Celebration, albeit draggy

Alvin Phoon

National Day Dinner with Minister for Trade & Industry Lim Hng Khiang

National Day Dinner with Minister for Trade & Industry Lim Hng Khiang

Jack tosses in his bed as the aroma of fresh roti prata wafts up his nostrils. Curry. Fish. He wipes the drool off his chin, and rubs the sleep out of his eyes. As the sunlight streams in, so does the realization, the acknowledgement of the day before him. It’s finally here, he thinks, and the more he does the happier he gets. The ninth day of the eighth month, the all-important invitation finally valid.

The anticipation can and will finally cease, and in a few hours, the year long wait will eventually be worth every second. The kids are already up; he can hear their incessant chattering. No bother, he thinks. Nothing will ruin this day. He peers out the window, and in the distance he sees their destination. First, a shower, then breakfast, then the preparations can begin.

“Eh boy, can you wear something more decent?”

It is now T minus 2 hours to the event, and the family is getting dressed. Jack’s son has chosen to express his individualism by draping himself in black . Black hair, black t shirt, black jeans, black shoes, black attitude.

“This is who I am! I dress what I feel and today I FEEL BLACK!”

Derrick’s angst is only made more evident by the gigantic gold nameplate necklace around his neck that says “D-Dawg”.

“Today is an important day for everyone, especially this family. Your ah gong and his friends are going to be around. If there is one day in your calendar where you won’t embarrass this family, you better make it today. Now go and wear something else!”

Subdued, Derrick drags his defeated behind back into his room and emerges minutes later decked in a red polo and white jeans.

“Happy?”

“Very.”

Denise sniggers, evidently amused by the ease with which her brother complied. She has on a gorgeous white dress, and her brand new maroon trilby. The family exists the apartment and stroll towards the lift. Jack stays behind to lock the door, and as he watches his family, another wave of realization slams into him. A beautiful family, in beautiful colours. Nothing could make this day any better.

T minus 20 minutes. The family walks towards their destination. Jack is tingling with excitement. Finally, he thinks. The wait is almost over.

“Hello, hello. Okay ladies and gentlemen please quickly find a seat so that we can start the event.”

The MC, apparently uneducated on the use of the volume controls, urges everyone to sit and await the beginning of the annual spectacle. Jack finds a spot for his family, and they each take their seats. T minus 5 minutes.

“It’s so hot. Can we leave early? I want to go home and play Modern Warfare.”

Even Derrick’s whining won’t spoil Jack’s mood now. T minus 1 minute. This is it, pa, this is what you and your friends worked so hard to build, Jack thinks as tears threaten to form. T minus 5 seconds. 4. 3. 2. 1.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, to begin this year’s Hungry Ghost Festival Performance, Auction and Dinner… Battered by age but still standing for reasons completely unknown to us… Local superstars The Grasshoppers!”

For the next hour and a half, Jack loses himself in hysteria. The music comforts him, and reminds him of a simpler time. The food is sublime, the alcohol free and the auctioneer’s motor-mouth charming as one would expect.

Yes, it is National Day too, Jack thinks as he gargles his cognac. But who gives a kangaroo?


Photo courtesy of the People’s Action Party