Shao Peng’s visit could have hardly come at a worst time. “At least I could keep my circumstances from her,” Li Ling thought leaning heavily against the door, her legs outstretched before her. “I will not let her see me so reduced.” Her heart hardened further against Shao Peng. Li Ling suspected that she had come to gloat.
Chapter 29
THE WEDDING DAY ARRIVED. A crowd gathered outside the Ongs’ residence to wait for the bride. The people jostled for space by the roadside. Some stood on tiptoe, others on wooden crates, while children clambered onto the shoulders of adults. In the two-storey shop houses on either side of the road, people squeezed behind windows to peer out onto the street. A wedding of this scale amongst the newly established Chinese immigrant community was a rare event. Most people married simply. An exchange of vows and, if the bridegroom’s parents were in the country, an offering of tea was all that there was to it. Brides, often imported from China, generally came without the accompaniment of their parents. Bridegrooms too were often unencumbered with family. Most were immigrants who had come to do manual work. In such cases, there would be no wedding ceremony at all. The Ongs were different. They were rich second generation Chinese immigrants and the bride Suet Ping was a third generation Chinese. Both families had Malay bloodlines from their maternal side. People were curious to see how the wedding would proceed.
Li Ling elbowed her way to the front, holding on to her swollen belly. People hissed at her. When they saw her they gave way. Their anger turned to sympathy. Her face was so bruised that it was just a mottle of sickly greenish grey. She flashed them a look of defiance. She could not stand the pity. “What are you staring at?” she snarled. They edged away leaving her alone and isolated in a sea of bodies.
The sound of clashing cymbals heralded the arrival of the bride. Four men carried the sedan. The bride sat within, her face demurely covered with a red veil and her hair pinned up and tucked under a traditional headgear of gold. The tassels of her headdress glittered and sparkled with each sway of the carriage. A ripple of appreciative murmurs went through the crowd.
Li Ling heard the whispers of admiration. Each one was like a stab to her heart. “How could one woman have so much and I so little?” she asked herself. “All I ever wanted was to love and marry Master Siew Loong.”
She placed her hands protectively around her belly. She felt the baby’s movement, a limb straining and pushing followed by another flutter. She looked towards the house. People were emerging from within. First to appear was Mistress Rohani in an embroidered top and a magnificent sarong of bold hues of red. Master Siew Loong followed. Li Ling pressed a fist to her chest to still her pain. He was in a traditional long silk Mandarin collared gown worn over silk trousers and he had a fitted red silk skullcap on his head. Li Ling searched his face for signs that could tell her that he was an unwilling participant; she wanted to believe it to be so. She saw nothing except a face that was almost devoid of expression. She could not tell if he was unhappy or happy. It troubled her. She closed her eyes and felt a tear roll down her cheek. She brushed it away quickly. It should have been her in the carriage. She recalled Master Siew Loong’s face and the touch of his hand on hers when he bade her farewell those months ago. It was so unfair. How could they have forsaken her like a discarded rag?
The sedan arrived at the front porch. She saw the bride helped out of it like a delicate flower. She held a red sash with a matching silk chrysanthemum flower. Someone placed the other end of the sash in the bridegroom’s hand. They bowed to each other. He smiled and led the bride into the house. Li Ling turned with a sob and fled. She ran back to where she came from, uncaring that she pushed into people. She ignored the strings of curses that followed her. She was beyond pain.
***
Siew Loong slipped into the study. He needed a moment of quiet. The noise, the barrage of good wishes, the need to smile in response and to look happy was all just too much to bear. Suet Ping was a sweet girl except that she was not one he wanted to marry. If he had been able to choose, whom would he have wanted? He remembered a face, a wistful face. He could not marry her and that was that.
Maybe in later years, when he could take a second wife, perhaps he could consider it. A second wife did not have to have the status of the first. She did not have to come from a family with an illustrious background. He shook his head to stop himself from brooding. He was building false hopes. He reminded himself that even that possibility was not to be. She was married and with child.
He sat down behind his desk. Moments later, he heard the door open and looked up. “Come in for a respite?” he asked his brother-in-law with a wry smile.
Jack smiled sheepishly back in response. “Yes, I am afraid. I am not used to ... I found it all a bit overwhelming,” he said with an apologetic twist of his mouth. “I could barely understand all that was said. My fault for not totally mastering the language.”
“Take a seat and join me in this,” said Siew Loong. He went to a glass cabinet, a tall Victorian piece of furniture set in the alcove behind his desk, and fished out a bottle and two glasses. “Brandy. Not something that I drink; yet if I was to drink this would be the day for it.” He poured a generous measure into each glass and handed one to Jack.
They sipped companionably, the liquid heat swilling in their mouth, each mulling over the events of the day.
“Happy?” ventured Jack.
“I am happy because my mother is happy. Everyone says that happiness comes from being a filial son.” He took a sharp intake of breath and expelled it. He drank deeply from his glass. “When I have finished with my duty as a son, then I can pursue happiness, the sort you were referring to.”
“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You are family and hence entitled to know.”
Siew Loong came from behind his desk and walked to the window. Outside in the courtyard servants were laying tables for dinner.
