sqrewloose

The orange hues disappeared as the hands made 360° turns around the clock. The sunny day was gradually replaced by a still night. It was eerily quiet, not even balmy, the trees barely swaying. This is rather unusual for Wellington as most moments outdoors are spent with the wind blasting from all directions. There is a reason why my hair brush lies abandoned and rejected in the corner of my dresser. And if I may add, Mr. Wind abides by Murphy’s Law, in that you almost always receive a head wind, when you are late for some appointment and you are power-walking up a hill. It sends you walking with a 45° lean, I guess that’s what our salur separuh bulat and cerebellum interpret as the most efficient angle to gain balance and speed.

The quietness of the night lingered as the remaining people hurried along home. Actually, most people would have been home savouring dinner after a long Monday. Only a some, like the man who was walking his cute little jack russel, the lady who was heading home after a workout at the gym and the couple stepping into the fish and chips shop remained outdoors. I wonder if they noticed the unusual night.

As I soaked in the still night, my feet carried me along the now familiar route home. Dim light illuminated the intricate carving on the antique chair, while the majestic mirror peered through the glass windows, into the street. I should make it a point to visit this quaint antique shop when I have the time. The Original German Bakery bore a “CLOSED” sign, I noticed that not much old bread was left on the shelves as I suppressed thoughts of the delicious schneckenudels (cinnamon buns). Walking home at 8pm with nothing but a fruit and nut muesli bar in my belly did no good to my hunger pangs. I’ve heard that Red Tomatoes Pizzeria makes great gourmet pizzas, mental note to self- gotta try it one day. Holy Cow served Indian food I think, but the music which travels from this “restaurant downstairs” never appealed to me. Pratha 2 Go had an opposite effect though- it added to my pre-existing cravings for Malaysian mamak food.

The lady in blue overtook me, as I allowed my mind to wonder, most of the time not far from the topic of food. Then there was a blank for a moment, my brain zoned off after 12 hours of work, but snapped back into alertness as I approach the shortcut- access path to G. Street. As I turned to face the steep flight of steps going down, the blue vintage car with a soft top rolled around the bend. I wonder what the driver does in the day. I see the proud driver with a hat go past me in the mornings when I walk to work. My attention was drawn back to the steep descending cement steps. So much easier going downhill than in the opposite direction.

I recited Psalm 23. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. As if on cue, I heard a stream flow down the bank on the right, under the bridge. Even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I shall fear no evil for you are with me. I saw my shadow projected on the ground, shrinking in proportion to each step. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. As season for discipline perhaps? You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies. I saw a cat observe me from two flights of steps below. I refocused on the steps, and glanced up at the cat again, but it had disappeared. How very cat-like. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Then I scaled the 30-odd steps to an old wooden house I now call home. I caught up with flatmates over spaghetti bolognese for dinner, followed by the enviable job of taking the rubbish and recycling down to the street, in two trips. Yes a total of six times up and down those uneven steps in the span of 2 hours. Crispy dry clothes were folded and put away. Crispy dry clothes send endorphins to my hippocampus, the same way stepping on crispy autumn leaves does.

And now deeper into the quiet night, I bid it farewell as I shut my eyes and look forward to a new day tomorrow. Oh, what a blessing to be able to sleep and know that tomorrow will come!