are you going, Uncle?’

‘I, ahh, I’m going to see my, my – yes, my bookie. I’ve forgotten to place my numbers for this week’s lottery. You two talk as long as you wish, I’ll be out for some time. See you, daughter! See you, Koon Sing – ’ and before Twinkle can stop him, the door bangs shut behind him.

Jeff pushes the bowl of soup away. He stands up and approaches Twinkle.

‘Isn't it kind of late for you to come and see me – ’

‘Oh, don’t be silly. Isn’t it normal for a boyfriend to be eager to see his girlfriend no matter what time of day?’

She crosses her arms, hugs herself and sits down on the sofa. He hurries to her side.

‘Twinkle, I was so anxious to see you – ’

‘Why?’

‘I wanted to know if you’ve talked to Chi Yat-Po, if you’ve told him about us. What I mean to say is, is he all right? Has he come to terms with our decision to be together? Well?’

She turns her face away from him. ‘Yes, I’ve spoken to him – ’

‘And – how did he take it?’

‘As always, he was a gentleman. He told me not to worry about it, told me he’d be fine – ’

Jeff leaps up from the sofa. ‘That is great, just great!’ – he tries to pull Twinkle to her feet – ‘Come on, get dressed, let’s go out and celebrate!’

The shock and horror must have registered pretty clearly in her face because the next minute, Jeff steps back – ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, so sorry. I’m being an insensitive cad, aren’t I?’

‘Yes, you are. He was, he is – my best friend.’

‘I know, Twinkle, I know. But don’t be mad at me – isn’t it a fact I’m your best friend now. That’s what I’m supposed to be, isn’t it? A boyfriend most certainly is one's best friend, yes?’

The thought of that has not struck her before. Now she feels the full force of it. And the violence of it shocks her. Shocks her so much, she involuntarily shakes her head – ‘Oh no, oh no, what have I done? What have I done – ’

Jeff takes her into his arms, holds her so tight she can hardly breath. ‘It’s going to be okay, Twinkle. It’s going to be okay. Now you have me. You have me. You don’t need Chi Yat-Po anymore. You’ve got me!’

She shudders, cold and terribly frightened at the same time. This is not how she imagined love to be. ‘Koon Sing, let me go – I can’t breathe!’

Reluctantly, he releases her. ‘Your hands are cold – ’ he takes her hand and starts to massage it – ‘Hey, what is this? How did you injure yourself?’

She looks at her hand. Sees what he means. A big, black bruise has formed on the top section of her wrist. Quickly, she checks her other hand. A matching bruise, slightly below the left wrist.

‘What happened? How come you’re black and blue all over?’

She has no idea.

‘Did you fall down?’

‘No, I didn’t.’

‘This is very weird. Did you sprain yourself by accident?’

She shakes her head. ‘No, no, nothing like that – ’ then suddenly remembers and blushes violently.

He sees her red face. ‘Why is your face so hot? Are you all right?’

‘Koon Sing, I don’t feel so well – ’

‘Have you got a fever?’ – he tries to take her temperature but she refuses to let him touch her forehead.

‘I want to go to bed. I want to sleep – ’

He looks at her, stock-still. After a few moments, he relents. ‘All right, I’ll call you tomorrow. You go to bed. Come, I’ll take you to your room – ’ but she refuses his hand. Refuses to let him take her by the elbow and lead her to her room. Instead, she shrugs him off. Pushes him towards the door. Opens the door and shoves him out.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow – ’

‘Ok, tomorrow. Tomorrow then – ’ his voice echoes forlornly on the other side of the door.

She locks the door. Quickly, she runs to her room. Once her door is locked, she inspects herself. Checks her arms all over. No, there is no other sign of bruising except that on her wrists.

She sits down on her bed and looks at her wrist. She touches the bruises. The flesh is tender, it hurts. Softly, she murmurs to herself – ‘Chi Yat-Po, you hurt me …’

Episode One: Goodbye Is The Hardest Word (IV)

Yip Sheung Wai, you made me wait half a lifetime, you nitwit...


