I’m not going to rape her in case that’s what you have on your mind.
My arrangement was with Charmaine to paint Susanne in a different light to Xueling.
You see, I’m going to use the urn as a opportunity to milk the money. This can be done on 2 fronts.
First by saying that we need to get someone to remove them. I’m going to ask a friend to come dressed as a Taoist priest, do some circus tricks and take a couple of thousand but that was just the appetiser.
The main deal would be to try and convince Xueling that her sister is being plagued with something.
That part would be fun, a combination of science, trickery and cooperation from Charmaine’s part.
Since Susanne can’t act for shit, her weak emotional state would be a bonus for me.
She is going to be super pissed when we insist something is wrong with her behaviour when in actual fact she’s fine. By proving to Xueling that her sister is sick and it was something she cannot fix with her knowledge in medicine, I would be able to rack up a huge bill.
Susanne’s breakdown did not last long. She recovered and pulled herself away within 30 minutes and went into the shower.
Despite my mind willing and thinking about it, she did not strip like she used to before heading in. Instead, she made the effort of bringing a change of clothes into the bathroom.
Susanne : I’m… sorry…for the outburst…
Once she’s inside the shower, I took the opportunity to check on the hole in the courtyard, the rain had filled up the hole a little, when the water drains off the next day, she would definitely see something if she looks out the window.
I drew the curtains properly and left it as it is.
When she emerged from the shower 30 minutes later, she sat on the bed and just looked at me. There was this hardened look in her steely eyes.
No, our clothes did not come off.
There isn’t a sudden outpour of emotions, we did not rekindle our old flame.
It was just a plain stare as she dried her hair.
Susanne : Don’t… get me wrong James… i… just want to clear the air…. In case you thought I cheated on you with Roger…
James : I understand..
We hardly spoke again after that, both of us waiting for the rain to stop. If it stops, Roger would leave, hopefully.
Susanne gave me a towel, one I had left at her place and I went to take a shower.
As I undressed, I could hear some commotions.
The sister’s toilets is a mirror image of each other.
I could make out some noises from across. It sounded like Roger and Xueling was having sex.
I looked up towards the ceiling vent, probably the noise is coming from there.
I stood on a stool, the one I knew Susanne used to shave her legs by putting them up to raise myself to the ceiling. I could hear Roger grunting.
Yes, they were definitely fucking in the toilet.
He grunted pretty loudly but I could not hear Xueling moan.
After a while I got bored and took a shower.
After an hour and a half’s wait, Susanne got impatient and she was about to go knock on Xueling’s door when the smell of fresh bread flooded into her room.
Susanne : What the… don’t tell me she’s baking …
I stayed in the room and 5 minutes later, she came back in, hopping mad that Xueling was baking some cup cakes and shit probably for Roger.
James : What ? At this time ?
Susanne : I don’t know what is she thinking..
The rain was still pretty heavy, there was no way I could get out of the house without being seen or getting drenched.
Susanne and I stared at each other, trying to rack our brains to find a way out of the house.
Susanne : I know what. I’m starving anyway, I’m getting Charmaine to buy food over….. we’ll find an opportunity for you to leave the house.
James : How would that be possible ?
Susanne : Simple, Charmaine comes, I’m opening the fucking gate, she drives and backs all the way in till the front door.
She did not seem like she was in the mood to listen to my reasoning so I let her be.
After a 10 minute conversation with Charmaine, she hung up and said food will be here in 30 minutes.
James : I envy you Susanne, the services your lawyer provides…. What are her charges again ?
She shot me a look and I shut up right away. I directed my eyes away only to find them landing on her legs since she was wearing a short pair of FBTs and a pillow flew over.
Susanne got into her bed with her phone while I sat by her desk.
9.30 pm
The rain had died down a little and there was a flash of high beam at the door. Susanne opened the gate and Charmaine drove all the way in.
I remained in the room and I could hear them talking outside.
I could also feel my stomach rumbling but I could not show myself.
9.40pm
Susanne brought in a burger for me and said Xueling refused to open her door but she could tell her lights were still on.
James : Probably having some couple time…
Susanne act as if she did not hear what I just said.
Later when Charmaine leaves, I was to follow her car, hopped into the back seat and voila. Done.
I ate my burger and waited.
9.55pm
The rain got heavier with rapid flashes of lighting but hardly any sound of thunder.
It’s the perfect weather to cuddle up in bed with your love ones.
Funny thoughts started to creep into my head as I smiled and thought about Charmaine and Susanne by my side.
James : Haha..
I could not resist laughing out loud.
Imagine banging a doctor and a lawyer at the same time. That would surely be a tick off my bucket list.
Suddenly there was some loud honking from the front gate.
It rang about 3-4 times before it stopped.
I got up and went to the door and almost opened it but I stopped myself in time.
I text Susanne only to hear her phone vibrate on the table in the room.
In the end I called Charmaine.
James : What is going on ?
Charmaine : I don’t know…. Susanne’s uncle is here…
James : What ? why ?
Charmaine : I’m not sure…. He’s driving his car in as well…
I sat down on the bed and scratched my head.
Why would her uncle come ?
I hung up and I could hear people talking in the living and dining room.
After a while the commotion got louder.
I can hear Xueling’s voice as well.
Then after a while there’s another slam of the door.
I text and called Charmaine but there was no reply. Pacing up and down Susanne’s room, I had this weird foreboding feeling in my gut.
