Sorry to keep you guys waiting so long everytime.Cracking brain
to come up with some ideas ain't easy.So pls bear with it.Thanks.
Chapter 7:Revelation
As we cleared away the dishes, I decided to help Mint with the
washing up.
"So what's with the dazed look?" Mint asked as she rinsed a plate.
I was taken aback by her question.
A dish slipped from my grasp. It crashed to the floor with a
screeching smash. Ruby dashed into the kitchen, greeted by pieces
of broken glass. Stunned, all I could do was stand there.
My ears flushed red when I realised the mess I had created.
"Are you alright?" Ruby asked with concern.
"I
I'm fine" I stammered, slowly regaining my composure.
"Why don't you take a rest after clearing up, I'll help you with
the dishes." She soothed.
I muttered my thanks before retreating quickly.
After cleaning up, I went to the living room, the expression on the
others faces I will not forget. I'm sure that Luis gave me a
sneering look. While the rest looked with concern.
I slumped down onto the sofa feeling disheartened. Ace tried
cheering me up.
"Hey, relax lah. It's not the end of the world yet man." He nudged
me. I wasn't really in much of a mood to talk. He continued.
"Come on, you won't look handsome if you carry such a gloomy look
right? You should loosened up alittle." His words lifted my spirits
abit.
Ace beckoned to me to join him in having a game of Winning Eleven.
I trudged over to have a go. In fact, I wasn't really in much of a
mood but played anyway. It diverted my attention away from the
problem. Soon I forgot all about my discomfort.
Later, he suggested that we gather the others to play 'Truth or
Dare'.
I watched safely from my 'haven' as some of us were made to do
ridiculous poses or actions, prompting laughter and teasing. While
some of us were made to reveal our darkest secrets.
Finally, my turn came, I decided to choose 'truth'. Pepper was the
one who shot the question across. She seemed well prepared for this
one. I suspected that the 3 girls probably thought this one
up.
"Ok, the question goes like this." She began mysteriously, suspense
lingering for a few seconds. "Among the 3 of us, who do you fancy,
and why?" She gestured pointing to Mint, Ruby and herself.
I held my breath as she ended. My lips parted slightly in shock.
Should I speak my mind? Should I twist the truth? Oh my goodness,
this must be some kind of sick joke. It was clear that Pepper knew
whom I liked and she was just trying to get things under the
light.
I could also easily get away with a lie. But I'd rather see this as
a chance for me to show my feelings for Mint. I thought that I
could drop a hint or two, as she was sitted on my right.
"She's sitting on my right." I blurted out. Pepper was quick to
respond.
"So it's Mint!"
Mint snapped into action, facial expression changing from curious
to awkward.
"Ok, so tell us what you like about her?" As if things were getting
any better, now this. I braced myself and spoke without delay, this
time, the words came smooth and easy. Words spoken from the heart
needs no pondering.
One revelation after the other flowed forth.
"Because she's charming, lively, cute and errr...pretty." I listed
it in a single breath.
Ace gave me a thumbs up sign while Pepper and Ruby winked at me. As
for Luis, he remained unmoved by it and sat there like nothing had
happened at all. Mint was looking at the floor, maybe she's trying
to avoid eye contact with me? All this time, my heart raced, till
now even as I think of what I would say to Mint later on.
As we continued playing, it just felt different than before. Mint
and I hardly spoke. Until it was time for us to leave.
All of us bundled out of her home, including Mint. We headed
towards the nearest bus stop. We weren't exactly walking together
as a group. The 2 guys were behind, while I was beside Ruby and
Pepper who were happily chatting about shopping and stuff. I
noticed Mint walking alone in front.
I was deep in thought, at the prospect of going steady with Mint.
Slowly, the past raked up within me.
I still remember Eve initiating the break up that very day. From
that point on, I was wary of 2 things, relationships and
commitment.
She stated reasons like, "I'm not good enough for you" and a whole
lot of other reasons.
Deep inside, I was scared that this scene would replay itself in
the present situation if Mint and I were to enter a relationship.
It cut like a knife, I recall those vivid images of Eve's sad face.
Was it something I lacked or maybe it's a bad habit. Whatever it
was, Eve stuck stubbornly to her reasons. She gave me a peck on the
cheek and we parted ways
Days later, she revealed her reasons via SMS. Apparently, her
family was migrating to Australia and she didn't want me to worry
about her. Before ending the message, she also said that she'd love
me always.
It took me months to get over it, eventually when I had fully
recovered, another gem came along, by the name of Mint. These
emotional scars are still with me, perhaps there is a way to
overcome them? Suddenly, I jolted back to reality as Ruby spoke
up.
"Clint, go accompany Mint lah." She encouraged.
"Yeah, you have our support." Pepper chipped in. Their kind words
were pleasant to the ears.
"But..." Before I could finish Ruby interrupted me.
"Aiya, no buts." She said. "It's either you go or you don't. I can
tell she's confused right now. You got to show your
sincerity."
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Of course we do." Pepper said, cocking her head to one side
confidently. "Mint's like our sister. Whenever one of us is like
this, we can sense it." Ruby nodded in agreement.
Not much of a logic in her explanation. Maybe it's what people call
'a woman's intuition.'
"Go lah." They said in unison. Before I could react, they gave me a
timely shove and I was beside Mint
