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Bitter-Sweet Night


A sweet-smelling fragrance filled the cool night air as I sat at my table doing my revision. The smell was, no doubt, coming from my neighbour’s house.

I turned my chair towards the window and looked. Puan Aishah, my neighbour, was taking out a tray of delicious-looking muffins while waiting for the kettle to boil. I envy her daughter, Suzana. Her mother is always there to meet her needs. Even her midnight snacks were not excluded. I am sure that she is going to go through her revisions really well with all those muffins filling her empty stomach.

I, on the other hand, can never have what she had. My parents passed away years ago in an accident, leaving me to take care of my three siblings who are still schooling. Everyday after school, I had to rush to three different schools to pick up my sister, Soo Lee and my brothers, Soo Meng and Soo Kiong. After preparing their lunch, I had to change into my work clothes and rush to Venga Restaurant, where I can earn money to support my siblings and myself. I always look forward to the night where I can finish my schoolwork and do my revision. This is the only time where I can find peace, especially after I had done all the housework and tucked my siblings to sleep.

I continued looking as Puan Aishah brought the snacks up to Suzana’s room. Suzana’s table was piled with revision books, workbooks and even small pocket books for extra revision. Suzana stopped when her mother placed the tray of snacks in front of her. From there, I could hear their conversation.

“How are you doing, dear? I hope it is not too hard for you,” Puan Aishah said as she passed the cup of tea to her.

“Don’t worry, mak. I will be fine. You go to bed first. I shall retire aafter I finish revising my Biology,” she smiled as she shoved her mother to the door. Puan Aishah smiled and kissed Suzana goodnight.

I could not help but cry. Everything that they did reminded me of the same thing that my mother did when I was preparing for my UPSR examination. She was kind and loving, and always giving me support and encouragement along the way. Now I have lost it all. No one was by my side when I was preparing for my PMR examination. No one bought me revision books or prepared me a steaming hot coffee when I burnt the midnight oil. I was alone…So alone…

Suddenly I heard someone knocking on the front gate. I quickly dried my eyes and rushed out. Who could be visiting me at this hour? I went to the gate and saw Suzana with her books, a small paper bag and a big green flask.

“Am I bothering you?” she asked. I shook my head and let her in. she went into my kitchen and asked me if I could lend her some of my cutlery. I said yes and went into my room to clean things up. She then came into my room carrying the same muffins and tea I saw before.

“Actually I heard a lot about you from my mother,” she explained. “I am very sorry about your parents’ death and I would really like to be your friend and help out whenever I can. But it seems like you looked pretty occupied and busy, so it was hard for me to get close to you.”

I was stunned. Since my family and I moved here, I never had many friends. And here, right now, there is someone who actually wanted to be my friend and actually wanted to help me out!

“I heard and saw from your PMR results that you did well, although it wasn’t the flying colours that you expected. I really want to be your friend, Soo Cheng, and help you out with your needs. I know I won’t be as good as your mother but I least I’ll try.”

I cried again, not in sadness, but in happiness. All these while, I thought I was all alone, but in the end, someone came and wanted to help me out and change my life for the better. Finally, I have someone whom I can depend on.

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