THE TRINKLET

He showed the peace sign as I captured him on my mobile phone. He was perhaps telling me that he was at peace with himself despite his challenges. His right hand hanged lifeless and he has limited use of his legs. He told me he can walk, albeit slowly, with the aid of a walking stick. I was at KL Sentral, waiting for the Komuter to return home. I missed the earlier train by a minute and had a 20mins wait. I looked for a bookstore and was browsing through the headlines of the days' newspapers. Then I noticed him, and he noticed me. He smiled. I returned his smile. With his left hand, he was making effort to open his zipped bag. I was observing him and he knew I was observing him. Inside his bag I could see little trinklets wrapped in plastic. He quickly offered me one, perhaps afraid that I would make a quick exit. "Berapa?". "5 ringgit encik". I did not hesitate. I took out a red note and he understood my gesture.

His next move was a surprise. He grabbed my hand and asked me to come close to him. His "only" left hand was strong. "Encik, tolong letak muka encik dekat dengan muka saya. Saya mahu cium encik". He kissed my cheek. I was sure the crowd was looking but I did not care. Here was a man, probably dying to give love to someone. Here was a man also dying to talk someone.

His next move suprised me even more. "Encik, tolong cium pipi saya". I did. The first time I ever kissed a man....on the cheek. Here is someone dying for some closeness with another human.

His name is Kim Wai. Born in Teluk Intan 40 years ago. At age 11, he was knocked down by a car, his right side now semi-paralysed. 4 in the family, parents still living in Teluk Intan.

Kim Wai lived alone in a rented place in Bandar Sg Long. His address 23A, Jalan 6/2.