Going Beyond the Surface

Nicholas Teng

On the surface, Auntie Lim looked like any ordinary cleaner in a hawker centre which most of us would not even cast a second glance at. Of course I must admit that before I actually interviewed Auntie Lim, my perception was the same as that of many others.

However, I soon discovered that hidden behind that ordinary-looking exterior was a person who had an immense wealth of life experiences to share. As I talked with Auntie Lim, I realized that she is someone you can count on when the going gets tough. She does not whine about anything, instead she doggedly goes about her job with a quiet determination that would put many of us to shame.

Watching Auntie Lim work, I noticed that sweat drops rolled down her neck as she cleared the table hurriedly but meticulously. Her originally light-blue colored T-shirt turned a slightly darker shade of blue as she worked. Sweat patches dotted her back, further evidence of how hard she toiled to keep the customers happy. After cleaning up the leftover food remains from the previous customer, she did not even receive a nod of acknowledgement or a word of thanks. Instead, new customers immediately sit down, treating her like she did not even exist! I wondered how she must feel to be ignored, yet she managed to remain positive in spite of this. According to Auntie Lim, the only rest she can afford is when another colleague is available to cover her duty. Despite her strenuous daily routine, Auntie Lim maintained that the job is not too taxing for her and that she enjoys it.

From my interview with Auntie Lim, I discovered that all Auntie Lim ever wanted was to make ends meet, and yet she has to toil for long hours each day, unable to rest and enjoy her golden years pursuing what she has always wanted to do in the remaining years of her life. When we asked her about this and why she had to work so hard, you could see the unmistakable pain in her eyes. No matter how hard she tried to suppress her emotions, the shimmering tears welling up in her eyes gave her away. Beyond this façade of a determined woman trying to keep herself alive in this progressive and fast-paced metropolitan city, you can tell that she has suffered deep emotional scars in her heart which may never ever heal with the passage of time. Without any kin or kith to care for her, she has no choice but to continue to work until the day her body is unable to.

I end with a quote, “Behind every successful man is a capable woman.” Ask yourself a question, “Who is behind every capable woman?” Indeed, Auntie Lim is a capable woman but who is behind her when she most needs it? This is a question we will all do well to ponder over.

Nicholas Teng is a Secondary 2 student from Hwa Chong Institution.

The views expressed by the author represent the opinions of the author and not those of the staff and management of the Centre For Seniors.