Chapter
3
School bell went into orgasmic mode; school was over. However, I
had to stay behind for some mundane humanities project. I had
already informed boss about working later and fortunately, he is
very understanding.
It was pair work and I had conveniently opted for the girl sitting
next to me: Jane, the most civil minded, going-by-the-book girl I
have ever knew in my life. She is a prefect and we were classmates
for almost four years. Initially, she reckoned that I was some
notorious ah lian, and fettered herself from any interaction with
me. It was only until last year, she got herself entangled with
some self proclaimed ah lians by booking them and I got her out of
the hot soup, literally.
I took down the leader of the pack single-handedly and came out of
that brawl almost unscathed. The gang leader, Chanel, challenged me
to a one-on-one fight at the nearest staircase and I obliged. The
next moment? She was lying on the floor and crying, asking that I
stop pounding on her. They were a bunch of girl bullies that
thrived on intimidating the weak and I have always hated them to my
guts. Jane was the catalysis for me to act and it wasnt because I
was heroic - I just wanted to teach them a good lesson.
From then, we became good friends. Her dad is a wealthy business
man and more importantly, she was the teachers pet. My background
was totally opposite of her and, I was the teachers
nightmare.
What an irony! But the camaraderie turned out to be
incredible.
Chanel and her cronies marched along the corridor, peering into my
class, often trying to seize any opportunities to screw me up.
Sadly for her, I dont go for recess, preferring to stay in class
to recuperate from academic torture. In that sense, Chanel was
never able to sabotage me, during break, without me knowing.
Regardless, I am leaving this damned school soon. Once I completed
my O levels, all these trashes in my life will vanish
simultaneously and I am looking forward to that.
I felt daggers staring and when I turned around to catch those
stares, Chanel and her cronies would then put their gaze away from
me, childishly pretending to adore the great sky, while
disingenuously commenting about the recent vagary weather. Usually
it doesnt bother me, but there was once I was having PMS and she
did just that. I followed her to the toilet and inflicted bleeding
lips and gums upon her before stepping out of the ladies.
Ironically, because of face issue, she would rather die than to
report such matters to the teachers. Words will get around easily
and eventually the world would know; Chanel would rather suicide
than to allow herself such ignominy.
I am not someone to be trifled with. My burgeoning years has taught
me the theory behind survival of the fittest and this basic
instinct kept me alive and protected all these years. Perhaps
thats why I always have this subconscious maternal instinct to
protect the people worthy in my life and to fight aggressively to
those who tried to bring harm upon them.
When is your chauffeur coming?
Soon I guess. Anyway, we only have that bit left to do, I will
finish it up for you, replied Jane as she began to pack her bag,
you want me to give you a ride to your work place?
I nodded gratefully.
Transportation by her chauffeur is nothing but a swift ride down
town; soon after, I reached
I saw Alvin, my colleague, standing near the entrance of my store,
probably waiting for my arrival.
Hey sorry man!
Dont have to apologize to me
apologize to him instead
My eyes followed where Alvin was pointing and my sight ended up at
somebody familiar Rick.
Rick has been waiting for more than two hours. I dont know what
business you had with him, but I think you have asked him to pop
by
Whoops! My memories have failed me this time; I recalled asking
Rick to drop by a day earlier to pass me the cash and I have
forgotten clean about it. Then I saw Rick at one corner of my
store, his visage filled with sarcastic expression, as he fiddled
with his grindstone (or diamonds, who knows?) studded watch, subtly
trying to remind me about the time now.
I grabbed Rick by his arms and pulled him out of the store as I
stick out my apologetic tongue.
Then I turned over to Alvin.
I will go out for a quick lunch! Be back soon!
And I closed the one-sided conversation with a wink.
(To be continued...)
