The house in Bukit Timah

[Jay Chou]

Originally Posted by kingkanibu

bump bump for bro ilock...

Up u bro. 😊

[scotus]

Very good story bro, waiting for next update

[ruchgea]

So very nice story, camping for next chapter

[Lastseconds]

Another blockbuster by bro ilock

[Flyer1]

Still waiting patiently...

[kingkanibu]

Originally Posted by Jay Chou

Up u bro. 😊

same bro... up you back..

and at the same time bump...

[vinamoon]

Fantastic story bro, please keep coming!

[ilikeoldchangke]

Jackson : The answers you seek….will you be sharing them with us… ?

Yiling chose not to answer my question and instead asked me where do I do the dishes usually. I pointed it to the basin in the bathroom.

I remained at my seat as Yiling did the dishes with the same soap that Seven liked to use for his shower.


She don’t strike me as someone who would do the dishes but her manicure’s messed up anyway, so why not.
Yiling burped loudly and asked for tissues after she’s done.

Yiling : burppzzz…. Excuse me…. Burppzzzz… ahhh… that’s quite nice.. thank you…

The rain got heavier and there’s no sign of it abating.

Yiling : do you have umbrellas here ?


Jackson : No…

Yiling : why not ??

Jackson : errr… never had a need for them so far…. I’ll buy some the first chance I get….

Yiling : yes please…

With no end of the rain in sight, I brought out another 2 cans of beer and some of the nuts the guys usually like to munch on.

Yiling sat back down and tore up the packaging of the nuts in a way that made it hard for it to be resealed.

Yiling : How’s your grandfather….


Jackson : He’s ok…thank you…. How about you…. Any family… ?

Yiling : why do you want to know… ?

Jackson : do you find it hard to trust people….

She avoided my question again and chose to drink her beer.

We chatted a little, most of the time we were just munching on the nuts and snacks while waiting for the rain to stop.

Yiling : slurpzz… zhooottzzzz….

Yiling has this habit of sucking the seasonings off her fingers after eating a few chips, then she will reach back into the packet again.



Churning it around a bit as if searching for that perfect piece before grabbing a few and stuffing it into her mouth.

Yiling : What !! ?

Jackson : I find your…. Eating habits… fascinating….

Yiling : you …. Zhoottzzz… must have some OCD ( obsessive compulsive disorder ) ….. zhootttzzz… you have issue sharing food with other….

Jackson : no I don’t….

Yiling : So you are ok with having steamboat with the guys where everyone is stirring their chopsticks inside the same broth and you have issues with me picking chips off the same back with these… !!??

Yiling wriggle her wet fingers at me and I shove them away from my face.

Jackson : ewww…. ! stop it….


Yiling : hahahah….

Yiling narrowed her eyes, stuck out her tongue from the side of her lips and she looked into the bag of chips, her expression is obvious that she is up to no good.


Yiling : hmmmmmmm…. Let me see…. Hiak.. hiak….

She pulled out one small piece and waved it in a mischievous manner in front of my face.

Jackson : hahaha… what is wrong with you … !

I pushed her hand away but she shove her fingers at me.

Yiling : Proof it !! proof it you don’t have OCD !!!! whahahahha !!!

Jackson : arnghghgh !!!

Yiling stuffed her chip pinching finger into my mouth, smashing it into bits as she laughed heartily.

I wiped my mouth and I thought I felt a tooth that was a little loose.

Yiling chomped down on more chips as she commented I’m the kind of people that would surely whine about people double dipping into my sauces.

Jackson : I’m not a fan of double dipping….

Yiling rolled her eyes at me and made a show of throwing a piece of chip at me before laughing.


By the end of the 3rd beer, Yiling started asking for the bottle of whisky on the shelf. She’s wiped out all the snacks on the table and she looked like she was tipsy.

Jackson : That one belongs to Declan….

Yiling : Everything on this estate…. Belongs to me…..


