Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Last of The Summer Wine
It was a good one and a half to two months that papalados had not seen The Prince Wale-wale. Exiting from his vintage Volvo that papa noticed him being the same in appearance with nay the weather beaten face papa half expected. The Prince could easily be economical with the truth when it comes to his real age. Easily any girl would have guessed his years to be 30 or plus instead of his early half century mark.
With a sling bag close to his belly and a mellow and very light brown but very subtle batik motive upon his short sleeved shirt papa could have been mistaken for an Ayahanda in an infamous organization that champions a certain select grouping or an archaic consociation doing its bid and much for an ancient philosophy that engenders the supremacy of a majority congregation. Woe betide anyone who questioned their relevance as a near militant sect of the main group. But political that they could be and never more than aggressive their stance. Except for the occasional sloganeering and illogical calls to banish a few to Timbuctoo they are largely benign.
A small company of the members rushed to papa and shook his hands and mentioned something like otai or old timer. Papa acknowledged them like an old village head and uttering soft gestures like 'how are you' and at the same time invite them to go up the stairs to the SM dangdut hall or it's back entrance only a few meters away. Of course the gesticulations were just customary and the chaps would never reciprocate his overture to actually join papa upstairs. Just protocols. And diplomatic actually to adhere to once in a while.
They think you are an Ayahanda whispered The Prince and he played his part too when he sort of strutted right next to papa giving much the impression that he was the aide or an informal bodyguard to 'Ayahanda' papalados.
The two walked up the famous backstairs of Seri Mutiara Dangdut and Karaoke Lounge but two flights up to the Karaoke Hall. They were going for a singalong session. Ayang the concierge immediately greeted the two and ushered them to the nearest karaoke chamber available. The aircond was duly switched on and a fresh gust of cooling air gushed forward from the vents. The aircond in the hall was OK but the cool air from the room unit further refreshed the two buddies. Want girls asked Ayang? Of course replied the two amigos but desirable ones please beseech papalados.
Ayang laughed and said that she will go ask Mummy. Dangdut, folks, is a mature industry waiting to altogether expire and the girls, must one say, are mostly mature too. But not that they are going to pass on with the industry. Most are in their late thirties and early forties and very few are the bombshells of early or mid twenties.
Mummy Ani Rock arrived all gushed from climbing the one flight of stairs from the back of the hall and a fraction of a second later asked papa and The Prince whether they want two ladies, one each for company. The Prince gave a nod and said a heavy set one for him. Mummy smiled and immediately exited the chamber.
Came two girl, one the heavier and younger one Mummy signaled to sit beside the Prince and the mature one next to papa. They were nice girls, courteous and soft spoken except for the looks department lacking a bit but their singing prowess and delightful company were superb.
Something about mature women that one can always talk with and what pleasant conversations that can only be the outcomes if their companies were sought particularly in SM. Topics can only be on their more than often grown up children and what surprises may be unearthed except that their kids were mostly college grads and students. The obvious fact that the matures make sure their children study well and do provide extensively in that regard.
Most definitely also the light exchange of banter with subtle phrases of sex and things associated but most times just those and nothing more. For spicing up the tete a tete only. Since Prince Wale-Wale does not dance papa invited his company( have forgotten the girl's name) downstairs for some cha-cha and dangdut boogies.
The dancing hall was quiet signaling the time was still a bit early for earnest prancing or that the dance crowd has not yet arrived. The dance floor was unoccupied except for a few of the dancing girls doing dance practices and one or two of the early patrons.
The band suddenly erupted into zapin music together with the disco ball lighting up and the entire floor becoming much brighter that the arrival came to be so abrupt. Immediately a group of oldies or rather dangdut veterans walked to the dance floor softly but eagerly pulling the hands of their rented hostesses for the evening. They all looked unfamiliar to papalados yet they do have the markings of dangdut veterans. Metallic long sleeved shirts with subtle batik motifs and all wore outside the trousers rather than tucked in.
Dunno really the name for that particular clothing material or the long sleeved near batik style mens' attire. An FB Buddy mentioned to that effect way back in one of FB posts. Another fabric the favorite of veterans is the crumpled Egyptian cotton of which shirts made from it are worn the same way as the metallic tops - loose and free.