Scene 4: In A Crowded Café in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf

Her feet are killing her but CHI KAM KIU (Kingdom Yuen) wants to get up and start walking again.

‘Come on, there’s more things to see up ahead. More shops and restaurants on that side of the wharf – ’

‘Josephine, I may be your new husband but I’m no spring chicken. Give me a minute and let me finish this coffee.’

GREENY (Ram Tseung) sips his espresso, makes a face as he burns his lips.

‘Josephine, you really surprise me – ’

‘What? Underestimating me, are you? Let me tell you, my friend, there’s still a lot of zip in this old body of mine. Years and years of drudgery has made me a lean, mean, on-the-go machine …’

Greeny laughs. He has never been so happy in his life, nor so exhausted.

‘All right, we’ll go. But on one condition – one more block and then we really have to stop and get some dinner. I’m dying of hunger here! All these little cakes and pastries are not filling me up at all, I need real food!’

They pick up their bags of shopping and make a mad dash across the road.

‘Pretty, so pretty – ’ chirps Chi Kam Kiu, rummaging through stacks of trinkets and toys and T-shirts in one of the many gift shops that line Pier 39.

‘Oh no, haven’t we got enough souvenirs for everyone? Madam, have mercy – I have only two hands to carry all your shopping!’

Chi Kam Kiu giggles. She feels like a young girl again, as if she's fallen into a fountain of youth and is filled to the brim with eternal joy. She looks at Greeny, pulls a face. ‘Who asked you to say ‘I do?’ Did anybody twist your arm to say ‘I do?’ Now that you’ve said ‘I do,’ you’d better ‘do it’ – otherwise, I’ll take you to court!’

Greeny grins and fakes a sigh. ‘All right, my little wife, all right – I’ll be your slave the rest of my life. You say “jump” and I’ll say “how high?” – good enough?’

‘Shameless! Talking like this at your age! Hey, does this shirt fit Chi Yat-Po?’

She picks out another shirt for her favourite nephew. This time one that reads ‘Alcatraz 627189.’

‘Hey, Chi Yat-Po’s not going to wear that! That’s a prisoner’s shirt, no good – ’

‘Ok, you choose then – would you rather have this one instead – it says “Alcatraz Psycho Ward?”’

‘You’re right. Stick with the 627189 shirt – ’

One hour later, they finish shopping the block.

The sky is a rosy pink, the first blush of evening. It is a fitting end to a wonderful day.

It is their last evening in San Francisco. Three weeks have gone by in a flash.

Greeny picks a seafood restaurant. A cheerful-looking eatery all decked out in white and red stripes. They order Dungeness crab pasta, mussels in white wine, a large bowl of clam chowder and a big side order of Caesar’s salad.

‘Josephine – you’ve made me a very, very happy man!’

Greeny tries to hold Chi Kam Kiu’s hands but she hides them in her lap. Despite her ebullience, she is still old-fashioned. Holding hands in public is a big no-no.

Greeny wipes his glasses. When he puts them back on his nose, he is startled to find Chi Kam Kiu looking down, tears falling into her bowl of soup.

‘Josephine, Josephine – have I done something wrong? Did I hurt you – ’

Chi Kam Kiu weeps silently into her bowl of soup.

Greeny looks over his shoulders, embarrassed anyone might see them in this state.

‘Oh Josephine, I’m a stupid man. Tell me what I did wrong and I’ll stop doing it!’

She lifts her head, sniffs and wipes a hand across her nose.

‘Yes, Yip Sheung Wai, that’s what you are. Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid – ’

Greeny is alarmed. Surely Josephine’s not old enough to be menopausal – what’s the reason for this wild mood swing?

‘Do you know why you’re stupid?’

‘Why, my little wife, why?’