She waved at the bottle with her eyes half closed as if it will magically float over.

I brought 2 glass and poured us each a serving.

Yiling gulped down the drink before hissing and flashing her pearly whites.

Yiling : hssssssssss…..ahhhhhhhh……… hit me again…

Jackson : please don’t get drunk here…

Yiling : I don’t remember the last time I got drunk…

Jackson : that was just…

Yiling : ehh… eh… eh.. eh.. ehhhhhhhh…..

Yiling looked at me with her glass half raised with a look that made me feel like I’m a nagging grandmother.

Yiling : just pour me the drink Jackson …


Yiling finished it again, hissing like a snake with her expression scrunched up before slamming the glass down on the table like a actress in a Korean drama drinking soju by the roadside while bitching about the male lead.

Yiling : do you have a dream Jackson …. ?

Jackson : Huh ?? .. yeah…. To be a gardener…. Own my own landscape company…. Bring my grandfather travelling….

Yiling laughed.

Yiling : be serious Jackson …

Jackson : I am serious….

Yiling gestured for another serving on her glass with her fingers and I could see her swaying a little but she’s still sober.

Yiling : Someone….. once told me…..burpzz… if your dreams doesn’t scare you….. … it’s not big enough…..


Jackson : ok… I think you’ve drank enough….

I tried to take the glass away from Yiling but she smacked my hand away.

Yiling : yah… ya… ya !!... don’t touch my glass !!

She quickly downed the drink and tried to grab the bottle but I held it away from her.

Yiling gestured to her glass again, her movements visibly slower.

Yiling : last one….. I promise… last one….

I relented and when I was trying to gauge a finger worth, Yiling grabbed the bottle and tipped it over.

Yiling : hahahah..

Jackson : tsk… haiyah !!!! you very irritating you know…

Yiling : you very naggy you know…. !

I pulled it away and capped it as she gleefully protected her ¾ glass of drink.

Now it’s my turn to ask her the question she asked me.

Jackson : so… what is your dream… ?



Yiling : hahha.. my dream….?.... nah…. Don’t have the luxury to have one….

Jackson : why not….

Yiling took a deep breathe and gestured unsteadily with her glass.

Yiling : with great power…. Comes great responsibilities….

[ilikeoldchangke]

Jackson : Jesus….. you’re drunk….

She finished half of what is in her glass and rest her tired head on her palm as she looked at me.

Yiling : Jackson….

Jackson : what… ?


She gestured absentmindedly in the air.

Yiling : Anyone….. special…..in your life… ? girlfriend…. ?

Jackson : No….

Yiling : Why not ? ….

Jackson : No particular reason….. haven met the right one….

Yiling : sheeehzz…. Too choosy…. Men are too choosy these days …

Jackson : What about you…. ? anyone special ??

Yiling chuckled as if I said something funny.

Yiling : I can’t….

Jackson : Why not…. ?

Yiling smiled and I could feel a hint of bitterness from it and she just repeated what she said earlier.

Yiling : I can’t….. I can’t afford to….

Jackson : Money don’t seem to be a problem….


Yiling : I can’t afford to….

She began mumbling to herself as she ran her finger around the rim of the whisky glass.

Yiling : Jackson …..Jack….. son……Jackson….Jack… Jack…. Son… Son….

Jackson : what is wrong with you…. ?

I replaced the bottle on the shelf and I checked on the rain. It’s still going on, looks like it’s going to be a long one.

I cleaned the table of the peanut shells and snacks and Yiling slowly rest her head on her arm like a student stealing a snooze in class.

I took the seat opposite her and just looked at her.

Who exactly is she ?

I still don’t know.

Is she a bad person ?

I can’t answer that as well.

Who was she talking to over the phone in the car ?
The phone call on the Nokia.

The phone call that can take care of everything. All the mess.

Yiling jerked herself awake and she toppled the rest of her drink. She straightened herself and tried to stand up.

