That day,I returned home,deeply puzzled and depressed. What ever did she say? What ever did I do to invoke her precious tears? The questions came hard and fast in my mind,but I had no resources whatsoever to answer them.They would remain a mystery forever,if not for the call.
It was close to midnight.I was watching a cult animation programme on the telly.Actually,I wasn't even looking at the screen,I was staring into space,repeating the questions in my mind over and over again,with no end or answers in sight.Then,my handphone shook,and my train of thought was derailed.I was slightly irritated,but hurriedly got over it and proceeded to pick it up.I glanced at the screen to see who the late-night caller was.
It was Paul.
Astonished,I answered.It was Paul alright,saying that we needed to talk,now.He sounded really murderous.I swallowed but hesitantly agreed.
By the time I reached the park,it was already half-past twelve.The darkness was only interrupted by a few isolated lamposts,whose elonganated bulbs glowed a solid white stripe of hellish illumination.Paul stood by one of them,arms folded,head down,cool as ever.The lampost seemed to bask in his glory rather than Paul in its eerie light.I swallowed again,this time longer, and hailed him.
The blow came hard and fast,leaving me little time to react.Furthermore I was caught unawares. Paul's fist of steel impacted with my right cheek,shattering the red blood cells that resided there.My body shook like a rag doll as explosive decompressions tore through my fragile frame.My neck groaned in agony and my legs gave way.I slammed into the cold,wet pavement and clutched my cheek,but did no more,for I knew perfectly what he wanted:an explanation.
"Why, Jervis,why?"Paul started,"Why must you do this?"
What?What did I do? I thought,more puzzled now than ever.
"Of all things,you had to make my sis sad.She's my one and only sister and I want only the best for her.Do you read me?"Paul ranted,voice laced with anger.
I was dumbfounded,unsure of how to reply.Then the saddening truth dawned on me.That day, at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf,what she said was what she felt about me.As she looked at me,I was indifferent about it,as I wasn't paying much attention.That's why she ran away, weeping pitifully,mistaken my actions for the truth.I realised my folly,but fear that it was too late.
The following day,I raced straight to the shopping centre after school.I couldn't sleep the previous night,and couldn't concentrate in school either.If our matter wasn't settled,I would not have any peace-forever.I pushed that thought out of my mind and continued to search for her.
For the first time, she wasn't there that afternoon.My heart broke into a million pieces.I was severely dejected.Disappointed,I slouched my way to the exit,where my slumped shoulder knocked into another, more feminine one.Profusely mumbling an apology,I looked up to discern the face of the victim of my accidental onslaught.
Oh my God.
It was her.
To Be Continued...
