56 3.13- Sunday... Makan Sutra Time!

Sunday, 14th May 1995

10:30 am

It's a Sunday so I decided to lie in bed after the alarm had long gone. Futsal is rather a strenuous sport because not only you need to use your legs to make bursts sprints, but also your arms and basically speaking your whole freaking body. Omagai...! I wish I shouldn't have stayed up a little last night and have to be awake to shut off the darn alarm at 7 am.

Akira had sent me an SMS earlier that she would be meeting at Ozone Station today at 5 pm as she normally visits her nearest relative during the weekends. "Well, 5 pm is still a long way to go," I thought as I stretched lazily on the bed. I wonder if the landlord serves instant ramen or else I would have to find my other sources of food elsewhere.

It was close to 1 pm before I decided to take a short cold shower and hunt for some food as my stomach rumbles as a show for compelling of food... Major food! Hmm, back in my time I'd just pop into the nearest 7-11 for a short pick-me-up hot sandwich or burger, maybe I'd just do that today.

There's a 7-11 convenience store nearby here right across the Kachigawa Kita Hospital so I walked gingerly there which was just a few minutes walk. Yesterday after the Championships, as promised to Akira, I had transferred the amount to her bank account through the neat interbanking facility from my mobile phone.

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So after draining so many funds from my account, I still have quite a considerable amount to lasts me till month end since the remuneration package from the President of Sports Committee would take some days to be finalised and the amount be transferred to my account and others.

Akira mentioned that she would be going to some bookstores nearby such as BOOKOFF's as well GEO's to look for used paperback novels like she did in the past. Even though the books were preloved, but the condition of the books was very well-thumbed and the covers seemed immaculate unlike some used books sold at the roadside vendor.

Although the prices were hundreds of yen off from the likes of Kinokuniya's, there was sometimes a gem hidden among the piles of dirt so one has to patiently browse through thousand of paperbacks as they were not categorised under the particular section. Just books and books galore.

I grabbed a sandwich from the 7-11 store and walked down the street munching as I went. It's a Sunday so basically, a lot of families were out and about with their little families to go to parks, historical places and restaurant-hopping for those couples and singles like me... *ahem* that's what I am right now, single and unattached.

So now I was doing something like the latter, restaurant-hopping as I munched on the last part of my sandwich and smacked my lips and licked my fingers as I noticed an announcement banner of a Singaporean Restaurant that had recently opened within the Ozone District.

The banner was well weathered and the edges seemed to have frayed a bit. V-shaped cuts were made on the banner to let the wind through it if flapped much in the wind and to sort of reduce wind resistance and tear the banner in pieces in case of heavy winds.

"Hmm, I love anything Singaporean especially the food. There's so many flavours and fusion of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Thai and Western in their menus as stated in their announcement banner. Wouldn't hurt my pocket much to try some of the dishes there... Yummy... "

I looked up the address and locked in memory as I boarded the train from Kachigawa and heads down to Ozone Station which was only 2 stops away. Ahhh... Living in urban Japan is really a convenience especially the transportation system. You could go anywhere in minutes with their connecting transportation and it is rather timely too.

I sent an SMS to Akira and asking how she was doing and I can't help reminiscing last night on what happened at the Inazawa Futsal Stadium when I caught her in my arms and kissed her fully on her lips before swinging her around like a kid.

She was wide-eyed in shock at first but soon dug her fingers into the back of my head and back as both our lips melted together as one and I could feel the quivering pleasure of her lips pressed to mine.

I soon reached Ozone Station and walked over to the Singaporean Restaurant named "Merlion". The building was of colonial design and was pristinely painted in white and the restaurant name "MERLION" was etched on the top archway of its entrance in glittering black background and gold lettering. Half expecting a statue of the legendary lion head and mermaid's tail anywhere but found none.

I guess they hadn't gotten the copyright to produce a statuette of the famous Singapore icon and planted it on the sidewalk or adorn it right before the restaurant's entrance. I walked in and was ushered by a female concierge who was wearing the Singapore Girl dress that was made of extricating designs of batik design and drawing. The uniform looked good on the girl as it shaped the person wearing shaped like a T.

I took a seat near a window that was meant for two and if anyone passes by, they might be thinking that I was waiting for someone as there was a fresh red rose that was placed on the table in a very small and exquisite vase. Well, the vase seemed to be able to hold a single rose at the time.

I looked at the menu and found that it was quite extensive from a single platter right to a full course for two or more persons. I looked through each mouthwatering pictures that depict its so-called Singaporean exquisite taste and I finally settled for a noodle-based menu.

It was called Laksa, served with fat Udon noodles with dried tofu, boiled eggs, some cockles, a few thick slices of fishcakes with a dollop of X.O chilli and some green garnishing on it. It is served with a rich coconut gravy that's sprinkled with those tiny prawns called "hebi".

Laksa was an all-rounder meal and could be taken as breakfast, brunch or dinner as well as somewhere in between. And the Laksa that I was relishing it somewhat in the middle of everything.

Well, that's about everything I could have for the moment quite down my stomach from grumbling too much. The bowl of Laksa was an explosive mixture of taste-buds tingling Gastronomical experience especially the cockles that were half cooked and just right with the right concoction of spicy and creamy coconut gravy.

(Writers Note: I guess you get worked out after I mention about the Laksa and all. Google it and you may find what's it all about. A few variations are the Penang Laksa which differs in both taste and presentability)

It was close to 4 pm when I finally stepped out from Merlion Restaurant and headed to the bus stop underneath the Ozone Station that Akira had earlier SMS me that she'd be waiting for me there. I guess she had wanted me to accompany her and maybe settle for a late-night supper.

I guess since I am an hour early, I'd do some window shopping there as well.