Saturday, December 21, 2013

Call 515 : NO ENTRY

Hello Son                               (continue from Call 513)


Saturday, December 14

That afternoon, Justine and Mom went to the mall.



Dad would have reached Penang by then.



So anyway, as we were approaching the underground carpark, we saw the abovehead signboard that flashed:



 FULL    FULL    FULL







Ah, full.



We drove in. 



Are You kidding us? Of course there will be a bay for us.



With that many FULL FULL FULLs.



Ha ha.



We took our normal NO ENTRY lane ...



Chuckle.



Passing the first entrance to the mall, Mom pointed to a space beside a parked car, "Park there, Jus ..."



It wasn't a parking bay.



It was merely a small space beside a parked car.



Mom insisted, "We can park here ..."



Justine hesitated.



Mom insisted, "Just park here la ... We're late already."



We were having our facials at 3 pm.


 
Your sister reversed in to park beside the parked vehicle.



We got out of the car and checked that all other vehicles that would need to drive through whatever space is left, after our illegal parking, would be okay.



Yes -- should be okay.



Oh, there's plenty of space. 



Two elephants can easily pass through with no problem. 



We were so not blocking traffic.



We went for our facials ... 




and forgot all about the car. 



Aunty C met us at the salon and she too had her facial.



Two hours later, Mom was done. 



Justine came out of her room a few minutes later to and said, "Our car got clamped."



Teng teng teng ...



W-what?



"How do you know?" Mom asked immediately.



Your sister said, "Aunty Diana called my handphone ..."



Oh.



Mom purposely chose to keep her handphone in the locker provided for some peace and quiet during her beauty treatment.



Aunty D said there was a note on the wiper that said, pay RM100 to un-clamp.



Pause.



Really?



We'll see about that.



In her heart, Mom found herself tele-messaging you anxiously. 



What happened there, Daniel? 



What happened?



Oh, don't tell Mom You were having a facial too.



Pause.



Facial ...



Grimace.



Mom remembers all the daily facials she gave You in bed during those last months.



Last weeks.



Last days.



The very last one the morning before ...






Aunty D smsed and said there were some people at our car -- looking.



Mom felt a sudden grip of -- fear -- and was soon rushing to the car. 



Aunty C and Justine followed closely behind.



Halt. 





Quickly, she scanned her eyes over the car to check that there were no scratches on the surface. You remember right? When Grandma blocked someone's car many moons ago, the guy (probably uneducated) drew deep long lines all around her car with his car keys.



When Grandma told Mom, Mom was -- AGAHST -- as in downright upright side-to-side horrified! 



All Grandma said was, "The man is so bad ..." and then off she went to send her car for major cosmetic repairs.  



So anyway, to cut a long story short ... if that's even possible ... Mom asked the first security guard she could set her eyes on ... to release the clamp.



She gave her story ...



The guard passed her to a second guard.



Mom repeated her story.





She was sent to a third guard.



Again, her story came tumbling out.



The 4th guard came to the scene.



Before she could say "Once upon a time ...", he interrupted and said he would bring her to see his --- boss.



Boss.



Like she should --- shiver?



Her heart whispered as she followed the guard --- quite coolly --- through the mall at first, and then the stairway, and after that, some kind of maze, before ending up in a tattered-looking admin office.  



Do something, Daniel, do something.

 




The boss appeared shortly.



With down cast eyes, she sneaked a glance at the boss man and her heart kinda -- sank.



Straight into the deep blue sea.



He didn't look at all friendly.



Nor could she sense any kind of sympathy that would emerge from that non-smiling man.



This man, Daniel? You're giving Mom this man???



She suddenly felt like a ... a ... criminal. 



A criminal, who had been -- arrested.



Cringe.



He called her to "masuk" into the room, which she did ... and then told her to, "Close the door ..." which she did not.



She pretended she didn't hear the second instruction. 



Instead, she decided it was time for her Hollywood performance. 



And so, her story began -- for the 5th time. 






From once upon a time, to and then, and then, and then, and then, and then ... and then ...



And then ...



