Housemates (Part 1 & 2)
Part 1
Siang Ming from Ipoh, has just gotten a job as a junior stylist in a hair salon here. Being an entry level job, he cannot afford to rent a spacious room in a nice neighbourhood. Instead, a friend who has been working here for some time, recommends a room in a 3-room flat, within walking distance to the mrt.
Siang Ming looks at the air-con room with some distaste. It is sparsely furnished with just a super single bed, a 3 door wardrobe and a basic study desk with a wooden chair. There is no connecting bathroom. He will have to share the bathroom in the kitchen with the landlord.
By nature fastidious and meticulous, Siang Ming is tall and slim and wears a pair of black trendy plastic frames.
The landlord, Mr Wu, is currently manspreading on the PVC sofa in the living room.
“Hurry up!” he drawls, “I have to get back to work at the market. My neighbour looking after the stall for me.”
Mr Wu is a butcher. Broad and stout with a goatee, he sports a prominent beer belly in a tight white singlet and loose shorts.
The deciding factor is cleanliness. The whole flat is well kept with nary a speck of dust in sight. For S$700 a month, it is a good option.
“Ok,” Siang Ming replies courteously, “Can I move in tomorrow?”
“No problem. Here’s the key to the front door and to your room.”
He hands over the keys in a metal ring with a cheap abacus tied to it. Siang Ming resolves to buy a new keychain once he gets out of here.
“Oh one more thing…”
“What’s that?”
“I emptied one shelf in the fridge for you. Don’t touch the other stuff in the fridge.”
Siang Ming nods his head. Inside he is fuming. As if he would steal food from him!
Part 2
Siang Ming moves in the next day.
Mr Wu is not around. He operates his chicken produce stall from early morning to early afternoon.
Siang Ming has only one suitcase and unpacking is quick and easy. After changing the pillow case and bedsheets, he decides to explore the house thoroughly.
The kitchen is small but functional. Mr Wu has said Siang Ming can do light cooking but no deep frying at all.
As promised, one shelf in the fridge has been cleared for Siang Ming’s use. He is interested to see what he has been explicitly told not to touch. To his surprise, there is plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. He was expecting mostly meat and beer.
There is also a top loading washing machine near the rear window and a few bamboo poles for drying clothes hanging outside the window.
Siang Ming is taken aback to see skimpy bikini briefs hanging on one pole. Wow! That’s what he wears inside those loose shorts!
The door to the master bedroom is ajar. Siang Ming could not resist taking a peek. To his utter astonishment, the room is bare. There is a free weights bench parked in front of a full length wall mirror. On the rubber clad floor are a few dumb bells scattered here and there.
So Mr Wu lifts weights! But why does he spot a beer belly then?
Siang Ming opens one of the wardrobe doors. On the rack are rows of full body compression suits and cycling shorts. Double wow!
Siang Ming tries to conjure up a picture of Mr Wu in one of these suits. His broad shoulders and muscular back would look amazing, minus the beer belly.
Who is Mr Wu?
The question buzzes in Siang Ming’s mind as he sets off to the hair salon in Orchard Road…
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