THE TIES THAT BIND

And it had to happen again, this time because of me. I am talking about meeting with ex-colleagues under inauspicious circumstances. And this, despite my participation in a "Cong Xi" lunch with MT, PT, AGL and GN.

Choi! Choi! Choi! No, la, not my wake la. I am talking about my recent fall which resulted in my hospitalization. By the way, that fall resulted in a scar on my forehead and I am sure some of you will agree that it added character to my looks! So proud of that scar. But just so you know, I am not on a collecting spree. One is enough.

So I got visits from JL, and then from MT, DH, AGL & PT at the hospital. And after my discharge, I was visited at home by EPC, SH and their families. These visits cheered me up and I must have recuperated well as a result. Of course, in between, I received many condolence messages....oops! What am I saying; I already emphasized that it was not my wake! I meant to say that I received many get well messages starting with LT with advice on what to do or not to do after my discharge. Or were they instructions? Thought about it and decided it was neither. They were orders, full stop!

Heard from AO, PH, MWH, EK  and quite a few others too.

These are the ties that continue to bind me to all of you folks. Let's keep them going.

Out of the blue I heard from SGII, a fellow retiree. And LT took the lead in arranging an afternoon tea session (yesterday, 7th June) which included MT who, unfortunately, couldn't make it at the last minute. I was counting on her to protect me in case of violence. 3 ex's versus a current would be a safer bet than 2 ex's (who are on the wrong side of 50, very wrong side indeed) but it was not to be.

But LT was all smiles and was the perfect host. She didn't allow either SGII or me to lift a finger. She did the ordering, paid for the food and even helped the waitress in arranging the table. She even personally brought me some warm water for me to take my meds. I must have looked nervous because she looked at me and smiled, saying "Don't worry, I am not going to kill you la." If that was intended to make me comfortable, I can assure you it didn't work. SGII took the cue from me and I think he began to sweat a little too. And he must be nervous like me because he mistakenly took LT's very expensive looking scarf to wipe off his sweat from the forehead. Fortunately, LT didn't notice that otherwise he will really sweat.

Anyway, it was a pleasant get-together - we talked about many things and both retirees received instructions on how to live our lives after retirement. After two hours I stood up and politely told LT I had to go. SGII added that he also have to go and gave me a look which said "Yes, let's go before she recalls any trespass of yours!"

She looked at both of us, smiled and in a calm voice she said "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world." I wanted to tell her that we didn't have lunch, that it was  afternoon tea but I lost my voice at that very moment. SGII cleverly tried to extricate himself from the scene by offering to make himself scarce so that the two of us could sort out any outstanding issues.  He even reminded LT "Maybe he said something on his blog which he shouldn't have." I will never talk to him again.

LT continued to wear the same smile and spoke in the same calm voice "No, SGII, you stay. He will need your help." My heart sank and I started to plead as any coward would. Yes, I rather be a coward than a paraplegic. So, I summoned enough courage and in a soft, squeaky voice I stammered "My..my...my doc...doc..tor said I must...must not con...con..stipate...I I I mean parti...pate in any vio...vio...lent acti...acti..vities!?

She looked at both of us and ordered "Follow me! There will be no violence. But we must sort this out once and for all!" SGII heaved a sigh of relief but I was not convinced. So both of followed her meekly and she herded us into a taxi with her taking the front passenger seat. She barked some instructions to the taxi driver and off we went. Five minutes later, I was still clueless as to where we were headed and she remained quiet. Then we found ourselves in Tiong Bahru. She took us to a children's playground and said "Let us see if you two-ex's or retirees or whatever you call yourselves can beat me. Yes, you two against me!" I loosened up immediately but didn't have the heart to tell that I was a champion on climbing, a champion on the swing and a few others besides. I think SGII began to relax when he saw my renewed confidence.

She then pointed to one of the apparatus and ordered "You two go to that end and sit down together!" Both SGII and I took a look at the apparatus and immediately surrendered, shouting in unison "No, no, we concede unconditionally!" Great minds think alike - no wonder we are both retirees. But  LT won't take no for an answer and pushed both of us towards one end and we found ourselves on a seat which at most, could accommodate two young kids. Which means I could fit into it if not for SGII encroaching into my space. But we fitted in somehow, probably due to LT's intense gazing. Both of us looked at her warily, watching her every move.  LT then walked to the other end of the apparatus, and suddenly performed a gymnastic move which I thought was beyond her. She landed right on the seat. And the rest is history. I was just grateful to be alive to tell the story. Both of us picked ourselves up, he from the sand pit some r meters away and therefore without much damage but with some cuts here and there, me from the swing with one leg up in the air and one on something else. With the swing swinging. I was readmitted for observation; the doctor thinks I need further tests to see if the severe compressions on my CT4/5 have been further aggravated. But one thing is for sure.

BOTH OF US WILL NEVER GO ON A SEE-SAW AGAIN WITH LT.