{ Fish Tank Neighbour }

Sometimes the route I walk home requires me to pass by an aquarium shop. Dis unlocks certain interesting memories I have of fish tanks.

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So a long time ago, in the days when Marina Bay Sands was still being constructed, my family used to have a fish tank. I dun rmb a whole lot abt it, but I do rmb feeding the fish at least once. Dat was pretty cool.

Then somehow at some point, my sister accidentally ended up singlehandedly killing all the fish. Dats pretty ridiculous when u think abt it. I noe she was probably like 10 years old when dat happened, but it’s still one of the biggest Ls she’s ever committed.

Honestly, I might be getting my facts wrong on dat. But I choose to believe it, so I can still give her shit for it every now and then.

After dat tragedy, I dun think my family wanted anymore fish. So my dad decided to throw out the fish tank.

Interestingly, my upstairs neighbour, a heavily tattooed young Malay gentleman, somehow got word of our out-of-favour fish tank, and kindly offered to take care of dat for us (idk if it was disposal or him keeping it).

Now I’ve been living in dis same lil HDB apartment since birth. I’ve seen many neighbours come and go throughout the years. Upstairs, downstairs, across and beside, many different sets of characters. Some are still here, but most are now elsewhere…

Dis fish tank guy in particular was notable. He was one of 3 brothers, and they were all apparently delinquents.

I can’t rmb wat illegal stuff they did, and I’m pretty sure my parents didn’t want me knowing, lol. But I rmb they had some similarly tough looking friends who’d frequently hang around outside their house. Sometimes, instead of seeing them, I’d see police officers instead (when they still wore their big caps, hehe).

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Essentially, it was never a wholesome sight, and dat household was one big red flag 🚩

So every time I pass by their house I’d just be like:

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Only years later I found out dat 2 out of 3 of the brothers were drug dealers. Dat was pretty mind boggling, becos as u noe drug laws here are pretty damn strict…

But honestly, it’s not too surprising considering the context. My neighbourhood is like, in the middle of nowhere of Yishun. There was oso literally only one bus service coming here during dat time. So it was abit of a hotspot for shady criminal activities.

It’s definitely not like dat here anymore. But I do have “fond” memories of being followed by strangers and seeing my brother almost get jumped on 🫠

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But selling drugs is a whole other level. Like, I’m pretty sure u can get legally hanged for doing so, in compliance wif the law.

In fact… idk wat happened to dat family. Specifically the 2 drug brothers. Maybe they just moved out like every other neighbour who left. Or maybe they’ve been spending the last few years in jail.

…Or maybe….. 🤔

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Aaand dis is wat I’d think abt when I see fish stores 🐠🐟

….Until my friend told me dat fish tank is oso a code word for brothels….

01.02.2026