Parents | I'm Dad's Trustee

Mom at McDonald's in Admiralty MRT station

Happy faces all around while we made our way to the Kopitiam cafeteria for brunch. The day was great so Mom decided to sit outside.

I received a call from my elder sister asking about Dad's condition. She was also relieved to hear the good news.

Mom had Nasi Beryani Ayam, Chicken Curry Rice of North Indian origin while Dad and I had Nasi Padang, Mixed Rice of Sumatran, Indonesia origin.

While eating, we had a family of 4 Mynah birds asking us for food. A mother and father with their 2 noisy chicks chirping for food.

Quite extraordinary though, two chicks instead of the normal one, and quite tamed for wild birds as the birds came real close to us.

We secretly tossed some rice and the birds lapped it up fast. Did that several times until the birds had their fill and flew away.

Interesting lunch time crowd.

Part 2

After our meal, we sipped coffee. Dad's tone turned serious-like. He reminded me of his intention he announced to the family just before he was wheeled away to the OT.

He had intended for my name to be included as second to his and Mom's bank book each. He wants to avoid any complication that may arise if any of them were no longer around.

I obliged sincerely, but reminded them that all my brothers and sisters must be aware to avoid any misunderstandings between siblings later on. They both have already reminded all their children of this and they respected their decision.

Until now, I have yet to realize how big a responsibility this is. But am honoured that the trust and faith both of them have in me.

Mom had hers done first at POSB branch within SGH itself. It sure saved us a trip.

The procedure caught me by surprise though.

The bank teller had to question my Mom and required her reply - that she understood what she was doing. Implying that Mom was enabling me to get access to her savings!

Mom replied an embarrassing yet honest answer. She told the teller that her son has more money in his bank account than she hoped to have.

The lady smiled as she nodded and apologized to me. She was carrying out her job and its her duty to be sure.

Dad was at the pharmacy so he missed the routine question. I turned down a standard issue of an ATM card for myself and told Mom to keep her bank book for her use.

This way I will have no access to her savings, for my sake.

Once done, we headed to Causeway Point Shopping Centre. Mom finally found her ideal Tefal cooking pot with the non-stick inner layer.

She wants to limit the amount of cooking oil and avoid crusts from forming too. She got hers for S$23.00 at Metro.

We next headed to Admiralty MRT Station for UOB Bank. There the same routine was done, but this time I was prepared for the implied questioning.

A new bank book had to be issued, so it had to take 20 minutes to get processed.

We headed to McDonald's to have our break. Hot Milo for Mom and Dad, a Coke for me and a large fries share between us 3.

Received a second call. This time from my youngest brother wanting to know Dad's condition. He was delighted too to hear the good news and planned to visit them that evening.

More Kampong days stories, but most importantly the principles they stood by through hard times were explained to me. Their views on certain matters and why they do things a certain way. I learnt a lot about them in the most unlikely place - a fast food joint.

All that chatting made us forget about the time. We returned to the bank 35 minutes later and collected Dad's new bank book. Again, no ATM card for me and Dad to hold onto his book.

Back to my parents place and they gave me a surprise desert - Serawa Durian, a sweet durian syrup in glutinous rice, a traditional Malay desert that is very hard to come by nowadays. I have not known any food stall in Singapore sells this desert.

I turned down a second helping, but surrepticiously slurping the last few drops off the bowl. It was sinfully delicious! They packed some to bring home for my wife and son too.

4:oopm and was my time to leave. Both were at the door waving good bye to me until I turned the corner and down the stairwell.

Its their trademark to all their children that leaves you feeling nice and warm inside every time you bid them farewell.

It is the same way I emulate when guests leave our home. The same hospitality shown. Good habits die hard, and I can say that again.