Apologies

Hello readers. I will be very busy this month, so my new story will only come out end of August. Do visit back here by then! I'll do my best to come up with a very exciting and interesting plot!

:)

Cheers!

I'm Your Fear

It all started when my family and myself moved into a four room HDB flat in Clementi one year ago. The flat was old and it had been around for decades. The neighbours knew each other, and the families lived in that building harmoniously. I cursed myself that very day I lifted my suitcase into the creaky lift that stopped only on three particular levels, which means that if you live anywhere between the particular levels, you need to use the staircase. Thankfully, father chose a house just a couple of steps from the lift.

When the lift door opened, I was welcomed by the voices of Cantonese opera coming from the house beside ours. It was the Cantonese old lady who told my father that someone died in our flat years ago and several people who stayed in always left within a year. My father, being a staunch Christian, brushed that off as mere rumour and insisted on moving into the dirt cheap, spacious flat.

My mother was against the idea of living in there too, but once my father lay the cards, we all have to obey them.

The house was barely furnished. The living room was sparce except for some simple furnitures. Father had engaged a moving company to shift our furnitures and beds into this house. So, the living room had a dark brown sofa with a little bit of coffee stain on it, a wooden coffee table, and a small television. That was about it. No fan, no fancy lightings.

I moved my suitcase into my room and looked at the small space I was given for my privacy. There were transparent wrappers all over the room, apparently the irresponsibility of the moving company's workers. My bed was resting against the corner of the room, right beside the windows that were facing the common corridor. I stumbled across the room and flipped the stoppers upwards to open up the windows. I needed some sunlight and fresh air. The air in the room was too stagnent and stuffy.

My closet was placed directly at the foot of my bed.

Bad arrangement. I thought.

I decided to leave it be at the moment to be busy with other things more important. I opened up my suitcase and took out my things. I had nothing much to bring along, unlike my mother who brought three suitcases full of her own things. Women, I can never understand them.

I picked up the top layer of T-shirt and found a silver photoframe of a couple smiling happily back at me. I placed the T-shirt I was holding onto the bed and picked up the photoframe.

Betty. She and I were dating for four years before we broke up a year and a half ago. She was my first love, and so was I to her. We were committed to each other. You know - I met her parents, she met mine, we wore each other rings - that sort of commitment. But things got bad when she attended University. I had to serve my National Service, and within that two years, we had our worries and fights. We seemed to be drifting further and further apart. She was the one who spoke of breaking up, and I gladly obliged at that time, happy to shake a burden off. Now that I am out of National Service and is working in a computer company, I realised that I could never forget her, so I was bent on getting her back.

I placed the photoframe on the study desk and continued to unpack. That was when I heard my mother's soft, muffled voice, coming from the living room.

"Look at this house. Is it fit for living?" She asked, her voice almost inaudible.

Father did not respond. Or was it because he could not overcome his own opinion of this house? I listened intentively for a good one minute before I decided to continue unpacking.

Night came faster when I was busy. Before I knew it, darkness engulfed my bedroom.

I flipped on the switch that lit the entire room with a pathetic light bulb and continued to finish unpacking.

******************************************

Things went well on our first night.

It was the second night that something peculiar happened.

I came home from work, totally bushed. I was irritated at the loud volume coming from the Cantonese old lady's flat, blasting Cantonese opera all day long. What I looked forward towards the end of a tiring day was a calm and quiet evening.

My parents were out that evening. There was a note on the fridge handwritten by my mother teling me to settle my dinner on my own because they will be out till late to visit a friend in church.

I threw the note away and decided to boil some water to cook some instant noodles. The gas hissed as I striked a matchstick and started fire at the stove. I placed the small pot with water half filled in it on top of the stove and left the kitchen.

I did not know what happened after I sat in the living room while waiting for my water to boil. What I knew was, when I woke up from a supposedly short nap, the house was overwhelmed with the awful smell of gas. I ran into the kitchen, coughing and gasping for air. The fire was out and the stove was hissing at me like a snake, ready for a deadly attack. I turned off the stove and rushed to open up the windows in the kitchen. I poked my head out of the window and inhaled deeply as I felt fresh oxygen filling my lungs.

Feeling better, I rushed out of the kitchen and opened up the other windows that were closed. The Cantonese opera was still blasting loudly from the neigbour. I slumped into the sofa as I felt the smell of gas escaping the house.

The strange thing was, I could not remember what happened, but what was still fresh in my memory was that, I never closed any window.

Definitely not the kitchen ones because I felt a breeze after I came out of the shower earlier on and even looked outside the window.

Someone's in here.

That was the first thought I had. Instinctively, I sat up and became aware of my surroundings. It was weird, to be aware of one's own home, but then again, it had only been my home for one day.

I walked into the kitchen and was even more surprised when I saw the water in the pot. It was still half full, and that indicated that before the water even start boiling, the fire went out.

I looked around the kitchen and went into the bedrooms. No signs of intruders, no signs of break-ins.

What I didn't know was, that was the first sign of HIM.

****************************************

A couple of days went past without any strange happenings. I was convinced that it was probably my hallucination or it was simply due to fatigue. I brushed that incident off and continued doing what I do everyday.

My parents' relationship, on the other hand, was starting to go downhill. My mother hated this house and nagged at my father's failed business relentlessly. The house often got noisy during evening time and for once, I actually thanked the Cantonese opera blasting from the neighbour.

"Did you look for a new job?" Mom was asking father during dinner.

I gripped onto my chopsticks and stuffed rice into my mouth. Such topics were going to lead to more arguments and I really had enough of that.

Father kept quiet and picked up a piece of pork from a plate and ate it.

Mother dropped her chopsticks by her bowl with a dull "thud" and rubbed her temples. Father reluctantly put down his chopsticks too. The atmosphere was intense. I could hear a fly buzzing around our table.

"James, how many times have I told you to give up this damn business of yours? It's not going to work out." Mother muttered under her breath, still rubbing her temples.

"Give it some time." Father replied.

Mother flipped the chopsticks off the table and her bowl of rice trembled at the edge of the dining table, threatening to drop. "Time, time, time! How much time do we have to give you?! How long more do we have to stay in this shit hole?! It's all because of you and your stupid health business, this had to happen! If you stayed on your previous job and continue saving up the money we have been scrimping and saving all these years, I don't think we'll end up in this house!"

She was close to sobbing towards the end of her argument. I had to stop eating and sit closer to her. I wrapped my arm around her and tried to comfort her. "Ma. It's fine. We'll just give Pa another chance to try it out. Maybe, things might work out?"

Mother stood up from the dining table and walked away despondently, back into the room. Father's face was in his hands. I think, he was also sobbing softly. I understood the necessity of leaving him alone in times like these. I walked into my room quietly as well and decided to complete some paperwork I decided to complete at home. The workload in the office was overwhelming and I had to stop staying back in the office because the air conditioner at the office shuts down automatically by eight. After that, the office would be heating up like sauna.

I opened up my bag and was about to take out my work file when shreds of paper were scattered onto the floor as I lifted the file. I opened up my file and to my horror, the documents in the file were all torn to bits and pieces. I was shocked at what happened. I fell onto my chair and tried to recall anyone who came near my bag.

Jeff. Jeff Teo.

That was it. Jeff Teo was one of my colleagues at work who was competing competitively with me in the office. Everyone was talking about the promising managerial position opened after our previous manager left unexpectedly. Jeff and I were the most possible candidates, so as we were told.

That day, I left my bag at my desk when I picked up a phonecall from Winnie's desk that was three tables away from mine. Winnie had knocked off exactly at six and only a few of us were around. When I hung up the phone, I saw Jeff walking pass my desk and hurried into the pantry.

I threw the file onto the bed and kicked my desk. I was angry, fuming. To think that Jeff would resort to such underhand methods to get that managerial post.

*****************************************

The following day, I went to office slightly earlier. I did not sleep at all for the night, trying to rush out the documents that were shredded. Although I completed only half of what I did the past week, I was comforted that I could maybe, hand in the proposal by the end of next week, which was the dateline.

I was suprised to see Jeff sitting by his desk already, typing away on his keyboard. I was determined to find out why he did what he did.

I marched up to him and threw my black file on his table. He stopped typing and looked up at me, slightly startled, but recovered shortly.

"I think you have alot of explanation to do." I started, resting against his divider.

He swiveled his chair towards me and played with his pen. The ticking sound was irritating me.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

I opened up my bag and took out the folder file that contained the shreds of paper, messily torn. I threw it on the table and looked at him.

"You are really childish, you know? To do such things at your age. It really makes me ashame to be of the same gender as you. It's fucking gay." I was trying my best not to raise my voice or sound angry. I wanted him to admit it before I throw him a heavy punch. I was clenching my fist.

Jeff lifted the folder slightly and looked at me with a puzzled expression. "What is this? I don't know what you are talking about."

I grabbed his tie and pulled him close to me, close enough to smell my coffee breath.

"Look here, Jeff Teo. What you did, was totally unethical and if I ever catch you doing this again, I'll make sure you get it from me. Fucker." I muttered under his nose and threw him back against his chair roughly.

I took my bag and stormed off. It felt good, for once, to vent my anger like this. I have never used violence on anybody, not even the classmate who punched me in Primary school. I was born to learn about peace and love in the name of Jesus. But Jeff really went over the line, plus the fact that I did not sleep for a night, I lost it.

What I did not know was, this was the start of what HE wanted me to do.

To be angry.

****************************************

That night, I went to bed early because I was extremely tired after staying awake for a night and an entire day. Throughout the entire day at work, Jeff looked at me weirdly. I remembered growling at him once, which I have never done so in my life.

At about 3AM, I woke up to a loud knock on my door. I was startled. I sat up and listened intently in the darkness for another knock.

Then it came again. The second knock.

I got the door and peered outside my living room. Nobody. No one. I took a glance at my parents' room and found the door closed.

I closed the door and went back to my room. As I shut the door, I heard a male's laughter coming from the living room. It was low, and almost like a snigger.

I threw opened the door and peered out once again, to find the cushions on the floor. When I opened the door a minute ago, the cushions were nicely placed on the sofa.

I stepped out and braced myself as I walked towards the light switch near my main door. Before I could flip the switch on, I heard the laughter again.