I could hear Roger’s voice. He spoke in a haughty manner for a while before it was gone.
10.15pm
Susanne’s door opened and Charmaine walked in.
Her clothes . Her top is dry but you could tell her jeans is wet. The entire area below her knees was soaked. Her arms too looked like they had been in the rain.
James : What is going on ?
Charmaine : Susanne’s uncle, Terry is talking to her. They’re inside her dad’s room.
James : Oh… ok. … you’re drenched….
Charmaine : Oh… ya…
I watched as Charmaine head straight to Susanne’s wardrobe and pulled opened the drawer, picking out some clothes to change out of.
She went into the bathroom and came out 2 minutes later in white carpri and a teal t-shirt.
My eyes drifted to her behind and she did not look like she was wearing any panty.
10.20pm
Charmaine left the room after saying she would go tell Susanne it’s time we head off.
Charmaine : Get ready.
James : Ok.
10.25pm
A shout.
There was a shriek. Something fell. Glass broke.
Loud enough that it cut through the sound of the heavy rain and into Susanne’s room.
I reached for the handle again but quickly fought back the urge to open the door.
There was some loud grunting. It had to be Roger.
What the fuck was going on ?
Suddenly the power jumped . The lights were killed and I could hear the air conditioner hummed to a stopped.
The shouts got louder and I could hear the girls screaming.
Barely 5 seconds later the power came back.
I finally could not hold it any longer and I opened the door.
I dashed out of the room and nearly ran into a mess of bodies standing right in front of me.
The hair on the back of my neck stood on it’s end as I took in the sight in front of me.
Xueling was kneeling down, her back against her own bedroom door, both her hands covering her own mouth.
Charmaine too, stared in shock as she slowly retreated behind me.
Susanne’s uncle Terry, had 1 hand on the wall of the archway as he looked in the same direction everyone did.
Susanne had a glass of water in her hand as she stared towards the floor. She stood beside the DB box on the wall of the store room.
And on the floor near the sofa, Roger laid.
He was still breathing but you could tell he was struggling to.
Roger locked eyes with me as I pushed my way to the front.
He panted hard, wheezing for air. I quickly went over and knelt down beside him.
James : Shit.. shit… what is wrong ? Are you having asthma ? Where’s your inhaler ?
I immediately searched his pockets including his leather jacket.
He turned onto his stomach and he started vomiting. That suddenly retching gave me a shock and I backed away. It’s a normal reaction.
Someone makes a retching sound near you, the first instance would be to back away.
Roger was trying to crawl.
Earlier when I said there was only lighting without thunder, it seemed the opposite had just happened. Several loud cracks of thunder hit and shook the roof of the house. Something we rarely felt if we stay in HDB.
It felt so near.
He vomited again and I was about to kneel down to help him up when I felt every strand of my hair stood on my body. From the back of my neck, down the bottom of my calves. That very eerie chill as i took a pause from my action as I turned back to look at my friends.
Xueling remained squatted by her door but she was looking at Roger. Her eyes, cold and expressionless.
Charmaine’s legs could not hold her weight any longer and she too had slid to the ground with her hands on her mouth.
As I locked eyes with Susanne, I knew the chill in my body did not come from the rain.
It did not come from the tropical storm that was now battering the house.
It came from me staring at 2 doctors who was doing nothing.
Roger choked and cough louder, that kind where you could hear a lot of mucus getting stuck.
I shouted at the group without realising it.
James : Do something !!! what the fuck ?!!!
I gestured towards Susanne and looked at Terry.
There was another louder retching and some more vomit came out like a projectile, staining the old front door. Roger had crawled into his own vomit, leaving a trail of it leading to the door.
Suddenly Roger stopped coughing.
He stopped crawling.
I could see his nose bubbling with mucus. He’s still breathing but it doesn’t look like it’ll last.
I staggered backwards and hit the sofa as the reality of what’s happening finally dawned on me.
My head slowly turned towards Susanne.
She shook her head at me slowly.
Susanne : It’s not…… what you think…
I looked at Terry, his gaze was deep and he stared at Roger. He must know him from before. There was no way anyone would look at a stranger in that manner. His look radiates more than just hatred.
It was one of pure disdain.
Charmaine got up onto her feet, raced into Susanne’s room and vomited. I could hear her retching from where I stood.
Xueling on the other hand, hugged her knees and looked at Roger without any expressions on her face.
A flash of lighting lit up the front porch and I turned towards it.
Terry’s car was double parked in front of Charmaine’s. There was no way we could leave without Terry moving first.
I reached into my pocket and realised my phone was in Susanne’s room. I need a fucking ambulance.
Dashing towards the room, Susanne grabbed onto my hand. I shook her off and pushed my way through. Grabbing my phone, I dialled for an ambulance.
Before I could speak, Susanne took over the phone from me.
She rattled off Roger’s age, his race and her initial diagnose of his condition.
Susanne : This is Dr Susanne Wee, I think he ODed.
She answered a few questions before hanging up.
She passed me back my phone and went over to attend to Roger. Terry joined her shortly after.
If there was any eerie 3 note music that they always play when something weird happens in a house on a stormy night.
That would be a good time to play it.
Xueling never took her eyes off Roger. She just hugged onto her own knees.
Charmaine came out shortly after and stayed far away. I saw her walking down the hall towards the kitchen.
I had so many questions.
A ton of them but no one to answer them .
I looked around at the faces in the room.
