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04.06.2007
The Tumultuous Voyage of Love
A short story by Cheryl Goh
From: Singapore Management University
Course: School of Social Sciences, 2004
Age: 22 years old

Groaning wildly, she flung the door open and stumbled into the room. Her already ruddy complexion was now a bright scarlet, but her once sparkling eyes were dimmed. Her hair was a knotted mess, and she reeked of the sickening smell of alcohol, having imbibed much more than her small body could handle.

She groped about in the darkness, fumbling clumsily to light the kerosene lamp. In failing to do so, she flung herself on the bed, and in a surge of sudden emotion, began sobbing hysterically, the inescapable reality finally dawning on her. As she wept, her mind was a labyrinth of thoughts.

She thought of her dear Chee Keng. In this lucid moment of all her drunkenness and sorrow, she managed a smile.Sweet, gentle Chee Keng, the love of her life. She remember the first time she laid eyes on him-with his clean white short-sleeved shirt tucked neatly into his dark brown pants, how he had smiled warmly at her as she took his order - dry, with extra fish balls, no chili. He was so different from the stall's usual patrons - foul-mouthed, pot-bellied men who could hardly contain their lust for her beauty.

She remembered the romantic strolls they had by the riverside, with him shyly holding her hand in his and talking to her in low, caring tones. She remembered his kind, handsome face. The way he would stare deeply into her eyes as he whispered, "I love you." It was a simple case of love at first sight. After which, he never failed to appear for his daily bowl of noodles. Much to his delight, she would coyly set the bowl and chopsticks in front of him, her pretty brown eyes looking down, sometimes making a clandestine yet deliberate attempt to brush lightly against his hand. She would then give him an inconspicuous, (just in case her mother would notice), bashful smile and go about serving the other customers.

However, her mother, a sly, perceptive woman, saw through the ploy. She would not have disapproved of their relationship, for even the neighbours had commented that they were a match made in heaven, if that horrid Kenny Chua had not come along, asking for her daughter's hand in marriage. Kenny, the son of a fabulously wealthy tycoon, was also smitten by the girl's loveliness - her immaculate complexion, her soft silky hair tied into a modest bun, and the fullness of a woman's body that not even a plain, simple samfu could conceal.
"Auntie ah, don't worry, when your daughter marries me, I will buy you a big house, with servants to serve your every command. You will wear only the finest silk clothes and eat the best food! Bird's nest, ginseng, shark's fin...." Kenny had boasted, "And you can forget about this stupid stall, you will never have to make another bowl of noodles in your life!"

Her mother, eager for the material gains offered in the form of a very handsome dowry, coupled with the temptation of the promises her newly acquired wealth would bring, willingly accepted the generous proposal. She was, of course, devastated. The mere presence of that irksome Kenny Chua revolted her. His oily, pock-marked face, equally oily mass of hair, bulging beer belly and most of all, those leering, amorous looks he threw her way every time she was near. The very thought of him made her heart sink. How could she possibly spend the rest of her life with this disgusting creature? And what about Chee Keng? She had never loved any one as much as she loved him. He was the reason she looked forward to working at the stall every day. He was her joy, her love, her life.

How she pleaded and begged, crying and weeping as she implored her mother to change her mind. But her mother, her mercenary mother, blinded by the promise of wealth, remained resolute in her decision. This was the old woman's one chance to give up her life of slogging day and night at her noodle stall, to lap in the luxury of the riches she so rightly deserved. After all, had she not suffered to raise this daughter of hers? Since her irresponsible husband abandoned her before the girl was even born, she had toiled and struggled just to put food on the table.

"You useless, unfilial child!" she screamed. "You never spare a thought for your poor mother! If you marry Chee Keng, who is going to help me at the stall? Huh? At least Kenny has promised to provide for me. I worked so hard to bring you up, and this is how you repay me?"
Even Chee Keng himself went down on his knees, "Please auntie, I really do love your daughter. I may not be rich, but I will work hard to give you both a good life. I promise. Please..." But it was to no avail.

The lovers were in abysmal misery. The anguish of forbidden love!

Then, a week before the dreaded union was to take place, unable to bear the immense pain of separation, they decided to run away, just the two of them, to leave this cruel world behind, to fully savour the love they shared."Not to worry my dear, I have some savings, and we can stay with my relatives in Malaysia till I find a job there," Chee Keng said, reassuring her. "You have to trust me." And she did. Why, she would trust Chee Keng with her life.

It seemed like a brilliant plan, one that would put an end to their misery. But once again, that odious Kenny Chua was there to stop them. On the night of their escape, just hours before their departure, Chee Keng was brutally, maliciously murdered. He was on his way to pick her up when he was confronted by Kenny's men, who battered him beyond recognition and carelessly flung his body into a canal. Kenny had somehow gotten wind of the couple's plan, and his attraction to her had turned into intense jealousy, which then escalated into rage and a macabre quest for vengeance. "Nobody," he spat as Chee Keng took his last breath, "nobody gets in the way of Kenny Chua!"

Now, as she looked at herself in the mirror, her once pretty face now drained and tear-stained, a crescendo of feelings-fury, grief, hopelessness, despair, welled up inside her, causing her petite frame to tremble. She leaned on the table for support, wishing that Chee Keng was there to comfort her.

But no, he was gone. He was the very source of her sorrow. Kenny Chua was determined to make her his bride. This made her all the more determined not to marry him. All she wanted was to be with the man she loved so dearly.

She stepped out into the darkness of the house. All was quiet accept for her mother snoring contentedly in the next room. Her mind was made up, yes, she was firm in her decision. Since she could not be with him in life, she would join her beloved Chee Keng in death, and together they would experience the joys of love and passion, undaunted by anything or anyone.
She walked bravely into the kitchen. A sense of calm and serenity overcame her entire being. A feeling of lightness, free of worry or anguish. She was happy now.

As she fell to the floor, numb to the searing pain of blade against flesh, a peaceful, joyous smile crept onto her face.