Instinctively, I turned around and saw a dark shadow of a man, standing near my room door, almost three feet away from me. I could not make out his features, but he was tall, taller than me, and slightly well built.

I squinted my eyes at the dark shadow, trying to figure out the features, but realised that I could not, no matter how I strain my eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked, bracing myself, just in case he was some burglar or something.

He sniggered at me again. "I am your fear." He replied, his voice raspy.

"What?" I asked, totally puzzled.

"You're such a loser. You lost your girlfriend, and you are of no help to your poor parents who have to live in this damn house with you. Plus, you are not going to get promoted. Tsk. You're fucking pathetic." The shadow said, and walked over to the sofa. He sat down and looked at me, his head turned to me. "You should just die. Don't you hate your parents? Don't you hate your girlfriend? How about Jeff Teo? Don't you just hate all of them for ruining your life? If you are, why are you not doing anything about it?"

I was almost leaning against the wall now. I was breathless and I felt faint. Why was I even talking to something that was probably not there?

I had to admit, I was totally freaked out. Like what anyone would do, I flipped on the switch and my living room lit up. He was gone. No more shadow, no more voices.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was starting to think, maybe, I starting to go crazy.

My mother came out from her room and looked at me with squinted eyes, due to the bright light. She must have heard me talking to someone.

"Wei ah! Are you okay?" She asked with concern, coming up to me. "You look so pale. Who were you talking to?"

I opened up my eyes and hugged my mother like a five year old child. I was afraid. I was fucking afraid.

And HE knew that too.

********************************************

Things started to go terrible for me. My mother prayed for me every single day, but I just could not shake off the image I saw that night. In fact, after that particular incident, I had been seeing him around me. All the time.

Slowly, I stopped going to work altogether. I could not sleep, therefore, it affected my work performance. My mother adviced me to take a week off work to rest.

Weeks passed and I was still shakened by the experience. Many times, he would appear infront of me, laughing. He was laughing at me. My head ached intolerably and I spent my days in bed, trying to get some sleep. I stopped shaving and I looked dishevelled and skinny. My mother tried to make me eat, but I refused, because whenever I tried to eat something, I would see him, standing at some corner in the room, sniggering at me. He hardly spoke anything, and I could not figure out his features. He was just a dark, evil shadow.

Betty came by one day. Mother must have called her, but strangely enough, she was the last person I wished to see. Not when I looked my worst.

"Mingwei," Betty called out softly as I was curled up like a little baby in my bed. My eyes were closed, but my mind was awake.

She came into my room and sat gently beside me. That was when I realised that the only girl I loved was really there. She touched my shoulder and I opened up my eyes. I was sobbing.

"Mingwei," she repeated herself, touching my face. Her voice sounded so sad, I could feel her sympathy.

"Bet!" I cried aloud and hugged her waist. "I'm so scared. There's a ghost in this house and he's haunting me everyday! I'm really scared!"

Betty hugged me tight. I could never forget how warm her hug was. It was the embrace I needed most at that time.

"Mingwei, there's nothing to be afraid of. You're worrying your parents, you know that?" She asked, her voice light and crisp.

I looked up at her face, and was once again, smittened by her angelic features and long, dark hair. Before I could speak, I saw HIM standing behind her, just two feet away from her.

I sat up immediately and shouted at something behind Betty.

"Stop it! What are you trying to do?! What are you trying to do?!" I asked repeatedly as the dark figure approached Betty. He was laughing. Betty did not seem to realise he was behind her. I doubt she even heard his laughters.

"Betty! Watch it!" I called out, but it was too late, HIS hands were already around her neck, tightening every second. Betty started to struggle. I tried to pull HIS hands away from her, but it seemed as though he was invisible. I was not able to feel him.

Soon, Betty's eyes rolled back and her tongue stuck out horrendously. The sight was grosteque. It was beyond any means of description. When she finally stopped struggling, HE released the girl I used to love so deeply, and disappeared, leaving his sniggers behind.

I was totally shakened by the whole experience. I knelt before Betty and grabbed her warm hands. She was starting to feel cool. I cried. I cried like a helpless child. It was not common for a twenty four year old man to cry like that. I tried to shake her, maybe, she would wake up or something, but nothing like that happened.

Betty was gone. Forever.

************************************************

That evening, I sat beside Betty's lifeless body for a good one hour before my mother came into the room. When she saw Betty lying infront of me, looking tortured and dead, she took several steps back before she started screaming.

"Ma!" I cried and ran after her. She was trying to search for the keys in her handbag.

"Don't... Don't come near me." She was stuttering as she overturned her bag nervously. Her things fell out freely onto the sofa as she went on her knees and started searching for her keys within her belongings.

I was nervous. Why was my mother afraid of me? I was not the murderer! It was HIM!

"Ma! It wasn't me! Really!" I exclaimed, trying to prove to my mother I was innocent. "It was HIM! I swear! You know I will never kill anybody!'

I was moving forward when my mother looked at me with the key in her hand, her eyes filled with terror and tears of fear. Her mascara ran down her cheeks as her tears fell. She was shaking badly. She pointed the key at me and stuttered. "You.. You are the son of the devil! How could you kill Betty?! How could you kill anyone?!" She was crying now.

I stepped forward and she screamed. "STOP! Don't come any nearer! You are no longer the Weiming I used to know! We used to know! You are just a murderer! Everyone told me you're a devil's son but I chose not to believe them and see where it's leading me!"

"Ma! Listen to me-" I was about to explain myself when the shadow appeared behind my mother.

"Get away from her!" I shouted into the air. My mother looked at me with a puzzled look and sniffled at her mucus, her hands still shaking.

"Get lost!" I shouted again.

HE was sniggering at me again. "Tsk, tsk. Look at you, so fucking pathetic. Your own mother calls you the son of the devil. Ain't you fucking pathetic? Don't you want to do something about it? To people who call you useless?"

I covered my ears in my hands and knelt down in tears. I was breaking apart, and HE knew it.

"Stop, please, stop." I was crying now. "Please don't hurt anyone."

HE laughed and grabbed my mother's hand that held the key. I looked up when my mother gasped at the invisible force that was grabbing onto her hand.

Slowly, he slitted my mother's throat using the edge of the key. My mother was screaming as I lunged forward and pushed her down towards the direction of HIM. The cut went deeper when I did that.

"Ma!" I cried out loud and grabbed her hand to stop her from continuing what she was doing.

It was too late. Mother stopped breathing when I finally pulled the hand down that fell freely by her side.

I fell back onto the floor and pushed myself away from my mother's corpse. "No...No!" I cried, pulling my hair as I screamed repeatedly. My face was smeared with my mother's blood.

HE stood infront of me now. For the first time, I saw how he looked like. He had dark brown hair that curled a little, and dark brown eyes that contained a little sadness. I shook my head as he bent forward and looked at me in the eyes. He was extremely pale and there was an evil grin when he did that.

"When I look at you, you reminded me of myself. Useless, and pathetic. I chose to die because I dare not kill. See now, I've killed those who criticises you. Now, nobody will speak ill of you. Don't you feel better now that these damn people are dead?"

"No! No! Why?! Why must you do this to me?" I cried and buried my face in my hands.

HE laughed and stood up straight. "Because you are living in my house. I do not allow coward people to live in my house. Others have been scared off, but you, I want to help you. Look what I've done! I've destroyed all the evil people around you. You are safe now! Shouldn't you even thank me?"

I kept quiet and continued sobbing for the longest time.

****************************************************

My father came back that day and found the house in a mess. He also found the two bodies, and me, crying with blood in my hands. I did not explain to him, or spoke to him when he demanded to know what happened. He called the police and I was arrested within six hours after their murder.

I told the police what I knew, but they said that there were only my fingerprints on them and also on the key that mother used to slit herself. They were convinced that I was the killer.

Readers, please believe me. I am not a murderer. That house, is now vacant. Do not live in there! Please do not live in that damn house! I am now in the Institute Of Mental Health. I have to be locked up forever all because of HIM.

I still see HIM once in awhile, and when I do, I simply look away because that is when I know that he is going to find his next victim.

Nobody knows the truth except Mother, Betty, and I.

The Letter

The cool wind was brushing against June's delicate cheeks when she walked down the school's level corridor, holding onto a letter in a light pink envelope against her chest.


It was recess time and the students were scattered everywhere about the school's compound. Some students were playing cards in their classes and some of them were trying to flip the pages of their textbooks to prepare for their upcoming test after recess.


June pushed her spectacles against her nose nervously and stopped outside a classroom with some boys running about, and the girls sitting around, gossiping about who broke up with who, and who got together with who.


June shifted her feet close together and held onto her envelope tighter. A drop of perspiration dripped off a strand of hair at the side of her left ear. She was about to brace herself for the special moment when the level's reknown notorious girl tapped on her shoulder from behind.


"Oei, fatty. You stand here for what? Act Buddha is it?"


That girl's name is Shina Wong. She was a rather petite girl, with a very pretty face. That made her the belle of that level for that particular year. She might be notorious, but Shina always made sure she did well in her studies. Therefore, there were more reasons to befriend her, than to hate her. Shina had many devoted followers, some as young as the Secondary One students.
That year, she had her hair permed like her favourite Taiwanese idol, Jolin Tsai, and within days, you could spot some similar heads around at school.


That was how influential Shina was.


As usual, she had two other girls standing behind her, acting like bodyguards.


June bowed her head timidly and wiped off the sweat glistening on her forehead.


"Oei, ask you question you don't know how to reply is it? What you doing here infront of my classroom? This is MY class. Isn't your class downstairs?" Shina asked impatiently, tapping her foot against the ground.


June cleared her throat and glanced up at Shina slowly. "I..."


One of Shina's follower, Tingting, interrupted with a mock. "I think she's here to give love letter. You see what she's holding."


Shina's attention immediately went over the the pink envelope June was clutching onto tightly. It no longer looked as neat as before, June had almost crushed the entire envelope.


Quickly, June hid the envelope behind her back.


"No. I'm here to find..." She quickly thought of who she knew in this class. "Find... Huiting! Ya! She promised to go for recess with me, but I couldn't find her." June replied.


Shina raised a brow suspiciously. "I just came back from the canteen and she was just there, eating with Raine and girls. Did you try the canteen?"