Someone wants to get rid of Roger. I can’t be sure who it is.
One thing I know for sure though, it’s not me.
Not like this.
Not like this.
…………………………………………….
Apologies for the lack of updates.
Been trying to sort out some issues with work the past week or so.
Things will go back to normal in a day or 2 with regular daily updates.
Paiseh, paiseh…
ilock
With so many things happening around me, I forced myself to focus. I looked over at Terry, his back was facing me, on the surface, it might looked like he was checking Roger out but I could see him running his hands into his pockets.
Moments later he seemed to have found what he wanted and without a word, he fucking hell stood up and walked out the door, grabbed an umbrella and went into his car.
I stared in shock and surprised as he just backed his car away and left.
Susanne was still looking at Roger, I locked eyes with her for a moment and I heard her scream for Charmaine.
Susanne : Charmaine !
Charmaine appeared again, looking flustered and a little pale.
Susanne : Go. … go now.. with James…
James : What ? ?
Charmaine grabbed her bag and pulled my hand out with her.
James : Wait.. wait ….. wait…
Seconds later I was out into the rain and into Charmaine’s car.
She backed it out, drove a distance and dropped me off at my car.
Charmaine : We’ll explain in due time… go home
My eyes widened in shock and horror as Charmaine just drove off without another word.
What the fuck !
I got into my car and started the engine. I was so tempted to just drive right into Susanne’s house and shake her for some answers. The rain got heavier once more and visibility was really low.
My head was close to splitting apart.
Never in my life was I thrown with such a situation. One that I was totally clueless what was going on.
In the end, I cursed and decided to head back home.
No one was saying anything to me back then, even if I barged back in to ask for answers, I doubt Susanne would say anything to me.
I took a long hot shower as tons of questions raced through my head.
Placing myself in Susanne’s position, I asked.
What is James’ role in this ?
What would I want him to cheat my sister if I had something up my sleeve at the same time ?
Is this just a dumb stupid way of getting back at her ex ?
I almost ripped out the shower head as nothing frustrates me more than not getting answers to the questions I have in my head.
After I made myself a bowl of noodles, I laid down on my bed and thought about the whole thing.
James : Calm down…. Calm down….
I kept telling myself everything would make sense soon.
I must have fell asleep for a brief moment because a flash of lightning woke me up. That sudden streak lit up my room.
I checked the clock on my table, it was 3am.
The rain had stopped.
21th December 2014
Sunday
3 am
I’m not sure what I was thinking but I got out of bed, made a cup of coffee and slowly sipped it as I looked at my car keys.
In the end, I decided to head back down to Susanne’s place.
Instead of driving, I got down and hailed a cab and alighted at the main road, choosing to walk the rest of the way in.
3.45am.
It’s cold. The ground is wet and I could still feel droplets of water hitting me on my head. Whenever the wind blew, a torrent of droplets would fall from the trees that hung over the road.
I was about 25 meters away from Susanne’s place when I realised that Terry’s car was parked in the driveway again. I did another quick scan and there was no sign of Roger’s bike.
The lights in the house was off.
I got to the main gate and walked right in, it was wide open.
I approached slowly, I don’t intend to act like I was not supposed to be there. With so many houses surrounding that one, there’s no telling if some nosy neighbours might think I’m a thief.
I did not knock on the door, instead I walked round the back towards the courtyard in front of Susanne’s room.
Don’t ask me what was I thinking, I honestly don’t know.
I glanced through the windows beside the storeroom’s ventilation vents and the house was dark.
I continued on, as I was about to pass Dr Sim’s room, I heard some voices.
I immediately stopped and got low below it.
I kept my ears peeled and there was no mistake about it.
There were some noises.
The main lights were off but I could see the room lit with a single table lamp.
Windows were closed, that particular side faced another neighbour’s unit, I quietly crept towards the back and turned the corner.
The noises got louder.
There was no mistake about it. It was the sound of someone having sex. There were some soft moans. I can’t tell who it was.
The first thought that came into my head was Roger and Xueling, but didn’t he just dropped a few hours ago ?
Then I remembered Terry’s car.
The girls’ uncle.
Dr Sim slept without aircon, the window facing the back of the house was those old school swing windows.
All 3 of them were opened slightly.
The moans got a bit louder.
I bit down on my lips as I looked at the angle of the window. They were only partially opened, about say 15 degrees each. There was no way I could open it without being seen but there was no doubts about it.
There were moans coming from the room.
I decided to skip that for now and head towards Susanne’s room. I glanced into the hole the contractors dug and it was partially flooded. The water should drain off in the morning.
Susanne’s room was dark, and I couldn’t see anything. I felt pretty stupid and silly as I squatted below her window.
Came all the way and there was nothing I could do.
I crept back down the back and this time round as I got to the window underneath Dr Sim’s room, I could hear someone talking.
It was Terry.
I could hear him loud and clear.
Terry : You’ve been pretty stubborn lately…..
There was no answer to his statement.
I paused, trying to make sense of what he said.
Terry : All this would not have happened if….
The rest of it became a mumble of sorts and I could not make out what he said.
I could hear water being poured before the sound of it being gulp down.
Terry : …….is he here……and that…….reason…
It was all bits and pieces, he must be facing away from the window as he spoke.
Suddenly there was a loud gasp.
Susanne : gasppp!!!…urghh…
My heart immediately dropped as I shook a little. There was no mistaking that voice.
It was Susanne.
