just minishorts.

June's the first month in the year that I do not have to attend a wedding. But that doesn't spare me from the pestering question. Oh you know, the aunts, and the uncles, and the cousins, they're talking about it… and they're asking.

Remember when you were younger, maybe 10 or 11 or so, when you'd call your mother's sisters or brothers to say hello? And they'd ask you simple questions, like, 'How's school?' or 'Have you done your homework?' or 'When are you coming back to the kampung?'

Things don't change much as time flies. I still call home, and my aunt asks questions like, 'How's work?' and 'Have you completed your latest project?' and 'When are you coming back?' AND 'Are you bringing him with you?'

Two years ago I resigned to the fact that this annoying question about marriage will be a permanent guest till the day I actually do the honourable thing. I told my aunt, 'I might. Depends on whether he's got work or not.'

'You're going to bring this one back, then? You should you know? Put a little pressure on it, see if he's serious.'
'AIYOH…'
'HAHAHAHA Standard lah this question. You're going to get it until the big day comes.'
'AUNTIE!!'
'It's true, yah! I know you hate the question. But I just like to ask it.'
'Like that I'm not going to get married, ever. So stop asking.'
'CHEH! Don't talk nonsense there. Oh yeah, your elder cousin's getting the question too.'

She is? But she's married! She just got married last year.

'Married adi still have expectations to live up to, you know?'
'Like?'
'HAHAHAHA I tell you the story. We were on holiday, in Penang. And then you know lah, the big P arrived for your cousin. So funny, I tell you hahahah.'
'What's so funny?'
'Oh your cousin, she forgot to bring the essentials. We were at a Coffee Bean, and then halfway through coffee she sped off to the ladies, and when she came back, she said that she needed to go to a pharmacy or a kedai runcit to get some Whispers.'
'And then and then?'
'Hah her mother, your tai-yi lah, was so upset, she shouted so loud everyone looked up at her, "OH MY GOD! YOU'RE STILL USING WHISPER! OH GOD, WHY WHY WHY?!"…you get what I mean?'

To be honest, I didn't find it all that funny, what's this with Chinese families putting pressure on their daughters to perform the traditional duties. But, it was so silly I just HAD to laugh just to humour my aunt.

'So, dear girl,' my aunt continued. 'When this question 'when are you getting married' is finally answered, that's just not the end of it, okay? Just like your cousin, you're going to get another question, and that's FAR MORE DIFFICULT to handle hehe.'