Looking up from his textbook Edward replied with a tinge of respect, "Nothing unusual, Boss. Mr Ong was the last to leave at 11.30pm. Foot patrolman Ali reported earlier that all is well."

 "Pretty boring around here. Whaa, you're still studying your STML."

 "HTML", Edward corrected firmly.

 "Where, now?"

 "Chapter 7 : Organising and Managing a Web Site. Really shiok. Say, why don't you pick up HTML in your free time?"

Raja's eyes were affixed on Edward but his thoughts had fled elsewhere. Alerted by the question he replied, "You've got stamina, man . But like I always say, "Why stress yourself. Relax; life's good. So be good to yourself." Not one for hanging around, Raja dismissed himself with: 'I've got to go now.' He spun around and strode out of the main glass door towards the adjacent sheltered car-park.

Illuminated by the bubble-shaped wall lights above his security post comprising a desk and chair Edward resumed his personal enrichment on-the-job, literally. In the background the sound of FM98.7 from his Sanyo radio dispelled the deadness of night. Progress had been good. It was almost like reading one of those page-turner, bestseller novel; no more dreary nights. And all thanks to his nephew, Eric, who showed him a web-page. The enthralled Edward had said, 'This is powerful stuff. Just imagine how a few keystroke of instructions can produce text as well as exotic graphics; not to mention the import of sound, music and video.' That was the start of his romance with HTML and journey into the world of information technology (I.T.).

It was not without obstacles though. There were hedges of negativisms and bushes of taunts thrown-up by computer novices which had to be cleared. They sounded like these: 'People like us with 'O' level only where got hope. Might as well just be happy with what we can do. How to compete with those youngsters who are all either polytechnic or university graduates.' 'No use to study-lah. This computer stuff is only for school children to do homework and get their projects completed.' 'If I want to catch the news there is always newspaper and television. They are for real; not like cyber-news, cyber-way, cyber-whatever-else. Later you become lost in cyberspace then you know. Ha, ha, haa.'

But Edward relished the strong challenges. HTML was it. He was determined to soldier on and solder up his lack of a passion in life. Aside from hard work to quench his thirst for a deeper knowledge of computing, communications and contents for web page engineering, comforting words were creamed off and rehearsed regularly to stay on course. His favourite quotes included :

" A man's gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men." --Proverbs 18:16;and

"DARE TO DREAM
Never give up
on the dreams of your heart,
No matter how far off
they seem at the start,
For every great journey
begins with the vision
To take a step forward
and make a decision
to follow the path
of your dreams."

He got a feeling that better days were ahead when he might just attain his dream...

~ <> ~

It was a year and a half later and Edward was seated in his own office with an administrative-cum-accounts assistant. Work was piling up for Edward. But so did the cash. A year ago his boss, Raja, had taken up Edward's offer to design the company's web site. Soon after he quitted his job, registered Reliance Enterprise and like they say, 'One thing led to another.' His one-stop web site for property security services had scored well as a virtual marketplace for both buyers and sellers. Buyers benefited from having a panel of vendors to solicit price quotations via e-mail. Sellers, on the other hand, benefited from better publicity and access by potential clients. Then there were the revenue for electronic advertisements hosted from his site and fees from web site maintenance. Besides, he had started work on two new projects. One was to promote his e-commerce web site to the management of a shopping centre located along Orchard Road. The other was to set-up a virtual shopping mall for the retail merchant association of his constituency whereby its residents with purchase orders exceeding a minimum sum could have their goods delivered for free to their doorsteps.

In anticipation of new and evolving internet-based needs Edward was determined to meet some of them for both the challenge and the gains. At the same time he was thankful that his contributions to society would honour his parents more than ever. He appreciated the fact his parents never insisted that he be as successful as the next Lim or Tan. "Son, remember to remain useful to society by making the most of your talent and opportunities. Also, you must work hard always and never give up," Mr Chin would use to say. In fact, the Chins never belittled him for not completing his 'A' level as a private candidate.