June let out a nervous laughter. "Oh yes. Canteen! Why didn't I think of that? Okay. I'll go down and look for her. Thanks Shina!" As quickly as she could, June did her best to walk as fast as she her legs could carry her away from that level.


Shina stood behind her and watched June's overweight body disappear down the stairs.


***********************************************


June ran into the toilet and hid herself in a cubicle. Panting and gasping for breath, she was convinced that Shina did not tail her. Sitting on the toilet seat, she patted her chest and took deep breaths. She knew that being overweight was not healthy, but she knew she could never live without food.


She realised that she was still clutching onto the pink envelope, now crumbled and wet with her persperation. June released her grip and smoothened out the envelope against her lap.


"I'm so useless! I can't even bring myself to give this letter to him! I'm so stupid!" She mumbled to herself as tears welled her eyes. She pressed against the letter on her lap and rubbed it angrily.


Fed up with this outcome and her cowardice, June crushed the envelope again and threw it into a wastepaper basket beside the toilet seat.


She wiped the tears off her eyes and went out of the toilet, determined not to look back at what happened that morning.


What she did not know was, Shina was right beside her cubicle all the while.


After June left, Shina went into the cubicle June was in a moment ago, and picked up the letter from the wastepaper basket. Quietly, she slipped the envelope into her pocket and left the toilet, convinced that June had most likely returned back to class.


********************************************

"Stop it lah! You nothing better to do is it?!" Chung Kai shouted irritatedly as his classmate, John, hit him on his head from behind.

John laughed and slumped himself in the seat infront of Chung Kai. "Seriously, you need to take a chill pill. You take things so damn seriously."

Chung Kai leaned back comfortably as the classroom filled itself with chatters. "I take everything seriously, except girls. You can never believe what they say. Like that Shina, remember? She told me that she would be my girlfriend after mid-year exams, then uptil now, you see, got difference or not? All lies lah! Girls love to pretend only."

As if speaking of the devil, Shina slapped Chung Kai from the back. "Speaking ill of me? I really don't like that. Especially it's behind my back. Just for your information, being with you is a choice, not an obligation. So stop pretending that it's something that I must fulfil." She settled down at her seat beside his and arranged her uniform.

Chung Kai rolled his eyes at John who was laughing his head off.

"I think I found a love letter for you. You may want to read it." Shina started, taking out a crushed, pink envelope out of her pocket.

Chung Kai looked at the envelope in awe. How could this be a love letter? It looked so dirty and slightly wet. He was reluctant to open up the envelope.

"You're kidding me right? Make me happy, then some stupid shit happens. It's always your game, Shina." Chung Kai spoke with irk and pushed the letter back at Shina's desk.

The girl with a ponytail looked at him with surprise. "Don't you want to open it up? I went through alot to get this back for you. It was from a trash. In the toilet, okay?"

Chung Kai stood up. "All the more, I wouldn't touch it. Giving me trash. Thanks, Shina." With that, he walked to the front of the classroom and started talking to another classmate.

*************************************************

Chung Kai was walking home from school that day in his sluggish look, his hair in a mess, and his shirt tucked out. His bag was slung over his shoulder loosely as he made his way towards the bus stop opposite his school.

Chung Kai is relatively good looking, with big eyes and a sporty look. He was as tall as 180cm, with girls from other class gushing over his presence. He knew who June was, in fact, he was guilty for calling her "FAT ASS JUNE" behind her back. She was always eating, as far as he could remember.

He was in love with Shina. In fact, he had a crush on her since Secondary Two when the both of them were seated together. However, he never made that known because Shina was always popular amongst all the other guys in the level, and some seniors. He was happy just being her "partner."

Chung Kai stood under the bus stop shelter with some other students from the same school. Cars were whizzing past him as he waited patiently for his bus. He had a long day at school. Suddenly, he recalled the envelope Shina attempted to give him this morning.

What was Shina trying to show? What was in the envelope? What love letter was that? The thought of someone actually tried to write him a love letter made Chung Kai blush a little. He was aware that some girls took slightly more notice of him here and there, but to write a love letter and make some feelings known, this was the first time. For a short while, he kind of regretted rejecting the letter.

Soon, his bus arrived with students packed like sardines in it. Chung Kai moaned inwardly as he boarded the bus. As he made his way up the first step, he was suddenly pushed by a large force from behind, he nearly fell flat on the ground.

"Oei!" He shouted irritatedly as he spun around and spotted June attempting to squeeze herself up the bus with the doors closing right behind her hair.

The bus jerked and moved out of the curb. June heaved a sigh of relief as she looked up from where she stood and was shocked for words when she saw Chung Kai right infront of her. His face was filled with disgust, refusing to throw her a second glance. She realised that the person she pushed earlier on was him and looked down.

For awhile, she hated herself. She hated herself for sweating like a pig when everyone else still smelt good after a long day at school. She hated herself for rushing for the bus from a distance. She hated to be up on this bus where she had to squeeze her fat self in. Most of all, she hated herself for pushing Chung Kai. The boy she loved dearly for four years.

The bus stopped at the next stop and the door creaked open awkwardly as June's body hindered the doors from opening widely. She shifted her body and took a step up as the crowd started to move in when a few students alighted at this particular stop. She stood beside Chung Kai and felt her heart beating quickly. She took several side glances at him and smiled to herself secretly, happy to be standing so near him. It did not matter, on the spot, that he did not speak to her. She was happy the way they were. Strangers, yet schoolmates, and standing side by side, not speaking a word.

As June indulged herself in this short moment of happiness, the bus braked suddenly and she fell freely on Chung Kai who was supporting himself while holding onto a passenger seat. As June's heavy body landed on his, his grip came loose and the both of them fell in an awkward position where June lay on top of Chung Kai.

Everyone in the bus was staring at the both of them. Some people muttered amongst themselves, and some were laughing softly at this hilarious sight.

June realised that her skirt was all the way up at the back, exposing a large portion of her fat thighs. Trying her very best, she attempted to stand up.

Chung Kai was on his elbows as he tried to push June out of the way. He was embarrassed through and through. He wanted to scream at her. He wanted to push her away. He wanted to get off the bus and forget about this whole incident.

"I... I'm sorry." June muttered as she made her way up on her two feet finally when the bus stopped at a traffic. She pulled the skirt down at the back.

Chung Kai stood up and threw her the pair of spectacles that fell on him earlier on. When the bus stopped at the next bus stop, he alighted immediately, wishing he never seen her.

Meanwhile, June continued her journey in the bus. She found a seat and sat down. In her mind, were a thousand thoughts. She knew that Chung Kai hated her, and now, even more.

She felt like crying. She buried her face in her hands and allowed the tears to come freely.

*************************************

Chung Kai reached home half an hour later than usual. He threw his bag on the bed and threw himself on it. With his hands behind his back, the incident that happened on the bus came back to him. Blinking quickly, he tried to push away the images that came flashing into his mind.

"Oh, that fat ass." He muttered under his breath and sat up. He opened up his schoolbag and saw a pink envelope sticking out of one of his textbooks.

Sitting up straight, he took out the envelope and looked at the front.

FOR : WEE CHUNG KAI

Curious, he opened up the envelope and took out a pink, slightly crushed, perfumed paper and unfolded it.

Dearest Kai,

You'll probably be very shocked to receive this letter from me. Please believe that it took me alot of courage to write this to you, and even more courage to personally hand this over to you. We're graduating this year and after this year, I know that we might not meet again.

My parents have arranged for me to pursue my college education in the United States after the O levels results are out, but I told them that I needed time to think about it, because there is someone here that I cannot put down, and that someone is you.

I liked you since we were in Secondary Two. Remember the time when I fell at the school canteen and you offered your hand to help me up? I saw the most angelic pair of eyes. I couldn't help but fall for you then. But you took me by surprise when you released my hand almost immediately after I got up and walked off without even turning back. Only then did I realise that the reason you let go of me was because your group of friends were looking over at you, and you would be laughed at for helping me.

I understood all that. I really did. You didn't know how much you meant to me back then. Just when I thought everyone else was making fun of me, there you were, lending me a helping hand. Do you know what that really meant to me? Then I saw you around in school, with Shina. I somehow know that you're in love with her. Who wouldn't? She's pretty and influential. Any boy would die to be with her. But, I didn't mind watching you from far. In fact, with you around, everything seemed perfectly fine.

You might not have noticed me before, because I am just a very ordinary figure in school.

I know that I should not ask for too much, but if you are willing to try to accept me, I promise you I will be beautiful, just for you. Please let me know before we graduate from this school.

I will be happy to know what you think, even if it's negative. Whatever you do, just don't ignore me.

Thank you.


Yours, June Tan

Chung Kai crushed the paper angrily and threw it into a wastepaper basket accurately from a distance. He lay back in bed and tossed and turned. How could have attracted such a girl? He regretted helping her up back then. He should have minded his own business.

***************************************

Years flew by. Chung Kai was taking up business studies in a local university when fate came knocking at his door again.

He was exceling in his modules and he loved what he did. He was active in sports and school's activities, it never occurred to him that being single was a bad thing after all. He loved his freedom and decided to keep all the good ladies around him as friends.

Shina was in the same school as him, but she was already in her last year. Chung Kai had to serve his national service, so, Shina pursued her education earlier. The both of them dated for awhile in Junior College, but broke up when Chung Kai entered national service. They realised that, they were not suitable for each other after two years of compromising and quarrels. Hence, they decided to remain as friends.

It was the school holidays. Chung Kai decided to take up a temporary job as a photography assistant for a modeling agency. He loved photography, but his parents objected violently when he requested to pursue his education in photography. Therefore, he decided to totally make use of all his vacations to do what he likes to do.

He was attached to a very famous photographer, Jim Loh. Chung Kai found himself lucky to work with such a talent. He took photos of many celebrities during functions and award shows, and even made it to one of the top photographers in Hollywood, America.

However, working with Jim was not easy. Jim was a perfectionist. Every lighting and angle had to be precise and Chung Kai often got scolded for not being "serious" in the job.

That day, Chung Kai was busy getting the area ready for a photoshoot for Fann Wong when someone tapped him on his shoulder.

