Teo Wan Geot, 74
Housewife
Jeenathul Hadiya, 40
Housewife
Originally from Madras, she came to Singapore with her husband, Mufthajudeen Abdul Salam, in 1996, and they became Singapore Citizens in 2008.
When Jeenathul and her husband, Deen, moved to Singapore more than 10 years ago, the only people they knew were mostly people from his workplace, which was a graphic bookstore owned by Deen’s cousin. Besides being colleagues, many of them were also related to him by blood.
In many ways, their social circle was limited to people from the same village in India, people who spoke the same language, and people who shared the same customs and habits.
Being newcomers to Singapore, they made a big effort to learn more about their neighbours, and to try to blend in with them.
Quiet and shy by nature, the couple have rented and lived in many places, and have always enjoyed a good relationship with their neighbours. However, none of them were as close to the couple as Mdm Teo, their neighbour at North Bridge Road these past three years.
In her own small ways, Mdm Teo makes the young couple, who finally became Singapore Citizens last year, feel right at home.
“She is not just our neighbour,” Deen said. “She is like our mommy.”
When their parents visited a few years ago, it was Mdm Teo who came to their rescue when they had trouble opening the front gate.
Jeenathul elaborated, “She lets our friends wait in her house if we are not at home.”
“She gives ang pows to our little nieces and nephews on festive occasions.”
Mdm Teo, who lives with her grown-up son, also feels blessed having the young couple next to her. It is almost like having an extra pair of children close to her.
“The young couple are very quiet, loving, and they respect me. They will check on me if they don’t see me for a few days,” said Mdm Teo.
Despite the language barrier and wide age gap, they always find ways to communicate.
Recently, Jeenathul tried unsuccessfully to grow a curry leave plant. Somehow, Mdm Teo got wind of it and decided to pitch in.
Today, the plant is blossoming, side by side in the same pot where Mdm Teo had planted a herb to cure headaches.
Without saying much to each other, they managed to work out a routine.
In the small corridor area they share, the friendship they have forged is significant.
With pride, Deens said, “She waters our plants daily.”
Slightly embarrassed, Mdm Teo says the young couple cleans her front yard regularly.
She said, “I really like them.”