Conversations with Grey

Thanks, but no thanks.

“Yalor, yalor. I try asking him and see.
*turns and faces me*
What are you in for? An X-ray ah? I’m here to visit my friend who’s in there right now.”
“An MRI.”
“Oh wah! MRI is very expensive wan you know. Why you didn’t do X-ray only. So young do MRI liow ah?
“Yeah.”
“What happened to you? Do MRI? MRI is seven hundred and fifty ringgit lor. So expensive. Where did you scan with the MRI? MRI is the type like space machine liddat wan hor. They put you inside the thing and there are sounds there wan. woung~ woung~ woung~ woung~ liddat the sound. What happen lah so young?”
“Hurt my back.”
“Oh then better la scan scan a bit. To check la you know, whats wrong. After if don’t check, who knows what’s wrong inside you know. X-ray can’t tell much lah I know. You waiting to do go it, isnit?”
“No, waiting for the result.”
“Oh, you didn’t go see the result meh just now? When they scanning you that time, you can go see the screen wan mah. Then the doctor inside will explain to you whats wrong and all that. MRI is liddat wan. Last time my relative got MRI time oso, we get to go in and sat at the computer there and they explain to you wan. They din explain to your family meh? Where’s your family?”
“… …I came alone. It’s nothing I can’t handle myself.”
“Oh, you should bring your family ma. They can see and understand oso. Not like X-ray. Only see the bones only. I tell you MRI so much more expensive than X-ray but more thorough la. My mother did MRI before oso. We get to watch it. How much ar you do your MRI?”
“… … … uh, seven hundred and fifty.”
“Oh wah! So expensive ar? Aiya, young man like you, should la do MRI. At least you know what’s going on lah. You scan where ar? Whole body isnit?”
“… … … … no. Just my back.”
“Oh I see. How did you hurt it? Fell down ar? Slippery floor leh. Or you work out too hard?”
“Carry heavy things.”
“Ah, then have to scan la. MRI is very good you know. You do what kind of work wan? Working for people or do business? How come can carry heavy things? You do business ar?”
“… uh”
“So what kind of business? So young already do business. So capable hor.”
“… uh… sell machines.”
“Wahh…sell machines. So good. So capable. No wonder you want to do MRI. Young people nowadays are so capable. Let me tell you about this business I’m selling. It only cost you twenty ringgit to join!”
“… thanks, but no thanks.”
“But it’s a business wor. You also want to earn money isnit? If you join under me, I guarantee can sell for you wan. Twenty ringgit very little only wat for you who can afford MRI scan. I selling fibre. You know what fibre is?”
“I don’t believe in this kind of business.”
“But it’s very simple. You never hear of fibre before meh? It’s good for the healthy and body. I don’t sell fragrance or medicine. I sell fibre. Twenty ringgit only wat.”
“I just don’t believe in this kind of business.”
“Oh. … … … …”
“… … … …”
*turns away to talk to her other friend*

For the record, I really don’t believe in those kind of business annoying aunties (including my mom) try to sell. And yes. I went for an MRI alone. Nothing I can’t handle.