One Day Affair

It was a chanced meeting, arranged by the young chap workin at the 7-eleven downstairs. She did't have any expression when she first saw me. But I beamed. She looked clean and polished. Smiling and shining even before the neighbourhood alarm clocks began to ring.

I took her in my hand and brought her around. She went into my car. She accompanied me for breakfast. She even followed me into my office. All this without even knowing her name. She remained silent. It didn't take long for me to conclude she's a dumb. In fact, I knew she was the moment we met.

I asked her if she wanted to see the view with me at the top of Swissotel. I told her there was something I need to do and that she was part of it. She just gleamed under the sunlight. We took the elevator that read '51 - 73'. I bet she enjoyed the fast ascend as much as I did.

I stepped near the edge, enjoying the brisk wind on my face. I closed my eyes and held her in my hands. I made a wish. No one is suppose to know. Not you. Difinitely not her cos she's already halfway down there. I hope she enjoyed her journey down as much as she enjoyed the journey up.


Well that my friends is the story of her...a shiny 1 dollar coin.

Adelphi Heroes

Many people misjudge the Malay boys representing the Skinhead tribe here in Singapore. If only you take a closer look and try to understand the culture, you'll realise that they are rather harmless until provoked. Once antagonised, you'll wish the seizure of your existence. These boys are made of something different. Built of strength & Built to last. This is the story about one of their gallant youth.

Akel is waiting for his band slot at the Oi Fest in KL. Rehearsing diligently as he hummed his air drums with his sticks behind the curtains. He doesn't want to make a mistake this time. 5000 strong crowd out there. It was going to be a polished performance and nothing less.

Akel's band was the catalyst that brought the crowd together. It was a blast. The crowd were happily moshing, beer bottle in one hand, clenched fist up in the air. Then as Akel's band was performing the last number, somehow the alcohol got to some of the individuals and violence brewed. It was mayhem beyond imagination. The stadium became a war zone.

Lights out and throngs of people were running everywhere as the wails of the police's sirens filled the air. Somewhere though Akel's younger brother Adel got stabbed. In his dying moments he called Akel on his mobile. "Abang....Aabang..budak KL Troopers tikam aku!", Adel cried with a sense of terror in his voice. Akel bulldozed his way among the boisterous crowd to where Adel said he would be. There sprawling in the middle of the circle made by his fellow Adelphi clan lies Adel. In a pool of blood. Eyes still open. You could almost sense the fear in him by looking at his already dead eyes.

Akel staggered to Adel's side and closed his brother's eyes. He looked up at his fellow clansmen and told them that they have to get revenge before the night is out. The 20 odd that were present seemed adamant. They reasoned that being in Malaysia is already bad enough for them Singapore boys... what more when you wanna seek revenge against KL Troopers. They're in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. They're in Unfairground.

Akel was relentless in his pursuit for revenge. He got up and roamed the streets alone. He didn't care if the rest wanted to follow. He wanted an eye for an eye. Slowly though the rest followed behind. From afar, it looked like Akel was leading his soldiers for a battle. They roamed and roamed for an hour and still no sign of those bastards.

Then as they turned into the corner of the road, they spotted the enemy. Boys from KL Troopers celebrating their little victory outside a 7-Eleven store. Without hesitation, Akel charged forth at full speed. There were probably 50 over boys from the opposition side but the Singapore boys punched through with whatever they had. A brutal war commenced.

Police came to the crime scene a full 15mins later. By that time all of the KL Troopers boys have fled leaving behind 14 of their boys sprawling dead on the road. 1km away, the Adelphi boys recollected at a vacant shophouse. They did a headcount. All were alive. All had battle scars. Justice was served. Yet they went home with heavy hearts for the loss of Adel.

Back in Singapore, there was a huge commotion among the Skins about the happenings in Malaysia. A few weeks later, they got news that KL Troopers were coming down for revenge. Like all street wars, there is no end.





It has been 5 years now. The Adelphi Heores are still waiting.

Fall From Grace

Suzy has been sitting on the parapet of her Toa Payoh flat for an hour now...trying hard to find at least one good memory that can instill a smile. Alas there was none except for the the little matchbox cars she remembered playing with her brother. Ironically, the cars zooming below does seem like Matchbox ones..only..these were a little more faster, bigger and real.

Suzy was always envious over her friends during her growing up years. They always had new shoes, new school bags after the June holidays and more importantly, the love showered by their parents. Suzy had nothing. She was the rotten fruit from drug loving parents. An uncomfortable presence.