I could not hear what was going on again but then I could hear her gasp once more.
Susanne : Erguhhhhh…erghhh….
Then there was silence.
My hair stood on it’s ends as my mind imagined what was going on in that room.
There was some dragging of chairs, or shifting of furniture before their conversation become audible and clear.
I could hear the chair being set closer to the window.
Terry : You’ve grown up to be such a pretty girl Susanne…… you’re all grown up now…
There was some gagging sound as I fought back the urge to puke.
My fist was clenched.
I wanted to just jump up and barge into the house but I was frozen where I stood. I could not move.
Terry : I…. arguhhgghhh…. Don’t understand…. It’s been so long… why… arguuhh.. arguuh.. urghhh urghhh~~~~~ urghhhhhhhhhh!!
There was no mistaking what just happened.
Terry just came. An old man yet still clinging on desperately to his lust.
He panted in his chair as I heard the bathroom door open before the sound of running water came on.
My heart was beating really fast.
Moments later Susanne’s voice rang out loud and clear in the room.
She was sobbing but I could hear the fight in her voice.
Susanne : Leave my sister alone…
Terry : She’s a big girl now…. I’m sure she can make her own decisions… besides…
Susanne : Enough… please leave… get out…
Terry laughed a little before I heard the drag of the chair, I could almost picture it being pushed back as he stood up.
2 seconds of silence followed before Susanne’s voice rang out again.
Susanne ; Don’t touch me !! …
Terry : Haha… I’ve already touched everywhere Susanne …. Since your days in JC…you’ve grown into a nice young lady… haha…
Susanne : Just leave …
Terry: I be here tomorrow night… it’s Sunday night…. Haha… I like Sunday nights….you like it too don’t you ? … see you at 8pm.
Susanne : get out of my sight…
My feet sank lower and lower before I sat onto the floor.
I heard the car engine start and the bright beam of lights cutting through the estate and house before it eventually disappeared.
I got up onto my feet and I decided to confront Susanne. I had so many questions I wanted to ask her.
I hesitated at the door for a minute or 2, thinking whether I should press the doorbell. Pacing up and down the entrance, I passed by Xueling’s window. I could see the curtains were drawn.
Fuck it.
Just do it and get it over with.
I had enough of asking myself questions that I could not answer.
Just knock, get in and demand some answers.
Before I could do that, I could hear the girls talking.
The voices appeared out of nowhere.
It just started as loud speaking, then the voices got raised.
Then the loud voices gave way to accusations and that was when the screaming started
It’s loud but I could make out the 2 sisters shouting at each other.
It just happened out of nowhere.
Xueling : You’re cheap !!!… you’re just cheap ! just go away !!
Susanne was openly sobbing as she screamed back.
Susanne : Shut up !!.. you don’t know anything !!
Xueling : Yes… I don’t … I never knew anything !!! …. None of you tell me anything !!…. why bother ??
Susanne : sob… sob… I’m not talking to you if you’re going to behave in that manner…
A door slammed followed by the other as my hand hovered near the doorbell.
I cursed silently
The timing could not get worse.
I took out my phone to check the time.
It was coming to 4.30am.
I was about to put it back into my pocket when I noticed something amiss.
Something did not seem right on my phone display.
I blinked and did a double take as I looked at the small aeroplane logo on my phone.
James : What the fuck,,,
I actually said the words out softly as I looked at that small white aeroplane on the top right hand corner of my phone.
I immediately switched out of the mode and waited.
Seconds later, messages came in, the odd emails, facebook notifications.
I definitely did not put it in that mode.
That was when I realised the moment Susanne took over my phone, she turned away as she spoke, walking a few steps further away from me before I was distracted by Roger
I quickly called up the phone log and checked the last dialled number.
It was for the emergency services alright but the duration.
Phones these days display the duration of the call.
James : 2 seconds…. 2 seconds…
I turned and looked at the old dark house, for a brief moment, I wondered how many secrets were hidden behind those walls.
……………………………………
I headed back home after that but I could not sleep. I stayed awake all the way till the sun rose. In fact I was not sure why I was awake, my mind was pretty much in a blank either.
Does that mean Roger is still in the house ?
21th December 2014
Sunday
10 am
My phone rang and it was Susanne
Susanne : JAMES!!! .. SHIT!!… shit!!!! Come over now !
James : What ? What ???
Susanne : Your stupid contractors must have dug up some war relic or something…. It’s in front of my window. Inside the hole …. Shit… looks like some kind of a urn…come and get rid of it.
My emotions and feelings were mixed, Despite everything that happened last night, she was talking to me as if nothing happened.
Susanne : Are you listening to me ? come and get rid of it….a zombie is going to crawl out of it !!! JAMES !!
James : Calm down… how big is it ?
Susanne : What do you mean how big ? I’m not touching it…. It’s half submerged from the rain…. Ask your contractors to come and get rid of it…
James : It’s Sunday… and
Susanne : I know it’s Sunday and it’s staring at me right through my window. ….. do something about it !!! Please….I fucking kid you not.. something is going to jump out of it…come over and do it now !..
James : Ok… ok…. I’ll call you back…
As I hung up, I still could not resist a chuckle.
I called Thomas, saying that I needed a favour. He’s single and it’s a Sunday, I knew he would be at home watching some HK drama. After I told him what it was, he laughed so hard that he insisted we get Sam and Welly.
James : They’re both married with kids…. It’s Sunday…. I don’t think…. It’s a good idea….