‘You’re stupid because you waited this long to make me happy – ’

‘Oh Josephine!’

‘Stupid because you made me wait half a lifetime – made me waste half a lifetime – wasted my youth – wasted my passion, my energy, my love, wasted it on somebody else while you took your own sweet time to turn up!’

‘Oh Josephine!’

It is Greeny’s turn to cry.

The waiter who brings them their salad is alarmed – ‘Sir, Madam – is there something wrong with the order? Shall I get the manager?’

Greeny sniffs loudly. He waves the waiter off. ‘Oh go away! Can’t you see we’re being exceedingly happy? Give us some privacy, will you?’

The waiter, a white guy, shakes his head. Chinese people, he'll never understand Chinese people ...

Episode One: Goodbye Is The Hardest Word (III)

Miserable but have to keep working, mustn't let Ah Pa know ...


Scene 3: At The Market Place

‘I’m sorry, Ah Pa …’

Chi Kam Kwai looks up to see his son, lugging in a box of fish. Immediately, he drops what he is doing and goes over to him. ‘Son, where have you been? I’ve been so worried about you. Did you find Jing Ko?’

Chi Yat-Po does not like lying to his father. He has never lied to his father, not once in his entire life. Instead of answering, he drops his head and looks at the ground. Not a word escapes from his lips.

Chi Kam Kwai is a patient man. He removes his bloodied apron and motions for his shop assistant to take over the task of seeing to a customer who is turning over a live pomfret in her hands. Aunty, don’t manhandle the fish - Ah Piu here will help you to get a nice, lively one!

He pulls his son into the back of the shop.

‘Son, do you know how frantic Jing Ko has been? She’s been searching for you. She called the house early this morning. I haven’t even brushed my teeth and the phone was ringing off the hook. She says she’s been calling your mobile but there’s no pick-up. What happened? Where did you go? I thought you knew where to find Jing Ko last night when you dashed off all of a sudden – well, answer me, will you?’

He lifts his head but his eyes do not meet his father’s gaze. ‘Ah Pa, don’t ask me so many questions all at once. I don’t know how to answer you – ’

‘Just tell me one thing – did you find Jing Ko last night or didn’t you? What’s happened between the two of you? Why was she calling so early this morning?’

‘No, Ah Pa, I can honestly tell you. Jing Ko and I did not meet last night. I did not manage to talk to her or see her face-to-face at all.’

‘But I thought you knew where she was?’

‘Ah Pa, people can make mistakes. I cannot read Jing Ko’s mind. I may think she’s at a certain place but in actuality she is somewhere else – ’

‘Then did she manage to get through to you this morning? Where have you been the whole morning anyway?’

‘I’m sorry I overslept out at the fishing float. Yes, I did finally manage to see Jing Ko. In fact, she came over to the fishing float this morning and that’s why I am so late to work –’

‘I see, I see – ’ a smile breaks over Chi Kam Kwai’s face. He puts a hand on his son’s shoulder, gives him an affectionate squeeze.

‘Son, my son, why are you looking so miserable? You are a silly boy indeed – ’

‘Ah Pa, don’t tease me, I’m not in the mood – ’

‘Ah Pa teasing you is a small matter. You’re a silly boy, looking so embarrassed and shy. My son, it’s a natural thing for a man to fall in love with a woman and vice-versa. There’s nothing for you to be ashamed of. So you and Jing Ko have finally reached an understanding, I trust?’

‘Yes, we have reached an understanding – ’

‘That’s good, son, good. One cannot live in a state of uncertainty for prolonged periods over matters of the heart. It’s good that both of you understand each other and are clear about where you both stand. All this uncertainty will take a toll on your health otherwise – ’

‘Yes, everything is certain and fixed now. There’s no going back, no – ’

‘That’s the way, my son. No going back. We must focus on what’s ahead. Keep going forward and don’t look back. Let the past be the past. If we have such an attitude, our life will be a happy and smooth-sailing one – ’

‘I won’t look back, Ah Pa. I’ll do my best not to turn back, trust me – ’

Chi Kam Kwai is beaming from ear to ear. His shop assistant, Ah Piu, is also beaming from ear-to-ear, that naughty eavesdropper.

