Relationships

“How’s your tea dear”, asked Mrs Maniam. “I made it with less sugar and milk,
just the way you liked it” , she added.

“Very nice, wife. You have still got your touch. The sweet cakes are a bit bland
though”, Maniam retorted.

“That’s because the jar wasn’t shut properly!”, she starts. “I’ve told Muthu so
many times to close the jar tight after opening…that boy never listens to me”.

“Hmmmph! Muthu! That boy will be the death of me, I tell you. “Always up to
mischief” roared Maniam.

“He’s going to be sixteen in January dear. Boy’s his age are like that. Stubborn”
offered Mrs Maniam.

“Hmmmmph! I wish Vijay could take some time off from work. At least he could
put some sense into his brother. These school holidays are not good, especially
for my health! Muthu and those friends of his are always hanging around the
house doing nothing. They just play football and fool around. Why can’t they stay
at home and help their fathers or something. Or study? I just don’t understand
what’s happening to kids these days…” Maniam trailed off, grabbing the worn out
newspaper which was on the table next to him.

“Take it easy dear. You know what Doctor Halim told you the other day. Your
heart cannot be stressed. You have to relax. Ever since you retired from your job
at the Railway, you haven’t really slowed down, you know” Mrs Maniam looked
dejected.

She thought of that fateful day….

“Mrs Maniam, your husband is a lucky man. He has suffered a mild heart attack
but it could have been much worse. Thank God that your son Muthu was at
home when it happened and called the Ambulance. You have a quick thinking
son Mrs Maniam. Most people would have panicked or thought that what he was
having was merely a headache or fatigue”.

Dr Halim was a handsome Malay man in his late thirties. With his white doctor’s
overcoat and the silver rimmed spectacles, he cut a dashing figure. He also
spoke eloquently and slowly, making sure that every word was understood.




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