Thomas : Hahahah… fuck… you tell them about this… I confirm they… on you…
James : Ok… I’ll call them …
10 minutes later, I had all 3 of them with me on my plan.
Well I did not expect such a group so I don’t have enough props for this. We’ll just have to improvise.
I deliberated over my plan but thought since we had come this far, might as well do it. If I had pulled the brakes on the plans of cheating Xueling, I would deprive myself of the chance to find out what is going out.
I drove over to pick up Thomas before swinging by to get Sam and Welly.
They immediately talked excitedly over their roles, arguing on who does what. In the end I cut them off and made the decision.
James : Ok enough… Sam is the oldest, he would look convincing… besides Susanne saw him before, I could always say I was consulting him on something…
I pointed to Welly and Thomas and added.
James : You 2 are the assistant…. Do this…
I briefing explained the procedure and that there is no need for any theatrics.
James : It’s a simple hit and run…. Don’t fuck it up…
12pm
It was noon by the time we got to Susanne’s place. Charmaine was already there, I had expected Susanne to call her.
I got out of the car and my crew of sort got dressed.
Sam pulled on a yellow robe with one of those Taoist cap while the other 2 had joss sticks, candles and incense paper with them. Sam drew out a thin wooden sword and took a stack of yellow charms I printed off my own printer with yellow paper.
Susanne came out, so did Xueling but there was no signs of Roger.
Susanne : Who are they ?
Susanne wore a plain sleeveless grey dress that reached right to her ankles. It was just a simple dress but as the wind blew onto it, it hugged onto her body, showing all her curves and the fullness of her breast.
My mind went to the conversation I overhead a few hours ago in the morning.
Has she been the target of abuse by her uncle since her schooling days ?
James : If it’s what you said it is, we cannot just remove it…we need to get specialist help…
Susanne : What ?
She pointed to Sam with a frown on her face.
Susanne : Isn’t he the guy you went Geylang with ?
James : He’s the shifu I consulted , his temple is at Geylang…
She looked at me with a bit of doubt in her eyes.
James : Ok look…. These kind of things happen at construction sites…. Better to do it properly…. You’re still going to be staying here….
I told Susanne Sam had a lot of experiences dealing with these matters.
James : Money wise… you all will settle … leave me out of it..
I had already told Sam to ask got a 3k red packet for a start.
Xueling : Will it be done by today ?
James : yes… yes… immediate… we’ll do it now…
Susanne showed everyone the site and we looked at it as if we had seen it all before.
I shot a look at the guys and they got about doing their stuff.
Simple stuff.
James : Ok.. let’s head in for a drink… let them deal with this…
Xueling : I want to watch.
Susanne folded her arms and nodded her head and I could see Charmain peeking out from Susanne’s bedroom.
I immediately had a bad feeling.
I could see the kid in the guy’s eyes as they regarded each other with that look.
This is not good.
I fucking told them to keep things simple.
They were to light some candles and joss sticks.
Throw some incense paper and maybe ring the bell a few times while Sam chants and remove the urn.
That was it.
Should not take more than 15 minutes.
But no.
No…
Sam had other plans.
I watched in horror as he drew up the sword and pointed it into the sky.
Sam : Mah neh mah neh mah neh homm!!!
With a wide arc, he swung the sword down pointed it at the urn and shocked everyone.
Even I jumped a little and stepped back.
That marked the first of many fails.
Welly and Thomas started to light the candles and stuck them around the hole.
Everyone retreated another step more as Sam swung his sword again.
I have never felt so fucking embarrassed in my life.
Sam : Mah neh mah neh…..
He walked around the hole as Welly tried not to laugh. His face was pretty scrunched up to the point he was biting on his lips.
In the end he fucking turned away and has his back facing us.
As if that was not enough, he started throwing the incense paper over his shoulder onto Thomas.
Thomas remained calm as I stared wide eye at him.
He had difficulty lighting a bunch of joss sticks with the flimsy lighter, at the same time, he was getting a shower of incense paper.
I was about to bury my face in shame when Sam suddenly shouted.
Sam : Mah neh mah neh…. HUAT AH!!
He stuck the sword into the ground as all the girls yelped and stepped back a little more.
Susanne turned and glared at me.
Susanne : Is he for real ??
I nodded weakly as Sam had his right index finger and middle finger up straight, pointing at the urn. His left hand remained at the small of his back.
Xueling came over to my side.
Xueling : James… construction site always got this ?
I nodded slowly, too embarrassed to say anything else.
Sam : 酒拿来 ! ( Bring me the wine )
I slowly lowered myself to a squatting position as I look at Thomas reach into the box and took out a bottle of water.
Yes it’s a fucking bottle of evian water. One I kept in my car to drink, I must have accidentally put it into the box.
I rubbed my fingers into my hair as Sam took a swig, squatted down, and sprayed it in a wide arc at the candles half expecting a mini fireball.
Instead it extinguished the flame of half of the candles in front of him.
Thomas by then could no longer hold it in.
He too turned away and took some of the incense paper from Welly and started throwing them over his shoulders too.
Their heads were lowered and their shoulders slouching.
It was obvious they were on the verge of an explosion of laughter.
Susanne : What are they doing ? Are you sure about this. ?
Susanne approached Sam who was now standing over the hole in the ground.
Sam looked at Susanne with a cock sure attitude and added.
Sam : That is call 回避 ( Look away ) Not everyone can see this…
Susanne : So it the rites done ?