He comes over and puts a hand on Chi Yat-Po’s shoulders, cheerful and friendly. ‘Are we going to hear wedding bells soon? Hey, Chi Kam Kwai, looks like you’re going to be digging into your nest egg again – this time for a happier and more useful occasion … ’

Chi Kam Kwai rubs his hands. ‘Son, son, when do you think is a good time for me and Kou Kou to go over to Kan Sui Zhong to have a talk? As soon as possible, don’t you think?’

Chi Yat-Po groans.

‘Ah Pa, will you stop calling him that? He’s not a glutinous rice dumpling, he’s Jing Ko’s father! Show him some respect, won’t you?’

‘You’re right, my son, as always, you’re right. After all, he’s going to be our in-law soon and it’s no good for me to keep calling him by that teasing nickname. I’m sorry, my son. Forgive your old dad – it’s a force of habit. I promise I’ll be more careful when I speak about Brother Zhong in the future – ’

‘Ah Pa, let me handle my own marriage matters. Please don’t do anything, please! I know when is the right time for things to be done – ’

Chi Kam Kwai feels his heart would burst with joy. His son is no longer a boy but a man. He empathizes completely. The day he fell in love with Yat-Po’s mother, he had been a transformed man. Transformed in the twinkling of an eye. One day, he was a happy-go-lucky fellow, satisfied to wake up in the morning, go to work, meet up with his friends afterwards and have a beer or two, before knocking off for home.

In those days, he had little money. A labourer in a soy sauce brewery owned by his Third Uncle, he depended entirely on the charity of this uncle’s family just to get his three square meals a day. Fortunately, Third Uncle was a kind man and treated him like a son, the one he never had.

Chi Kam Kwai was a playful young man and often took his work lightly, skipping off in the middle of the day to hang out with his best mates at the dock. In those days, they were a gang of five – Lightning Yip, Old Dog Head, Ah Thong, Kan Sui Zhong and himself. They spent most of their days lounging around, playing cards, smoking, going fishing, dreaming of fame and fortune but it was all mere talk.

One afternoon, a girl came to the brewery in search of work. She was an orphan and even more penniless than Chi Kam Kwai was. A slim young thing, barely 17, with eyes that glowed bright and alert, a quick smile that reveal the tiniest row of pearlescent teeth. She sang songs in a lilting voice and loved reciting classical poetry.

Chi Kam Kwai was hooked in an instance. Like a fish with no hope of disentangling himself from the bait.

All of a sudden, he wasn’t a good-for-nothing. All of a sudden, he found renewed vigour for life, a passion and a positive attitude towards work which stunned even his most sceptical of aunts and uncles.

By the time his uncle wanted to sell the brewery, Chi Kam Kwai had risen to floor manager.

The sweet orphan girl, whose name was Mei Yan, agreed to marry him.

He guessed that was when the enmity started, the trouble between him and Kan Sui Zhong. Both of them had chased after the same girl but Mei Yan chose him. Why? He never knew, probably because he straightened out but Kan Sui Zhong remained a loose talker, a loafer and a braggart up until the day he met Twinkle’s mother, a rich shopkeeper's daughter, and succeeded in sweet-talking her into a hasty but profitable marriage.

'My son, now that you’re going to be the head of your own household, you must think about your future seriously – don’t be so playful anymore – I will give you my support in any endeavour you desire to undertake – ’

Chi Yat-Po pushes his father’s hands away. ‘Ah Pa, I’m so terribly tired right now. Can you please leave me alone? – ’

‘I’m just giving you sound advice – ’

‘Ah Pa. I just want to be left alone. I’m tired – can’t you understand something this simple?’