Yiling : I’m ok…. I’m ok….


She staggered forward and supported her stumble with both hands. I grunted and got up, biting my teeth to hold back the pain my body is experiencing, I held onto Yiling and she fell into my arms.

Jackson : arnghhhh !!!... fuck….ooohhhhffff…

Yiling : I’m hooookayyy……. I’m hoookay….

I dragged her over to my bed and I put her down as gently as I could.

Yiling : rrrrrrooo… rrrourrrr…mmmmhhh..

Yiling mumbled and turned to her side. I grabbed the blanket and put it over her.


I went to my gardening supplies shelf and pulled out a green canvas. I folded it to make an improvised pillow and I put it on the floor beside the bed. People take on a job for a better life, somehow I feel my quality of living is on the decline.

I looked at Yiling slumped onto my bed like a log. She’s sleeping with her mouth slightly open and I’m sure she is going to drool onto my pillow.

Yiling : errrrrrrr…..arrhhhh….

She turned, kicked my blanket halfway off the bed with her legs and spread arms wide before mumbling something I can’t make out. I could already see a wet patch at the part where she was laying face down earlier.

How can a women behave at such extreme end of the spectrum ?

If she’s not the classy confident women I am working for, she is this.


This abomination of weird creature habits, this junk food chugging, beer drinking, finger licking and sometimes just plain funny girl.

A girl that I confess that I would love to date despite all her flaws.


She can be a bitch at times and I’m sure the rest of the guys would agree with me on this, but somehow, she just draws all of us close to her.
She’s all powerful, yet vulnerable.

She’s confident, yet she has her own insecurities.

She’s gorgeous when she’s all dolled up, and even without makeup, she’s pretty and cute.

She’s the kind of girl men would want to protect.

She burped and turned away, mumbling again in her sleep.

Shaking my head, I started to lower myself onto the ground.

Jackson : arhhhh… ahhhh… arghhhhh …

Groaning and moaning every step of the way, I laid down and I fell asleep.


………………………………………………



2nd June 2015
Tuesday

8am



When I opened my eyes, I saw that the bed beside me is empty. The blanket I had offered to Yiling is now covering me.

The bruises hurt more than ever and I could hardly scrub myself when I shower.

I got dressed and went to the cookhouse to grab a bite.



9.30am

My phone rang and I knew exactly who it is.

Jackson : yes…

Yiling : you ready to go…. ?

Jackson : yeap… where do I meet you… ?

Yiling : I’ll meet you at your car…. I got someone to fill up the tank a little, enough for us to make it to the petrol kiosk…

Jackson : what… how ? … you don’t have the keys….


Yiling : opening car door & fuel tank without keys is a skillset that is not hard to find among the people working for me…. I’ll see you there….

I got to my car and Yiling was dressed like a cool cowgirl that morning.

White blouse with sleeves folded up to her elbows. The 1st 2 buttons are undone, revealing her plain white tube underneath. Navy blue hip hugging jeans and fashionably high heels in brown suede.

Her sling bag is in a similar shade of brown and it was sitting on the roof of my car.

She was playing with her aviator shades and when she saw me approaching, she put it on and waited for me to unlock the car.

We got in and the first thing she commented was when am I going to change a new one.

Yiling : This is old…. Old…. Time for a new one…

Jackson : When you give me a raise…. I’ll get one…I realised I was still getting the same pay with the added responsibilities….

Yiling snorted as she asked me to start driving.


I topped up the tank and made our way to little india.



11am


I followed Yiling’s direction, cutting through small streets and alleyways.


It’s been a while since I came to little india. It has never been a nice place to drive in. People jaywalk across the street throughout the day, tradesmen line the small roads with their wares ranging from onions to brinjals.

Groups of visitors just hanging around blocking roads and walkways going about their own business.
Deliveries are carted across streets to restaurant and busloads of tourist kept arriving to check out the quaint district.

Jackson : where do I go from here…. ?