The man, unstirred, said, "To unclamp, you must pay RM100. It's the rule."



Silence.



Do You hear anything?



She didn't hear that. 



She went on -- yet again -- with all her --- and thens.






The boss put down his pen, and got up abruptly. He apparently decided he wanted to see the "situation."



Oh -- kay.



Help Daniel, help ...



We walked back to the car. 



The boss asked, "This is your car?"



Mom replied, "Yes ... You see? I'm not blocking anybody ..."



He appeared to be inspecting the surrounding, and then said that our car was blocking. 



W-what???



How could our car be blocking traffic when two elephants can pass through?



Mom was about to begin her crouching tiger hidden dragon theory when he finally said, "I'll ask my men to open the clamp ... Just do me a big favour and don't park like this again. Okay?"



Oh gosh.



She could have jumped for joy.



She did -- a little. :D



She cannot remember now how many thank yous she said.



Oh gee wow.



You were definitely there with us.



Justine and Aunty C were right there with Mom. We couldn't believe our ears.



One of the security boys came and opened up the clamp. Mom got into the seat. As she started the ignition, a car on her left drove out of its parking bay.



Justine was quick to point. 



Smile. Mom drove straight into the bay. 



As she got out, she saw the number of the bay.



26



Secret code : 4



Thanks Son. You're definitely with us, Son. 



Definitely.



Definitely.



We walked back to the mall, went up the escalator, and another escalator.



Suddenly, Justine grabbed Mom by her shoulders, and pointed her to something in front.



Mom stood -- and looked.



She saw a big banner that had the words : SALE.



Justine jerked her a little towards the right and said, "Not there! There ..."



Only then Mom saw. 



Do You see?







Her number 4.



Mom said, "Your brother is telling us that he's definitely with us ... just now." :D



Just then, Aunty C chose to walk into this lingerie boutique.



Mom happened to look up and saw this.





She nudged your sister, "See up there. Hello and 1234. 4 is clearly enlarged."



CoinciDANS, of course. :D



1234???



Thanks Son ... for making your presence felt. You were clearly with us today.



Meanwhile, Dad sent Mom a text and this picture.




Dad said that the number 24 guy was right beside him. Arm's length.



Bryant and 24.



Dad and You.



What are the chances???



See? You're also with Dad. Or maybe You wanna remind us all that both your birthdays are just round the corner. 



Dad and You share the same birthdate : December 24



Gosh, that was awesome, Son. 



Truly, everywhere we are, there You'll always be.



Keep the zaps coming, Daniel. 



Gotta go pack now.



Hugs and squeeze.






Call 514 : 47th MONTH


Thinking about You 

on your 47th month 

with JESUS and MAMA MARY 

somewhere over the rainbow.



Aunty D took the above photo of a rainbow 
over our condo one morning sometime in November. :D 


Enjoy our children's fan dance. :D





Saturday, December 14, 2013

Call 513 : ELECTRIC DREAMS

Hello Son,



This morning, Dad and Mom left the condo to go to school to pick up the vacuum cleaner. The maid was in the house doing her usual weekly chores.



So anyway, we were at school ... we got the vacuum cleaner as well as the laminating machine and sheets. Mom thought she would laminate some reading cards for use next year.



We were back in the car shortly and guess which song came on the radio to zap Mom?



1984 Karate Kid Movie.



Daniel-Son ... (character's name)



Glory of Love had just come on as Dad started the car.



The time was 8:52 am.



Decode : Forever 15 / 4



Mom had to smile. 



No matter how she looked at it, it spelt -- YOU.



Her zap moments were always -- special. :D









Mom said out loud, "Daniel-Son ... Glory of Love ..."



Dad nodded. He knows the song. 



It's um, during our time.



1984.



We drove to one of the coffee shops nearby for breakfast.






We had soft-boiled eggs, steamed bread that came with a large slab of butter and a generous amount of kaya.



Dad had coffee, whilst Mom ordered iced milk tea. 



We enjoyed our perfectly boiled soft-boiled eggs. 









Mom's only complaint is that her eggs were not hot enough.