Papa observed from the side as to how the oldies would start their moves upon the dance floor. Or that he is interestingly watching the first steps they're gonna make. As the first step would show their dancing prowess. How they 'bukak gelanggang' or how they officially but more rather formally enter the 'sublimed square'.
Horror or horrors they entered all wrong or more like bungling idiots rather than orang seni or people who knew the arts. None at all the silat stride even though they are not silating and the left foot first priority. Even Latin dances starts from the left foot and so does dangdut but not really for zapin but dancers still adopt it as its universal and practiced in every dance studio.
The girls were fantastic since they were all trained but their partners danced like cockroaches have escaped on their backs and moving about inside their shirts. Papa was hard to refrain from laughing but his partner just could not contained herself and nearly burst out.
Quickly papa pulled her hands and straightaway ran to the karaoke hall one floor up. There she guffawed like nobody's business and papa was hard pressed too not to stop laughing. Wow! Dangdut has really gone to the dumps as none of veterans can dance and only the girls proficient but they were trained and its their work. Where are the dangdut Kings of whom would stride like salsa Emperors their Art. Papa if compared is just a pretender or a lesser king by any standards. And should he be the only few left, then old hands of the same are really the last of the summer wine. The boys who kissed his hands are the only ones left perhaps but even they are more interested in contemporary club music. Dangdut as per old KL is just too difficult to step to the dance to!
With a sling bag close to his belly and a mellow and very light brown but very subtle batik motive upon his short sleeved shirt papa could have been mistaken for an Ayahanda in an infamous organization that champions a certain select grouping or an archaic consociation doing its bid and much for an ancient philosophy that engenders the supremacy of a majority congregation. Woe betide anyone who questioned their relevance as a near militant sect of the main group. But political that they could be and never more than aggressive their stance. Except for the occasional sloganeering and illogical calls to banish a few to Timbuctoo they are largely benign.
A small company of the members rushed to papa and shook his hands and mentioned something like otai or old timer. Papa acknowledged them like an old village head and uttering soft gestures like 'how are you' and at the same time invite them to go up the stairs to the SM dangdut hall or it's back entrance only a few meters away. Of course the gesticulations were just customary and the chaps would never reciprocate his overture to actually join papa upstairs. Just protocols. And diplomatic actually to adhere to once in a while.
They think you are an Ayahanda whispered The Prince and he played his part too when he sort of strutted right next to papa giving much the impression that he was the aide or an informal bodyguard to 'Ayahanda' papalados.
The two walked up the famous backstairs of Seri Mutiara Dangdut and Karaoke Lounge but two flights up to the Karaoke Hall. They were going for a singalong session. Ayang the concierge immediately greeted the two and ushered them to the nearest karaoke chamber available. The aircond was duly switched on and a fresh gust of cooling air gushed forward from the vents. The aircond in the hall was OK but the cool air from the room unit further refreshed the two buddies. Want girls asked Ayang? Of course replied the two amigos but desirable ones please beseech papalados.
Ayang laughed and said that she will go ask Mummy. Dangdut, folks, is a mature industry waiting to altogether expire and the girls, must one say, are mostly mature too. But not that they are going to pass on with the industry. Most are in their late thirties and early forties and very few are the bombshells of early or mid twenties.
Mummy Ani Rock arrived all gushed from climbing the one flight of stairs from the back of the hall and a fraction of a second later asked papa and The Prince whether they want two ladies, one each for company. The Prince gave a nod and said a heavy set one for him. Mummy smiled and immediately exited the chamber.
Came two girl, one the heavier and younger one Mummy signaled to sit beside the Prince and the mature one next to papa. They were nice girls, courteous and soft spoken except for the looks department lacking a bit but their singing prowess and delightful company were superb.
Something about mature women that one can always talk with and what pleasant conversations that can only be the outcomes if their companies were sought particularly in SM. Topics can only be on their more than often grown up children and what surprises may be unearthed except that their kids were mostly college grads and students. The obvious fact that the matures make sure their children study well and do provide extensively in that regard.