Chi Kam Kwai is surprised and a little hurt. ‘All right, all right, I’ll leave you alone for now. You may be my flesh and blood but I swear, sometimes I don’t understand what goes on between those two ears of yours …’

Chi Yat-Po picks up fish from the box and chucks them into the display containers at the front of their shop. One by one, he throws them into the water, carelessly.

‘Hey, watch it, watch it – don’t throw the fish so hard, you’ll kill them – ’ Chi Kam Kwai eyes his son suspiciously.

The minute he turns away, Chi Yat-Po mutters under his breath, ‘Good, at least someone here knows what it feels like to be dropped on the head …’

Episode One: Goodbye Is The Hardest Word (II)

Jing Ko, how many times do we have to have this conversation? Make up your mind!


Scene 2: At The Fishing Float

She has never seen him this way. So angry, so fierce, so unwilling to give in to her. What’s happened to the boy she knew, the one who’s always ready to lend a shoulder for her to cry on, the one who’s always picking up after her, the one who keeps her from falling down when she has too heavy a burden on her shoulders?

She spits out saltwater. ‘Chi Yat-Po, have you completely lost your mind? I could’ve drowned – ’

Hands on his hips, perched on the edge of the fishing float, he yells back – ‘I am completely of sound mind! You’re the one who’s lost her senses! Have you come to your senses now? Have you?’

He refuses to take her hand even though she reaches out to him, begging to be pulled in.

‘If you’re going to keep this up, then I don’t want to see you anymore. Get away from me. Go! Go on! Swim back to the island and leave me alone!’

She can see he is serious.

‘Chi Yat-Po, please, I’m begging you. Help me in – ’

‘Are you ready to listen to reason? Will you stop this nonsense and fickle-minded complaining …’

‘Yes! Yes!’

‘Are you sure? Because I don’t want to hear rubbish from you anymore and I don’t want to see anymore crying and whining – ’

‘Yes, I’m sure! I won’t cry anymore – please give me a hand!’

He stands for a moment, considers her face. Their eyes meet. He holds her gaze. She inhales sharply. Who is this man – this demanding, unyielding, implacable man with the fierce, steady gaze?

The moment passes, their gaze breaks.

He reaches down and takes her hand. She grabs on. With one swift movement, he hauls her out of the water and onto the fishing float again. His strength surprises her. She can’t imagine how her skinny stick of a friend suddenly grew so strong. How and when?

‘Get into the shack. You need to dry off – ’ he says, curt.

Meekly, she follows him back into the shack.

He finds a towel and tosses it to her. Again, she is surprised at his aloofness. Hurt and surprised. She dries off.

He goes to the kitchen and puts water on the boil.

From behind her towel, she peers at him. ‘Chi Yat-Po – ’ she starts but he cuts her off.

‘Shut up. I don’t want to hear another word from you. Not for the time being. You just dry off and sit down.’

She sits down at the meals table. He comes with a mug of hot tea.

‘Sip this.’

She drinks slowly. The tea is strong. Bitterly so.

‘I – ’

‘Shut up! Don’t say anything until I tell you to. Just finish the tea.’

She is perplexed. For the first time, she is unable to read his thoughts. His back is turned towards her. He is hunched over in his chair, apparently in deep thought.

Finally, the tea is finished.

‘I’ve finished,’ she announces.

He turns towards her, eyes serious and calm – ‘I have some questions for you. Answer them properly.’

‘All right – ’

‘And no lying. Tell the truth.’

‘All right, I’ll try.’

He pauses, inhales deeply as if to breathe in as much oxygen as he can.

And then the questions fly – fast and thick as a hail of bullets:

‘How do you feel when you’re with Koon Sing – happy or sad?’

‘Happy.’

‘How do you feel when you’re out dating with him – proud or ashamed?’

‘Proud.’