Temperature hot.



They were just -- You know -- luke warm. 



Oh well ...



You must have heard your parents' conversation during breakfast, huh. Whether to redeem a vacuum cleaner or a ... what else what else ... from her accumulated credit card points, that would soon expire at the end of the year.



Big decision to make. :D



We were soon done with breakfast. 



Mom received a phone call. It was Teacher X. 



The time was 9:38 am.



Teacher X wanted the telephone number of the GAS man, having obviously ran out of gas. She must have been cooking presumably. Mom told her that the number is in school, however, she would swing by the shop on the way back to get the number and text her. 



"Give me 10 minutes," Mom said.



We were in the car, driving back. 



Approaching the school (the gas shop is opposite the school), Dad slowed down, before driving to the side of the road.



Dad said, "The shop is not opened yet ..."







Mom pulled out a large A4 size paper and scribbled on it.




GAS DELIVERY. 

PLEASE CALL XXX.




"Put this on the entrance so somebody will see it," Mom said as she handed her rather large note to Dad.



Dad took it and got out of the car.



Meanwhile, THE ROSE (Bette Midler) had come on several seconds before that.



She had glanced at the time when the song came on. 



It was 9:48 am.



Decode : 21



ZAP ZAP ZAP ...



Yes yes, You heard Mom.



The Rose.



Awwwwww ...



Nostalgia.



The rose that You gave Mom for Mother's Day in church when You were seven years old or thereabouts suddenly appeared in her mind as if it happened only last week.



Mom smiled ... a happy, yet sad, smile. 



Pause.



Now how do You have a happy and a sad smile at the same time?



Oh, go figure.



You made her this way.



Okay fine, alright ... maybe not You.



God -- God made her this way.



HE made her have a happy and a sad smile -- at the same time.



Blame God.



God's fault.



Pause to re-think.



Are we allowed to blame God, Son?



How does God take it when we -- blame Him?



Does He -- dismiss it -- like, casually?



Or does He take it -- personally?



He doesn't get -- angry, does He?



Or perhaps He says something -- maybe like, "My foolish, foolish child, how little you know Me ... if only you have faith as big as a mustard seed ..."



Seriously, does Jesus say this line -- like, a lot?



At the point of writing, Mom is not able to decide which of the 3 videos to upload here so she's gonna do the next best thing.



Upload all 3.



Hah.



Enjoy Son. <3


 



Lyrics






By Bette Midler.







Bette Midler (live)




Would You believe it but right after THE ROSE, a very familiar intro music came on to fill her senses.



Omg ...



You don't say ...



TOGETHER IN ELECTRIC DREAMS ...



The time was 10:52 am.



Decode : 44



ZAP ZAP ZAP ...




  



We'll always be together


However far it seems


We'll always be together


Together in Electric Dreams





Gosh, it was unbelievable.



We reached the condo just as it was coming to an end.



Oh boy ... as realization sank in.



Teacher X calling Mom for gas -- that was strange to begin with -- but it was part of the plan, wasn't it? To create a small delay -- because had we not stop at the gas shop just now, we would have definitely arrived home so much earlier and we would have definitely -- missed your message for sure.



We'll always be together.





 
Together in Electric Dreams.



Oh gosh, Daniel --- how awesome was that?



You really are with us, aren't You, Son?



You really, really are.



We reached home. 



Dad took a shower and about half an hour later, we were out again. Dad was going up north. Mom was dropping him at the train station.


  




So anyway, having dropped your father at the station, Mom was soon driving back home.



At the condo, Mom stepped in the house.



Justine immediately said, "Hey, my friend just called me Daniel Radcliff."



H-huh???



Your sister repeated, "My friend just sms-ed and called me Daniel Radcliff just as you walked in."



Mom pounced, "What time is the text?"



Justine checked her cell and replied, "11:01 am."



Omg, eleven - o - one??? 



Seriously???



Your mother inhaled deeply.



"That's 21 ..."



A reminder that -- DANIEL IS 21.



Or 21 is DANIEL.



Mom reminded, "Jus, last night (Friday) You sent me that 1234 image ..."






