I f On ly A n d r e w S i a h W e i T u n g
She is lost for ideas. It’s 2:09 p.m., and Geeta’s been scrolling her phone, looking for inspiration for the next ‘viral piece.’ Having been in the world of journalism for half a decade, Geeta knows what works. But she also knows that ‘virality’ cannot be systematised or predicted. Her editor insists otherwise, often quoting Maugham: “I write only when inspiration strikes, fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o‘clock sharp.” Geeta has to concur, despite her body’s reluctance. But she’s good at her craft, being the writer of “7 Types of TikTok Meme” and “What Kind of a Roti Are You?”. Her mother was a Roti Bomb, due to her knack for over-indulging on food. Maybe chicken rice would help , Geeta wonders as her tummy growls as if on cue. Checking her purse for the necessary items before rising, she remembers the mask as she leaves. Wearing a mask is now a social norm. Everyone knows someone close who was down with COVID. Everyone is traumatised, and going out ‘bare- faced’ now invokes the same effect as public indecency. Just last week, a man was refused entry to the MRT. “7 Types of Maskers”.
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