The house in Bukit Timah

[ilikeoldchangke]

I slowly cruised over to the checkpoint and was waved to stop my car and pop the trunk.

I pulled over and got out

Here we go.

The 3 male officer looked at the contents of the car and said nothing and the female officer was the one who did the talking.


Female officer : hi Sir….. just a routine inspection…..

Jackson : go ahead….

I know its just a nicer and more professional way of saying ‘ you look like a fucking pervert with too much female clothes in your possession, so we have to take a look ‘

Female officer : that’s a lot of shopping bags….buying gifts for your wife ?

Jackson : I’m still single ….they belong to my boss….this car belongs to my boss as well…

Female officer : I see… does your boss know you took his or her car ?

Jackson : Yes she knows…. She lent it to me over the weekend…

Female officer : I see….

I saw one of the male officer whisper something to another and both of them were trying to hold back their chuckle.

They probably said something in the likes of ‘ crossdresser ‘ or something.

They were about to commence a more detailed search of the vehicle when a senior officer came walking towards us.

He’s old, mid fifties, and I could see everyone tensed up a little. Definitely someone in charge.

Walking right up to me, he looked at the car registration number YL 71 U.

He gave a nod to his staff and they backed off immediately and dispersed.

His name tag says his name is Tang.

Tang : This is Yiling’s car….

Jackson : yes it is……. I work for her…

He nodded a couple of times with a smile before looking at the insides.


Tang checked his phone and looked at the latest message he received before adding ;

Tang : alright……. You may go…

I looked at him with an eyebrow raised before getting into the car

Jackson : woah…..

There was no small chat or any unnecessary talk.

That was it.

I cleared the Malaysia immigration without much issue and when I hit the expressway, I relaxed a little and stepped on the gas to see what that car can do.

I felt the acceleration push me back into the car seat and I laughed out loud in the vehicle and shouted in glee.


Jackson : hhahhahahahahahha…… woooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Yiling’s playlist of old school Jazz kept me company on the long drive up north and I must have asked myself the same question a dozen times.

How does she do it ?

How ?

I dropped my grandfather a text around 5am and told him I’m reaching soon.

He’s already up and about by then.
He called me and say he will meet me at the coffee shop he frequents.

I dimmed the headlights of the car when I turned into the parking lot in front of the coffee shop, sliding diagonally into the space. I could see my grandpa waiting for me with a smile on his face.

I ran forward for a hug and he laughed.


Grandpa : hahha… come… they are making the 1st brew of the coffee….

Jackson : did you lose weight ?

Grandpa : a little….but I’m fine…

I chatted and caught up with my grandfather for almost 3 hours at the coffee shop over breakfast of eggs, toasted bread, coffee and fried noodles.

He wanted me to grab some sleep at the motel I always go to first but I insist on taking him to the supermarket.

Grocery shopping is something I enjoyed doing with my grandfather from a young age.

I remembered visiting supermarkets and looking at the variety of things on the shelves. I like to read the labels and look at the pictures on cereal boxes. We didn’t use a trolley, it was always a basket, because we could not afford that much stuff to fit in a trolly.

Rice is cheaper in larger packaging but we always went for the 1kg or 2kg pack. Water it down over a pot and we would enjoy a meal of porridge with canned beans and pickled vegetables.

Even when I got older, supermarket trips remained a sacred and special bonding time between my grandfather and me. When we travelled, we would make it a point to visit the supermarkets and look at the different things being sold overseas.
We could spend hours in the supermarket, marvelling at how different the products are in different parts of the world.
Every now and then when my grandpa sees something interesting, he would ask me over and point at it with the same knowing smile. Interesting as in something he knew I would like. Old school biscuits with peanut butter fillings, plain butter crackers. The long rectangle chocolate wafer that you can buy in loose quantity from provision shops, and basically anything with foreign looking words on it but with a picture of chocolate fudge in between 2 slices of crackers.


My grandfather on the other hand, likes cuttlefish and chewy sotong. Toasted, grilled, or even coated with sugar, he likes them all. He just loves the chewy texture.

I remembered sharing a large squid with him cook right by the sea in Korea. Both of us were shivering from the cold sea breeze while trying to juggle 2 cups of coffee and the piping hot squid that we kept laughing.

