Sunlight peeps through my window
It was one of the most heartache moments that I can recall. Looking back, sometime I feel like it was a surreal dream. I wish …
On the one hand, his stories have tried to point out the dissonances of the society and on other side his writings have showed how Nepalese going …
In the past when I used to work, I really did not have to worry about purchasing provisions and stocking them in the freezer. There were times when I seldom ate at home and occasionally shopped. Bu after becoming a full time house wife, it was rather a different story.
Since the Chinese New Year would last for 4 days, I bought meat, vegetables, fruits and dried stuff a day before the holiday would commence. I thought these huge scales of food would last me throughout the holiday. During this festive occasion, the temperatures plummeted to 11 degrees and somehow lower in the New Territories. The colder the weather, we tend to eat more compared to the warm humid weather. On 15th February, through my window I could see Local Supermarket, Kai Bo open its door. So, I hurriedly sent my husband to purchase some dairy goods. In the usual days it only took him 5 minutes the most, but on that day it took him something like 40 minutes. Entering the house I enquired why it took him ages. He answered the queue was unusually long.
Then on the last day of the New Year, my fridge was technically empty. So having had no choice, I ran to the vegetable market. I had 100% hope that the businesses have resumed back to normal. Carrying my shopping bag and the shopping list, I stepped out of my flat. Few people were seen on the street and to my dismay 98% shops were still closed. Some hungry shoppers like me were eyeing here and there if they could get their luck for whatever purposes they have dragged themselves out of their beds on this freezing windy morning.
I desperately needed something to make chicken soup, so I went shop to shop. Unfortunately none of these shops were opened. I finally found one vegetable store, run by the Indian. He had a very few selection of vegetables. So I thought I would go for Choi sam. Since there was no price tag, I asked the price for a catty of the vegetable.
He said, “$20!”
I said, “What?” He said
“Well, it is $24 but then you can buy for $20.”
Having had no choice I bought a half catty damaging $10.
Oh god, I said. Only a day before this particular holiday, a catty of choi sam cost $5, now the price has hiked to $20. I thought it was ridiculously expensive.
While heading home, I found another shop has just opened. And to my surprise the prices there were much cheaper rather like usual day when compared to the Indian guy’s. It occurred to me that the Indian has taken advantages of the hungry shoppers who would buy for any given price. I repented buying from him. Since only one or two shops were operating, I could not buy everything that my list contained.
Seeing the Kai bo’s door opened, as I was about to enter, my eyes caught a very long queue. “Oh no, if I buy anything from there, it meant queuing for an hour to get to the cashier. Forget it!” Then I turned my back and forwarded my steps towards my flat.
God I had started to hate holidays. Holidays means shops closed. When the shops and malls are closed there is no point to go out. So you are left with only one choice – stay-at-home or alternately fly to somewhere outside Hong Kong. Stay home, watch television, browse net & yes eat and eat. A couple of years ago when the Chinese Lunar New Year came it was time to rejoice. The good thing about the New Year was hefty Lai see. And yes holiday meant relaxation. Waking up at any time of the day and eating whatever you wanted that the restaurants & the fast food centre catered. I did not have to worry about what to eat and what next to buy. Now as a devoted housewife and a mother, my life is complete & fulfilling. But now holiday has become something that I strongly loathe. Sorry to say this to the people out there who hugely love the holiday season.
“Nothing lasts for ever” this old adage is applicable in everyone’s life whether happiness, sorrows, joy, fear or any other physical & emotional traumas. But then life has to move on despite of whatever/where ever fate takes us.
