(:, [: & :D

Uncle Ryan has aged. His skinny physique is a far cry from what he looked ten years ago. He was toned with muscles then. His tattoo at his whole back added to his fierce look. Looking at him now, I cannot believe he was once a gang leader; a gang leader who was under the control of drugs.

Mixing with bad influence since young, Uncle Ryan grew up to be a gangster. Drinking, smoking and getting into fights were his hobbies. Gradually, cigarettes became boring and he took up drugs. It was indeed ironic how he could appear so fit despite all these harm he was inflicting his body. As a young girl then, I labeled him as a ‘bad man’. He looked evil especially with those pair of blood-shot eyes. He was the only uncle whom my mother often warns me about. I was never allowed to talk to him nor accept any gifts from him.

Every time he came to my house, it is money that he wants to see.

Soon, drugs ate my uncle up, almost literally. He had no money left and his health started to deteriorate. My mother one day told me he was sent to the drug rehabilitation center (DRC). I never see him appearing at my house since.

When Uncle Ryan was released after a year or so, mother mentioned him again. This time his words about him were kind and for the first time she asked if I wanted to go visit my uncle with her. To me, he looked healthy, cleaner. The visit was brief and I didn’t see him for a long time since then again.

Today, Uncle Ryan has already been released from the DRC ten years ago. He has found a wife who gave me three cousins. Being a school dropout, he has limited job opportunities. But, I guess he is coping well as he never came to ask money from my mother anymore. Seeing him again at the bus station this time really triggered much of my thoughts. I smiled. He didn’t see me; he was engrossed in his work. Although we never really had a proper uncle-and-niece relationship, I’m happy that he has turned over a new leaf. Maybe one day, we would even exchange words…