Yiling pointed to a commercial building and I paused at the junction where 5 different roads converged. Making sure the street is clear, I turned into the basement carpark.


Everything looks new and the carpark has a fresh coat of paint.

The barrier arm came up promptly and I found a spot right by the entrance to the office lobby.

Yiling : wait for me at the lobby…. I’ll handle this alone….

Jackson : you sure ? …. Will you be ok… ?


Yiling : don’t worry…. It’s safe here….

Jackson : I need to relook at the word safe after I start working for you…..i mean…. Old folks home…. Temple… ? I would think those places are generally safe….

Yiling : I’ll be fine….


Jackson : I’ll accompany you and wait outside the room or office or whatever…at least stay in my sight…. I’m going to be left worrying and wondering what is happening … and…

Yiling stopped walking and turned to look at me while removing her shades.

She gave me a sly smile before jabbing me with the end of her shades.

Yiling : you know…… I realised…. You can be quite sweet sometimes…Jackson…. Hahah ….

Jackson : What… ? I’m just concerned….



Yiling : hahah… well… I think it’s really sweet of you to be worrying about your boss like that…. But what can I say….

Yiling spread her hands and gestured around her like a model presenting her wares.

Yiling : This is one of the safest building in the country….

[ilikeoldchangke]

I rolled my eyes as she laughed and started to turn away from me.


Yiling : If there’s a zombie apocalypse…. This would be where I would run to….remember that… it would save your life….

Jackson : Yiling…. Wait…

Yiling went towards the lift lobby and bypassed the people using the automated gantry with their staff pass. Instead, she went to the guard who buzzed her in without a word.

She must be a regular here.

Yiling : I’ll call you….

She gave me a wink before stepping into the lift.

I walked deeper into the lobby and checked out the surrounding. It’s bright and new, probably went through a makeover within the last year or so. I never realised this building was here before.

There’s a small water feature in the centre of the lobby. It looked like some abstract artwork made of different pieces of bent metal. The 4m high water feature artwork has a controlled valve at the top.

You know those fountain that can time each drop of water to form shapes, pictures, and even images ? You usually see it at shopping malls and tourist attractions.

This particular feature is doing just that but instead of displaying the usual greeting, time or building name, it was just displaying random letters and numbers. Maybe a system error.

They should at least display the time.

The falling water is quite mesmerising to watch though.

I could smell the fragrance of freshly ground coffee beans and I turned towards the small canteen tucked by the corner of the building.

Perfect.

It’s a peculiar looking café, interesting concept.


The expensive expresso machine looked out of place under the signboard that says Chicken rice. It appears as if the new owners had kept the old signboards of the previous operators.

Old coffee making pots and stockings hung on the wall behind the barista.

I ordered a piccolo Latte and found a seat to people watch.


From hot office ladies to your usual corporate looking executives, the building is bustling with activity.

My drink didn’t last long and since I did not know how long my wait is going to be, I ordered another latte with a croissant.

It must be quite a popular place to grab a drink and the queue kept coming.

The seats were taken up fast too and I was trying to avoid eye contact with those that think I’m seat hogging.

“ can I…. share your table ? “

The man spoke with an accent and I gestured for him to go ahead.

Now at least I don’t feel so bad hogging a table for 4.

He placed a copy of newspaper on the table and I could see it’s in Korean.

After he came back with his drink I adjusted my stuff to give him more space and slowly ate my croissant while he read his papers. Rodong Sinmun. The name of the paper.

I could not help googling for it and my eyes widened immediately.

Bloody hell, that’s a North Korean newspaper. He reached into his pocket and brought out a pen to write something down on his palm after reading the paper and I could clearly see the pen came with a pin of the supreme leader.

What are the odds ?


Having coffee beside a North Korean in Little india.

I was thinking of dropping Yiling a message when the Korean I was sharing the table with exclaimed and got up to shake the hand of another man who just arrived.

