​Lunchtime. 

Kawan: Nwar… hari ini engkau hendak makan apa?

Aku: Aku tidak tahu. Aku tidak rasa hendak makan apa-apa hari ini.

Kawan: Tidak lapar eh?

Aku: Not so.

Kawan: Time makan kena makan.

Aku: Engkau hendak makan apa?

Kawan: Apa-apa yang ada lah.. tidak cerewet. Engkau kalau hendak makan epok-epok, engkau beli dekat mana?

Aku: Old Chang Kee.

Kawan: Kalau Nasi Lemak?

Aku: Qiji. Dulu ada Ananas.

Kawan: Kalau nasi dengan lauk?

Aku: Yong Tau Foo. 

Kawan: Kalau nasi ayam?

Aku: Foodcourt. Bagus ke Cantine ke MyKampung ke.

Kawan: Engkau makan makanan Melayu bukan dekat kedai Melayu.

Aku: Kadang-kadang aku hendak juga makan nasi dengan lauk-lauk Melayu. Tapi….

Kawan: Ok hari ini engkau sapot kedai Melayu pula ok?

Aku: Hmmm… mana?

Kawan: Hendak makan nasi dengan lauk kan? Pergi kedai nasi padang sahaja.

Aku: Ok.


Kita pun berjalan ke arah kedai nasi padang. 


Makcik: Ya hendak apa anak?

Aku: Nasi. Makan.


Makcik pun cedok nasi.


Makcik: Letak apa?


Aku tidak selera makan sangat hari ini. 


Aku: Hmm… letak ayam goreng dengan sayur kangkung.

Makcik: Kuah?

Aku: Asam pedas.

Makcik: Lagi?

Aku: Itu sahaja.

Makcik: Sambal hendak?

Aku: Sambal belacan boleh.


Makcik bawa pinggan aku ke meja pembayaran. 


Aku: Berapa?

Makcik: Tujuh ratus lapan puluh empat ribu dua ratus tiga puluh sembilan ringgit enam puluh empat sen.

Aku: Terima kasih.


Aku bawa pinggan aku yang berisi nasi kuah asam pedas, kepak ayam gorend dan kangkung bersama sambal belacan duduk di meja makan. Aku teringat emak aku pernah cakap, dulu-dulu, kangkung boleh petik tepi longkang.


Kawan: Sedap?

Aku: Sedap. 

Kawan: Besok hendak makan apa?



Tags : The Short Story Series

I find it funny every time I hear people say "East Side, Best Side". It's just funny. Unlike "West", east doesn't even rhyme with "Best". But then again, whatever rocks your boat. 

I spent about 17 years in the east. Long enough to know how the place is like. I first spent my time there in the mid 1990s. Back when there were no smartphones, no accessible internet and only 2 MRT lines. At that time I have already realised that the east is different from where I was from. 

What is the difference? It is hot. It was already hot then. It is even hotter now. 

I remember telling the people around me when I said that the east is hot. Hotter than other parts of Singapore. But they always say that Singapore is too small to have any climate difference. But I noticed. Even the natural vegetation is different. I didn't understand why no one noticed the difference in the vegetation. And since there were no internet to back me up, no one believed me.

But yes, I have always realise that the east is hot. Now that I am away from the area, I really do not mind not going there again. Actually, I avoid the east as much as I can.

You can say that the east is the best side, but I have to say that the west is "cooler". Literally.

I knew that the there is a hilly range in the west and I believed that could be the reason. Obviously the natural vegetation is different too. 

"Generally, there is much more rainfall on the western side of the island than on the eastern portion of Singapore, owing to a rain shadow effect.

Thus, the eastern side of Singapore is much drier and slightly hotter than western Singapore. This can cause slight weather disparities from one side of the island to the other. This is significant to note because even a small hill such as Bukit Timah Hill can cause this phenomenon. Despite Singapore's small size, there may be sunshine on one side while there is rain on the other. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Singapore

So yes, the west side is cooler. 

But I will not stop here. I will still not go to the west. Every time I ride home, I will always notice the difference in temperature. And here is what I can find to back me up.

"Coolest – Northern region

We’ve always believed that the West side is the coolest side in Singapore because of the constant East-West comparisons.

But little did we know that folks up in the North have the last laugh because their region is the one holding this unofficial title."

https://mustsharenews.com/geneco-regions-hottest/

So easterners and westerners, you all can debate all you want in deciding which side is the best side. 
East side best side? Ok.....
West side best side? Cool....

Northside? Coolest. 

Categories: The General Knowledge Series
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