1st November, a day that I had been looking forward to had finally arrived. Planned months before, this was the day that some of us BPES-ians Class of 70 had earmarked to visit Mr Kanda at his home in Johor Baru.
Leaving my house at 7.30am, under a sudden downpour, I had this feeling of boyish excitement and a tinge of apprehension. Excited, because I was going to see my ex classmates, my teachers Mr Chow and Mr Kanda, after 38 years, when we parted as PSLE graduates. Apprehension, because I really did not know what to expect or how to react.
I reached the meeting point, Kranji MRT Station, at 9am. Moving around the station, I soon realized that I was the first person there. It was only when a voice, I distinctly recognized from the past, called out my name did I realize that I was not the early bird. Mr Chow was there earlier than me and spotted me checking out the place. Yes, he sounds and does look like the same Pri 5 and 6 form teacher of mine, packaged with a bit more flesh around the tummy, white hair plus the wrinkles that father time has bestowed on him. I was happy to see him and felt special that he could still remember me after all those years. Soon the rest of the gang, Sien Chi, Bala, Janet, Kim Chuan and Way Seng arrived. Bon Hian had prearranged to meet us at Mr Kanda’s house in the late morning. It was a feeling of joy that I can’t ever recall having felt all my half a century of life. We set off in 2 cars driven by Bala and Sien Chi.
A slight jam at the Woodlands custom did not dampen our spirits. Soon enough we were outside Mr Kanda’s house, which looked grand situated among a few rundown, burgled, bare skeleton of houses. Mr Kanda with his big smile together with his wife and son gave us a hearty welcome. Yes, after all these years, I was so happy to see the one teacher who actually carried me home when I was twelve due to sprained ankle.
Mrs Kanda, proudly brought out the Deepavali Goodies and yes, they tasted as good as they looked. Sitting in the hall, we took turns to spill out our experiences, stories and recollections of those wonderful years that we had all experienced at BPES. Of course, the one who took centrestage occupying most of the talking was none other than Sien Chi. Hmmm, I can’t recall if he was like that back then. Mr Kanda also highlighted the lawlessness in his neighbourhood which has seen “self proclaimed owners” who turn up in broad daylight at houses left unoccupied over a period of time and strip the houses of anything that is of value such as iron gate, railings, doors, windows etc.
Mr Kanda and his son, proudly showed us the replica car models which were displayed in the many glass cabinets. His collectables numbering in the hundreds, were the end product of his passion for cars since his “young days’ at BPES. Like father like son, the saying goes as his son also followed in his footsteps in not only becoming a teacher but also in his hobby of collecting models of spaceships. Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, Babylon 5 and other figurines etc were carefully placed in an unused room securely padlocked. In my view, there is more treasure here than what the thieves made off looting from the unoccupied houses.
Bon Hian made it to the house eventually around 11.30am, after indulging in a game of golf in one of those golf courses in Johore. Bala introduced me to Bon as another of Kanda’s son. Looking perplexed but accepting the intro, Bon shook my hand. It was laughter all around when he was given the real scenario. So much to share and in so little time.
It was now time for lunch and Mr Kanda brought us to an Indian Restaurant. Mrs Kanda, Sien Chi and myself were the only ones to use hands to eat from the banana leaf lunch feast. After all the reminiscing of years gone by, it was a fitting end filling up our stomach with the sumptuous Indian food.
It was with handshakes and warm hugs that we parted. The genuine hospitality and warmth we had experienced was indeed an experience not to be forgotten. I am really glad that I had this wonderful opportunity to catch up with not only my schoolmates of old but also having had the occasion graced by the presence of the teachers.
- Seezer Paulose
P.S
As we were about to leave, we noticed that Kanda's car was sliding towards the deep drain in trying to move off, as he had parked on the slippery grass patch beside the road.
Without hesitation, the 4 of us, able-bodied young 50-year-olds (Sien Chi, Way Seng, Kim Chuan and yours truly) helped pushed his car onto the road surface and saw him drove off before making our own way home to Singapore.
- Bon
Eight of our friends visited Mr and Mrs Kanda on 1 November, during the Deepavali week....
1 comment:
Dear Seniors (I'm also an ex-pupil of BPES, class of 1980s),
How about another gathering? BPPS is celebrating it's 80th anniversary with a dinner at Senja-Cashew CC. You can purchase the dinner tickets from the school general office and more details is found on http://www.bukitpanjangpri.moe.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1096344
I have returned to serve in my alma mater and my son is continuing the family tradition of studying in BPPS. It has been very heart-warming to read your blog and I hope that you will be able to join us in the celebration. You can contact me at kristin_heng@moe.edu.sg for any clarification or further information.
Warm regards,
Kristin
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