Sam : I’m about to bring up the urn. Stay back..
That was when my legs completely gave way and I sat down on the damp grass.
Sam went to the box of tools, took out a NTUC plastic bag and walked right over. He lifted the urn up only to realise it doesn’t fit before putting it back down.
He turned to Susanne
Sam : You got bigger plastic bag ??
That was it.
If I had asthma, I would need my inhaler right now
Welly could not control himself any longer and he burst out laughing.
I thought the game was over, I really did but Sam was quick on his feet.
He immediately went over and grab a handful of incense paper and plastered them onto Welly’s face.
Sam : ALL LOOK AWAY !!! QUICK !!!
His shout took everyone by surprise.
Susanne and Xueling ran off and hid behind me, Charmaine screamed too and pulled the curtains , no doubt running out of the room.
Welly had a complete breakdown and just laughed and laughed like a mad man.
Sam : Pass me those !
He pointed to the yellow amulet I made using photoshop and I passed them over and glared angrily at him.
He took 5, lighted them up with the burning candles and threw them onto the floor.
With a dead serious look, he addressed all of us.
Sam : Those born in the year of rat, bull and tiger, step over this.
No one moved.
Sam : What are you waiting for ?
James : Er… we’re all not born in those years…
My eyes was literally burning into his as I mouthed him the words to stop.
He slowly turned away and asked Thomas to pick up the Urn.
Welly was kneeling on the grass patch, his forehead touching the ground as he continued to laugh.
Thomas picked it up and the girls gasped at the looked at the prop I placed into the hole.
Since it was dripping wet, he started to shake off the excess water and the girls started screaming.
Susanne : AHHH… stop!!… don’t do that…
Xueling : AHHHH!!!….
Thomas quickly put that into the tool box and Sam helped to pack up.
Susanne : This is it ?
Sam : Yes… we need to do some prayers to this… it’s a separate charge for disposal…
Susanne : WHAT !
She turned towards me and I turned towards Sam who calmly spoke.
Sam : Look….your place is ok now…I removed it… but I need to put this for 49 days at my temple, everyday need to do prayers and rites.
He pointed to the urn and added.
Sam : Or you want I leave it here outside the recycle bin… you ask the bangala to throw..
Susanne : No… no… no… take it…take it..
As they loaded everything into the boot of my car, Susanne took out a cheque book.
Sam : Sorry… red packet only… we cannot take cheque…
Susanne : Why not ?
I had enough of Sam’s theatrics and told Susanne to issue the cheque to me. I’ll take care of it.
She hesitated for a moment before pulling me aside.
Susanne : Are you shitting me James ? 4.8k for this ??? you’re supposed to be taking my sis’s money, not mine. … are you cheating me ?
James : Of course not…. split the bill with your sis…. Have to…. You’re both occupiers of this place…
She looked at me with a incredulous look.
James : Look…if I wanted to cheat you…. I won’t do this…
I kept my face straight as I looked at Susanne.
She thought about it for a while before nodding her head.
After Susanne issued me the cheque to me, I told her the renovation works would be wrapped up in a couple of days.
James : You doing anything for dinner ?
Susanne : dinner ? … erm…I er..
I could see Susanne hesitating in her reply.
Susanne : Sorry I can’t James… not today…
I nodded with a smile.
James : Another time then…
The guys were already in the car, Xueling disappeared into her room. Charmaine was in the bathroom.
James : Susanne …
Susanne : Yah ?
James : Why didn’t you make the call last night ? ….
Susanne did not look surprise at my question and she smiled briefly at me before looking away as she folded her arms.
When she looked back at me, she added.
Susanne : Why were you at my place this morning ?
We stood there without a word, staring at each other. Both of us waiting for the other to talk.
Susanne came over, kissed me on the cheek and put the cheque into my hand.
Susanne : Nothing changes James…. Get the money from my sis….
With that, she turned and walked towards her room.
James : I’ll be here at 8pm.
She paused, hesitating at the archway leading to her room with her back facing me.
3 seconds later, she went into her room and shut her door.
…………………………..
The guys kept a straight face when I got into the car.
Sam leaned back on the head rest, as if he had exhausted his energy. Welly and Thomas had their faces in their hands, massaging their forehead.
The moment I pulled off the road, they began laughing and laughing.
James : Please forgive me, I don’t share your level of humour.
Sam : Eh… Don’t like that la… it was a good one … haha…
I shook my head and thanked them for the help.
Welly : Eh money we got a share bo ? haha..
I told them the money would be returned to the girls after we sort some issues out, but dinner and drinks on me the next round.
Sam : Eh, next time got something like this, ask us again… haha..
As they continued to joke and blamed each other for the screw ups, I dropped each of them off before returning home. I disposed of the props, keeping only the robe and the sword.
After grabbing some food, I took a quick nap before waking up at 6pm.
I tried calling Susanne but she chose not to pick up my call. I called Charmaine next and she said she was in the movies and hung up too.
After a quick change of clothes, I grabbed a cab over to Susanne’s place again.
6.45pm
The lights were on in the house and I walked right in and rang the bell but no one answered.
I even knocked on Xueling’s windows in case she was in her room but I did not get a reply too.
I planted myself at the front of the door, sitting on the steps.
Whatever the fuck is going to happen at 8pm, I would be there. If Terry thinks he’s going to come right in and demand Susanne fuck him or something, I would be there to stop it.