Most definitely also the light exchange of banter with subtle phrases of sex and things associated but most times just those and nothing more. For spicing up the tete a tete only. Since Prince Wale-Wale does not dance papa invited his company( have forgotten the girl's name) downstairs for some cha-cha and dangdut boogies.
The dancing hall was quiet signaling the time was still a bit early for earnest prancing or that the dance crowd has not yet arrived. The dance floor was unoccupied except for a few of the dancing girls doing dance practices and one or two of the early patrons.
The band suddenly erupted into zapin music together with the disco ball lighting up and the entire floor becoming much brighter that the arrival came to be so abrupt. Immediately a group of oldies or rather dangdut veterans walked to the dance floor softly but eagerly pulling the hands of their rented hostesses for the evening. They all looked unfamiliar to papalados yet they do have the markings of dangdut veterans. Metallic long sleeved shirts with subtle batik motifs and all wore outside the trousers rather than tucked in.
Dunno really the name for that particular clothing material or the long sleeved near batik style mens' attire. An FB Buddy mentioned to that effect way back in one of FB posts. Another fabric the favorite of veterans is the crumpled Egyptian cotton of which shirts made from it are worn the same way as the metallic tops - loose and free.
Papa observed from the side as to how the oldies would start their moves upon the dance floor. Or that he is interestingly watching the first steps they're gonna make. As the first step would show their dancing prowess. How they 'bukak gelanggang' or how they officially but more rather formally enter the 'sublimed square'.
Horror or horrors they entered all wrong or more like bungling idiots rather than orang seni or people who knew the arts. None at all the silat stride even though they are not silating and the left foot first priority. Even Latin dances starts from the left foot and so does dangdut but not really for zapin but dancers still adopt it as its universal and practiced in every dance studio.
The girls were fantastic since they were all trained but their partners danced like cockroaches have escaped on their backs and moving about inside their shirts. Papa was hard to refrain from laughing but his partner just could not contained herself and nearly burst out.
Quickly papa pulled her hands and straightaway ran to the karaoke hall one floor up. There she guffawed like nobody's business and papa was hard pressed too not to stop laughing. Wow! Dangdut has really gone to the dumps as none of veterans can dance and only the girls proficient but they were trained and its their work. Where are the dangdut Kings of whom would stride like salsa Emperors their Art. Papa if compared is just a pretender or a lesser king by any standards. And should he be the only few left, then old hands of the same are really the last of the summer wine. The boys who kissed his hands are the only ones left perhaps but even they are more interested in contemporary club music. Dangdut as per old KL is just too difficult to step to the dance to!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
CONCERNED ABOUT LEAKS, WEAR DIAPERS!
Leaks and mighty leaks, info that permeates everything however utilized to the full and by one grouping to tell on the other. But there are also some pointers that show one party having more to explain and they indeed took pain to answer and the long and short of which; only voiced to people to not bother. The news, were not without their high sounding preludes and of technical aspects in and around the sophisticated gossip but no real hard data of photographs and videos included. Cocktail conversations one even assumed but damages already incurred. For both sakes, must only remain nonchalant and care less of things. Yet one took full advantage to vilify further and the other went to court if only to make the opponent show evidence, a truly wise direction to take leaving the competitor to proof wrongdoing. Drastic actions but play the sentiments well or the perceptions innermost the populace and the mighty voters that actually make the King.
A, controversially elected Deputy ups the ante by proclaiming autonomy for a component nation should the opposing coalition wins the monkey game. Leading the Deputy and 2nd Man from the ruling party perplexed for words but his Boss mentions even earlier of mayhem and unrest should they lose hold. Or none that can replace his rule and none shall too. Fatalistic to the extreme and it truly shows their fear of the entire administration slipping through their fingers. And the repercussions being so or the poetic justice they do not want to be cynically imposed upon.
The Nation’s Bulwark that they have handsomely rewarded, showcasing their unwillingness to go and to install at interim the management by defense units and not discounting also the Rulers they have been able to distress all along. To all intents and purposes the non bumis they have completely chased away and the sons of soil that continue to doubt their sincerity in always protecting them make the leading group desperate for anything.
