A TASTE OF LIFE – The Tour Via Singapore
It was a tour via Singapore. So, naturally a ‘stop, shop and sightseeing’ was the motto. A beautiful city with hardly any traffic jams, the taxi zoomed us to our hotel. Luxury was everywhere, the dishes, the music, the atmosphere.
As usual, we got up rather early to begin our day. With the time zones changed, we were lost, but we managed to step out at about 7:30 am (Singapore time). The streets were empty; not a vehicle passed by, and no shops open. It was not a holiday, but that was the normal way. We later learned that Singapore woke at 11:00 pm, through night.
So, city life begins very late. It was at night that you must step out to shop. What of sight-seeing? Well, that could be done during the day. The city bus toured around, giving us all possible details about the city. Then a ride in the cable cars gave us a glimpse of Singapore from a far up view. At last, it was the under-water ‘glass submarine’ (I call it) ride, that revealed to us the beauties and treasures below the sea. That was an unforgettable stop in Singapore. The shops, food and …. wait a minute ….. we are in the airport, trying to find if it is night or day…
- N.N
Poet’s Corner
ODE TO LASSIE (OUR BLACK POMERANIAN)
I walk here,
I go there,
Yet you are forever
At my feet.
I feel happy,
They rejoice for me,
You wag your tail and
Skip around
I feel low,
My troubles are heavy,
No one is there
To shoulder me.
But you my pet;
My four legged friend,
You stay close by
And lick my hand.
What makes you love me?
Whatever I do;
What is the secret?
What bonds me and you?
- N.N
SHOWING OFF
Livera was always boasting,
That he could dance and yodel too.
So, on a very convenient date,
We asked him, “Show us your talents, will you?”
With great pleasure he did stand,
And began to dance to the band
But, he began to jump from side to side,
And with his yodeling the air was rent,
A woman who was his supposed bride,
Hastily stood up and went.
He thought him great, so very great,
When he realized it wasn’t, it was too late.
We knew he was showing off to us all,
And we laughed, right there in the hall.
He grew red with embarrassment,
Went home and hid in his basement.
From him I learned to be wary
Never to show off, more than necessary,
So I hope you take this piece of advice,
It might help you
Throughout your life.
- N.K
Always Yours - (continued)
That whole day was a joyous and active one for Jaqy. It opened a whole new chapter to the Holiday Apartments. To Jaqy, it was a whole new world. When she told her plans to her manager, he took it in deep silence. How would their guests take to Indian dishes? Would it be a success? Lowel had thought of ways to improve their meals. He knew that the meal makes the heart of a hotel. But Jaqy was now already a step forward; she would watch how this project will affect the hotels improvement.
As promised, the evening was to be spent with Cavin, and Jaqy looked forward to it. She had things to dig out of Cavin and she could not rest till she found answers to her problems. She tucked a curl behind her ear and looked at her reflection in themirror. Her dark eyes stared back at her. What she saw pleased her. She wondered why she looked this way. She was unique. A narrow nose, determined lips, dark hair against fair skin. They were traits which she acquired from her father. He was half Spanish. At that moment, Maggy walked in and saw her sister in deep dreaming. Maggy cleared her throat loudly and Jaqy smiled at her sister she saw in the mirror. For the first time she noticed Maggy putting on weight.
“Is this my little nosy sister?” Maggy laughed.
“I think she is,” said Jaqy getting up, “and how do I look?”
“Cavin is a very lucky guy!” Maggy stated.
“And why is that?” Jaqy asked carelessly, putting on the final touch to her look.
“Don’t you think he is lucky to have you back after all these years?” Maggy asked.
“I am not going to marry him,” Jaqy got her keys and reached for the handbag.
“It’s David, isn’t it? Why Jaqy?” Maggy pleaded, “Don’t you have any love for him? Can’t you be a mother to him?” Jaqy was listening. She held back the angry words that rushed within her. How could she explain? Will her sister ever understand? If only she knew the truth, will she not hate Cavin. No, this is Jaqy’s secret, how could she ever let it out? It was important that only she knew of it. She had kept it within her ever since Cavin left her and she is not going to spill it out now. There were tears in Maggy’s eyes.
“It’s not that… I don’t love you” Maggy wiped her eyes, “wouldn’t things be easier that way? David is a lovely child, and he needs a mother and Cavin would want none other.”
Jaqy swallowed. She wanted to explain, there was so much to tell, which she would not. “I’ll handle it, Mag, there has to be a way out of this jumble.” Jaqy comforted her sister and left. Her anger built in her, her feelings all against Cavin. She slammed the door and locked the car, and hurried towards the lobby. Cavin came to greet her, but she hardly heard what he said. All her attention was diverted towards David. It was the first time she saw Cavin’s son, and she found that he and Cavin looked different – so these are the mother’s features. She grew a cold dislike against David, and hated Cavin for not coming alone. Once Cavin and Jaqy were seated at their table, David walked over to the tanks; he liked watching the fish. Jaqy remained silent, and Cavin watched the love of his life. Jaqy changed her focus towards Cavin, her lips a thin line and anger flashing in her black eyes.
“Have I upset you?” Cavin teased. He knew her so well.
“Why did you bring him here?” she shot.
“Oh Jaqy, please… he is my son Jaqy,” Cavin begged, “don’t break my heart.”
“You speak a lot about your heart, but what about mine?” Jaqy laughed. There was bitterness in her voice.
To be continued – N.N
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete