I hurried through a tiny, litter-peppered park enclosed within an HDB precinct. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone walking towards me. A cleaner–broom in hand, South Asian descent. I hastened. He slowed to a stop. He looked past me. I threw a furtive glance in that direction. There was a domestic helper with a toddler in her arms, fair as morn. The toddler was smiling. At the man. She waved animatedly at him. Eyes twinkled. The man hesitated. Then he sheepishly waved back at the child.
We paused: the man, the woman and I.
The moment passed when finally, the child turned to look at the playground some distance away. Our fellowship dispersed. I slowly left that tiny budding garden, my heart blooming a thousand golden petals.