Tactics and Strategies that persist in sum failures since start that they are hard pressed to venture every where with even the unthinkable they would want to try. Herein lies danger but they could only be in too much desperation to ignore such. God Saves Bolehland! Next they will keep reminding people to not “rock the proverbial boat”!
A, controversially elected Deputy ups the ante by proclaiming autonomy for a component nation should the opposing coalition wins the monkey game. Leading the Deputy and 2nd Man from the ruling party perplexed for words but his Boss mentions even earlier of mayhem and unrest should they lose hold. Or none that can replace his rule and none shall too. Fatalistic to the extreme and it truly shows their fear of the entire administration slipping through their fingers. And the repercussions being so or the poetic justice they do not want to be cynically imposed upon.
The Nation’s Bulwark that they have handsomely rewarded, showcasing their unwillingness to go and to install at interim the management by defense units and not discounting also the Rulers they have been able to distress all along. To all intents and purposes the non bumis they have completely chased away and the sons of soil that continue to doubt their sincerity in always protecting them make the leading group desperate for anything.
Tactics and Strategies that persist in sum failures since start that they are hard pressed to venture every where with even the unthinkable they would want to try. Herein lies danger but they could only be in too much desperation to ignore such. God Saves Bolehland! Next they will keep reminding people to not “rock the proverbial boat”!
Friday, November 26, 2010
JUST WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE PRETTY YOUNG THING WHO FOR A SHORT WHILE USED TO CALL ME SAYANG
Just what indeed and I wondered on and on as I have literally exhausted all means to contact her, not that I want to chide her but asks for her companionship if only for the brief teh tarik chat or just for the mobile phone small talk and brief exchange of niceties the likes of “How’s things been going for her and her health and so on and so forth”. I could not be angry, for long and I wasn’t even in the first place. And it was for the sweet little conversations that I endured the truncated relationship that was.
Perhaps the everyday routine of one’s day to day happenings or the mundane going- on of one’s insignificant existence that prompts one to seek to inhale doses of fresh air; little that one knows that the invigorating respite was laced with some toxic gas also.
To refresh a bit, perhaps, I met the girl in a posh karaoke that a long time buddy invited to join him singing joyously, karaoke fashion. Thinking that I was a notable or a Dato’ that Ella warmed up to me in spite my old schoolmate who was the one paying for the entire evening out. There were the other hostesses that arrived with her but she zoomed in on me: weather beaten face, gray hair and all. She mentioned that I looked distinguished and high society. I told her that I was not at all of those and also having very less of the greenbacks or the Agong Notes but she just smiled and conjecturing perchance that I was just pulling her legs and somewhat testing her and for what: beats the shit out of me!
She was in fact stalking and for middle aged buffoons who would readily underwrite some fixed costs that she has to monthly bears. I totally did not expect that detailed equation on her part as my thoughts on her are just like a little girl lost and trying to find her way in the unending maze that makes one’s life journey. I was viewing myself as a street wise philosopher even though utterly stupid and naïve albeit having spent nearly half a century breathing diesel fumes upon transient earth.
Little that I know that she was the one trained professionally and along the main thoroughfares of bustling Kuala Lumpur. Not that she is a street walker but euphemistically borrowing terms denoting her as a well educated scholar and from the much clichéd and cynical: University Of Hard Knocks!
Sitting beside me in the plush karaoke chamber, she slowly but surely and also subtle like cajoles and mesmerizes with her little narrative of not being able to sync with young people her age, be they girls or boys. But wonderfully can communicate with middle aged folks or that was what she related. Quizzing her on my age, she said 60 and I jokingly appeared shocked and told her that she was a bit off the mark if only for ten years less. Oh 50, she says, why you are even younger and her beaming face at that juncture convinces me more of her earnest postulations.
My little heart flustered, was so taken by her subliminal gesticulations that I became infatuated. The emotions were so strong and I haven’t felt the like for so long that I thought I had forgotten the sentiment. Here, a pretty young thing talking such of an ageing person and her body language confirms so, that she too likes me; how foolish I was not knowing that people can learn acting and not only from academies but from knowledgeable friends as well!