Come on, he’s in his 60s, there is no way I would lose out to someone like him.
After what I’ve seen the past couple of days, I doubt there was anything left that could surprise me anymore.
Not even the perverse mind of a uncle abusing his niece.
7.20pm
The door opened and I stood up from the steps.
As I turned around to face Susanne, I had all the air knocked out from my lungs as I stared at her. I could not muster up enough energy to say a single word as I looked at her.
I really just looked at her.
She looked different.
Very different.
Instead of the usual clothes she wore, she was in something very different.
Very very different.
The sound of old 60s music blared from a old radio in the living room. The usual white lights were switched off, instead a few warm lights were left on.
Susanne’s hair was neatly tied up into a bun with her fringe styled into a wavy curve that made her look as if she had travelled back in time. She wore a old 1 piece dress, almost like a cheongsum except it was not.
The collar reached high into her neck, an intricate knot held the 2 collar flaps together. The dark blue dress with small white dots brought out the hour glass figure of Susanne. Her slim mid section fastened with a white belt. The hem of her dress reached well below the knees in a conservative manner.
A white hairband sat on her hair while some light makeup made her look a little older than she really was.
She wore a cream coloured pair of low heels, about 1.5 inches give and take.
Her hands were clasped together in front of her waist as our eyes met.
Susanne : Go away James… this has nothing to do with you…
James : What the fuck is this…. What are you doing ?
Susanne : Leave now… please…
She refused to engage me in a conversation but I grabbed her by her arm, swinging her around to face me.
James ; What is this ! huh ? Some kind of sick roleplay ? har ?
Susanne’s eyes had this sad helpless look in them as she gave me a weak smile.
She shook my hand away and went into the kitchen. She was walking around the house with her heels on and in my attempt to chase after her, I did not take off mine as well.
I watched as she brought out some simple dishes she prepared, beancurds, fried vegetables, a small fish and some pickled vegetables. I could see a pot of porridge bubbling on the stove.
Something seemed different about the things that was being displayed in the house. There were some old photo frames left lying around.
I picked one up and my eyes widened a little.
Holding up that very photo to Susanne, I realised Susanne bore an uncanny resemblance to Terry’s wife.
That photo was old, probably when she was about Susanne’s age.
I quickly looked at the others that were on the table, one of them had her wearing the same dress that Susanne wore.
James ; Susanne, talk to me…
Susanne : She’s Meiqi, my aunt. She passed away when she was 35.
That was all she said before she stopped.
James : Why are you doing this ? …
She took the photo from me and replaced it at the same spot, adjusting it to make sure it’s straight.
Susanne : He’s coming soon…. Leave James…
James : I’m not leaving… you don’t need to do this…
She covered the dishes on the dining table with a net and checked the time on the old wall clock.
Susanne : James… please… leave… let what little remains of my dignity stay with you in your heart….you don’t need to see this.
I held both her arms and told her I’m not leaving.
Susanne : You’ll get Xueling into trouble if you don’t….please…
Before I can ask her what she meant her head jerked towards the window as a beam of car headlights shot into the house. I could hear the engine of Terry’s old Mercedes churning as it grind to a stop.
I was expecting Susanne to panic, to ask me to hide, to beg me to leave but she did not.
Instead she closed her eyes and her hands went to her face. She sniffed and wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye.
I don’t know why but I just stepped away from her, heading into the archway leading to the girls room.
Opening Susanne’s bed room, I stepped in as I watch her took a deep breath and she walked towards the door where Terry was knocking. I shut her door and went straight to her drawers,I knew where she kept the keys to her window grilles.
I unlocked it and slid open a panel, hoisting myself out into the courtyard before I closed it.
Walking around the house, I went to the window that would give me a clear view of the living room.
Lowering myself to the ground, I saw Terry walking into the house as his hands went around Susanne’s waist.
I could even hear him talk.
His voice cut through the silence in the house like a hot knife slicing through soft butter.
Terry : Meiqi…. What are we eating tonight ?
I watched as he caressed Susanne’s body, stroking her back, letting his hands drop lower and lower onto her slim waist. Then he gently grabbed Susanne’s buttocks, squeezing them as she removed the netting that covered the food.
Terry : Pour me a glass of water…
Susanne quietly went into the kitchen before emerging with a glass of water.
Terry sat down and began to talk.
The things he said did not make sense to me at all.
Terry : You know… a ship hit the cable car….. 2 cabins fell into the sea…. 7 died…. They’re still trying to rescue them…
I scratched my head, that was something that happened in the 80s.
He went on talking about how his friends were working overnight at the site and that he wished he was there too.
Terry ; But I miss you so much Meiqi…I had to come back to see you..
Susanne served him a bowl of porridge and had one for herself too.
My view of what was happening was intermittent. With the curtains behind the windows swaying gently , I could only see when it opens up a gap wide enough, it lasted probably about 2-3 seconds before it covers up and I could need to wait for the slow ceiling fan to turn and hit it again.
What they were saying though , I could hear it clearly as if I was in the room.
Perhaps it was because of his age, maybe it was his hard of hearing, Terry spoke pretty loud.
Terry : Changi Airport has been opened for 2 years, we haven been on a holiday for a long time…. Shall we head somewhere for a trip Meiqi ?
I could not hear if Susanne gave him a reply, besides from the sound of Terry’s voice, all I could hear was the noise of wooden chopsticks hitting against porcelain bowls and plates.
Nothing could get weirder than this.
