10

Shi Hui's school has ended, she took her usual route home. On the way, she wanted to drop by her mum's workplace and say hi to her. By then, she was already reaching home.

"Aiya, mummy is at which one huh?" There were two gas stations and her mum was often scheduled at different stations, on different days. Then again, Shi Hui was never good in remembering dates and times.

"Never mind," She thought to herself. "I will go to the one near home". Thus, she made a trip over.

Much to her disappointment, her mum was at the other one. As Shi Hui was comtemplating whether to walk all the way to the other one. a man approached her.

"Eh, ah girl ah, you alone ah?"

"Huh?" Shi Hui was caught off guard. She never knew what to say in front of strangers, unlike her mum.

The man started to get closer, and Shi Hui could smell cardboard smell off him. He placed his hand over her shoulder and drew her closer to him. Her mind went blank.

"Where you stay ah girl?"

"202"

"Oh, so near Uncle ar, come la! Uncle house got sweet, lots of food"

As they took the steps up, Shi Hui could started to think again.

"I must ask my Pa Pa first. He say ok then I come"

Shi Hui then took off, pushing the man's hand off her breast.

When she got home, she was crying. She stood in front of the gates and tried to get it open.
Her dad appeared,

"What happen? Why come back only cry?"

"Pa pa... Got man touch me...." She could only continue in tears.

"HUH?! Who? Who?" Again, strings of vulgarities filled the neighbourhood. He pulled Shi Hui's hand and dragged her downstairs.

"WHERE? Where is that *&%$?!" He asked.

"I don't know."

"Aiya, you what also don't know!"

He continued to walk around and kept asking if she spotted that man. Reluctantly, he gave up after Shi Hui said she needed to use the bathroom.

Hours later, her mum got home. Her dad explained everything to her. She felt her face burning with shame, tears were beginning to sprout again.

"Girl, why you scared? (Her dad nodded in agreement) Next time, aim here!" With that proclaimation, she jabbed at his groin, which caused her dad to howl in pain. Her mum laughed loudly, and Shi Hui started to join in.

Her mum walked over to her, hugged and kissed her, said,

"Thank Guan yin niang niang ah, you still clever girl, know how to ask for permission. That's why the smelly man ran away."

"Very pain lei!!" Her dad shouted at her mum. She walked back out and continued to jab him while her dad dodge with repeated "oei!" Now, tears of shame became tears of joy for Shi Hui.

That was the only time, Shi Hui looked up to her father.