Over lunch in Ah Ko by Old Chang Kee at the Golden Shoe car park, Edward and his beloved nephew discussed a good many things. "Say, Eric, any of your friends want some work during the June holidays? Could do with some help around my office. Need to enhance a number of web sites."

 "I'll look into it," Eric replied, sounding somewhat business-like.

Edward had remained grateful to Eric for opening up a new vista in his otherwise so-so life. Life to Edward before then was merely existence without the zest; just like a run-down and rumbling taxi plying those few strips of beaten and familiar roads around and about Pulau Ubin. Since his pursuit of I.T. he had been zip-zapping the information highway with ease and thrill.

 "Uncle," Eric said while munching on a turkey sandwich, "Don't you have any social life..eeerh to be more specific, don't you have a girlfriend ?"

Edward almost choked on his curry puff. "Where got the time. It would only be a waste of time anyhow. I've already found my new love in I.T. One of this day-lah Eric. But, not now."

Eric decided not to pursue the topic further but his mind kept ticking. "What are you grinning about?" asked a quizzical Edward.

Eric replied simply with, "Oh, nothing."

 "You have someone in mind, right?" said Edward sportingly.

 "Maybe, perhaps, but I'm not telling," said a jubilant Eric and he continued, "I thought you weren't interested."

 "Put it this way Eric, a good proposal is a good proposal. Coming from you, that is." Sipping his kopi 'O' with deep satisfaction Edward, after a moment of thought, said, "Wait a minute. Do you charge brokerage fee or not ?"

 "Aiyah, uncle, no need to be so formal. Your happiness is my happiness. She's just right for you."

 "Easy for you to say, Aunty. Hey, it's not like buying a T-shirt from World of Sports." Showing further interest, Edward asked, "Anyhow, is she my size or not?"

Sounding like a visionary leader, young Eric proclaimed," All this talk is of no use. We must take action. You shall see her within a week. Game?"

 "Game," Edward found himself saying nonchalantly. 

 "Let's go then. I'll call you."

~ <> ~

On the following Saturday Edward was up earlier than usual for his appointment. Eric and friend were already at the far-left corner of the patio in Delifrance, Caltex House. Taking a quick, side-view glance of her he could make out that she was medium-built and wore a white floral blouse of pastel blue mimosa and a pair of matching denim.

Eric looked up as Edward approached while she held up her head and, sensing for direction, turn her head sideway towards Edward.

 "Uncle, this is Kimberley," said Eric and continued with, "Kim, this is my uncle Edward."

She held out her hand to him and said, "Pleased to meet you. You can call me Kim."

Momentarily stunned as he faced her directly, Edward gasped within and extended his hand gingerly with a certain sense of bewilderment. He shook hands with her limply but quickly composed himself to say, "Nice to meet you, Kim." He could see her smile. A pleasant smile. Her face was smooth and her complexion fair.

They each had the tartine breakfast set of a baguette with butter and jam, and a cup of expresso. Eric was on the run though and excused himself early, half-blaming an urgent errand as the excuse. "By the way Uncle, I've told Kim that you would be seeing her home," said Eric, giving his uncle a wink and in the next instance whizzed off with a hurried 'Bye, folks'.

Edward almost blurted something with his eyebrows raised when he momentarily caught sight of Kim's calm and radiant face. Checking himself he affirmed silently, 'That's right. It would be my honour.' whereupon he took a big gulp of coffee as if to down what he had just said.

 "Eric likes you a lot," ventured Kim.

 "Really? How do you know?" 

 "He told me so."

 "How were you two acquainted?" Edward asked in as friendly a tone as he could muster.

 "Through the Samaritan of Singapore. He called the hotline before."

 "Didn't know that," said a pensive Edward.