He turned around from the backdrop and saw a girl about his age, in a white cap, looking at him in big round eyes. She was wearing a pair of black rectangular shaped spectacles and her skin was fair and almost translucent. Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail and placed through the small opening at the back of her cap.

"Excuse me, I'm so sorry. But can you tell me where Jim is?" She asked, her face blushing under the hot sun. She must have ran because the brim of her T-shirt was damp with her own persperation.

Chung Kai took a second to stop himself from looking at her and pointed behind her shoulder. "Right behind the wooden door."

The girl smiled and Chung Kai almost melted at the sight of her sweet smile and straight white teeth. She hugged her books and adjusted her spectacles. "Thank you."

With that, she turned her back towards him and walked towards Jim's direction. Chung Kai stood there for a good three minute looking at her backview. She was slim and dressed in a black "ROCK N ROLL" T-shirt and a pair of white mini pants. Her legs were long and lengthy. His gaze ended at her pair of worn out white sneakers. For awhile, he thought he might just have a crush on her.

"Pretty hor!" A voice woke him up from his daze.

It was Shina. She was standing beside him, tip toeing to shout into his ear. Chung Kai is almost a head taller than she is.

"What are you talking about? Must you shout?" Chung Kai asked as he returned to his backdrop decoration, ignoring Shina's presence.

Shina giggled. "I know what you're thinking. She's not bad lah. Look abit like those Japanese actresses. You haven't been dating for 3 years, I think you should try this one." She suggested, helping Chung Kai to glue up the corner of the backdrop.

Chung Kai kept quiet as he continued to apply glue to the other side of the board.

"Besides, it's time for you to want to settle down. Your mom has been calling me recently and asking me if you're seeing anyone. Feels like I'm some matchmaker or something. So save me all these trouble and find yourself a girlfriend for fuck sake." Shina went on, tapping on the sides lightly to ensure that the poster stayed.

Chung Kai looked at Shina. "What are you doing here today?"

Shina returned the look with a grin. "I've came to pass you the news that there's this Secondary school gathering next week. You're invited."

"Can't you just call me?" He replied, putting the glue brush back into the tin of glue.

Shina giggled again. "I missed you what! Okay lah! You want to go grab some dinner? I'm hungry you know."

Chung Kai shook his head and removed his glove. "No. I'm having it here. Jim bought packet rice for everyone."

Shina raised an eyebrow and went close to Chung Kai. "Hopefully, that girl stays for dinner too huh!" She teased and walked off before he could say anything. "Bye! I'll tell you where the gathering will be held."

Chung Kai looked forward at the direction where that girl was. She was talking to Jim enthusiastically with her hand gestures and several wide smiles.

Strangely, during that moment, he wanted to know what they were talking about.

Most importantly, he was surprised at his own overwhelming interest in this lady.

*************************************

The day to the gathering arrived faster than expected for Chung Kai who had been extremely busy for the past week. Jim was flying off to Japan soon and he had to hurry with some unfinished photoshoots in Singapore. Chung Kai had been working overtime for the past few days he barely had enough sleep. It was fine for the young lad though, considering the fact that he earned himself more during the overtime tasks.

Everyone was to gather at Harbour Front MRT Station before heading off together to the restaurant for a good buffet dinner. Chung Kai arrived slightly later than the appointed time because he overslept. His ex schoolmates were voicing out their displeasure at his lack of punctuality jokingly.

"Okay lah. Here I am right? Can we go?" Chung Kai asked, tucking his hands into his bermuda's side pockets.

One of the gossip girls that was known back in school, Jamie, shook her head as she scrolled down the list of guests using her index finger against the attendance sheet. "Wait. June. June Tan is coming."

Everyone started to murmur to each other. Nobody could forget that fat, nerdy girl who got made fun of every single day at school. It was rumoured that she had gone to the United States to pursue her college. Everyone felt slightly bad at the thought of the obese girl who did nothing to hurt them.

"She's back? I thought she's in the States?" Chung Kai asked, remembering the letter that June wrote to him almost six years back. He shifted his position uncomfortably as he remembered how sad June was when he returned to school the next day, and shouted at her for being stupid and clumsy. June ran off into the ladies for a long time before she came out and have avoided Chung Kai since then.

Ming Kok, one of Chung Kai's buddy rested an arm across Chung Kai's broad shoulders and smirked. "She's back, baby! She's back! What if she's bigger than before?"

Shina nudged Ming Kok playfully. "That's so bad lah!"

Ming Kok looked at Shina with puppy eyes. "Oh! Is that Shina the Meanie telling me that I'm very bad?"

Shina giggled. "Please lah. That was so long ago. I stopped being a bitch since JC days okay."

That was true. Shina toned down quite abit after she attended Junior College. That was when Chung Kai found the confidence to speak to her, and ask for dates.

"Well, that's good to hear, Shina." A female's voice replied to that comment Shina made from behind.

Shina spun around and everyone's gaze fell on a beautiful girl with fair skin. Her hair was falling loosely down her shoulders and she was dressed in a white baby doll dress and a pair of ballet flats. She had a little make up on and her eyes were sparkling with a little tinge of brown.

Everyone was quiet for a moment, absorbing the sight of this beautiful girl. Nobody remembered exactly if their school had such a pretty girl. The guys were mentally flipping through all the pretty girls they saw at school six years ago, trying to find a name to fit into this face.

However, Chung Kai remembered. She was the exact same girl who came to the photoshooting set the other day. His heart leapt a beat.

"You!" He exclaimed, breaking the silence. "Photoshoot, Jim.."

The girl placed a hand over her mouth and smiled. "Oh! Yes! You!" She laughed. "Small world. You were from Christmount too!"

Chung Kai returned the smile. "Yes. What about you? I don't remember a girl like you at school."

Everyone was looking at the both of them now. They were puzzled at their conversation. How did Chung Kai get to know such a pretty girl?

The girl rolled her eyes and smiled widely. "It's me! June! June Tan!"

Everyone almost fell back. June?! June Tan?! The fat, nerdy, bespected girl with a huge school bag?! June?!

"June?" Ming Kok croaked, trying to understand the whole situation. It had to be a joke. It had to be.

The girl giggled. "Yes. It's me. Can't you guys recognise me?"

Shina's mouth was wide open. "You.. You're fat June?"

June nodded grabbing onto Shina's shoulder. "Yes! You big bully! I can never forget what you did to me!" She chuckled and gave her a bear hug. "But it's really nice to see you again."

Shina was limp against the hug.

All the while, Chung Kai was glued to the floor. He could not speak, neither could he say anything.

All he could remember was the scene where she fell on top of him years back. Who could have thought that June would be so beautiful?

**************************************************

The dinner was mostly on June. They had not been catching up for years and everyone was curious at the 180 degrees change in the girl. The questions were bombarding her like no tomorrow.

"What did you do when you go back?"

"How did you become so pretty?"

"How is college there?"

"Why are you back?'

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

The last question somehow caught Chung Kai's attention as he looked up for the first time from his plate of food. He realised that he was not the only one who did that. The other guys around the table did the same. There was a short, awkward pause amongst them. The girl who popped the question, Raine, was looking at June with large, expectant eyes.

June shifted uncomfortably in her seat and forced an awkward smile. "No."

The girls chorused, "no?!"

The boys were muttering their "thank god" under their breaths and went back to their food.

Chung Kai heaved a sigh of relief and went back to his fried rice.

"But why? You're so pretty!" Raine asked in a cute voice, shaking June's arm lightly. June will never forget how cute Raine was even back in Secondary school days.

June blushed under the dim lightings and poked her food around with her fork. She took a quick glance at Chung Kai who was sitting opposite her and looked away shyly when he returned the gaze.

She remembered how shocked she felt when she was introduced to this particular guy by her friends as Chung Kai. She was even more surprised that they met earlier on, and had actually spoken to each other without even knowing that they actually DID know each other.

What a small world indeed.

"Oh! Chung Kai is it? You still waiting for him?" Shina teased, noticing the shy exchange of glances.

June kept quiet, and Chung Kai did the same too.

The other friends around the table were now teasing them mercilessly. The both of them looked down shyly, and did not speak to each other the entire night.

*********************************

"Send her home!" Shina insisted, pushing June to Chung Kai who held out a hand to prevent June from falling.

"It's okay! I can go home on my own." June replied shyly, pushing her hair behind her left ear and stood a step away from Chung Kai.

John looked at Chung Kai. "We boys are giving you a chance to send June home leh! Can you please be more gentlman or not?"

Other guys were supporting John's statement by cheering Chung Kai on.

"Let's go. We'll leave these two here to settle their way home." Shina suggested, grabbing Raine's arm.

Very soon, the group dispersed and left the two of them standing side by side, awkward with the situation.

June coughed lightly and broke the silence. "Erm. I can go home on my own." She spoke with a smile.

Chung Kai shook his head. "No. I'll send you back. No worries. Let's go." He replied and walked towards the staircase to the taxi stand. June followed behind.

When they were walking side by side down the stairs, Chung Kai spoke. "So, I never really had a chance to ask. Why did you look for Jim the other day?"

"Oh. Jim. Right. I was his model back in the U.S. I came back the other day and went immediately to find him regarding my pay cheque. He delayed his payment, you see." June replied.

Chung Kai raised an eyebrow. "Oh, did he pay you yet?"

June smiled as a cool breeze blew at her soft cheeks. "Yes. He told me he had some cash flow problem some time back. He apologised and everything is well." She replied and looked at Chung Kai. "What about you? Why were you there?"

The both of them were strolling down the pathway towards the taxi stand.

"Oh. I was working temporarily for Jim. Earn some extra cash, you know. And besides, I love photography." He replied, tucking his hands into his pockets.

June whispered. "Oh."

The two of them remained quiet till they boarded a cab.

"Uncle, Bukit Timah, Hillview Heights." June told the uncle and the taxi moved out of the curb.

Chung Kai looked at June. "Oh. You living with your family?"

June shook her head. "My parents are in America. This apartment is rent to me for a month."

Chung Kai nodded. "Oh."

June looked out of the window and watched Singapore past her by. Things have changed since the last time she stayed here.

As if reading her thoughts, Chung Kai said, "Singapore have changed alot, right?"