The evening continued and hovering upon heaven ever more, I was further tantalized by her exuberance, her bubbly disposition and her sincere statements or so I thought. But what can one hopefully expect at the end of which if not for the contact numbers that she willingly gave and not one but two and mine that she took and for reference she said.
Having doubts as to how things could work out but gung ho nonetheless and thinking that I am the older person and presumably wiser in the dating game and should be able to aptly manage some delicate situations, I gave her a holler. She answered and immediately called me dear or Sayang. Completely taken by surprise I answered by giggling like a silly school girl and could not answer for a second or two and my long while characteristic stammer beginning to appear. She lovingly inquired whether I, stammer, I answered, used to but was completely stunned as to why it suddenly came.
She laughed but not mockingly but very romantic like. I was on high heaven and completely unaware of where I was at that particular moment. I was in the car of course and parked at the side of the road, far from the house and the old missus; just me, my hand phone and the newly found love of my life at the other end.
Wow! I must admit, it was truly fantastic, the long ago presentiments coming back that I felt young once more. Kept on glancing at the mirror and saw the creases, the dark marks upon the face, the lines and the silver streaks of hair but somehow oblivious to them all but noticed surreal like the dashing and youthful and debonair and handsome countenance of an energetic 25 year old male person.
I was beginning to lose my mind and things later on just did not help as I went for dates with her but mostly lunch. It was during these outings that she spoke more of herself and her little problems. And of the phone bills late at being settled and the car installments held a month or two back. Did not really hear when she mentioned her late monthly rentals but said I was willing to underwrite her hand phone bills. She said you are a dear and gave me a truly exceptional sweet smile to die for. I volunteered doing that or paying her mobile phone bills and continued doing so for nearly half a year. Luckily the bills were always about 300 Ringgit the entire duration and I was mostly paying for that magical amount.
All I got was a slight pecker but that was enough for helpless me. I could have gotten more, a hug maybe or a long slurpy kiss or a bonk even, if only I would agree to pay for her quite others- fixed monthly costs- and her expensive shopping sprees. That was the holy or rather unholy formula and I knew about them all along but still persisted with the unsavory arrangement.
You know why? Because of the caring thoughts and affectionate remarks she gave and examples like: the early morning calls and lovingly greeting me with sweet and soft words of had breakfast already? Or the numerous SMSs full of loving words of Love You Sayang! Kiss-Kiss! Take care! Call You Tomorrow or Call Me When You have Reached Home or Missing You Very Much and See You and on the prearranged lunch date and so on and so forth but always wonderfully nice and caring words. Not to discount the numerous calls during the day and night reminding me to take my medicines or just simple greetings of Good Mornings, Evenings and Afternoons. Being Middle-Aged and kind of lonely, I was completely taken over. Was utterly and completely, ‘tender or rather pussy trapped’. Just a passing remark as I did not even touch that particular female organ of hers!
Given time or that she could not play act anymore that things just sort of fizzled out; at pains perchance to persist in the little act that she began to show her consternation in that there were no more sayangs to her truly short phone calls. It’s not that I too feel the same but that I long for her soft words more and more. But being much older and wiser or that should be the case, I kept it all within me but my heart wanting to burst out all the time. She reminded of her phone bills by messaging mostly and will without fail thanked me after I have paid the amount and this time she included the Sayang word.
Literally I do feel pain in my heart at what’s transpiring at the last passage of this sorry affair and told her so. She said not to think too much about it and not to listen to people. What other people came to mind as there weren’t the other people as the matter is only privy to me and her. Suspicions abound and I came to the conclusion that there are other middle-aged male buffoons that she manipulated if only to commit to her monthly expenses. Mind You she was also prudent enough to include insurance policies to her entire portfolio.
Finally I just could not be complicit to her shenanigans any more and related such to her. She replied in a huff and said only OK and hung up. That was my last communication with her as my following albeit intermittent calls went perpetually unanswered. However I do feel some longing especially the little chats like we had before. Apart from everything else she was always a good listener and a equally proficient talker. It was really nice having a chit chat with her. Thinking that she would just let things go and would not mind chatting and for old times sake I inquired about any which way to contact her but the opportunity did not arises, until I happened to bump into Marina, her good friend.