‘Do you admire him – does he have qualities which you like in a man?’

‘Yes, he is smart, funny and very creative.’

‘Can you picture yourself beside him as a soul mate and a life partner – no lying now!’

‘Yes, I think so.’

‘Do you still believe in horoscopes and Fate?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do believe Fate decides whom you should be with?’

‘Yes. No. I don’t know – ’

‘Never mind. Who went to Disneyland and found you – Koon Sing or me?’

‘Koon Sing.’

‘Is that important to you that he found you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Don’t you think that’s an answer from Fate?’

‘Maybe. I don’t know.’

‘I ask you again – do you like to be with Koon Sing or not?’

‘Yes.’

She sits and waits for the next question. It does not come.

‘Chi Yat-Po, say something.’

He takes the towel out of her hands and as if guided by an unseen force takes it to her head and rubs her wet hair with it – ‘You silly, silly thing ….’

His voice is soft and low. So low she is almost unable to make out what he’s saying.

‘Do you know it’s been a good thing for me that you’ve been gone these past few days?’

‘It has?’

‘It’s actually given me a chance to think things over. To get some clarity on what’s going on in our situation.’

‘Are you clear then on what’s going on?’

‘I think so, yes.’

‘Then explain it to me because I’m still confused. I don’t understand – if I like Koon Sing so much, why am I so miserable? Why can’t I sleep? Why did I stay up the whole night - thinking of you?’

‘Jing Ko, this is what I’ve figured. When a person is young, he has all kinds of emotions which he cannot understand. And sometimes, he gets these emotions mixed up.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You and I have been childhood friends since we were kids. You have no one else, no brothers, no sisters. And I had no one else, no brothers, no sisters. We had no one our age to spend time with and consequently, we found companionship with one another.’

‘That is true – ’

‘We cared for each other deeply like brother and sister and now … now that we’re grown up, we do not know how to handle these feelings. Especially since one of us has to move on and be involved in a love relationship with someone else.’

‘Are you saying we’re mixing up our feelings – thinking they are romantic feelings when in reality it’s only a love between best friends and siblings?’

‘Don’t you think that’s most likely the case?’

‘I’m not sure.’

‘Well, like I said, I’ve been thinking and checking my own feelings. And I think I may have muddled them up a bit – ’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Well, if I’m really in love with you – don’t you think I should have fought harder for you to stay instead of letting you go?’

‘Yes, you did let me go, that’s true – ’

‘I let you go with Simon, didn’t I? I let you go again with Koon Sing, didn’t I? Now what sort of a love is that if it were a man-and-woman love? Don’t you think it’s more a sibling-best friend sort of emotion – that I’m reluctant to lose a best friend or sister sort of situation?’

‘Yes, that does seem like it – ’

‘And if I have these feelings, won’t you have these feelings too – especially the reluctance to leave in order to join someone else?’

‘I see what you mean, yes.’

‘And that explains why you feel miserable and you can’t sleep and you keep thinking of me last night, don't you see?’

Her hair is still damp but he decides it's dried enough. He removes the towel, tosses it on the table and sits down. That shy, boyish smile plays on his lips.

She is relieved, so happy to see that familiar smile. His voice is soft once more, his mannerism towards her gentle and tender.

‘Chi Yat-Po, do you really believe Koon Sing and I have a future together?’

‘Without a doubt.’

They sit there for a long time, mulling in silence. He tries not to look at her, stares at the ceiling instead.

'Chi Yat-Po, will you always be my friend?'

He grins. 'Always, I swear.'

'Will you always tell me the truth?'

'Yes, I will - '

'Even if it hurts me?'

'Even if it hurts you.'

'Are you telling me the truth now - the whole truth?'

'Jing Ko, only God has the whole truth. I'm not God. I can only tell you what I know right this moment - '

'Ok, I can accept that.'

He gets up from the table, picks up her bag and hands it to her. ‘We better get going – Ah Pa will be looking for me.’