June nodded and smiled. "Yes. Quite abit. Especially this place that used to be World Trade Centre. Now it even has a big shopping mall. It's amazing."

Chung Kai laughed. "It's been THAT many years huh? You've changed quite abit. No longer the same old fat June that fell on me in Secondary school."

June recalled the incident vividly. It felt as though it happened yesterday.

"I ... I am sorry for that incident. It must have terribly embarrassing." She apologised.

Chung Kai laughed again. "No problem, silly. Not a problem."

For the rest of the journey, the both of them remained quiet. No one mentioned the letter until they arrived at June's place. They got off the taxi and that was when Chung Kai brought up the subject.

"Erm, June." He started.

June stopped at her pace and looked at the tall, handsome guy standing right next to her.

"There's always been something I wish to say to you, but I never had the guts to." He went on, walking towards a bench under her apartment and sat on it. June followed and sat beside him.

"I am very sorry about the letter incident. I was immature and stupid-"

"It's fine. It's alright. You should have reacted that way at that time. I was not that sort a boy would date. So I totally understand." June interrupted, fiddling with the strap of her white bag. "It's been so long, it no longer hurts."

For awhile, Chung Kai felt extremely sorry. It felt so bad he felt like crying, just letting it out like a baby, but he knew that he had to hold it in, because the simple fact that he is a man, he must not let it out.

"Hey! Don't be so sad. I am fine." June spoke cheerily, patting Chung Kai's shoulder.

Chung Kai looked at June, "don't you hate me at all? I was really mean to you."

June looked away, her smile still transfixed on her face, but there was a slight tint of sadness in her eyes. "I did. After all, you were my first crush. I hated you only when you shouted at me at school. It was humiliating and I felt like I totally regretted writing a letter to you. If you hadn't known, probably, I wouldn't be laughed at during the remaining days at school."

Chung Kai covered his face in his hands. "I- I'm so sorry."

June giggled and face him again. "Hey. I told you, it's totally fine. We're all grown ups now. Right?"

Chung Kai looked up from his hands and held onto June's hand that was resting on his lap. "If, there's a chance for us to get together, will you come back to me?"

June withdrew her hand and looked away. "I don't think now it's right time to talk about this."

She stood up and with her back facing Chung Kai, she continued. "I wouldn't like a guy, who loves me only for what I am. I may look like this now, but inside me, it's still the old fat June. Always."

She turned around and smiled. "How I wish you told me all that when we were in Secondary school. Everything is not possible now. Good night Chung Kai. It was really nice to see you again."

She bent over and gave him a hug. "You still look so good." She spoke as she released the hug. "Exactly the same Chung Kai I used to know back then."

*****************************************

A week past and Chung Kai was still thinking of June. He was lying in bed on a weekday morning, looking at June's number on his handphone and navigated away the umpteenth time.

He rolled in bed several times and lay on his chest. He looked at the number again and finally mustered enough courage to give her a call.

It rang for a long time. Chung Kai was about to hang up when the call got through.

"Hello?" A sleepy voice spoke.

Chung Kai held his breath.

"Hello?" The voice repeated.

"Oh.Hi." Chung Kai replied quickly. "It's me, Chung Kai."

There was a pregnant pause. Chung Kai could hear some ruffling sound coming from the other end, as if June was attempting to get up from her bed.

"Oh." Her voice croaked. "Hey."

"Erm. Hi. How have you been this whole week?" Chung Kai asked, sitting up on the bed.

June seemed to have stifled a yawn. "Fine. I am still sleeping now actually. Shina and the girls clubbed with me last night at Butterfactory. I am so wasted."

Chung Kai was a little shocked at Shina's warm hospitality.

"Oh. I was thinking, do you want to go out?" Chung Kai finally popped the question.

He gripped onto his phone and closed his eyes, wishing for a positive answer.

"Yes. We'll make it today. I will be up by twelve. Is that okay?" June replied.

Chung Kai could imagine June getting out of bed.

He hung up the phone after agreeing with the timing and literally jumped for joy.

************************************

At eleven forty five, Chung Kai was standing outside City Hall control station nervously, arranging his collar for the fifth time during his ten minutes wait. He looked at his watch and looked out for June's face when crowds after crowds exited from the ticketing entrances.

"Chung Kai." A small voice called from behind him.

He turned around and saw June in an orange sun dress, smiling at him.

"I came from the other way." She said, pointing to the other row of exits on the other side of the station.

"Oh." Chung Kai laughed. "I thought you might come out from here."

June giggled. "Shall we have lunch? I am starving."

*****************************************

"I'll have the soup of the day to begin with, and..." June ordered and paused as she surveyed the main dishes introduced on the menu with her index finger. "A fish and chips. Kindly send bring my coffee at the end of the meal." She ended her order and closed the menu.

The waiter was scribbling busily on his notepad when Chung Kai made his order. He decided to settle for some steak and some iced tea.

The waiter took the two menus away and walked off.

June smiled, spreading the white table napkin across her thighs. "It's nice to dine here. I never knew this place is beautiful. It must be expensive."

Chung Kai smiled. He was ready to splurge that day. He decided to make this lunch a very memorable one for her. In a way, maybe, he could make up for the hurt he put her through years ago.

Their food arrived and they ate silently, as if two strangers were seated together for the sake of having lunch. It was after their main courses, did they start a conversation over coffee.

"So... You're going back next week?" Chung Kai asked, stirring his iced tea with his straw.

June nodded. "Yeah. Next week. School's starting soon over there. I need to get back for orientation."

Chung Kai leaned back and played with the water droplets condensing outside his glass of iced tea. "Will you ever be back?" He asked, almost in a whisper.

June breathed in sharply and winced at the cold air that pierced her lungs.

Chung Kai realised that and sat up. "Are you alright?" He asked, his eyes tingled with a sense of concern and care.

June forced a smile and hit her chest lightly. She coughed lightly and fumbled for her bag. She took out a bottle of pills and popped one in. She took a quick sip of her water and closed her eyes, her hand still on her chest.

"I think-" Chung Kai started, ready to ask for the bill when June stopped him.

"No. I.. I am fine. I had a bad cough. That's all. I forgot my medicine." She told him as colour started to return to her face. She coughed a little more and took another sip of water. She seemed to have felt better.

Chung Kai looked at June.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

June smiled. She seemed to look better now. "Yes. I am fine. Don't worry."

Chung Kai, in his black T-shirt, smiled, relieved that June was fine. He could not help but realise how fair she was. Her skin was almost translucent. He could see faint lines of her veins and her eyes were sparkling.

"Look June, all these years, I've never forgotten you. I felt very bad towards you the past years. I know I shouldn't do all that to you." Chung Kai started, glad that he finally got to touch the subject that was playing with his emotions for the past one week.

June kept quiet and took a sip of her coffee.

Taking it as a hint to continue, Chung Kai went on, now sitting up. "Now that you are back, I really hope that I can get a chance to date you."

June looked down. "I'm going back next week."

"I know. I will wait for you to come back. As long as you give me an answer, I will wait for you." Chung Kai replied enthusiastically, knowing at once that he will not regret this reply.

June looked up finally, and Chung Kai understood why she looked down. Tears were welling up in her eyes. She looked away quickly and placed the napkin on the table. "I'm sorry." She replied abruptly and walked off, leaving Chung Kai sitting in his chair, totally dazed and clueless at what June meant.

He watched June's body fade away as she ran out of the restaurant.

Chung Kai looked away and tried to hold back his tears.

Days later, news got to him that June had already gone back to America.

**************************************

Time passed and it was a year since June got back to America. Chung Kai was determined to wait for her to come back after her education. He was convinced that, from the pair of eyes he saw during lunch that day, was a sign to show that she still loved him.

"Kai, you have a letter." His mother opened his room door one afternoon and passed a pink envelope to her son.

Chung Kai was sitting by his computer desk. He took the letter and flipped it around. It was from California, America.

June.

He unsealed the envelope with unsteady hands and took out a pink perfumed letter. It was folded exactly the way it was years ago.

Bracing himself, he opened up the letter.

Dear Chung Kai,

Time flies and somehow, the feeling have changed as I wrote this letter. The previous letter was filled with excitement and anxiousness, whereas for this letter, it was filled with lots of sadness and helplessness.

Kai, by the time you read this letter, I might have gone to somewhere more peaceful, with no pain and suffering. I was happy to be back in Singapore to see all of you. It meant more than anything to me. It felt as though I had completed what I had to do on earth. There was no regrets.

I am writing now, sitting up with tubes stuck up my nose, on the hospital bed. Doctor told me that my days were numbered two years back. I had lung cancer, you see. I did not go for chemotherapy because the doctor said it would only extend my life, not save my life. Every chemotherapy would be fruitless.

So, I braved through my days. I have told my mother about sending this letter to you after my crematorial ceremony.

When I saw you last year, I felt sad. I wanted so much to go back to you. I've never stopped loving you, you know. That day, when you screamed at me, I avoided you because it hurt so bad just looking at you. Wanting someone so bad, and yet, you get nothing out of it, the feeling was unbearable.

I am very happy that you acknowledged my love, but the reason for my extreme loss of weight was because of my sickness. I could barely eat and that day, surprisingly, I had an extremely good appetite. Perhaps it was because of you. I felt so much stronger.

I came back to America, feeling complete and also, sorry to you. I wanted to break the news to you that day, but couldn't bring myself to. Sorry I ran off. I just couldn't look at you.

My love for you never faded. Not now, not ever.

Please be strong and stay happy. I wish you happiness.

Thank you for loving me. You made my last days very happy.

I will always be your guardian angel, watching over you.

I love you, Chung Kai.


Yours,
JUNE TAN

Chung Kai crushed the paper and took out a photograph enclosed with the letter.

He held the photograph and bent his head down. He cried.

He never cried harder than this in his life.

The photograph was a picture of fat June in Secondary school, with Chung Kai sitting behind her in the canteen.

Chung Kai was looking at Shina, and June was smiling in the photo.

Reflection

"Do you think my nose is too flat?" Cathy asked, shifting her face left and right to find the right angle for a full view of her nose bridge.

Joanne, her best friend in her polytechnic, washed her hands at the basin and looked up at her friend's reflection.

"Please! If that's flat, mine is what?" She asked, pushing her nose down. "My nose will be like a pig's nose already."

