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Friday, May 6, 2022

“Aikido?” Jessica blasts out a giggle. “What can aikido do in street-fighting?”


Jessica probes Hussein’s face with a questioning gaze. “Where’s Chow Kah?”

Hussein gulps a swallow of his Bir Bintang, his Adam's apple jerking in his throat. “Attending aikido classes,” he replies, putting the glass back down with a clunk. “For self-defence and greater confidence, according to him!”

Wati tops up his mug, the frothy rise of beer tumbling over the edge before slithering into a puddle on the coffee table.

Jessica’s eyebrows go up. “That’s useless!” Then they come down and she chuckles. “Do an Internet search for top five useless martial arts and aikido will always be on the list!”

The door of the KTV swings open and Chow Kah walks in, his face bruised, his nose bloodied.

Jerking up straight, shocked-eyed Wati asks, “What happened?”  Her shock edges into a sympathetic wince.

Chow Kah fingers his bruises and pauses to take a deep swallow of air. “I was mugged while walking to my car after my aikido lesson.” He staggers to sit on the settee beside Jessica.

A choked laugh breaks from Hussein’s throat. “What other martial art is often ranked as among the useless?”

“Tai chi,” says Jessica with a firm tone.

 /end

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