Naturally, she seeked solace in drugs too when she hit 13. Dropped out of school. Forced into the sordid world of prostituition so that she could afford the luxuries of make-up and branded bags. Just when she thought nothing could get worse, Murphy's Law came into play. The results of her blood test were finalised. Suzy is diagnosed with HIV.

Maybe this was her way out. Misery awaits behind her should she change her mind. Like a prized ballerina, she took a step into nothingness...like a little sparrow during its maiden flight. Suzy tasted gravity. Somehow the weight of the world was left behind the moment she fell from grace.

Her Smile

We chanced into each other like a Hollywood flick,
With that crooked lil tooth and that mole on your cheek.
Most would prefer flawless skin and long brown hair,
But to me your imperfections make the rest seem bare.

I'm the luckiest person every morning,
Cos you're still beside me sweet and cuddling.
Your smile is a rifle that shoots at me for fun,
I'm forced to close my eyes...cos you're brighter than the sun.


- The Royal Assassin

A Soldier's Tale

The burgeoning rivalry started way back in the kampong days. Boys bred from the same street, yet when it comes to Marbles or Kite Flying or Tamiya Racing, Running, Football, the final will undoubtedly be me and him. Romien Vs Hilal in pure Montague and Capulet style.

God knows how many endless fights we got ourselves into. If we were boxers, our gloves would have worn thin. Yet we managed to keep ourselves from murdering each other despite attending the same school for 10 sordid years. Wasn't until our tertiary years that we finally attended a different institution. New rivalries were made, but all were a far cry compared to Hilal.

Then came the sirens' call to National Service. It was a sombre occasion. It was going to be 2 1/2 years of sorrow. I lamented miserably... and there tucked away in the far corner was the familiar face that met my fists on countless occasions.

The 'Love' story commences. Same bloody Company. Same bloody Platoon. Same bloody Section. Definitely Oscar script material. Somehow we have matured the last few years. We didn't communicate. Potential massacre was curbed. It was a telepathic kind of mutual understanding. No one seemed to notice. Perfect.

Life was tough adjusting to army life. When it was scorching hot, we wished it would rain. And when it rained, we begged for the sun. By the time we thought we were doing fine, Field Camp came knocking on the door. 7 days 7 nights out in the jungle. Prey to mosquitos. No bathing. Frolicking in the mud. We were in the dirtiest state of our lives. Adding to the misery, the only food we had to eat were Combat rations. On the outer packaging it reads 'Mutton Beriyani'. Sounds nice? It looks and smells of vomit. Im not sure though if it tastes the same for I have not tasted vomit.

By the 6th day, morale was below zero. It had been pouring since day 1. Here I am sitting under my tent, wretched and drenched... when my tent tore. Though it was a small hole, it acted like a pipe spewing its contents on my face.

Uncomfortable, yet I remained motionless. I tucked my knees closely to my chest. The water from the hole acted as a catalyst for the already freezing conditions. I was shivering like a dying worm. I took out my candle. It was the last one. Held it in my hands and lighted it.

I relish as the wax dribbled onto my hands. It kept me warm. An ugly frog had already found a cosy noodge the area underneath my legs. How I wished I was Mr. Froggy. Then, as sudden as the rain got heavier, my tent crumbled. I was in a pitiful mess.

I was struggling to brave the cold at the same time, rebuilding my tent. Selfish bastards in the comfort of their own tents didn't give a hoot about me. I could feel the 20 or so pair of eyes engrossed in watching my drudegery. Then a familiar figure defied the treacherous rain to lend me a helping hand...Hilal.

We remained silent until the tent was erected once again. "Thank you", I sheepishly muttered. "Don't mention it. I know you would have done the same", came his reply as he walked toward his tent.

I was cold to the bone by now as I sat under my tent. Hilal returned and crawled beside me. He brought out whatever that remained of his candles and lighted one up, placing it between us. I scoured my pocket for my pack of cigarettes. Alas, the pack is soaked like a sponge. What luck! Hilal then took out his pack. Only one stick left. He insisted that we shared. And for the first time in our melodramatic history, we talked instead of cursing at each other.

We talked about childhood years all the way till the present times. We laughed, we punched and we shoved each other as if we were like brothers arguing over the last piece of pie. For the first time in my National Service, I was actually feeling glad. Glad that it was raining....Glad that I found a friend. God must have summoned all his magic to create the sun and all else that is pretty, but I guess he saved his best work in creating this rain.

It has been a few months now since I fulfilled my national obligations. Here I am speeding in my car along Changi's Coastal Road, passing by Changi Beach, then the nostalgic SAF Ferry Terminal. Then it began to pour. I smiled. Somewhere out there, in the gruesome depths of the Tekong jungle a soldier probably...just probably found a friend...like I did...2 1/2 years ago.