“Talking about my mother, she spoke to me the other day about Aishah.”
Jack looked at him puzzled.
“You, I trust, do not know what transpired these last few weeks. To make it brief, she told me that Aishah tried to harm Shao Peng using black magic. They attributed the pains that Shao Peng had to her sorcery. Aishah was caught in the act. I find it hard to believe in black magic. I am, however, worried about the girl’s wicked intentions.”
“It can’t be. She is a young girl with the mildest of manners. She is always pleasant and has a ready smile.”
Siew Loong waved away Jack’s protest. “You of all people should know better. A person who smiles is not necessarily good. Haven’t you learnt that in the diplomatic service?” He turned around to face Jack. “Did you know that her guardian is Mahmud?”
A look of astonishment crossed Jack’s face. “She never mentioned it. I knew he had an adopted daughter. I never put the two together.”
“Well, he has locked her up. He says that her behaviour is obsessive and there is no way he could control her actions short of chaining her. Mother and I are appalled. We do not approve of the harsh punishment. Mother feels responsible for her present plight. We are thinking of bringing her here, to this household. This way, we could keep an eye on her. If we monitor her movements then we should be able to stop her from trying to harm Shao Peng again. At the same time, we could rescue her from Mahmud. Mother does not like the idea that she is chained.”
Siew Loong kept his eyes steadfastly on Jack, watching for any signs of opposition. “It is either that or leaving her with Mahmud. However, we will help her on one condition. She is infatuated with you. You have to stop her from thinking that you reciprocate her feelings. Stop being kind to her. Tell her that you don’t have the slightest interest in her. Then sever all contact. Can you do that?”
Jack was utterly speechless. He was shocked at the revelation. Could he believe all that was said of Aishah? He thought of Shao Peng’s unexplained pains. He had wanted her to take Aishah back. Had he misjudged?
/> “Speak to mother or Mahmud if you wish to verify what I said. Ask Ah Kew too. Shao Peng doesn’t know any of this and we would like to keep it this way, at least until the baby is born. For now, I have to return to my bride.”
***
Jack was distracted throughout the remainder of the wedding feast. It was obvious that he could not confront his mother-inlaw nor seek out Ah Kew immediately. He tried to bottle up his anxiety and questions. He glanced at his wife sitting next to him. Shao Peng was listening to one of the guests, nodding and smiling in agreement. He had not seen her so settled and serene for a long time. She was beautiful.
He remembered when they first met. She was sitting with her dance card looking lost. He had asked her to dance. They had been young then. He recalled the years of trial and tribulation that followed that first meeting, of uncertainty, of not knowing whether they could ever be together. They had fought so hard for their happiness. He would not let anyone or anything come between his wife and him. He reached over and took her hand in his. She smiled and gave his hand a reassuring return squeeze.
Jack looked around. He did not feel part of it. He felt alone and isolated in the crowd. It was noisy. The endless round of yum seng drove him crazy. It was of course no different to the drinking sessions and the ‘bottoms-up’ days of his youth in England. Perhaps he was getting old. Perhaps he should be thinking of returning to England. They would be away from all this, the intrigue, the heat, the tropical diseases, and now even sorcery. Would Shao Peng be willing? It would be tearing her away from her roots. He watched her, the ease in which she slipped from one dialect and language to the other. What would life be like for them in England? Would she suffer discrimination? Would it be worst than it is here? At least in Malaya, she had the support of her family.
“Heh! Give me a smile,” Shao Peng said. “You look so worried!”
“Would you give this up,” he indicated with his hand, “and return to England with me?
The smile went from her face. “Are you serious?”
“Maybe. Just answer me.” He gave her a lopsided grin to make light of his question.
“I have never thought about it. I always assumed you would wish to stay here, that you liked it here.”
“I do like it here. It is just a thought.”
Her eyebrows knitted together. “Should I give it serious consideration?”
“Not now. I am just feeling a bit left out in tonight’s celebration. Don’t mind me.”
She linked her arm through his. “I am sorry. Chinese family affairs tend to be like this. Just one big occasion to talk, eat and make merry.”
A loud explosion echoed through the house. Strings of fireworks sizzled, sending sparks of fire high into the air. Soon a carpet of red littered the ground and the air was choked with smoke. Shao Peng leaned over and whispered. “I think this marks the end of our attempt to have any conversation.”
Chapter 30
IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON, well after three o’clock. Ah Kew gave a final cursory glance into the basket and covered it with a white cotton towel. She had filled it with food: little buns that she had steamed in the morning, a bunch of golden bananas ripened in the sun, a handful of sweet mangosteen, the colour of ripe plums, a small bag of custard apples and a whole chicken roasted to a golden brown on the new spit the Master had built in the back garden.
“Wait! Please put this in as well,” cried Shao Peng walking into the kitchen. She handed Ah Kew a bottle of rice wine. “My brother’s kitchen is making a huge batch of this in preparation for the many babies that they expect to arrive in the next few years. He is giving them away in protest.”
Ah Kew took the bottle reluctantly. She muttered under her breath.