In the end, he dipped one long slice of squid into his coffee and chewed on it while holding only onto the coffee cup.


There is nothing I would not give to go back to that carefree period of travelling with my grandfather.

The basket I was holding only held 2 packets of crackers after 30 minutes and I looked at my grandfather peering a little too closely at the labels of a pack of chips.

He’s well past 65 and approaching the 70’s. He gets breathless after walking for too long and everything he does, it’s at half the speed I remember.


Looking at my grandfather shuffle slowly along the aisle of the supermarket, I was hit with a sudden fear of not being by his side when he leaves. Should anything happen to him, I’m a 800km drive away.

He picked something out and waved it at me. Since he did not look at the label at all, it tells me he has already seen this in previous visits and he was just waiting for me to be here to share with me.

Grandpa : eh Jackson….. this chocolate wafer….. looks nice… got try before ??

I did but I said no, because I knew if I said yes, he would not buy it.

Jackson : It looks good…. From Germany one…. Let’s try…

He immediately went to look at the price to see if it’s on promotion but I took it from him and put it into my basket.

Grandpa : I check expiry date first…

Jackson : No… you are checking the price….

He stated to nag about the need to save money and I told him I’m doing ok.

I’ve been saving a lot and I broached the subject of him coming back to get a more detailed look at his condition.

Grandpa : Aiyah…. No need…. You see… I here…. Fresh air….good food…. I ok…I’m ok… no stress….. got computer… I learn how to read news on internet….

Jackson : I don’t care… I insist… you have to come back….

Grandpa : don’t need… don’t need…. Don’t waste money…

Jackson : my new job comes with very comprehensive insurance for staff and family members…. It’s covered… everything…

Grandpa : really ? so good…

Jackson : yeah.. look at the car my boss lent me….

Grandpa : your boss make you do her shopping ?? you not shy ?? buy woman’s clothes….

Jackson : I didn’t buy them….let’s not talk about that….. I want you to come back…. You’ve been away a few months….. I hardly even go back home…. There’s nothing for me to go back to….

I could see him thinking about it and I quickly added that with accommodation provided, I mostly stayed over at work.

Jackson : not to forget food is provided as well….

Grandpa : let me think about it…


After combing through the whole supermarket, we barely filled the basket I was carrying. He kept saying he didn’t need a lot of stuff and if he did, he can always walk to the provision shop around the corner.

Grandpa : ok you whole night driving, better go sleep…. We have dinner later….

Jackson : ok…

After I dropped my grandfather off, I started to rearrange the boot space and stuff more of Yiling’s stuff into it. The bags are all taking up too much space, and I could not resist doing something about it.
I removed the lingerie form the bag and with a suitcase from the supermarket, threw her purchases into it.

I flattened the bags and boxes neatly and set them aside. With the reclaimed space in the car, I went back to the supermarket and loaded it up to the brim with groceries and daily essentials.

I can do what Yiling did but on a smaller scale.

My grandpa was taking a nap when I got back but the staff were kind enough to help me unload the groceries into the nursing home.

After a 6 hour nap, I went back to pick up my grandfather for dinner.

Over a meal of simple Tze Char dishes of hotplate beancurd, stir fried vegetables and steamed fish, I begun to share more about my work and what I did recently, I left out the fighting part for obvious reason, and of course, the lottery ticket.

Grandpa : I don’t know man… your boss…. She seemed temperamental….

Jackson : hahaha… nah…. I think she’s just stressed out…. I try not to think about it… and just do my work….

Grandpa : Are you enjoying yourself… ?

Jackson : not too bad so far…

I showed my grandfather pictures of the garden I did and I told him when he’s back, I will bring him over so he can see it for himself.

After the dishes were cleared, I ordered 2 bottles of beer to chill with my grandpa by the coffee shop.

Grandpa : do you drink a lot on your own… ? don’t drink so much… it’s bad for you…

Jackson : Nah…. Not really… no one to drink with me when you are not around…

Grandpa : you are not young anymore Jackson …. It’s time you get a girlfriend….

Jackson : please la… worry about yourself…. If I want to get ah…. From here line up all the way to customs hahah

Grandpa : si Ginna !!.... I talk serious with you…

Jackson : I’ll get a girlfriend…. After you are well….

