Sunday, April 15, 2007 | 7:44 AM
' next stop, Aljunied ' there goes the battle alarm. silently she prepares herself.
once out, her footsteps are steady,1-2, 1-2.
the same road to trod, every night, fraught with dangers.
the ceaseless traffic is the least of her worries. she learnt, from young, and from brisk encounters that almost took her.
its the men. sometimes in gangs, some alone.
they stare.
we all know what they want in the back of their minds.
rich or poor, black or white.
all so sex deprived. and all too desperate.
sometimes they hold beer bottles. you never know what they ll do.
they can see her fear. she tries so hard not to tremble, so she picks up the pace.
the last alley home. the darkest one. sometimes they lurk in the dark. they stalk, and enjoy the hunt. in geylang, only the men smile.
she knows its only safe past the gates. but u can never be too sure.
only at home, she catches her breath. buries her head in her arms and hopes no one sees the tears.
its worse when no one else is home. but even if they are, they are indifferent.
only by grace did she make it thru, only by the protection of the Spirit did is she safe tonight.
and she wonders abt the next night. more so, she fears it.
