Hong Kong Short Stories.
Reimagining Hong Kong
SHORT STORIES BY MONIQUE LAI
1.
‘SOLACE : NEW MOON’ ●● SHAM SHUI PO
It’s almost time ! In 8 hrs when the clock strikes midnight I will be turning 16 !
Wonder what cake my mom will choose this year. Traditionally we eat my favorite “bak chut haa” (boil and peel shrimp) at home. I love peeling the shells; my brother not so much. Anyway it is my day ! But this year he may be happy, I asked my parents if we could try the new fancy café nearby. There’s a salmon dish I spotted in the window and it looked delish. My dad wanted none of that but Po-po who lives with us, says she will try to push him.
She shares tales of when she was younger living in Sham Shui Po. Back in the day, the streets were filled with lots of people and foreigners would visit to shop and hunt for bargains and fun treasures. Vendors would use a big calculator to say their price, some even learned to speak French back then !
It is now year 2100, and my wish this year is to find solace and time to daydream. Maybe I will pick up the flute again and play in the park, or just find a good book to read. Something new, something fun — that is my birthday wish. Whatever this year brings, I want Po-po to keep telling me stories her grandma shared with her.
Whenever we celebrate a birthday, Po-po buys a dozen egg tarts from her favorite bakery she has been going to ever since she was a child.
They say the recipe has not changed in 100 years ! Hope it never will ...
2.
‘FIRST DATE’ ●● SHATIN
Weather forecast for tomorrow: 20℃ blue skies, slightly cloudy, and windy.
What shall I wear… “always dress to impress!” Auntie Nancy would say. He’s super smart, good looking and funny; a dream come true really. I almost knocked over my cup when he asked me out.
I saw him sitting in the back corner of our neighbourhood coffee shop reading a book. The fact he even noticed me coming in was a miracle.
I was running late and just ordered my regular mocha when the barista called his name, Tim. Divine timing right ? I remember suddenly smiling and saying “Hi, what book are you reading?” He smiled back and said: ‘The Human Age: The World Shaped By Us’. Surprised, I said “Oh!” I hadn’t meant to sound in shock but I couldn’t help myself.
He didn’t say where we were going, only that I meet him 1pm in the Sha Tin Park.
Hmm, wide-legged trousers or the long slim pencil skirt. I don’t want to look too casual, sporty, or look like I’m heading to a business meeting.
I'll go with the skirt, screams first date !
3.
‘THE RIGHT ONE’ ●● TSUEN WAN
I spent a lot of time thinking what I should get Gary for our 15th Wedding Anniversary.
Time flies when you are having fun and I couldn’t agree more. Sure we’ve had some hiccups along the way but nothing that a simple “sorry” can’t fix.
Of the two men I thought about marrying, it was Gary’s sense of humour that won me over. And now that our twins are nearly 12, they are showcasing his funny bone more than ever.
I decided to write a ’Thank You’ letter because I couldn’t imagine where I would be without him and our little family. The twins have also written letters thanking Gary for being their father.
We’re going to surprise him on the walkway with big smiles, and his favourite cake. We met in a tiny family restaurant in Tsuen Wan. Gary was sitting on another table and suddenly moved his plate next to mine. We’ve been together ever since.
Funny how life turns out grand.
4.
‘LONG SUMMER DAYS’ ●● LONG PING
“Ya-ya ! It stopped raining ! Let’s go riding, same time, 2pm ?”
“Ho - OK !”
These couple of weeks have had a lot of rain. It never use to be like this. It was always hot long Summer days and nights. Today I’ll be wearing my new cycling outfit; it looks the same as ya-ya but in my size.
I kinda look professional.
Ya-ya has been riding since he was 6 yrs. old and won so many medals it’s too much to count. He gifted me my first tricycle and eventually taught me how to ride a bicycle; giving me tips and tricks of the trade along the way.
I am going to enter my first race next year. I’ll be 10 yrs. old then and I really want to do well. Summer breaks are a perfect time for me to practice as we like to cycle long distances towards the farm.
My ancestors settled here in Long Ping many decades ago.
I wonder sometimes if I can imagine leaving this place — highly unlikely I ever will.