Cathy sighed. "I feel so imperfect. My eyes! Look at them!" She cried and pushed the side of her eyes upwards. "I wish I have double eye lids and slits at the sides. That will make me look so damn sexy."

Joanne laughed and joked, "aiya, if you want it to be like that, you might as well go and do plastic surgery."

Cathy looked at her friend and grabbed her hands. "Yes! Maybe that's what I should do. I've been contemplating for like three years-"

"Stop! Please tell me you're not serious!" Joanne asked in shock, her eyes opening wide.

"I can't be more serious." Cathy replied and nudged her friend towards the exit of the ladies as some girls moved towards the basin area.

Once they were out, Cathy went on. "I've been thinking for the past three years." They started walking towards their next lecture hall. "I'm so damn tired of how I look. My eyes, my nose, my lips, my teeth... practically EVERYTHING. I'm so fucking flat chested too." She stopped her pace and looked down at her AA cup breasts she tried very hard to conceal by wearing A cup brassieres.

Joanne raised a palm to chin level and spoke in a diva-like attitude. "Puh-lease. You're perfectly fine! With your built, if you have a fucking D cup breasts, I will get freaked out okay? I mean, SERIOUSLY freaked out."

They arrived at the staircase leading to the lecture hall and Cathy sighed, hugging her file. "I don't know, Jo. My mind is in a mess. Ever since Matt dumped me I -"

"Don't mention that jerk. He is not even worth mentioning, okay? ANY guy who judges a girlfriend by her looks, are simply not worth your time and effort okay? If Matt wanted a sex bomb for a girlfriend, he shouldn't have chosen you right from the start. He was with you just because you're rich. You should have known that." Joanne interrupted, shaking her head.

Cathy was getting irritated. "Stop speaking of Matt like that. I know why you don't want me to do surgery. You're afraid I'll look better than you." She blurted and knew at that instance, she made a terrible, terrible mistake.

Joanne stopped at her pace abruptly and looked at her friend in shock, her eyes tinted with anger and disappointment.

"Look, Cathy Sim, the truth was plain and simple. Matt wanted you back then because you're just fucking rich, okay?! I stayed by you because I was your best friend. I've never thought you were ugly, and is this how you speak of me?! Am I such a person in your eyes?! Do you know what risks there are when you go for cosmetic surgeries?! I was concerned and all you cared about was yourself and what YOU think!" She retorted and raised a hand to stop Cathy from speaking. "Do whatever you want. I really don't wish to speak to you anymore."

With that, she jogged up the stairs and proceeded to the lecture hall alone.

Cathy stood at the side of stairway in tears. She wiped the snort off her nose as she turned her back towards a group of students coming up the staircase.

**********************************************

For three days, the two girls did not speak to each other. Cathy had attempted to create conversations between the both of them, but Joanne was still angry and had refused to reply to any of Cathy's approaches.

On the fourth day, Cathy decided to make the decision alone. She stared into the mirror at home for an entire hour, figuring every single spot on her face that required correction. After analysing thoroughly, she briefly took down the features she wanted to correct in a notepad.

She braced herself for the second blow when she approached her mother for a second opinion. She was confident her mother would disagree flatly upon this absurd request. However, she decided to do whatever she had to do to make herself beautiful.

"Mom," Cathy started, standing at the entrance of her parents' bedroom.

Her mother was doing her pedicure with her manicure artist, Phyllis. It was an awkward time to approach Mrs Sim, but Cathy felt it was also the best time because her mother, herself, believed in retail and beauty therapy.

"Oh, Cathy! My precious daughter! Come in! Do you want your nails done?" Mrs Sim asked generously with a wide smile. She was wearing a loose white shirt and hot pink tights. Her hair was permed with perfection, not a single strand was out of the way. Her small framed body was leaning comfortably against a massage chair with Phyllis kneeling on the floor, polishing the toenails with a thin layer of transparent nail polish.

Cathy stepped in and went forward to her mother. Phyllis gave her a smile and Cathy returned it politely. She sat on the edge of the king sized bed and placed a hand on her mother's.

"Mom, I've something to talk to you about." She spoke, almost inaudibly.

Her mother was admiring her new fingernails when she stopped to look at her daughter with queer. "What? What did you say?"

Cathy inhaled deeply. "I have something to say." She repeated, this time louder.

Mrs Sim giggled. "Oh, I thought what. Speak."

Whenever her daughter spoke like that, Mrs Sim always knew it was a favour. Since she was in a good mood, chances of approving any request is high.

"I want to do plastic surgery."

Phyllis heard that and painted the outside of the last second toe with a jerk. She looked up apologetically and proceeded to take a cotton pad from her work-box. "I'm so sorry." She repeated over and over again as she clumsily poured a small amount of nail polish remover from a small bottle.

Mrs Sim was speechless during the entire time, and was even unaware of Phyllis's mistake. For awhile, she thought she heard wrongly.

"Phyllis, did... did my daughter just said she wants to do plastic surgery?" She asked in disbelief, looking at the poor lady who was trying her best to salvage the mistake she made earlier on.

Phyllis looked at the lady and kept quiet. She went back to wiping the excess nail polish off the side of the toe.

"Cathy! What are you thinking?" Mrs Sim asked, her voice loud and clear. "Do you know what you're talking about?!"

Cathy grabbed her mother's hand, her eyes in tears. "Mom! Please help me! I feel so... so ugly and hideous if I don't do something about myself!"

Mrs Sim shifted the other hand over her daughter's. "Girl ah! You look fine! What's wrong with you?"

"I'm NOT fine! Look mom! Look at my eyes! They're TINY. Look at my nose! I don't even THINK I have a nose. And my lips! They're so thin! I don't even see my lips! And my teeth! You look! They're so crooked and yellow! I can't stand it anymore! Even my breasts are so small!" Cathy railed, ignoring the presence of the manicure artist who was trying her best to do her job despite the shouting.

Mrs Sim sat up and inhaled deeply. She withdrew her legs gently and dismissed Phyllis for a break downstairs for some tea before continuing with the pedicure later on. The manicurist nodded quietly and went downstairs.

When the door closed, Mrs Sim shifted her seat and faced her daughter who was filled with desperation to look better.

"Girl ah. You look okay to me. Why you want to do such things? You got see that Michael Jackson? You want your nose to fall off like his someday is it?!" She asked worriedly, her brows frowning.

Cathy shook her head. "Mommy! Michael Jackson did it in what? 1980?! It's 2008 now! It's different! It's not so painful now too. I really want to do it! Please support me!"

Mrs Sim looked away in despair. She knew her daughter well. Once Cathy sets her mind into doing something, she does it all the way.

She knew that her daughter had been toying with this idea for years, but she never really brought it up because she was not confident. Now, Mrs Sim knew that her daughter meant business and she can only encourage her.

************************************

That night during dinner, Mrs Sim brought the subject up to her husband.

"You know, it's not possible. I will support anything she does, but not this. This is way too much." He reasoned, scooping some soy sauce chicken onto his plate of half eaten rice.

Mrs Sim scooped a few more pieces of chicken bits and place it on her husband's plate. "She is really serious about it now. You know your daughter, if she wants to do something, she MUST do it. I don't want her to end up doing something stupid for the surgeries. You don't want anybody who knows you to come up to you and tell you your daughter is working as something unglamorous outside right?"

Mr Sim was quiet now. He scooped a spoonful of rice and fed himself.

He was a big man, with a balding head and a gold tooth. He had delibrately gone and extract a tooth for that, because his mother believed that a swelling belly and a gold tooth represent prosperity.

Mrs Sim knew that she hit the spot. To her husband, nothing mattered more than his own reputation in the business.

"How much?" He finally asked, lifting his bowl towards his lips to take a sip of the double brew chicken soup.

Mrs Sim placed her silver spoon by her plate and fiddled with the tablecloth's edge. "Cathy wants to change quite a few things, so it will cost about thirty thousand to forty."

Her husband nearly choked at his soup. Mrs Sim had to pat his back repeatedly to soothe the coughings. As soon as he could finally breathe normally, she passed a glass of water to her husband which Mr Sim took gratefully with a shakey hand.

"You must be crazy. Do you know how much money that is?" He finally spoke, taking a sip of clear water.

Mrs Sim went back to her chair beside her husband's and nodded. "Yes. But I'm willing to forego my mahjong and manicure sessions for a year. Just let her go. She just wants to be beautiful. You don't want her to keep blaming us for giving her the ugly features right?"

Mr Sim was getting angry. He slammed the glass on the table and looked at his wife. "What?! Blame us for giving her a face like that?! Who does she think she is?! We give her everything. A car, a room, a laptop, a walk-in wardrobe, a very expensive bathroom... we GAVE her everything, Amelia! What else does she want? Now she has the damn guts to say we gave her the ugly features?! Is this the way a daughter should speak to her parents?!"

"But-"

"No buts!" He stood up and threw his napkin on the table angrily. "It's all your fault Amelia! You keep spoiling her! Again and again! Is this how you teach your daughter? To spend forty thousand at the age of eighteen?! This is insane! I left you at home to educate Cathy and look what you've done!"

He stormed off into the study room and slammed the door hard enough for Mrs Sim to tremble in tears.

*******************************

Cathy heard the argument her parents had and she felt sorry for implicating her mother who did all she could to help her. She lay chest down on her bed, her head buried in her folded arms, and cried.

******************************

It was a Saturday the next day. Mr Sim and Mrs Sim were sitting outside their porch with a pot of tea and some kuehs, enjoying the breeze. Mr Sim was flipping through the papers, reading to his wife some news that were important. Amelia loved to listen when her husband speak. He always had this airs about him which attracted her since she was a teenage girl.

When he finally closed the newspaper and remove his spectacles, she spoke softly. "I've calculated last night. I got about twenty thousand with me. Can you just pump in another ten for Cathy? I really want to see her happy. She did not even have dinner last night. I had Armin send up the food and when I went upstairs this morning, the food was left untouched. I think she was really upset."

Her husband dropped three cubes of sugar into his tea and stirred it quietly.

"How? Please, Roger. I want Cathy to be happy." Amelia pleaded.