 "Guess it's okay for me to let you on to this now. He needed help then to overcome his suicidal tendency. But, do you know what kept him going?" Pausing for effect she then continued," It was you. He said that you always take a keen interest in the goings-on of his life. Also, he admired your gusto for living it up especially after you fell in love with computer stuffs. You were once pretty run down, weren't you?"

 "You could say that again. Being a security guard at age twenty-nine can take a lot of life out of you if you see what I mean. But regarding Eric, is he alright now?"

 "He has now reconciled a thing or two and seen the light of life."

 "He hadn't mentioned it before but I am glad that he has turned around. He can be quite reserved when it comes to personal matters." Nursing the handle of his white porcelain cup Edward asked rather cautiously, "Did you say that you work at S.O.S.?"

 "Ya, for about three months now after graduating from the university. Why do you ask?"

 "Oh, nothing," said Edward unconvincingly. Changing tack Edward said, "I must say it's a real pleasure to meet up with you today. Eric didn't mention anything about you."

 "My blindness you mean?"

 "I don't mean to be rude but..." Edward hesitated as he searched for the right words.

 "It's alright I am use to it. After all I've to live with it since birth. Tell me: was it more of a shock or surprise?"

 "Surprise", Edward answered softly after a slight pause for being caught off-guard.

 "Sure?"

 "Sure."

Visibly cheerful and sounding playful, Kim gave it to him, "I've to make people eat their words sometime. It's therapeutic. Kind of brings out the best in them; makes them a nicer person."

Getting the drift, Edward chipped in, " Hey, I am a nice guy. Not a Jackie Chan's Mr. Nice Guy, but nice."

 "Who isn't ?" came her rejoinder in a mocked stern voice. "Even the baddies will submit that they are good."

 "Hey, I'm not that bad what. I don't gossip, I don't steal or ogle at girls along Orchard Road. My only vice is ..."

 "That you drink coffee!" she promptly interjected.

 "I'm impressed. How did you know?" said Edward like his head had just been shaved bald.

 "It's elementary, my dear Edward," said an exuberant Kim putting a teaspoon into a corner of her mouth in an a la Sherlock Holmes' stance.

Feeling outdone Edward managed only to mutter "Eric" under his breadth.

Seeking to redeem his ego Edward enthused, "But it's flaw to link niceties with personal health I should think."

A nonplussed Kim said firmly but gently, "No more Mr. Nice Guy then. Would you rather not fit the bill of 'Very S21' - a holistic Singaporean poised for the 21st century?"

 "Sounds good to me," Edward said. "So one will choose a healthy lifestyle, seek for a good balance in life, have a sense of passion for what one does, safeguard moral values, be courteous, neighbourly, contributing to Kindness Blossoming Everywhere..."

 "And drive a Porshe Boxer!" Kim said without hesitation (remembering a recent take on the car as reported by the newspapers in the light of embracing the knowledge-based economy here). 

 'Ya, by seizing the day and gathering the rosebuds while ye may,' Edward said speaking in more earnest now. "Looking forward to the realisation of Singapore 21, man. It's so good not to have stopped at Punggol 21 where the finer things remain within one's doorsteps for quiet enjoyment. Even then I think we will still be found wanting of that J-factor."

 "And what may that be, pray tell," probed Kim.

 "Finding joy. And beyond that, true joy."

 "Is there such a thing as true joy?"

 "Allow me: 'Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it the more it eludes you. But when you turn your attention to other things; it comes and gently sits on your shoulder.' I think we're struggling with finding happiness now. It's a wonder that we only have boot camps for quality service and team-building but not happiness. When we know what happiness is not then we may be on the road towards joy."

Sounding a trifling pique, Kim asked, "What, then, is true joy?"

 "Sorry. Can only tell you when you're ready or readied."

 "Whaa, so serious as that," said Kim with intrigue showing on her face. Continuing in half-jest she said, "Tell also cannot. Don't want to tell, don't tell lor."