She follows him out to the boat docked by the side of his fishing float. The sun is high in the sky, the heat from its rays scorching her skin.

The engine of the boat roars loud over the waves. She clutches her bag to her chest. Chi Yat-Po fixes his eyes on a buoy in the distance. If he misses that buoy, they’ll have to go another round again to make their landing on the island. He is a local fellow and knows the weather well. The sun may be hot and scorching at the moment but the waves are playing up. This means a strong wind is blowing, possibly deteriorating into a gale afterwards. He has no wish to be caught in a storm, not with Twinkle in his small boat.

Episode One: Goodbye Is The Hardest Word (I)

What's the matter, Jing Ko? Don't cry, talk to me ...


Scene One: At The Fishing Float

He is startled from his sleep. Chi Yat-Po! Where are you?

This is terrible. Even in his sleep, he hears her voice. Has Twinkle become a ghost to haunt him now?

He turns and flips on his sofa, trying to find a spot to sink his weary body into the edges of the cushion. It has been an awful morning. He has been sitting on the edge of his fishing float for hours, until a numbness crept into his knees and exhaustion overtook him, causing him to nearly fall into the water.

It must be nearly ten o’clock now. Father must be surprised he has not turned up for work yet. Another batch of fish is sitting in a box waiting to be transferred to the market. But does he care? Does he really care? For the first time in his life, he feels selfish. Feels he does not care what anybody thinks. He has no mood to get up, no mood to work, no mood to even face all the old familiar faces at home.

If he had thought that sleep would have banished the heaviness in his heart, he was wrong. The pain is still sitting like a knife in the chest. A big, heavy knife with a big, heavy handle. Much like one of those cleavers he uses to cut up fish at the market every day.

He rubs his chest a few times. Feels the cleaver as if it were a tangible object in his fingers. Why the hell doesn’t the pain go away?

Chi Yat-Po! Where are you? Answer me, will you?

He jumps up with a start. Damn, that didn’t sound like a dream …

The door of his fishing shack suddenly swings open.

‘Chi Yat-Po? Where have you been? I’ve been calling and calling – why won’t you pick up?’

He blinks in utter surprise. Tries to stand up and smooth his hair down, tries to put his shoes on, but manages to only knock his knee against the coffee table, ouch.

She stomps into the room, flings down her bag and sits down, pulling him down beside her.

‘Chi Yat-Po,’ she says, ‘I’m utterly miserable.’

‘Eh, what’s happened?’

‘Chi Yat-Po, I ask you again, where have you been?’

‘Why, what’s the matter?’

‘I needed to talk to you. I needed to talk to you so badly.’

Suddenly, he is all alert. ‘Wait a minute,’ he says, ‘let me wash my face and I’ll talk to you.’

He dashes to the kitchen sink and splashes water on his face. Muttering under his breath, he chides himself for forgetting to bring a change of clothes to the fishing float. What must she think of him – dirty and smelly and a mess at this hour of the morning – no wonder it’s hard for her to decide whom she wants to be with …

He returns to the sofa to find her staring blankly at her hands.

‘Hey, don’t look so down. Things can’t be that bad. Talk to me.’

She lifts a wry smile to his face. Tries to grin but fails. She searches his eyes but he does not allow it, quickly dropping his gaze to both his knees.

‘What’s the matter, Jing Ko? I’ve been quite worried about you.’

And then as an immediate afterthought, quickly adds: ‘We’ve all been terribly worried about you, Koon Sing especially – ’

She wrings her hands. ‘Do you know what happened yesterday?’

‘No. What happened yesterday?’

He is a lousy liar, looks at the ground as if his shoes were about open their mouths and wag a tongue at him.

‘Koon Sing found me.’

‘Oh, really? That’s very good. That’s wonderful of him. Wonderful for you.’

‘He found me in the evening.’

‘That’s good, very good.’

