Goo Ling Hui

She only knows what was told into her ears. The things that sat in her mind; the way her mother taught the lingo about not to be friends but how to be friends. And then, marriage. After that, babies. That’s easy.

Easy as an arrow, that had to land on a man who made human errors. At 33, she had a son. That was quite fun for a while. Unlike that boyfriend from the other Island who didn’t want to move in the same street with her 2 years ago, even after she found a job for him at the family mart opposite the gas station. An artist, he claimed to be! What does that suppose to mean, it simply did not make sense to her.

Life was complete with a baby, in a stroller down the very same street. But still, it always mattered to her, what was said to her. Who came to see her. And everything that sat in her mind, afterwards.

“Where is her husband?”

Did they matter to her? Who mattered most for her, she wondered. Was it the husband or the other woman. Girls never mattered at all for someone as delicate as her, the virtuous, noble, daughter of a Museum director. Thankfully for her son, she has some control over this hopeless husband of hers. Ex-husband, mind you.

“Working overseas. Very rich wo. Her house har, got maids 10 in total. She go back only, immediately they lift away all her worries. You, what you have”

People talked as if they knew her stories when she had none! None to tell, none to share, nobody to call — except now, of course her divorce and this foreigner overseas. She received a Prada this year, she totally loved. The boy has grown and there is mother. She met a total no brainer almost like that artist boyfriend, some time last year but that is now over.

“She jealous la, I’m telling you” the girl whispered.

“Of who?” the other, inquired.

Everybody was talking about her but nobody had wanted to speak with her.

What about that imbecile who completely robbed her off! Why did no one cared to ask her. About the late evenings of stained silky sheets from relentless instagram scrolling and a few extra flings, she rose. He was suppose to be a no brainer, her head screamed.

A saloon appointment was due soon, she figured.

She tried saying the few Portuguese words she had learned during pillow talks, those vowels now tasted like objects and sounded as if the steak was cooked the way she had never wanted.

All that imbecile, Lucas had was a french kiss. At least, that was a killer.

She missed the fun, even Lucas did not matter. It’s not about him, does anyone care to get it?

“She won’t eat chap fan, you crazy or what. It’d cause her breakouts it seems” one of the lady in congregation uttered.

And as if in unison, together, all of them agreed to quietly disperse.

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“Goo Ling Hui” is a fictional character created on the 20th of November 2019. A femme fatale, terribly meek, oriental beauty; whom I have no idea what’s going to happen after but totally admire. She still struggles with mood swings, so bear with her. She keeps me nervous, really, really. I mean really, nervous. (Nina)