One morning during the National Day holidays, Alice, one of my best middle-school pals, contacted me on the phone. All alone home, she invited me to go over and help with her maths assignments. We are in different high schools.

After lunch, I left for her home. On the way, Alice messaged me on QQ, saying that she was still hungry, so I bought a takeaway at a diner and took it along. As soon as I got there, Alice started to scoff the meal. Apparently famished, my friend looked very lovely, savouring each bite.

In the afternoon, however, we did not study maths as planned. Instead, we were playing PC games and watching anime in her bedroom-cum-study.

Around 4 pm, their flat door opened. A bit panicky, the girl whispered to me, “Shh! Grandad is back!” I was instructed to stay quiet. She would do all she could to keep her family in the dark about my existence in the house. According to Alice, her parents would skin her alive should my presence be detected. Luckily, the elderly gentleman did not come into her study and bedroom at all, so I was relieved that I was safe temporarily.

Around 7 pm, her mum came back. No sooner had Alice heard the key being turned in the lock than she sent me hiding in her wardrobe. It was such a thrill. The mother came in and chatted with the girl. Eavesdropping on the tête-à-tête between mother and daughter, I stayed put and waited with bated breath in the dark.

After her mum left her room, I asked Alice under my breath how I could escape.

“Why not stay right here in my bedroom overnight?” Alice teased, chuckling gently. “You could leave safely tomorrow morning after my parents go to work.” Her joke scared the hell out of me. I freaked out. I started to perspire profusely, beads of sweat dropping off my face.

By 11 pm, the family had all retired to bed. On tiptoe, I slipped out of the house, with the girl’s assistance. What a relief to exit the “prison” and be free again!

It has been one of the greatest thrills of my life.