Surprise!

"What's good at Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre? Fish head curry, and lots of cooked dishes!" So I was told as we walked for lunch. I was skeptical as I felt the best was Johnny's. Jia Yi is an insignificant shop at a shopping complex, but the air-conditioning made it welcoming.

I tried the Fried Kway Teow and was floored. The cockles were fresh and succulent and to top it off I had my lunchmate's share of cockles as well. When we left I decided to try the fish head curry for dinner.

K ma had no dinner plans nor appetite until I told her what I was bringing. I was 15 mins early at Jia Yi's and the chef reminded me that I was supposed to be there later. But I caught him cooking and the aroma was amazing. I told him K ma was excited about dinner and so was I.

When the fish was served, she was thrilled and could not contain herself. Her appetite was quickly restored as the curry was really good. There were many phone calls while we ate. Four were from her grandchildren and children who were concerned as she had been sad the past few days. She had just lost a close friend. She would ask them to guess who was with her at dinner and then tell them I was there. Then to guess what I brought for dinner and tell that I brought the fish curry and that she would save some for them.

I was very happy. Just realising how her sad few days had just been halted by a simple shared dinner made me smile for many days after.

Surprise! Just being open to a possible tastier way of cooking Fish head curry led to a new chef and the need to share it with someone was so richly rewarded. Both of us praised God for His love for us - we thanked Him for appetite, for friends to share with and family that care that we might be eating alone.