The Night Tiger

by Yangsze Choo

The night sky was sprinkled with stars and a thin crackle of music wafted into the evening air.

There was a crack in his voice, something so sad and despairing that it made me stop. I put my arms around him then, as though he was a child again. His shoulders heaved with harsh gasps as I cradled him.

These poor babies oh my gosh. Im so upset

I’m Koh Beng and I’m single.’

What an introduction, my guy

Was that love or stupidity?

I wouldn’t give myself away to some man, become one of his possessions. Not without the economic assurance of a wedding ring.

Slayyy

The sky beyond the covered walkway is powdery pink, the sun burning low between spectacular clouds that float like cream cakes.

Pretty description!

The gardener makes a little bow to the silent jungle and says something in Tamil. ‘I asked him, Sir Tiger, please do not come back,’

My legs were weak and rubbery, and I was forced to take Robert’s hand as he helped me out. Perhaps this was his routine with women, terrorizing them in his car so that they fell – literally – into his arms.

Ah Long sets a tin mug of warm Horlicks next to Ren and turns to go. He puts one hand briefly on Ren’s head. ‘Remember what I said,’ he says gruffly.

How sweet is Ah Long toward Ren :(

The darkness made it easy to say things I never would have otherwise.

‘Ren is benevolence isn’t it? Yi is righteousness, Li is ritual or order. Zhi is wisdom and Xin is faithfulness.’ Rawling counts them off on his fingers as he recites, ‘Without Li, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?’

Interesting...

Outside, the darkness has a wet green scent, as though the earth itself is exhaling.

Love this expression. It just makes sense!

‘What did you preserve it in?’ asks William patiently. He needs to know as he’ll have to change the fixative. ‘Johnnie Walker, Tuan.’

The whiskey... This feels so mellow and the comparison between each different lived life...

I felt like kicking myself – what was the point of hiding only to be run over by him five minutes later?

Ren is happy. Very happy. She sits next to him,

‘Are you a relative?’ she’d asked. ‘No. Why?’ I said anxiously. Her eyes darted past me uncomfortably. ‘Well, if you know any of his relatives, tell them to come and visit. Soon.’

Stop this is so sad

Please, I thought, I’ll never eat another steamed bun again.

She gets stuck and this is what she is worried about.... Hahs

It was a pretty ride through the low and pleasant town, with its white colonial buildings and shophouses, and great angsana trees in bloom, their golden petals drifting like showers.

The whole house misses Ren.

Hesitantly, Ren takes out the vial of liquid that Lydia gave him. Stomach medicine, she’d said. Very mild. I take it myself.

NOOOO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ren doesn’t have the heart to rejoice, either, despite the fact he, too, is mentioned. There’s a scholarship fund for Ren to go to school,

HIS DREAM TO STUDY.... Please

‘Boy, stay with me,’ says Ah Long, in his gruff broken English. ‘I find another job.’ Ren stares at him, astonished. Ah Long has never said anything to him about this, but there’s a warm feeling in his stomach.

PLEASEEEE