Mothers' Little Helpers

Sugi popping over briefly to the morning table at Al Wadi. Busy free day for the young woman. After last week's hiatus at the Paya Lebar site because of some "black magic" problem—one of the girls in the partnership practicing and ructions resulting it seemed—the crew were back at both locations with their illegal bakso trade. By the river at the MRT station and here by the Plaza where they had first trialled their enterprise. Good earnings thus far; and the prospects for Hari Raya Haji tomorrow, the minor hajj, promised even better.

         At Sug's new employers all was well. The only problem cropped up was the late returns from dinner outings while the new mother's parents were visiting. Sug had told the employers, a French woman and her New Zealand husband, that there was no need to take the little 2-3 week old infant with them. She would look after him at home herself, not a problem. Now however they were taking unfair advantage of the offer and returning home round midnight, when Sug needed to get up early.

         The young, first-time mother had found getting her new-born to sleep difficult and would enlist her maid's help, saying, — Do your magic on him, Sugi.

         The service Sug provided was entirely under-estimated by the maid herself, as usual. Wasn't that all normal and natural in her position as a paid Domestic? (Coming from their villages to the big, bright city, the maids all displayed the same diffidence.)

         A Filipina Helper was currently before the courts over violence against a young child in her care. The parents concerned had dismissed the bruises and welts in this case and the girl was only discovered when she was filmed somehow and the scenes posted on Facebook.

         Meanwhile another report on the matter of pool access at the condos. Many of the condos refused access to the pools for domestic workers. The problem however being the danger of unsupervised youngsters in the water. Without lifeguards who would be responsible in the case of mishap? Perhaps it was safer after all to allow the foreign maids to share the water with those natives who had earned the right.

         And then finally, a live demonstration at an Al Wadi table directly in front not long after Sugi had departed for the bakso trade.

         A threesome sitting at table now that was not easy to judge immediately, even for a practiced observer.

         Two twenty-something Malays opposite each other, husband and wife no doubt.

         Scarved, bespectacled, heavily made-up the latter; pregnant it appeared beneath the table.

         Beside this young wife, mother-soon-to-be, an Indon with Chinese aspect was sitting close, without scarf in her case. A good, obedient schoolgirl-type, kindly and reliable.

         Marginally younger this lass and good vibrations between the pair of women. Confidants most likely, with rhythms and sympathies well-attuned.

         It was always refreshing to witness warm regard, consideration and fellow-feeling, whether in the case of lovers, family or friends.

         The impression here was so strong it made one wonder.

         To the conventional Malay garb of the one, the other contrasted clean white Levis tee. A shared, even poise, eating together from common plates and at complete liberty.

         School-friends were they? Neighbours? Something other? They were not sisters.

         Only toward the end of breakfast was the position finally made clear.

         When the pregnant wife—confirmed on departure—raised the plate before her in order to put it aside out of the way, her companion immediately sprung into action.

         Quickly the hand was out and landed on the plate; with the added force and the other's resistance, risen on high.

         Let me do that for you. 

         No need, no need.

         The wife hoisted the item safely away on her side.

         This lucky maid had won herself a good, not to say brilliant position, heartening to see. All the reports of dreadful treatment of the girls in Singapore was certainly not the whole story.

         All would be blessed in this household; mutual respect, harmony and hardship fairly shared.

         The mother when her time came could be assured of valuable aid for her baby, without shadow of doubt.