Some Time With Grandpa

Just before 4 in the afternoon, two fat pigeons perch on the clothesline in front of the house on my grandparents' flat. Their frantic chirping is their way of asking for food. Apparently my grandpa has been feeding them daily, sometimes also in the mornings.

From the second floor, grandpa tears pieces of bread crumbs and throws them onto the grassy area below the flat. The two pigeons obediently wait on the ground to catch the bread; but they weren't without company. A couple of even fatter doves and crows have caught on to the pigeon's routine.

The first few crumbs were heartily gobbled by the two fat pigeons. As the crumbs were relatively large for the pigeons, the subsequent pieces went to the fierce crows. The doves however, didn't get any due to their peaceful, non-confrontational manner.

By then, my grandpa has gone back into the living room to catch the 4pm Hokkien serial on ntv7, as he does everyday. Grandma never fails to give me and grandpa a running commentary of whatever's on television. Grandpa seems to be more interested in watching for himself.

Out of habit, I still depend on the subtitles even though I can fully understand the Hokkien dialogue. Grandpa appears thoughtful. Grandma has gone silent. Maybe I should get back to sitting next to her instead of typing to myself on the laptop.

"The husband is finding his mistress..." my grandma says.

"That woman wants to reconcile with her husband...", grandma continues. Grandpa interrupts her before she finishes.

"I am your husband! Am I wrong to touch you?" shouts the man from the television. The woman knocks a fish bowl to the floor and leaves the fish flapping. A poignant moment ensues as the husband checks the wife's wound. Then the theme song plays.

"Adverts again...", mutters grandpa.

***

Five minutes to 5, the credits creep in. "What! Finished already? It's not even 5 yet. Aiyo... Half dead!" my grandpa says. "Half dead" in Hokkien means almost like "What a calamity!"

Usually at 5, grandpa goes back to sleep. He turns to me and says, "Come, ah Yee... I'll switch the aircond on for you...," even though it was him who wanted to sleep, and knowing full well that I didn't want to.

Picking up on his hint, I followed him.

*** ***

On another note, I can now drive with confidence -- the key word being confidence. I used to get really tensed up and awkward on the road. But those feelings are gone now. I now drive very comfortably, reassuringly and in a totally relaxed way. Woohoo! :)

Me at 2 years old, with the car at the back that I can now drive with confidence, the key word being confidence. Photo taken by my dad.