“ Billy……how’s things on your end… thank you for the hampers… “

I casually looked up and saw a young looking fellow shake the hand of the Korean before speaking softly by his ear. The young chap has a youthful looking face but I could see white hair has started to show, it’s as if work has forced him to grow up faster than he wanted.


Well, corporate life isn’t for everyone. Working in an office can wear out anyone.
Billy whispered something to the Korean and he nodded before he whispered something in return.

Both of them laughed softly and the Korean man said something along the line of ;


‘ Tell him his friends in the north….. wishes him well… ‘

Billy : hahah… of course…. Come…. We need to talk….

They went towards the direction of the lift and disappeared into one of it.

I finished up the last of my croissant and drained my cold coffee.

With a constant stream of people coming in, I was too embarrassed to hog the seat further and I decided to explore a little.

Little India has changed a lot ever since the riot in 2013.

I could see cameras at every turn. Cameras bundled up like a bunch of grapes hung at varying heights at strategic junction. It’s impossible to do anything without being monitored in this district.



A couple of police officers cycled by and a tour guide explained to a small group of tourists the different walking trails they can explore to soak up the atmosphere.

Alcohol consumption in public areas have been banned in little India as a result of the riot. You can only sell alcohol from 6am to 8pm and even then, you can only consume the alcohol in licensed establishments.

It sounds absurd, something only a country that bans chewing gum will think off but still, they managed to pull it off.


I’m not sure how long Yiling will take and I don’t want to wander far.

I passed by shops selling herbs and spices, mobile phones, even minimarts.

An old man was peeling onions in front of his shop. A minivan load of tourist disembarked in front of a store selling jewlleries.

I turned at the junction, intending to make a loop back to the office building.


The smell of the food is really tempting but I don’t want to risk ordering only to have Yiling bark at me over the phone to get back there so I continued walking.

Just when I was about to make the last right turn back to the office building, I froze.

I froze because I saw someone I recognised.

The man with the funny fingers standing behind Rachel at the dinner.

One of the Rajahs.


He was standing at the end of the five foot way. He knew I saw him and he walked casually away.

What the fuck ? Why is he here ?

I quickened my pace to the end of the street to see if he’s still there but he’s gone.

This is creepy, he’s following me.

Making my way back to the office tower, I went to the café again, choosing a window seat this time round that gave me a good view of the exterior.

I don’t see him anywhere.

Yiling : Jackson …



I turned to see Yiling walking towards me.

Jackson : hey… I need to tell you something….. one of the Rajahs…. I think he’s following us….

Yiling : where… ?

Jackson : over there on that street … he’s one of the guy standing behind Rachel…. The one with the creepy fingers….

Yiling checked out the surrounding and added.

Yiling : well… I don’t see him…. Relax man… you’re too jumpy…we’re safe

Jackson : after the things that happened…. You can’t blame me for being jumpy…

Yiling : let’s go….


As we walked to the car, I asked Yiling about her meeting.

Jackson : you’re done…. So what’s the situation ?? what is happening ? …. Did you get the answers you are looking for… ?

Yiling : sort of…

[ilikeoldchangke]

We got into the car and I started the engine.

Jackson : so … what is going on…. ? can you tell ?


Yiling : …. you won’t understand….

Jackson : what nonsense is this…. How would you know I won’t understand if you don’t share… ?

Yiling : just drive….


I asked her where are we going and she told me to head to old Chua Chu Kang road.

Jackson : where exactly ?

Yiling : the gun club…

Jackson : what… why ???


Yiling : you have a lot of questions you know Jackson ….

Jackson : of course I have questions….if I don’t ask…. Who will tell me the answer…. ?

Yiling : I’ll tell you when we get there….

Buildings and industrial factories slowly gave way to a sea of green as I drove to that remote part of the island.
Pulling up at the gate of the gun club, I could see a large notice telling everyone that the club is closed.

Jackson : it’s closed…. I saw on the news…. It got flooded recently or something right…. Lawsuits flying around….