Marina was quite surprised to see me but she still remembered and quite well really, however it was only a few months and much less than a year ago that we met but she was courteous and very sporting that she immediately hollered papa the moment she noticed me. Most, younger friends call me papa short for papalados, my blog name or papa zul and they include Marina. Only Ella calls me sayang or Bro, depending on her mood and at that particular point in time, perhaps.
Do not know whether Marina is still in contact with Ella then but eventually, I did, ask about Ella to her saying that I haven’t been seeing nor talking for sometime and asked Marina whether she had recently met up with her. Marina replied in the negative and informed also of her having the same problem of trying to communicate with her but unable to. Ella’s phone number cannot be contacted.
With a sad note she reiterated of her long relationship with Ella and was very surprised at Ella’s refusal to answer her calls and convey the specific reason or reasons for her doing so. Frustrated at the situation, Marina even called Ella’s husband, my jaw dropped and for a time I could not even speak. Husband I asked? Yes! Said; Marina, don’t you know? No! I said and not at all that I know of. Well she is married Marina continued but as a second wife and to a Notable, meaning that Ella is a Notable’s wife and she is a D.....n!
Why would D.....k allowed D....n to ply the nocturnal route or go station herself in a posh karaoke. Marina replied that Ella does not want to excessively burden her husband and the extra pocket money helps her so. Knowing very well that Ella can at times be headstrong, stubborn and impetuous, I wasn’t that too surprised at Marina’s of late and quite shocking revelation as regards Ella. Marina further related of Ella’s unique circumstances in that most times she is pretty much alone in her apartment with her husband visiting only in his free time. The peculiar predicaments of a second wife said Marina but appeared consoling when she continued by adamantly vociferating that she was Ella’s friend from schooldays and knew Ella to be overly independent and that she would always be able take care of herself and was wise enough to avoid any less than favorable circumstances.
I was in a daze for a good while and even declined Marina’s invitation to go sip on tehtarik at a Mamak Restaurant somewhere should I want to inquire more. No, I said, enough explanation as it was. She is somebody’s wife and it is just not proper to ask more unless there is a posting that you want a person of her caliber to fill. As such there wasn’t any to that effect and might as well I go home to mull things over.
Actually all the emotions inside have been pacified having faced the period of time that Ella totally avoided me. Somehow I have regained my sanity but still wanted to have chats with her and on a platonic and buddy-buddy level only. She was a good friend indeed and nice to talk to, the fact was. And upon reflecting she was like what Marina said, overly independent and knows how to take care of herself. I love her for herself and not for any specific time even cavorted with her. She was like a niece or a daughter- even- as she was young enough to be so. And in a long winded way she did make an old man happy and young once again! Ella wherever you are, do wish you and hubby the best. Take Care and Happiness and Bliss always. Salam.
Perhaps the everyday routine of one’s day to day happenings or the mundane going- on of one’s insignificant existence that prompts one to seek to inhale doses of fresh air; little that one knows that the invigorating respite was laced with some toxic gas also.
To refresh a bit, perhaps, I met the girl in a posh karaoke that a long time buddy invited to join him singing joyously, karaoke fashion. Thinking that I was a notable or a Dato’ that Ella warmed up to me in spite my old schoolmate who was the one paying for the entire evening out. There were the other hostesses that arrived with her but she zoomed in on me: weather beaten face, gray hair and all. She mentioned that I looked distinguished and high society. I told her that I was not at all of those and also having very less of the greenbacks or the Agong Notes but she just smiled and conjecturing perchance that I was just pulling her legs and somewhat testing her and for what: beats the shit out of me!
She was in fact stalking and for middle aged buffoons who would readily underwrite some fixed costs that she has to monthly bears. I totally did not expect that detailed equation on her part as my thoughts on her are just like a little girl lost and trying to find her way in the unending maze that makes one’s life journey. I was viewing myself as a street wise philosopher even though utterly stupid and naïve albeit having spent nearly half a century breathing diesel fumes upon transient earth.
Little that I know that she was the one trained professionally and along the main thoroughfares of bustling Kuala Lumpur. Not that she is a street walker but euphemistically borrowing terms denoting her as a well educated scholar and from the much clichéd and cynical: University Of Hard Knocks!
Sitting beside me in the plush karaoke chamber, she slowly but surely and also subtle like cajoles and mesmerizes with her little narrative of not being able to sync with young people her age, be they girls or boys. But wonderfully can communicate with middle aged folks or that was what she related. Quizzing her on my age, she said 60 and I jokingly appeared shocked and told her that she was a bit off the mark if only for ten years less. Oh 50, she says, why you are even younger and her beaming face at that juncture convinces me more of her earnest postulations.
My little heart flustered, was so taken by her subliminal gesticulations that I became infatuated. The emotions were so strong and I haven’t felt the like for so long that I thought I had forgotten the sentiment. Here, a pretty young thing talking such of an ageing person and her body language confirms so, that she too likes me; how foolish I was not knowing that people can learn acting and not only from academies but from knowledgeable friends as well!
The evening continued and hovering upon heaven ever more, I was further tantalized by her exuberance, her bubbly disposition and her sincere statements or so I thought. But what can one hopefully expect at the end of which if not for the contact numbers that she willingly gave and not one but two and mine that she took and for reference she said.
Having doubts as to how things could work out but gung ho nonetheless and thinking that I am the older person and presumably wiser in the dating game and should be able to aptly manage some delicate situations, I gave her a holler. She answered and immediately called me dear or Sayang. Completely taken by surprise I answered by giggling like a silly school girl and could not answer for a second or two and my long while characteristic stammer beginning to appear. She lovingly inquired whether I, stammer, I answered, used to but was completely stunned as to why it suddenly came.
She laughed but not mockingly but very romantic like. I was on high heaven and completely unaware of where I was at that particular moment. I was in the car of course and parked at the side of the road, far from the house and the old missus; just me, my hand phone and the newly found love of my life at the other end.
Wow! I must admit, it was truly fantastic, the long ago presentiments coming back that I felt young once more. Kept on glancing at the mirror and saw the creases, the dark marks upon the face, the lines and the silver streaks of hair but somehow oblivious to them all but noticed surreal like the dashing and youthful and debonair and handsome countenance of an energetic 25 year old male person.
I was beginning to lose my mind and things later on just did not help as I went for dates with her but mostly lunch. It was during these outings that she spoke more of herself and her little problems. And of the phone bills late at being settled and the car installments held a month or two back. Did not really hear when she mentioned her late monthly rentals but said I was willing to underwrite her hand phone bills. She said you are a dear and gave me a truly exceptional sweet smile to die for. I volunteered doing that or paying her mobile phone bills and continued doing so for nearly half a year. Luckily the bills were always about 300 Ringgit the entire duration and I was mostly paying for that magical amount.
All I got was a slight pecker but that was enough for helpless me. I could have gotten more, a hug maybe or a long slurpy kiss or a bonk even, if only I would agree to pay for her quite others- fixed monthly costs- and her expensive shopping sprees. That was the holy or rather unholy formula and I knew about them all along but still persisted with the unsavory arrangement.
You know why? Because of the caring thoughts and affectionate remarks she gave and examples like: the early morning calls and lovingly greeting me with sweet and soft words of had breakfast already? Or the numerous SMSs full of loving words of Love You Sayang! Kiss-Kiss! Take care! Call You Tomorrow or Call Me When You have Reached Home or Missing You Very Much and See You and on the prearranged lunch date and so on and so forth but always wonderfully nice and caring words. Not to discount the numerous calls during the day and night reminding me to take my medicines or just simple greetings of Good Mornings, Evenings and Afternoons. Being Middle-Aged and kind of lonely, I was completely taken over. Was utterly and completely, ‘tender or rather pussy trapped’. Just a passing remark as I did not even touch that particular female organ of hers!
