A middle-aged woman, clad in a tee, shorts and slippers, came running towards us, carrying a large 2L bottle and four plastic cups. “I was watching you from upstairs!” She exclaimed, gesturing towards some upper level in the HDB block behind her.
We initially thought that she was an acquaintance of one of our companions. It took us a few moments to realise, after exchanging glances with one another, that here was a lady who was stranger to us all.
“I couldn’t see any water bottles - I thought you might be thirsty. You have been out in the sun for such a long time…” And she started doling out cups, which we obediently accepted. We thanked her profusely.
But she smiled and brushed our showers of appreciation aside dismissively before leaving us to our business, saying that if her son was out there, she’d do the same, and that we were like children to her too.
What a kind, motherly soul! (”So there is hope for Singapore after all!”)
After gulping down our share of the ice-cold water, we returned to our positions by the canal, cameras and lenses at the ready, awaiting the next incoming round of terns.