Before he could retort, I quickly added.

Jackson : If you are not well to see my girlfriend…. To see me get married… to see me become a father…. I do for fuck… hahah

He kicked me on my plastic chair and I laughed while trying to balance the beer in hand.

After we’re done with the first bottle, my grandpa finally agreed to go back to Singapore for a couple of weeks.


Jackson : Really !!! you serious….? Don’t you dare lie to me

Grandpa : yah la… yah la… but only for a couple of weeks….i’ve grown to like this place….

Jackson : alright…. Swee… haha… leave everything to me…. I will make the appointments…. And I will drive you back…. Or you want to leave right now ??!!

Grandpa : No no… not now…. I very busy one ok…. I got plans with my friends here…… I also learning how to do powerpoint…. You know what is powerpoint or not…. ?? I can put our holiday pictures, then it will flip flip flip…. Si bei swee one…

I laughed and topped up my grandfather’s beer.

Jackson : Then you do and show me la… haha

Grandpa : you wait and see… her her her…. you confirm impress ah…

My phone vibrated and shook the entire wooden table.

I looked at the caller ID and I knew immediately it’s work related.

It’s Declan.


Jackson : Hi Declan…. Everything ok ??

Declan : Hi Jackson ….. convenient to talk ??


Jackson :Yeah sure…

Declan : I just want to tell you that the annual dinner….has been brought forward…. And it’s going to happen tomorrow evening….

Jackson : Tomorrow…. Sunday ?? Do you need me to be back… ?

[ilikeoldchangke]

Declan : It’s ok…. Don’t need…. But it’s an annual affair…. It will be good if you can see and get to know who’s who in the game….. it’s going to be a particularly interesting dinner too given what’s happened….

Jackson : I see….

I looked at my grandfather who could tell it’s work and he gestured for me to go ahead.


Jackson : Ok… I will be back at the estate by noon tomorrow…

Declan : ok… I will let Boss know…. do you have a suit… ?

Jackson : What…? Do I need one ?

Declan : yes… Boss is particular about dressing on one day of the year…. And it’s this dinner…

Jackson : Yes I do… but it’s back at home…. No problem… I’ll grab it before I head down….

Declan : See you tomorrow….



I hung up and my grandfather immediately asked me to stop drinking.

Jackson : it’s ok…. I’ll grab some rest before I leave…. Probably early in the morning….

Looking at his old watch, my grandpa added.


Grandpa : It’s coming to 8pm…. Better stop drinking already….go back and sleep…. Come pick me up to go back next month….

I could see the stubbornness in him starting to show and I nodded.

After sending my grandpa back to the home at 9pm, I got back to the motel.

I got up at 2 am, took a shower before making my way back home to Singapore.

It was coming to 10 am by the time I got back home in Ang Mo Kio.

My butt is aching from the long drive.

I grabbed my suit, shoes and tie before driving straight down to Bukit TImah.


For the first time, I did not have to park my car and change into a buggy. The SUVs blocking the road parted for me and before I got to the gate of the estate, it was already swinging open.

Arriving at the garage, one of the perimeter guards opened the garage door for me to park Yiling’s car.


I called Declan and asked what should I do now that I’m back at the estate.

Declan : ok….go grab your lunch…. And it’s unlikely we would get to eat anything until everything is over…. Kamal, Seven and Hong they are all at the cook house….

Jackson : Ok sure… what about the car keys…

Declan : Hold on to it for now…. Pass me later…



I put the clothes and shoes in the farmhouse and joined the rest of the guys at the cookhouse.

Hong waved for me to join them at their table after I grabbed a serving of chicken rice and old cucumber soup. I’m starving.


Hong : come come come… eat… eat more….

Kamal : I thought you won’t be back in time….

Jackson : I didn’t want to miss the dinner…. Have to see what is it about…

Seven gestured to me and he looked like he was asking if my grandfather is ok.


Jackson : He ok thank you…. Finally managed to convince him to come back for a checkup …. Most probably next month or something….

Kamal : good la….good…

I scooped a spoonful of rice into my mouth when I caught Kamal knocking onto Hong’s knees with his and they exchanged looks.