The security guard came out of the booth and he was about to wave us to look at the sign when he saw Yiling.

He immediately unlocked the gate and we waited for the mechanical barrier to roll open. He removed the sign as well, giving Yiling a friendly nod, gesturing for us to head inside.

Jackson : woah….


There are only 3 passenger cars in the parking lot but there are 4 covered trucks. On the exterior it’s the advertisement of a moving company. It don’t look like the gun club is moving though.

We got out and the place is empty. Yiling knew exactly where she is going and I followed closely behind.

Jackson : so……

Yiling : so what… ?


She commented without looking behind.

Jackson : There isn’t a flooding is there…. ?

We got to the range and I could see a man who had the bearing of a regimental sergeant major waiting for us.

Yiling : no…. there was no flooding…

Jackson : that means…..

I quickened my step and walked beside Yiling, wondering how the hell can she walk at the speed she does with those heels.


Jackson : that means you…. You closed the gun range on purpose….

Yiling : ….yes I did….

Jackson : why… ?


Yiling stretched out her hand and the waiting man shook it warmly.

Yiling : Hi Calvin….been a while…

Calvin : Hi Yiling….. been a while indeed…..

Yiling : what I’ve asked for….. everything ok… ?

Calvin nodded.


Calvin : the club will be closed for a few months at least…..lawsuits will keep the media and members occupied…. Contractors that are supposed to fix the flooding and armory are all my guys…. We’re good….


Yiling : thank you so much for the help…. Are they here already… ?

Calvin : we owe you Yiling… it’s the least we can do…. Come… follow me…. She’s in the waiting room….

I whispered to Yiling, asking if we’re going to shoot at the range.

Jackson : I don’t mind having some fun… hahaha…. Been a while since I last tried this

Yiling : we’re not here to have fun….



I arrived at the waiting room and i froze at the door. There is a lady who is of similar size as Cindy but she looked older. Probably late thirties. She’s ribbed and if she goes head to head with Cindy, I’m not sure who will emerge the winner.

I barely had time to digest how the big girl look when someone else caught my attention.

Someone that Yiling is walking towards with her arms spread apart.

I blinked several times.

My eyes alternated between Yiling and another lady she is walking towards.


Jackson : what the fuck…..

They look, they look the same.

Almost like a carbon copy.

Yiling hugged the girl for a few seconds before asking her how is she.

They exchanged a few words before turning to me.


Yiling : This is my sister…. Yvonne…. Sis… this is Jackson ….


Jackson : You…. You…..

Yvonne : hi Jackson ….

Jackson : You…. You’re twins….

Yiling : yes…

Jackson : do… do the rest of the guys know…. ?


Yiling : Declan is aware….the rest… I don’t think so….

Jackson : this….

Yiling : …. Jackson,.... listen carefully to what I’m about to say…..

I was at a loss for words.

They really look quite identical.

Slight difference, Yvonne has fuller breasts.


If you were to see from a distance, or take a passing glance, or from the back they’re really quite identical. I mean I can tell Yiling and Yvonne apart but their resemblance is really quite amazing.


Yiling : There is something……we need to do…..

I looked at the sisters as my mind tried to wrap around what she is saying.

The 2 of them looked at me as if they expect me to figure out what they are up to.

Jackson : You’re going…………..you’re going ….. to get your sister to pretend to be you ………


I said it even without realising.

It just came out.

Yiling : Actually…. You’re half right…..


Jackson : what ? ….


Yiling : I am going to pretend to be my sister…..


……………………………………….

[TanJoanne]

Great updates TS, please continue..

[water_boi]

Thank you bro ilock!! More pls..

[thewan]

I just finished reading big trouble in little India last week in just a few days after you post the timeline.

Straightaway started reading the beast within after that. Took a pause after the brown milk incident. Lulz.

Keep going bro James. You da man.

[ChefXE]

Excellent story, camping....