‘Stop saying “good, very good.” Aren’t you interested where he found me?’

‘Yes, of course. Where did he find you?’

‘At Disneyland.’

‘Ah, Disneyland. So that’s where you were. Hey, how come you went to Disneyland without inviting me?’

She glared at him, not appreciating the ill-timed humour at all.
‘Chi Yat-Po, do you know how miserable I feel?’

‘What’s the matter? Why are you miserable? Koon Sing has found you – that should be reason enough for you to be glad.’

‘Chi Yat-Po, when Koon Sing found me at Disneyland yesterday, I said to myself: Fate has decided I’m to be with him – ’

‘Ahh, yes, fate! Good old fate…

‘Koon Sing and I spent the whole evening walking up and down Disneyland. When Disneyland closed, we went for a walk in the city. We walked and we walked and we walked. And all the while, Koon Sing talked about how we should talk to you. How to best let you know about us without hurting you, without causing you more grief – ’

She searches his face for a clue but obstinately he thwarts her, keeping his head down, his eyes averted. Bad, bad liar.

‘Jing Ko, listen to me – ’

‘Go ahead. I’m listening.’

‘You’re worrying too much. I’m not made of tofu, not so easily breakable …’

‘Chi Yat-Po, you don’t understand. Do you know what happened after Koon Sing and I parted last night?’

‘No, what happened?’

‘I went home and I tried to go to sleep. But the whole night, I couldn’t sleep! I couldn’t sleep and I was so miserable.’

‘Why were you miserable?’

‘I was miserable because I kept thinking of you. The whole night, I was thinking of you. I thought about how you looked, how your voice sounds, and I imagined what you’d say when we meet, imagine what I’d say, imagine how – oh Chi Yat-Po, a hundred thoughts rushed through my head and I’m so utterly miserable!’


He cannot bear it. The tears in her eyes are threatening to start a downpour in his eyes. He stands up, yanking her to her feet. ‘Jing Ko, stop! I say, stop!’

‘What? What?’

‘Stop! Stop! Enough already! Don’t do this anymore! Don’t do this to yourself! Don’t do this to me!’

All of a sudden, she feels fear. There is a hard note in his voice, hard and cold like steel, one she has never heard before. ‘Chi Yat-Po, I’m afraid. I’m very afraid. I don’t understand what’s going on…please help me – ’

He looks her straight in the face. ‘There is absolutely nothing to understand – ’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You’re overthinking the matter! You’re working yourself up for nothing by overthinking the matter! This is not how you should decide what you’re going to do, this is not how life is decided, this is ridiculous, this is nonsense – ’

The intensity in his face, the raised voice, the harshness in his eyes, alarms her and she tries to pull away from him. He holds her hands like a vice.

‘Chi Yat-Po, you’re hurting me! You’re hurting me!’

Her yell hits him like a bucket of cold water. Angry, hurt and ashamed all at once, he grips her hands even harder.

‘Jing Ko – ’ he says deliberately slowly, ‘Jing Ko – ’

They are now face to face, chest to chest. He feels her hipbone against his own. Her breath is hot on his cheeks. She has pulled her hands to her face, stilling fighting to pull away from his grip. He feels the hot tears on his knuckles. His heart hardens.

‘Jing Ko, stop this! If you don’t stop crying, I’m going to pick you up and carry you out to the water edge and throw you over to the fishes – ’

She stares at him, amazed. ‘Chi Yat-Po, are you insane? Have you lost your mind? I dare you! I dare you – ’ – it’s her turn to lose her temper. The tears continue to stream down, now quickly becoming tears of anger and frustration.

Without another word, he picks her up. He kicks the door open and stalks to the water’s edge. ‘Jing Ko, I ask you one more time – will you stop crying?’

Her hands now free, she raises one up, slaps him hard across one cheek.

‘That's it. I've had it. Goodbye, Jing Ko,’ he says and throws her into the sea.