Hong : I know… I know… wait la… let him eat first…

Jackson : yes… ? what is it ??

Kamal : Hong ask something to ask you… hahaha

Hong : Cheebye la… ( curse ) I can ask on my own…

Kamal : He shy…

Jackson : Huh ?? what is it ??


Hong cleared his throat and I could tell this is a prepared speech, sort of anyway.

Hong : Jackson … you know…. dinner….

Jackson :Yah ??

Hong : Like those 7th month dinner….. got those auction right…. Bid for things one…

Jackson : yeah… what about it…

Hong : ok… the dinner tonight… there is also an auction….

Jackson : Ok…

Hong : we don’t have that many items… but each family….is supposed to present their own item…. And conduct their own auction for it….

Jackson : Oh…..



Hong went on to explain that the money raised, will be for charity.
It’s usually a pretty casual and sometimes rowdy event. If you have attended one before, you would know.

Plenty of , Huat ah, Huat ah, towkay ah…. Huat ah and stuff like that. The auction will be conducted in a smattering of different languages injected into Hokkien.


Hong : My Hokkien no A1 also got A2 la… you know me ah…. But this year… a bit different…

Jackson : how so… ?


It appears that the usual politician that attends the dinner as a guest of honor is busy. It’s such a last minute event it’s a miracle they managed to scrape it together.

Given how hard it is to get everyone to agree on a common date to meet, we jumped at the first date that all family rep is available.

Hong : the usual MP….is not available…. He’s a very nice and friendly guy….i can piak Hokkien with him… very relax and chill kind of guy you know….


Jackson : ok … so…. There is a problem with the new VIP that is attending….

Hong : Not exactly a problem… just that… he’s more serious…. You know… more… intense….

Kamal : He’s Welly Chin…I’m sure you’ve heard of him…

Jackson : Oh… the guy tipped to become the next prime minister anytime now….

Kamal : yeap….

Jackson : wow… how the hell did you all manage to invite him… ?

Hong : Actually we didn’t….. Our usual member of parliament Mr Teng is unable to make it…. But he says his colleague Welly is available and interested to meet everyone….

I scooped another mouthful of rice into my mouth and added in between chews.



Jackson : Smart… he’s a smart guy….

Hong : How so ??



Jackson : If he’s going to be leading the country soon… he needs to know who he’s dealing with on all levels…. This is a good time for him to meet and cop a feel….

Hong : Why would he be interested in us anyway…. We do small business one…. River water don’t touch well water… you know the saying….

Jackson : Not true…. A good leader must know the cards he holds…. You never know when you might need to play them….

Kamal : hahaha… why would he even want to be associated with us….. ??


Seven did a twirl of his fingers on the side of his temple and chuckled as if I’m crazy.

Jackson : It’s not about association, see this from another perspective….. you never know if one day he needs our help….

Hong : Eh brother… I think you never sleep enough…. Hahaha… drive too long…. Smell too much of boss Lingerie in the car si bo…. !! hahahah

Everyone laughed and so did i.

Jackson : You won’t believe the kind of looks the customs officers gave me man..


Hong : Please la… that is nothing…. Seven had to go buy sanitary Pad for Boss once when we were out…. Hahaha…Kamal had to go get nipple tapes….and me… I got to go buy tampons for her when we were travelling once….. and I don’t even speak Japanese ….hahah

[ilikeoldchangke]

Kamal : yah… ahhaa.. and he did the finger, poke inside backside motion in the convenient stall …..hahah

Jackson : that’s disgusting… hahaha….


Hong : aiyah… they get the message la… anyway… back to the issue on hand…. With this Welly Chin….

Jackson : yeah…. Yeah… I was saying….


Hong : Yah I know… you say he wants to come for the dinner on purpose….

Jackson : exactly… to meet all of us…. And most important of all…. To let us meet him….

Hong : Why…. ?

Jackson : to let us know he’s the one in charge…. For one….

Kamal : what else… ? ahaha.. ask for our votes in the next election ah ? hahahah…

Jackson : maybe… you never know…

Hong : well…. No matter how I see it…. There’s no way a future prime minister would want to meet people like us…

Jackson : let’s put it this way….