Dinner was concluded after a while and I could hear the stacking of dishes, no doubt Susanne was playing the role of a dutiful wife cleaning up.
Crackkkk… thud… thud.. thud…
The sound of cutleries hitting the table from a height rang out so did Susanne’s whimper.
Susanne : Arhh..ugh,,.
I could hear several clicks of Susanne’s heels, as if she suddenly lost her balance.
Susanne : No… don’t…
Terry : Who was the guy who sent you back this morning ? …. Har ? I saw you sitting on his bicycle.
Susanne : No.. he’s.. no one..
Terry : Don’t lie to me !…
Susanne : urghhh…
The curtains lifted and I saw that Susanne was half lying on the sofa, it appears as if she had been thrown or pushed down. Terry was unbuckling his pants before the curtains came back down on me.
Terry : I love you Meiqi…. Why are you doing this ?
Susanne : I….. I did not do anything….
Terry : I know him…. He’s that Samseng ( gangster ) from the market….
Susanne whimpered but I could not see what was happening.
Susanne : Urghhhhh…erngnhhh…
I could hear her sobbing begin.
Terry : I love you Meiqi….. I really do… I want to start a family…
Susanne’s sobbing got louder and I anxiously willed for the fan to hit the curtain again.
Terry had his back towards me as he stood facing Susanne. I could see the wrinkled old skin of his buttocks as he held onto Susanne’s shoulders. Anyone could tell what he was asking of her.
Terry : What’s wrong with you today ? …. You’re slow in your replies….you want Xueling to take over you ??
Susanne : No… no…. sorry….i…
Before she could finish speaking, I watched as Terry pressed himself onto Susanne’s face.
Terry : Arghhh… urghh…
My view was obstructed once more but the sound Terry was making left me in no doubt what was happening. Memories of Susanne’s blowjob came flooding back into my head.
Terry : Arghh… oorrhhh… urgeggghhh.. yes… yes… arhghh…. Suck me …Meiqi… I love you… rgughhh…
My fist was clenched as I struggled with my decision.
I don’t know the whole story, if I barge in like this, would I really put Xueling in danger ?
As the curtain slowly lifted up, I could see the shadow on the ground before I laid eyes on Terry and Susanne.
Susanne’s shadow bobbed up and down, the motion of the shadow alone sent a erotic sensation down my dick as the way she clamped down on my dick before using her lips to pushed back my foreskin.
Once my sensitive dick was engulfed in her mouth, I would agree to anything.
The warm saliva coats every inch and her tongue drawing circles around the rim of my dick before she tries to tongue fuck my pee hole.
I literally moaned like a sick patient when she did that to me in her clinic as I sat on her chair while she knelt on her knees after a day of seeing patients.
The way she would looked up at me with her eyes as her hand stroked my hungry manhood.
I shook myself a little to snap out of my day dream.
Susanne yelped again as Terry pulled her up to her feet. Her heels clicked and she was dragged across the living room.
I could hear the foot steps moving away before it disappeared.
I immediately changed my position and went around the back. My eyes looked at the surrounding houses, some lights were on, I could hear the occasional loud laughter, probably from some happy family dinner.
I could only pray no one decides to look out and see me snooping around.
Susanne : No… please…
Terry : Take off your clothes… don’t dirty it…
Susanne : I’m… I’m not feeling well today….
Terry : Take off the clothes….now ..!
The windows were opened a lot wider for Dr Kim’s room and only the day curtains were drawn. I could not afford to poke my head up so I could only depend on my hearing to find out what was happening.
Susanne sobbed openly as I heard a few clicks of her heels before the sound stopped. She must have taken it off.
Susanne : Arguhhh.. harr….
I don’t know why she shouted but it must be something Terry did.
There was some rustling of bags then I could hear the old bed creaked.
Susanne : No… no please… sob… sob…
I could hear Susanne sucking in a deep breath as she whimpered in pain.
Susanne : Haaaruuuuuuhhhh….rguuhhh…
Terry : ARghhhhh..hhh…
Susanne : Sob… sobs…
Then the creaking of the bed got louder and more consistent.
Creak… creak…. Creak……..piak…. creak… piak…
There was the occasional grunt from Terry but hardly any moans from Susanne.
Her moans would throw anyone who listened to them into a mating frenzy. That sensual soft voice, purring by the side of your ears. That helpless gasping of small calculated breathes.
A few shallow inhale follow by a long exhale as she squeezed her vagina walls against my dick.
Creakk… cerakk… creak… piak.. piak…
Terry : Arghhh.. arghh
Susanne : Sobbs…sobzzz….
The creaking stopped.
Suddenly Susanne was exclaiming out loud.
Susanne : No.. no.no.no..no !! please no… don’t… arghh… urghhhhhhhh
Terry : Keep quiet… shhhhh…. Shhhh…
Susanne : Nooo… no.. please… no…
Terry : Shhh… shhh… it’s ok… it’s ok…
I could hear some struggling but there’s no way for me to tell what was happening.
Susanne: no.. please. .
Terry : I feel like doing this today. ..
A few minutes past and the only sound I heard was the soft sobbing of Susanne. Aside from that was the occasional command from Terry for her to turn, or to move.
About 10 minutes passed before I head the bed creak again. The bedroom door opened and I assumed Terry had stepped out.
I took a bold leap of faith and looked into the room. Susanne was lying on the bed only in her bra. A light purple bra that I had seen her in before.