The mystery of the missing Birks!!

Lightning screeched across the skyline...

An eerie mist haunted Telok Kurau Lor K that very night...

I received a call from one of my brothers. It seemed pretty urgent. I was torn in between savouring my black pepper crab and the need to rush. I chose the latter. Carrying my backpack, I left the house and said my goodbyes to the figure at the computer whom I call my "brother".

Nature did not favour me, I was left to battle the elements. She left me with no choice - I had to drive.

There hung a ominous presence as I walked toward the lift. Something was missing. I could not put my finger to it. I just knew. Something wasn't right.

My eyes shifted to the top of my shoe cupboard. It was gone.

Don't panic, I told myself, Dad must have put into the cupboard. I was optimistic, too optimistic. I swung the door open, not a glimpse of the black sandal strap. Urgency beckoned me and I left the house.

The next morning, I woke up. I was performing my ablutions and taking things slow on a sunny Saturday morning when it struck me. My birks were still missing. Questions ran to and fro in my mind. Could someone had stolen it? Was it Peggie, my neighbour? Was it the cleaner, Ganee? Why would someone want such a 'Lao Ah Peh' looking sandals? I couldn't let it go. I had to solve the mystery.

Deciding to give it another go, I searched the lift landing where I placed all my shoes. Alas, it was nowhere to be found.

I had to seek for assistance, I needed some clues. I called Pops. I had an excuse; the bucket we used for washing car was missing. I needed intel fast.

"Dad, when was the last time you saw the sandals?" I asked as calmly as I could manage.

"I didn't see it. Where did you place it?" He mused.

"On top of the newspaper, that was quite some time ago. WEdnesday?" The answer was near. I could feel it coming.

"Aiyah! Ganee must have took it la! Anything on top of the pile of papers he will clear. Quick quick, go find him..."

That was all I needed to know. I hung up, and went downstairs to look for it.

Ganee was sitting there. He was resting. I approached him.

"Hey.. Did you see the sandals on top of the newspaper?" I asked.

"Oh...that one ah..aiyah, I cleared it. Lucky you come find me. Come, come, come," Ganee signalled me to walk over.

We walked towards a shed where he kept all his cleaning equipment. There we stood peering into a small basket, presumably containing discarded items he considered valuable. From a pile of stuff, he pulled out my sandals.

The mystery was solved. My sandals recovered. Phew! And I thought I had to order another pair with the girls from church...