I drizzled some chilli, black sauce and ginger over my chicken rice and gave it a good mix before adding.

Jackson : When shit hits the fan….there might be some things you need to do and you don’t want to get your hands dirty….. hahah


Kamal : You watch too much movies la Jackson …. Hahah

Jackson : hahaha… I think so too….

Hong : So ok…. The thing is I’m usually the one doing the auction…because I’m thick skin and all but this time round… with such a serious politician attending…. I’m not so sure I can….

Kamal : He nervous as fuck la… hahaha….


Hong : So I was hoping you can do it instead…. Proper English…and shit… you know…. what you educated people usually say instead of me…. KNN here… CB there ( curses & vulgarities ) …

Jackson : ok… I don’t mind… what do I need to sell….

Hong : 3 statue…. Fu, Lu, Shou , … the 3 stars statue….

Jackson : ohh… ok… Prosperity, status, and Longevity …. Can … can…. No problem…


Kamal : You sure ah Jackson … you fuck this up… ahhaha Boss might really shoot you…hahah

Jackson : okok…wait… how much should I get for the statues ?

Hong : It’s not about the dollar value…. As long as you can sell it….

Jackson : can sell one la… I can sell anything….

Kamal : just remember… you are selling to other families…not to us…. And Boss cannot put in her own bid….

Jackson : Oh…. I was about to ask you guys to chip in and support …

Hong : I wish I could… anyway, there’s a common understanding among everyone that this is about ‘face’ , so we would always bid for something from the other families but this time round, given the tense situation and everyone seemed to be out for blood…..



Kamal : We don’t even know what the others are selling…. It’s going to be a shit show if someone brings the same thing as us….

Jackson : sounds fun hahahah… do I get a cut after selling….

Hong : it’s for charity you fuck…. the VIP will choose which charity it goes to… Welly Chin’s choice..….

I finished up my rice and started on my soup.



Jackson : Ok… ok… I’ll do it…..

Hong : Simple ….. ok… everyone likes 1688, 1388, you know…. as long as have a lot of 8 , people will bid for it….just keep saying a lot of good stuff…. Use the word ‘ Huat ‘ ( prosper ) a couple of times…. And you should be fine….

Jackson : Orh…

Kamal slapped Hong on his arm a couple of times.

Kamal : Relax…. Relax… breathe…. You don’t need to do it…. Haha…

Hong’s phone rang and he announced to the table that it’s Yiling.

Hong : Hello….yes….harrr….arr…. err….wait wait… Boss…. Jackson is doing the auction… ok… ok…. Great… thank you….

Jackson : what did she say….

Hong : Nah… nothing…. Don’t worry……. It’s just that you will be sitting at the main table with Boss instead of me…

Jackson : oh….who else will be at the table… ?

Kamal : The heads & Representatives of the other families….


Hong : Don’t worry… just chill… enjoy your food…. And when it’s time for the auction… go up and sell the statue…


Jackson : ok…


Hong : It’s a serious thing ok…. This whole dinner and auction…. Please don’t fuck it up…


Jackson : introducing the triads..... and conducting an auction for the future Prime Minister….. what can possibly go wrong…. ?

…………………………

[hubber28]

Hahaha- seriously this read is much better then a cheapo bonk!

[DDAMn]

really cannot wait for next installment

[Snoke]

What a fantastic story, please keep going bro!

[water_boi]

Originally Posted by ilikeoldchangke

Jackson : introducing the triads..... and conducting an auction for the future Prime Minister….. what can possibly go wrong…. ?

everything will go wrong!

thanks for the update again bro ilock!!

[koebshaq0_0]

Thanks bro iLock for the amazing story.

[kykiss]

It's time for Jackson to score points in front of the Boss

[7ha7ha7ha]

Wonderful story shared. Hope to read more.

[kisugu]

Superb story bro. Camping for more updates ...

[Jay Chou]

Originally Posted by kykiss

It's time for Jackson to score points in front of the Boss

Up u bro. 😊

[sennheiser]

Originally Posted by kykiss

It's time for Jackson to score points in front of the Boss

Time for him to shine. Raise his stocks higher than Aaron.

[kykiss]

Originally Posted by Jay Chou

Up u bro. 😊

Thanks bro..

[alec]

good exposure