"Did you know that the day before Friday, on Thursday, I posted this image on the blog?"






See Call 512.



It's as if You are giving Mom a response.



Gosh.



Deep.



Very deep.



ZAP deep.



Mom told Justine about the ZAPs that morning.



"Can you imagine, two songs that came on in the car just now, were songs from 1984?"



Glory of Love ... Theme song for Karate Kid (1984).



Electric Dreams ... (1984)



Secret Code : 44 / 21



Do You see that???



Omgosh Daniel-Son.



(continue on Call 515)


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Call 512 : PASSPORT PHOTO

Hello Son,



Mom spoke to You on Sunday on Call 511.



On her last paragraph, she made an attempt to interpret the graffiti on the seat in front of her whilst in church that Sunday.



Daniel loves ...



Dad said the scribble looked like "POM."



Mom said she's sure You meant "MOM."



Chuckle. 



After mass, Dad and Mom went to IKEA to look-see, look-see.



We didn't stay long. Soon we were queuing up at the payment counter. Whilst Dad was at the Q, Mom took a short stroll over to one of the shelves displaying Christmas candles. It was on those shelves, that she soon saw a message for her.




1234.



Awwww ...



Only Mom and You (and Dad and Justine) know that that can only mean one and only one thing.



There's only 1 way


2 say


those 3 words


4 You-oo


I love You ... <3




Smile.



Thank You, Son ...



That was definitely a MOM and not a POM. 



Hah.



You sure have a way to communicate with Mom, don't You?



At the point of writing, Mom's checking her journal.



She had scribbled on Tuesday, Dec 10 :



9:47 pm ... Daniel sends his love.



Pause.



Decode : 21



That was tricky but Mom got it. Hah.



YOU.



Yes, REVENGE was on telly. Mom happened to be at the right place at the right time, and heard the right thing. One of the characters said that line.



"Daniel sends his love ..."



Omgosh ...






Mom googled for a picture of the TV show.



Oh Wow.



See the 8?



Decode : 44



Not only that but upon downloading that image, she saw it appear on her desktop with this description:





See the revenge-14?



And 82?



Secret code : 14



Two times 14.



Two times.



Take note. 



Take notice. 



Pay attention.




 
Okay, now hold the thought.



Remember the 14.



And the 21.



And the "Daniel sends his love ..."



So anyway ...






That was on Tuesday.



The next day, on Wednesday Dec 11, Dad came to pick Mom up from the condo lobby. 



You're not gonna believe this but when Mom got into the car, the immediate lyrics that came on from the radio to greet on were : 



I'll be watching You ...  (Every Breath You Take)



The time was 6:56 am.



Decode : (8) 44



Then, this evening, Justine sent this photo to Dad and Mom (WhatsApp).






She took that passport photo this afternoon ... all by herself.



Dad replied with a thumbs up.



And Mom said, "Wow ..."



Your sister text back, "RM14."



And then, "fall for you came on radio after i messaged 14 ..."



Omg ...





Justine made this video after You left us.






Justine and your friends sang this on your first anniversary.




At the point of writing, Mom just noticed the time your sister sent the photo.



6:35 pm.



Decode :14



Oh boy ... 



Oh boy ...



Oh boy ...



See the connection?



ZAP ZAP ZAP ...



At home, Mom said to your sister, "Remember the movie last night?"



Under The Mistletoe.



Dad, Mom and Justine were having dinner at Grandma's. That movie had just started. In short, there's the father, the mother and their son. They were in a car accident. The father died. As the story goes, the son is able to communicate with the father. At one point, the son asked, why he was able to see the father and his mom couldn't, and the father replied, "Because you believe ..." (something or rather)



Mom asked, "You know why Fall For You came right after you messaged 14?"



Justine nodded with a smile.



"Yes, because you believe ..." Mom said, unnecessarily.



Yes Son, we believe.



Everywhere we are, there You'll be.



And yes, Mom knows that You send your love.



Keep the zaps coming, Son ...



Near far wherever You are ...



You're right here with us somehow.