Summary

The party began as members of different cultures and groups gathered in Istana. Philip claimed that “it was truly a gathering of friend and foe” (203). Philip greeted incoming guests with his father, introducing him to Endo-san and the consul when they arrived. Philip’s father asked Endo-san if the Japanese plan to invade Malaya, but Philip’s grandfather arrived and this broke the tension for the time being. Philip showed his grandfather around, introducing him to his siblings and to Endo-san, who had, as it turned out, already met Philip’s grandfather before. They spoke about fate and past lives, and Philip left his grandfather at a fountain that resembled the one at his mother’s childhood home. Kon and Towkay Yeap arrived bearing bad news. From the underground they had heard that the communists had planted a bomb in their house...