“What did you say?” asked Shao Peng.
“I was just wondering why you care so much for that ungrateful wretch. She has refused to see anyone, not even Lai Ma after all she has done for her. It is best you leave her alone.” Ah Kew eyed Shao Peng’s burgeoning tummy. You are in no state to gallivant about town. What you need to do is to put your feet up.”
“I am going to try to see her again. She can’t possibly say no forever.”
Ah Kew tucked the cloth around the contents of the basket. She hesitated and then uncovered it again. She lifted the bottle of rice wine and pointed to it. “Are you sure you want to give this to her? We need it too you know. Chicken cooked in rice wine and ginger is a must for pregnant women, especially after birth. If we keep this bottle, it would be nicely matured by the time your baby arrives.”
Shao Peng took the bottle from her and placed it firmly back in the basket. “There are plenty where it came from.” She placed an arm around Ah Kew’s shoulder. “Let us be generous. I know you mean well. Come, I shall carry this out,” she said reaching for the basket.
Ah Kew broke away and snatched the basket away from Shao Peng. “You must not carry anything that is heavy. I’ll do it.” She took the basket under the crook of her arm and headed for the door. She continued muttering. She did not approve of her young mistress’s actions.
***
Life for Li Ling settled into a pattern. She got up, washed, ate and went back into her room until the next meal. She kept silent throughout the day. She spurned Bai Choo’s attempt to draw her out or become friends. She was ashamed but did not want to admit to it. She listened with her head bowed when her mother-in-law chastised her for her surliness. If her eyes flashed with resentment and anger, she was careful not to let them be seen. On occasions when she met her father-in-law, she would keep a similar demeanour. His kind words were met with absolute silence. She would just stand with eyes cast down until he finished. Then she would excuse herself. She knew that it made her father-in-law sad. She could hear his sighs for he had a soft spot for her and there were instances when she was almost moved to speak. She never did. She thought it futile to reply. When her mother-in-law spotted these little exchanges, there would be a heated discussion between her in-laws. She didn’t care. They were of no importance to her.
Da Wei came home less and less. Even his parents could no longer control him. He was involved with yet another young girl. In the servants’ quarters, the main topic of conversation often centred on Da Wei. They would wonder how he managed to lure so many women when there were so few women compared to men. At times, the arguments and speculations became quite heated with different parties taking different views. They seemed oblivious that Li Ling might hear.
“It is because he is the son of a rich man,” Li Ling heard them say. “Coolies don’t get a chance. If you are rich you can have as many as you wish.”
Others volunteered that all his recent women were young prostitutes. His reputation was so bad that people hid their daughters from him.
In the early days, Da Wei would make straight for Li Ling’s room when he came home. The servants would wait with abated breath to see what would happen. With eyes round with excitement, they plastered their ears against the thin walls. After the fateful beating, Li Ling no longer locked her door. She made no attempt to make herself pretty. She left her hair uncombed and unwashed. Her cheeks were pinched and sallow because she stayed indoors. She grew thinner and thinner while her belly grew bigger and bigger.
Hollow-eyed, she would just gaze at her husband when he came into the bedroom. Then, without a word, she would take off her clothes and lie on her back. She kept her face empty of emotion. She would stare vacantly at the ceiling; her body was a hull without spirit, a corpse in waiting. It drove Da Wei mad. The first time she did this, he slapped her. He needed her to respond and to be frightened. Even that did not move her to speak or scream. Gradually he lost interest and his visits became fewer and fewer. Li Ling was glad. She channelled all her energy to the child within her. She ate dutifully to ensure the baby was nourished. She put all her hopes on it. She had no clear idea how the child could be her saviour; she just felt that it would be so.
***
“Let me see her ... please.” Shao Peng
stood at the doorstep with one foot in and a basket in her hand.
Ah Su eased open the door. “Mistress Li Ling would not like it. So don’t tell her that I have let you in.”
Ah Su closed the door gently and pointed to the rear of the house. “Mistress Li Ling is in her bedroom. It is the one facing the inner courtyard. I am afraid it is not very nice because that is where we do the washing. Are you sure you want to go?”
“Yes! Show me the way.”
“Well, can I just leave you when we arrive near the bedroom? Mistress Li Ling can be quite fierce. If she were to see that I brought you to her, she might throw tantrums. She threw a stool at me the other day.”
“I understand. Could you help me with the basket?”
“Yes, I’ll carry it and leave it outside her door. As I said, she might throw a tantrum if she sees me with you.” Ah Su heaved the basket up and carried it with both hands supporting its base.
Shao Peng followed Ah Su to the back of the house. She was dismayed. How could it be? They seemed to be heading towards the servants’ quarters and towards the kitchen. The stale smell of cooking oil mingled with that of pickling liquid. She sniffed. Its pungency hit her; she identified it as rice wine vinegar, brine and herbs. It permeated the air. The corridor became narrower and narrower. She glanced into one of the opened doorways. The room was dank and dark. Large vats of pickles stood next to casks of soya; dribbles of the dark sauce stained the floor. Someone had forgotten to clean up.
A Flash of Water Page 20