7 days to christmas – gold rings

Written & designed by: Ng Le Kang (23-I2)

Sitting at the vanity table, Anita combed her hair once more. It has been a long time since she last dressed so elegantly: an ivory gown with exquisite gold lace patterns, a giant pearl necklace, and a pair of gold studded earrings. It was a resplendent outfit, though a bit far too pompous for her liking. Having lived past her sixties, she had long left her days of being a ravishing beauty, and settled for being a grandma fit as a bull. She has not since dared to go near a dress, let alone a full blown gown. As she pinned up her wavy locks into a loose bun, she scrutinised each wrinkle found on her face, and let out a long sigh. The makeup was indeed impressive, but she knew deep down, behind this opulence, lay a wilting flower past her prime. 

‘Ma, don’t worry too much, you look really good. You don’t even look like you're in your seventies.’ Grace gripped Anita’s shoulders assuringly.

‘Aiyah, I’m not worried about how I look, it’s just waste money, all this’ as she looked disapprovingly at her outfit ‘Aiyo what's the point it's not like I haven’t been married to your Pa for fifty years. Waste money.’ Her creases showed through the thick slab of makeup which Amy had put on.

‘Ma, precisely, it’s fifty years, it’s your golden anniversary.’ Nicole shouted from the other side of the dressing room while putting on her crystal earrings.

‘Yes, It’s Once. In. A. Lifetime.’ Amy hollered whilst putting on mascara.

‘Ah girl, you don’t understand, we’ve been together for so long already, no need for this. We know better than that.’

‘Ma, be glad it’s just dinner within the family. We wanted to invite your whole kampung ok.’ Summer giggled as she tied a ribbon to her hair.

‘Aiyo, don't make fun of my kampung.’ Anita chuckled, while her daughters gave a hearty assent.

‘Hurry get ready, we need go soon, don’t be late. Miss the auspicious hour.’ Anita shouted at her girls while she hurriedly scrambled around for the finishing touches, before collecting herself at the door and putting on the pair of pearl white flats embellished with silk ribbons to finish her outfit.

💍

It was the first time since forever that Anita and Ronald have had to  dress so formally. Fifty years into their marriage, they have been gifted with 4 beautiful daughters, of which 3 have married. Their youngest daughter, Nicole’s marriage, has been constantly on their mind. Until today. For Ronald had learnt that Edward would be proposing to her at their anniversary’s jubilee. As he adjusted his tie in front of the lounge mirror near the restaurant they were to eat at, he played at the thought of Anita’s reaction on finding out about their marriage, and was secretly pleased to have been let in on this before his wife.

On approaching the restaurant with his son-in-laws, he gave them an assertive smile, happy to have such a complete family. He suddenly retreated from the group, on the excuse of going to the toilet, before pacing anxiously outside of the toilet, hands clenching tightly onto his right pocket. He tries to smile, but instead summons a tensed face. He must walk back calmly, he repeats. He will not allow himself to show such nervousness to his sons, his daughters, and his wife. He stares into his silver watch. He takes a deep breath. He walks back composedly, as his polished dress shoes occasionally gave away an irregular creak.

💍

Everything must go perfectly according to plan today. Nicole murmurs to herself. She has seen how nervous both Ma and Pa have been, despite them both being so nonchalant. She knows how much they love each other, and she is determined to make this a once in a lifetime celebration. Today, on the 18 December, their fiftieth wedding anniversary, she will finally make them express their love for each other, this silent love that they have been carrying on their wearied backs for years. 

She wants both her Ma and Pa to truly live again, having dedicated their whole fifty years caring for this family tirelessly. She wants them to see how capable they have all turned out to be, how successful and fulfilled their lives are, and let them finally shrink their hearts and unload this taxing love. She called up the waiter. Is the cake on standby? Have you got all the dishes right? Do you know what music to play when the cake enters?

Back in the restaurant's function room, she watches Pa intently. Pa, when will you be ready. Pa, give me the signal and the cake will come and the music will sound. She waits impatiently as she stirs her soup mindlessly. She sees Grace eyeing the drumstick. Not today, she tells herself. She hears the cries of Summer’s child. Hush, hush. Good boy. Amy walks back from the toilet. Not yet? She calls Ma. 

Is the food ok? 

Too expensive. But it's not bad. Not too sweet.

They are on desserts already. What is Pa waiting for? She gets ready to stand up to encourage her Pa, when from beside her she feels a tap on her shoulders. A thud. She turns around.

💍

He can still recall the first time they met. He was reading his book, when they collided head first into each other. His papers flew everywhere, and his watch was inconveniently smashed and rendered broken. She hurriedly stacks all his papers together, shouting ‘I will compensate I promise.’ before scrambling away.

The new watch indeed came a few days later. She came with a bag, and she apologises deeply, bowing her head several times for the mess and haphazardly tries to explain her mistake. It's her family. Something was wrong. He tells her it's ok. Really? Really. She passes him the bag. She walks away, turning behind every few steps. He smiles. He opens the bag and finds a new silver watch, along with a piece of paper with her name, her address, and a note saying: if you ever need help. The rest is history.

He downs a glass, before mustering the courage to reach into his pocket with his right hand, tapping her shoulders with his left, and going down on one knee.

‘Will you marry me?’ She freezes. The room is silent. 

She collapses back onto her chair as she starts crying. It takes moments before she finally composes herself to say, I do, then crying again. The rest is the future.

💍

‘Mei, our children are all grown up.’ It has been so long since Ronald has called her by her maiden name. Anita blushed imperceptibly.

‘Yes, and finally all going to be married.’

They settle down on the sofa in their living room.

A pause.

‘I have something for you’ Ronald reaches into his pocket to pull out a pair of gold rings ‘For our fiftieth anniversary, I wanted to pass it to you at the restaurant, but…’

‘I know, you want them to have their moment.’

‘Yes. The ring…’ He passed her hers.

‘It’s…lovely.’

‘You too.’ Ronald whispered.

‘Huh?’

‘Nothing.’

‘The outfit, the suit…it's nice, matches the watch I gave you.’

A pause. Bashful smiles.

‘Let's put on the rings.’ 

As they quietly put on this pair of golden rings, Anita slowly leaned onto Ronald’s shoulder. Ronald pulls Anita into an embrace, feeling the deepening wrinkles on her hands.

‘We are growing old.’

‘Yes. We are.’ 

They silently watch the full moon caress the city with her gentle silvery sheen. Snow swirls gracefully down from the skies as the city quietens, and enters her slumber.