Given time or that she could not play act anymore that things just sort of fizzled out; at pains perchance to persist in the little act that she began to show her consternation in that there were no more sayangs to her truly short phone calls. It’s not that I too feel the same but that I long for her soft words more and more. But being much older and wiser or that should be the case, I kept it all within me but my heart wanting to burst out all the time. She reminded of her phone bills by messaging mostly and will without fail thanked me after I have paid the amount and this time she included the Sayang word.
Literally I do feel pain in my heart at what’s transpiring at the last passage of this sorry affair and told her so. She said not to think too much about it and not to listen to people. What other people came to mind as there weren’t the other people as the matter is only privy to me and her. Suspicions abound and I came to the conclusion that there are other middle-aged male buffoons that she manipulated if only to commit to her monthly expenses. Mind You she was also prudent enough to include insurance policies to her entire portfolio.
Finally I just could not be complicit to her shenanigans any more and related such to her. She replied in a huff and said only OK and hung up. That was my last communication with her as my following albeit intermittent calls went perpetually unanswered. However I do feel some longing especially the little chats like we had before. Apart from everything else she was always a good listener and a equally proficient talker. It was really nice having a chit chat with her. Thinking that she would just let things go and would not mind chatting and for old times sake I inquired about any which way to contact her but the opportunity did not arises, until I happened to bump into Marina, her good friend.
Marina was quite surprised to see me but she still remembered and quite well really, however it was only a few months and much less than a year ago that we met but she was courteous and very sporting that she immediately hollered papa the moment she noticed me. Most, younger friends call me papa short for papalados, my blog name or papa zul and they include Marina. Only Ella calls me sayang or Bro, depending on her mood and at that particular point in time, perhaps.
Do not know whether Marina is still in contact with Ella then but eventually, I did, ask about Ella to her saying that I haven’t been seeing nor talking for sometime and asked Marina whether she had recently met up with her. Marina replied in the negative and informed also of her having the same problem of trying to communicate with her but unable to. Ella’s phone number cannot be contacted.
With a sad note she reiterated of her long relationship with Ella and was very surprised at Ella’s refusal to answer her calls and convey the specific reason or reasons for her doing so. Frustrated at the situation, Marina even called Ella’s husband, my jaw dropped and for a time I could not even speak. Husband I asked? Yes! Said; Marina, don’t you know? No! I said and not at all that I know of. Well she is married Marina continued but as a second wife and to a Notable, meaning that Ella is a Notable’s wife and she is a D.....n!
Why would D.....k allowed D....n to ply the nocturnal route or go station herself in a posh karaoke. Marina replied that Ella does not want to excessively burden her husband and the extra pocket money helps her so. Knowing very well that Ella can at times be headstrong, stubborn and impetuous, I wasn’t that too surprised at Marina’s of late and quite shocking revelation as regards Ella. Marina further related of Ella’s unique circumstances in that most times she is pretty much alone in her apartment with her husband visiting only in his free time. The peculiar predicaments of a second wife said Marina but appeared consoling when she continued by adamantly vociferating that she was Ella’s friend from schooldays and knew Ella to be overly independent and that she would always be able take care of herself and was wise enough to avoid any less than favorable circumstances.
I was in a daze for a good while and even declined Marina’s invitation to go sip on tehtarik at a Mamak Restaurant somewhere should I want to inquire more. No, I said, enough explanation as it was. She is somebody’s wife and it is just not proper to ask more unless there is a posting that you want a person of her caliber to fill. As such there wasn’t any to that effect and might as well I go home to mull things over.
Actually all the emotions inside have been pacified having faced the period of time that Ella totally avoided me. Somehow I have regained my sanity but still wanted to have chats with her and on a platonic and buddy-buddy level only. She was a good friend indeed and nice to talk to, the fact was. And upon reflecting she was like what Marina said, overly independent and knows how to take care of herself. I love her for herself and not for any specific time even cavorted with her. She was like a niece or a daughter- even- as she was young enough to be so. And in a long winded way she did make an old man happy and young once again! Ella wherever you are, do wish you and hubby the best. Take Care and Happiness and Bliss always. Salam.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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