My Little Black Dress Story: Happy Birthday Xen!

It is Xen's birthday today! He's officially 9 years old (Yes, we are 11 years apart. There goes my dad's retirement plans). Its amazing how fast time flies. I still remember the day when my mum broke the news to the three of us that she was pregnant. I was excited, Manwyn became very protective of mummy (i.e. didn't allow Mum to carry heavy items, make sure its safe for mum wherever she goes, etc) and Carven... Well, I think she had mixed feelings about having a younger sibling. We didn't know whether it was going to be a boy or girl. I wanted a little sister, same goes to Carven, I think (I assumed she has had enough of Manwyn).

I remember how we were all deciding on names while we were on our way home from Grandma's shop. Carven and I suggested Carjean if its a girl and Manchester United if it was a boy (Since my dad is a Man Utd fan and my bro's name is MANwyn - I think his name is short for Manchester United Win). Haha! And I remember the morning my mum had to be admitted to the hospital! The three of us woke up early that day to wait for the phone call from Pa. Owh, and the three of us were so happy when the car honked in front of the gate - the day that cute lil innocent creature was carried into the house. We were all in our PJs but we couldn't be bothered and snapped a pic. The four of us. From that moment, I knew that I would be responsible for Manxen for the rest of my life.

Throughout the 9 years, the four of us have been through so much together. All the arguments, pinches, slaps, whacks, bites, laughters, tears, kicks, and all the you-name-it-we've-done-it, has brought us closer to each other. Remember the time the 3 of us would pin Xen down and tickle him till he peed in his pants? Remember how we would scare him by switching off all the lights and made ghastly sounds and when Ma scolds us we'll just say "What? He's just sensitive!"? Remember how we would yell at him when he throws his socks at our faces? (Oh wait, I think he still does that now.) Remember how we wrapped him up in the blanket, when Pa and Ma weren't home, till he couldn't come out and he shrieked so loud? Remember how his Bao Bao would go missing and the entire house will be searching high and low for it? Remember our Siblings Day Outs? Remember the time when he fell in love with the Mockingbird song and asked me "Che, what's the meaning of f***?" and the three of us quickly covered his mouth at the same time? I think, without Xen, things would have been very different today. The house would be SO quiet and we might not even bother watching movies like Madagascar and Finding Nemo! We always jump for joy whenever Mum tells us that he's staying over at our cousin's place. Phewww!

So, as a loving sister, I called home today. Spoke to Xen and argghh! That once-upon-a-time-innocent-lil-creature is nothing but a monster now! Talking to him on the phone is like talking to a wall. He doesn't answer and when I asked him questions. I had to repeat myself at least twice up till one point, I asked him "Xen are you listening to me?" He replied something in Mandarin (he's the only person who can speak Mandarin in the family) and all I could answer was "WHAT?? Can you please speak in English?" and he said "I said, goes into the left ear and comes out from the right ear". At that moment, I blurted "F***!" before realizing that he's only 9 years old. Oh well, I think he's used to the swearing. He swore to us in Mandarin once!

Here you go, that once-upon-a-time-innocent-cute-lil-creature: