Monday, November 29, 2010

I Want You, You Want Me - A Love Story

I can think of a number of other titles for today's post:

- Romeo and Juliet, Malaysian style
- Forbidden Love
- Murder, They Wrote
- English, as she is displayed
- Micro Fiction Monday (except that my post is never 'micro' :)

The Malay language is supposed to be an easy language to learn, at least the spelling part, as she is phonetic. Well, some people think it applies to English as well.

Here's the story behind the picture:

"Ah Chong and Mei Ling grew up in the same village. From childhood friends they became lovers by the time they were teenagers.

When they finished their studies they told their respective parents that they wanted to get married. But the parents, being traditional match-makers had other plans for them! They had already chosen their potential spouse since they were kids - a tradition and a promise that could never be broken.

Ah Chong and Mei Ling were broken hearted.

They decided to go into business and set up shops next to each other, so they can see one another often. The nature of their business may be different but they sure express their desire for one another clearly."









22 comments:

NancyDe said...

Much more productive than Romeo and Juliet - don't kill yourself for love: open matching businesses!

Mary Mary said...

I find that to be a rather bittersweet love story. But utterly fascinating if it's true!

Theres just life said...

That is one way to still stay in touch no matter what anyone says.

Ohiofarmgirl said...

cutest thing ever! great story..and great telling.
:-)

secret agent woman said...

Seems like it would be a torment to work near each other like that.

Rachael Harrie said...

That's so sad, but touching too. Love the names of the businesses :)

Thanks for sharing the story.

Rach

the wanderer [bernard] said...

this opens my spirit. i needed it this morning, thank you!

Anonymous said...

Awh sweet! :O)

Chai Chai said...

Great story, I always love to see foreign (to me) store signs.

Kay L. Davies said...

Wonderful story. I hope it is true because it is so beautiful, and yet heartbreaking.
Thank you for visiting my blog from all the way around the world in the tropical rainforest. So glad to hear from you.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Grandpa said...

Thank you ALL for your comments, I really appreciate them.

And thank you first time visitor Kay - all the way from Canada. Welcome to The Farm, and hope you'll drop by often.

Unknown said...

That is so romantic. What happened? Did both marry another person?

CD

Unknown said...

Good story - sweet and sad at the same time :-)

Akelamalu said...

Sweet story Grandpa. :)

Lee said...

Hi Grandpa, shows love has no borders nor boundaries...
And yes, lots of disappointed loves and relationships the days of Morris Minors due parental objections, and what they thought best.

For me, I would have eloped....ha ha.
I was fortunate, even though being an only son with parents who wanted the supposedly untainted genes of our ancestors to be continued....though I suspect we had pirates and opium smokers inbetween generations...they held back their thoughts or opinions.

And I sure made my mother very religious with my girlfriends from different cultures or religion....
but had faith and hope their son would not disappoint them. I did not, but exceeded their expectations.
Love this story. You keep well, Grandpa....have a pleasant week, Lee.

klahanie said...

Greetings Grandpa,
This truly is a bitter sweet tale. Yet, there is inspiring symbolism in the shop signs:-)
May you have a peaceful and positive day.
In kindness, Gary. (all the way from England and Canada).

Kittie Howard said...

Ahhhh, very sweet. Just hope a lovers' quarrel doesn't mean salt in the coffee.

Do you speak Malay, Grandpa?

Gave you a shout-out in today's post.

Grandpa said...

Clarissa, they had no choice, obedient to parents is paramount;

Rachel, Akelamalu - I think so too;

Uncle Lee, good for you Lee, and you made your parents happy too. You too have a good week;

Klahanie, and greetings to you, my friend, may the stars align in the correct path for you to have happy and peaceful days too;

Hi Kittie, good to see you again.
Yes I do - Malay is our National language so everybody speaks it, but English is widely spoken and written too.
Thanks for the shout-out :)

Linnea said...

Now that's a great story! Love it! By the way, I went to three Thanksgiving dinners! Oh my! Thanks for stopping by Grandpa. Enjoy the day.

Adina West said...

Just shows parents aren't the best people to be making these decisions...

Lovely (sad) story Grandpa.

Dominic de Mattos said...

His and Her enterprises!

Thanks for dropping by Grandpa. It was good to meet you.

Grandpa said...

Linnea, thanks. Great to hear you had a 'turkey' of a time at Thanksgiving! Just hope you didn't have to do too much walking after that...:)

Hi Adina,good to see you...um, that's what you and I think. The parents had compelling reasons for doing what they did - their 'rationale' coming right up...!

Hi Dominic, the pleasure is all mine! I enjoy visiting blogs, what more award-winning ones like yours!