"Okay. I'll just pump in another ten thousand or so. Since you want to spoil her, you spoil her yourself. I'll just give what I can give. You know nowadays my business is not too good." Mr Sim finally relented before taking a sip of his tea.

Mrs Sim's face lit up and gave her husband a quick hug. "Oh, I love you, Roger! You're the best!" She cried happily and planted a kiss on his bald head.

**************************************
Cathy received the good news as soon as her mother finished her tea. She was ecstatic. Her dream was finally coming true.

*************************************

During the school holidays, Cathy spent most of her two months vacation in the hospital, going through several surgeries. In just two months, she did her eyes, nose, botox and lip fillers. By the time school re-opened, she looked totally different. In fact, even her ex best friend, Joanne, could barely recognise her.

*************************************
"Mom, a photographer from HER WORLD magazine wants me to model for a brand! He just called me!" Cathy gushed, running down the stairs into the living room. Her parents were eating grapes and watching the evening variety show.

Mrs Sim smiled. "Did you say yes?"

Cathy jumped in beside her mother and nodded. "Of course! Daddy, they know that I'm Roger Sim's daughter and would like to add a small interview as well. Isn't that marvellous? People will know about you and it'll help in your business alot."

Mr Sim laughed. "Then I have to thank you for being so nice."

Cathy felt happy. For once, she felt beautiful. She went back into her room and danced infront of the mirror. She looked closely and admired the flawless works of her surgeon. She pouted slightly and decided to get another dosage of lip filler tomorrow.

*******************************************

The day for the photoshoot arrived. Cathy went to the studio happily in a plain white tank top and jeans. The photographer welcomed her and shook her hand before asking her to proceed to the changing room.

She was guided to a small room with bright lights and racks of beautiful clothes. In there, she was greeted by several make up artists and some other models. She got dressed into a beautiful champagne evening gown and sat infront of the mirror. Her make up artist, Alicia, came up and started to work on her face.

"Oh, what pretty eyes you have! Not many Chinese have these eyes." Alicia gushed, spreading a thin layer of foundation over her face.

Cathy giggled.

"You look perfect, but if only you have bigger breasts. Look at this dress, it's hanging so loosely down your chest. I think Rim will have to photoshop that part." Alicia commented, applying loose powder over Cathy's cheeks.

Another model sitting beside her, Junni, smiled as her make up artist applied a light brown eyeshadow above her left eye.

"Being flat chested is very sad." She remarked.

Cathy looked at Junni using her side glance and spoke. "Most models are flat chested."

Junni stood up from her chair and laughed. "That was passe. Now, you've got to have the front and back to look sexy. It's how the market is nowadays. Wake up, baby."

With that, she sauntered out of the make up room.

Cathy gripped the arms of her chair and looked into the mirror as Alicia did her eyes quietly.

**********************************************

"Mom, I want to do my breasts." Cathy insisted, following her mother around the three storey bungalow. "I wanted to do it the last time but Doctor Rossi told me it will take more than two months to heal completely. So now, I want to do it."

Mrs Sim sat on a couch in the living room and Cathy follow suit, settling herself beside her mother.

"Girl ah. I gave you a pretty face. Now, you want pretty breasts too. What is wrong with you?" She asked, fanning herself with a magazine she was reading. "Armin! Turn on the aircon! So hot!" She shouted for her maid who came running out of the kitchen.

"Mom, please. Just one last surgery. I am like AA cup! I want at least a C cup. Please!" Cathy begged, almost on her knees.

Mrs Sim cooled down as the cool hair filled the room.

"Okay. Just one more. After that, stop bugging me to let you do this and that. Okay?"

*******************************************

Cathy went for her breasts surgery. Before the surgery, her doctor warned her of all the possible risks she might face and that the operation will be slightly more complicated than the eyes and nose.

After they reached a certain understanding, Cathy proceeded with the surgery.

******************************************

The surgery was a success. During the recovery stage, her breasts were starting to take form. They appeared firm and larger than usual. Cathy had requested for a generous C cup, but was rejected by her doctor because it would be dangerous to increase the size of the breasts drastically from cup AA to cup C. Hence, they settled for cup B which Cathy found no reason to complain about.

After the seventh week of the surgery, Cathy was starting to feel pain on her left nipple and sometimes, it would get unbearably painful at night when she slept sideway.

"Cathy, I think the tissue in your left breast is not accepting the sillicon very well. It's showing signs of rejection." Doctor Rossi explained after the test conclusions were out.

Cathy looked at her doctor worriedly. "But my right breast is fine!"

"Yes, yes," the doctor replied, playing with her pen. "But your left breast is not. So, we have to operate on your breasts again to take out the sillicon pads."

The young girl started crying. "What about my other breast?"

Doctor Rossi sighed. "I'm sorry to tell you these, but such rejection are relatively minimal. Guess you're unlucky. I've to take out both sillicons for you to look normal as a woman, then I will reconstruct your breasts to firm up the tissue and allow them to recover. We can't keep those sillicons inside, it might cost your life. We must do it soon."

Cathy covered her face in her hands and cried for a long time.

*********************************************

It has been six years since that surgery. Cathy regretted every moment of it, having to step in and out of the hospital to reconstruct her breasts once in awhile. Each time she looked in the mirror, she would cry at her sorry state. Her breasts were no longer small and beautiful. They are now saggy and deformed.

She met a lady at the hospital once, waiting to see the doctor to talk about breasts reconstruction and surgery.

Out of goodwill, she told the lady.

"Don't do it. You're beautiful the way you are. Don't be like me." With that, she pulled down her button blouse and revealed her deformed left breast to the shocked lady. "Six years, and I'm still paying for this price. Don't regret it."

The lady thanked Cathy and left the hospital shortly after canceling her appointment with her doctor.

BEST Friend, BAD Friend

Min Joo's life was close to perfect. She had a happy family, a group of close knitted friends, excellent conduct in school, perfect results, and a very good buddy, Kelene.

Basically, she had everything a girl ever dreamt of having. Her parents are well off, giving her all the luxurious and material comforts most girls only hope for. The family lived around Siglap area and her father dabbles in the fastfood business.

At the age of twenty, she pursued medicine in one of the best local university in Singapore. She had everything, but little did she expect the person who might hurt her most, was around her all the time.

Nothing wakes a person up better than betrayal.

******************************

It all happened one year back, when Min Joo and Kelene decided to attend the same course after their A levels. Two girls met when they were Primary school and they absolutely loved each other. Even in Secondary school, when Min Joo was in the Special Stream and Kelene in Express, they still met everyday during recess and after school.

They were that close. People practically thought they were siblings. Min Joo, although wealthier than Kelene, never compared their differences. Min Joo gave her best friend everything she had. Hence, they always ended up with the shoes, clothes, bags and laptops. Min Joo always made sure she bought double of everything.

Kelene on the other hand, is the daughter of a Yong Tau Foo stall owner and his wife. They did quite well, though. Their little stall made more money than the other stores in the coffeeshop. Most of the ingredients were sold out before dinnertime. However, Kelene was never proud of her parents. That was why her parents hardly attended any of her schools' events.

On their first day of school, Min Joo was whizzing past the cars on the expressway in her BMW. She did her soft curls the day before and she loved them. She realised that her hairstylist, Kylie, knew exactly what she wanted. Kelene had done the same and they looked like two peas in a pod. Apart from their complexion and features differences, almost everything about them looked alike. Min Joo loved the similarity. It made her feel extremely close to her best friend.

Kelene was sitting beside her, touching up on her make up. She was extremely excited over the first day of school. After all these years of tedious schoolwork and ugly uniforms, she finally made it to the University.

"Do you think there'll be cute guys in our class?" Min Joo asked. She was glowing in the sunlight in her bright yellow 1970's strap dress.

Kelene giggled. "Well, I don't know, but the doctors I've met so far, are not bad looking."

Min Joo pulled the brake and looked through the rearview mirror with a grin. "I'm so excited. You know, it took me exactly three years to get over Russell. I'm now all ready to find a right guy and start all over again."

"I'm sure you will. After all, you're such..." Kelene smiled sweetly and dragged the last word with a bit of a cute tone in it. She stretched over and gave Min Joo a big hug before completing the sentence, "a good friend!"

Min Joo hugged Kelene back. She was blessed to have such a good girlfriend. She was determined to find Kelene a good boyfriend too, if she ever finds one.

*******************************

"I'm even amazed how you two look alike! You guys even have the same curls." Serene, a new classmate gushed when they were at lunch.

Min Joo gave a wide smile and picked up her fork. "We've been best friends since Primary school okay? She's like my other half."

"People sometimes think we're lesbians." Kelene added with a laugh.

Min Joo cut a small cube of her beef steak and fed it to Kelene. Kelene accepted it with grace and did the same to Min Joo.

"Oh my god. I am starting to think you guys are lesbians as well." Serene remarked with a slight shiver in her voice.

Min Joo laughed. "We understand."

**********************************

After school that day, when the girls were about to leave the school campus, they bumped into a senior whom they met during the orientation. Both girls thought he was cute.

"Oh hey." He said with a smile when he saw the two girls near the carpark.

"Hey." The both of them replied in unison, only to realise that both of them were blushing.

"I haven't got your names during the orientation. I'm Neth." He introduced himself and stretched out a hand.

"Min Joo."

"Kelene."

Two girls took turns to shake that large, firm hand. Both girls were almost breathless. Neth was not only blessed with good looks, he was also studying criminal law in school. This was his second year and he had been very popular amongst his peers for his friendly and kind nature.

Neth flashed them another charming smile, showing his perfect set of straight, white teeth. "Well, see you girls around. You guys going home?"

Min Joo nodded shyly. "Yup. Home."

"Well, alright then. I'll catch you some other day. Bye!" With that, Neth walked away towards the school's canteen.

Kelene placed her hand against her chest and looked at her best friend wide eyed. "Oh my god. I could hardly breathe."

Min Joo leaned against the pillar weakly and felt her face. "I feel damn feverish. I think I am fucking blushing."

Kelene giggled. "He's cute. Super cute. Let's go." She grabbed her friend's hand and led her to the car.

"Maybe, just maybe, he and I can work something out." Min Joo mumbled dreamily as she unlocked the car's door with a smile.

But she did not realise that, Kelene heard what she said.

*****************************************

The next few days in school were passed on quickly and it was finally Friday. The girls loved Fridays. It would mean a night of party, party and more party.

Kelene was at Min Joo's house that evening. They decided to settle for some "GOLD RUSH" look as Min Joo slipped into a Gucci mini dress studded with golden sequins.

"Do you want to borrow my gold top? It's definitely nicer than your Topshop gold dress. It makes you look like a carpet." Min Joo remarked, taking out a beautiful Guess gold top from her wardrobe.

Kelene, sitting by the dressing table, looked away from the mirror. She was applying mascara.
"Oh, that's very cute."

Min Joo smiled proudly and proceeded to remove the curlers from her hair. "Of course. It's mine. You should learn how to dress up sometimes, Kel. Stop shopping at Topshop, Mango... These shops are passe."

Kelene screwed the mascara bottle tight, turned, and face her flawless friend. "I can only afford such brands. I'm not you. I'm not Min Joo with a rich dad."

Min Joo stopped at the removal of her curlers and stared at her best friend. "What do you mean by that? I've given you whatever I have. How can you, of all people, say that I'm just "Min Joo with a rich dad"? That was totally, extremely, hurting." She went on to remove her curlers. "If you know what I mean, I've never despised you."

Kelene broke out a smile and hugged Min Joo. "Yes, I know! Don't get so uptight! It was just a comment. I know how much you love me."

Min Joo's anger seemed to have eased at the sound of that. She liked it when Kelene cared so much about her.

"Well, I guess I'm okay. Hurry and try that top. It'll look fabulous on you."

****************************

The night at Ministry Of Sound was a blast. Min Joo and Kelene went into the VIP room to search for Min Joo's friend, one of the rich businessman's son.

"Min Joo! Look who's here!" Jack welcomed with wide arms when the two girls were granted entry to the VIP room.

"Oh Jack!" Min Joo gushed and gave him a hug.

"Kelene!" Jack greeted the girl behind Min Joo and gave her a hug as well.

"Sit! Order whatever you want. It's on me." Jack offered generously, throwing his wallet on the table.

That was Jack. Always full of enthusiasm and money. He was highly sought after at his university although, to Min Joo, his look was slightly below average. However, he was great company and great fun.

"Hmm! How about a dozen shots of tequila?" Min Joo ordered.

A lady took the order and walked off towards the bar counter.

"How was school for the first week?" Jack asked, taking a generous gulp of his Chivas, a big cube of ice chinkling against the glass. He was leaning back against the comfortable sofa in his black button shirt and pants.

Min Joo placed her gold clutch beside her and straightened her dress. "Fine. Nothing specatacular like I thought."

"Yeah. Except that senior, Neth." Kelene added with a childish giggle.

Min Joo nudged her friend and looked at Jack with a grin. "He's very, very, cute. I think he may not be totally Chinese. He had these pair of deep, dark beautiful eyes. He resembles Utt."

Jack laughed. "So fast you all find new target already huh? Looks like I'll have no chance again." He added with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Everyone knew that Jack had been into Min Joo for almost ten years now. Min Joo, however, never felt anything special for him.

"You can have Kelene!" Min Joo laughed and gently pushed Kelene to Jack.

A tray of a dozen shots of tequila came just in time. Kelene needed that. Sometimes, she simply could not stand Min Joo's childish attitude.

"Let's drink." Kelene changed the subject and picked up a shot glass. "Let's drink to our first week at school." She toasted to Min Joo and felt the gush of alcohol rushing down her throat. She quickly picked up a slice of lemon and placed it on the top part of her tongue.

*************************************

As the two girls were about to leave the club at four in the morning, they met someone they never thought they would meet at a place like that.

Neth.

"What are you doing here?" Kelene asked, slightly tipsy. She was lucky to have a good tolerance for alcohol.

They were at the entrance when they spotted Neth smoking outside. Min Joo was totally wasted. She was leaning against Kelene.

"Neth." Min Joo slurred, waving her clutch infront of the smoking guy. "Hello." She giggled.

"Hey. Yeah. You guys club often too?" He asked. Kelene could not help it but sink into those pair of dark brown eyes. He was not only tall, but fit. He looked extremely handsome this very night in a dark red button shirt tucked into a low waist straight cut Levi's jeans.

Min Joo stumbled forward a little and Kelene struggled to catch her. "Yeah. Apparently, Min Joo is drunk." She replied awkwardly, pulling her best friend by the wait.

"Hey! I'm not drunk. I know you," Min Joo pointed her clutch at her friend, "Kelene, and you," she shifted the direction of the clutch to Neth, "Neth."

Neth laughed and threw away the cigarette butt. "Ok ok. I'll see you guys at school. Take care." With that, he left Kelene standing with Min Joo in her arms, staring into space.

For once, Min Joo looked stupid infront of a guy they both liked, and Kelene could almost feel herself smile.

**************************************

The next morning, Kelene woke Min Joo up at eleven. She made some breakfast using what she could find in Min Joo's kitchen. The maids offered to cook, but Kelene insisted on cooking personally. After all, she was in a good mood.

"Joo. Wake up. I made breakfast." Kelene called softly, shaking her friend who was still sleeping under the covers.

Min Joo stirred abit and mumbled, "awhile more."

Kelene laughed and pulled Min Joo up to a sitting position. "Wake up! It's eleven! It's Saturday, we shouldn't waste our time staying at home on a Saturday. Wake up! I made some sandwiches and eggs." She quipped and placed a tray of food on the bed infront of her groggy friend. "Breakfast in bed. Perfect isn't it?"

Min Joo yawned and rubbed her temples as she picked up the glass of freshly blended tomato juice. "Oh, splitting headache." She murmured and finished the glass of juice in a gulp.

Kelene smiled and shifted the plate of food slightly forward. "Eat this, and you'll feel better. I can't imagine how much you drank last night. It's shameful to let Neth-" She paused halfway at the mention of their senior. Quickly, she took away the empty glass and stood up. "I'll go wash this."

"Wait, wait. What about Neth?" Min Joo asked, convinced that Neth must have seen them last night. She had a very faint memory of seeing someone like Neth. However, she was not sure if he was the correct guy.

Kelene wanted to slap herself for blurting this out. She could have kept that small conversation a private memory for Neth and herself. Now, it is all ruined.

She turned around and smiled awkwardly. "Nothing. We sort of met him last night outside MOS."

Min Joo's mouth dropped open. "Oh my god. We did, did we?! I knew it!" She was hitting her head absent-mindedly as she continued. "Oh! Why did I get myself so drunk last night?! I must have appeared stupid. Did I? Did I appear stupid? Oh Kel, tell me!" She was practically begging from the bed.

Kelene smiled. "No. We didn't speak. We just said hi and left. Don't worry, Neth doesn't really know that you're drunk." She lied. "Besides, it was so dark, he wouldn't be able to see the state you were in. So no worries."

Min Joo, in her white nightgown sat up. "Right! He wouldn't have seen how stupid I looked right? It was dark and I bet he drank too."

Her best friend turned around and headed towards the bathroom with the empty glass still in her hand. "Yup. Don't worry."

Kelene went into the bathroom and turned on the tap. The water ran freely down the pipe as she looked into the mirror. She saw a tired face looking back at her. She hated her looks. If only she looked half as pretty as Min Joo, probably, Neth might noticed her.

She splashed some cool water against her face and felt like crying.

***************************************

That day, the girls went shopping at Orchard Road. It was their favourite shopping paradise. There are not only branded products that Min Joo loved, there are also delicious Japanese food that Kelene cannot succumb her temptation to. The two girls were browsing in a Gucci shop when Min Joo's cellphone rang.

"Who's that?" Kelene asked, looking away from the neatly arranged bags on the shelves.

Min Joo looked at the caller-ID and shrugged. Slipping some shopping bags onto her shoulder, she picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi. Hey. Um. This is Neth."

Min Joo nearly dropped her phone when she heard that familiar English accent coming from the other side of the receiver. Kelene grabbed her friend's elbow to stop her from fainting.

"Hello?" Neth asked.

"Oh, yeah. Hey. Hi." Min Joo stuttered, sitting down on a couch.

Neth laughed. "Oh, I think you're quite surprised at this sudden approach. I got your number from the orientation students' list. If you remember, you wrote your number there."

Min Joo remembered. At that time, she wanted to search for Neth's number too, but she did not know his name at that time.

"Oh. Yes?" She asked, still trying to catch her breath.

"Oh. I was thinking, em. Since tomorrow is a Sunday, do you care to go for dinner tonight? I know a great place for pasta." Neth asked, his voice not a tinge of nervousness.

Min Joo gripped her phone and let out a wide smile. "Sure! Where? What time?"

"I'll pick you up at seven? Your place?"

"Sure. Sure. Yes. Okay. See you. Bye!" Min Joo hung up the phone and grabbed her friend's hands. Kelene had been sitting beside her patiently, trying to guess who that person was on the other end.

"Oh. My. God." Min Joo cried, stressing each word. "That was Neth."

Kelene's heart fell. She dropped her bags of shopping stuff and her eyes were wide open.

"Shocking right?! I was also damn shock! He asked me out for dinner tonight! How?" Min Joo gushed, shaking her friend's hand.

"Neth called? And asked you out for dinner?" Kelene finally managed this question with alot of difficulty.

Min Joo nodded blissfully. "Yes! My god! I can't believe it!" She squealed and looked at her friend. "Do you want to go tonight? Let's go together. Neth said the place he's taking us to has great pastas."

Kelene shook her head. "Nah. It's a date. You two go ahead."

Min Joo giggled and hugged her friend. "I'll never, ever, dump a best friend for a guy. Never."

***********************************

Neth came by at exactly seven pm. He was driving a red Volvo. Although the comparison between his old car and Min Joo's BMW was pretty big, Min Joo told herself that when he officially becomes her boyfriend, she will buy him a new car that will suit his charisma.

"Hey Min Joo." Neth greeted cheerfully as the girl in a black mini dress approached him from her main gate.

"Hey!" She greeted back in a wide smile.

Neth was about to open the door for Min Joo when he realised someone else tagging behind her.

It was Kelene.

She was dressed in a light blue doll dress that had little frills at the collar. Her hair was pulled back with a LV hairband Min Joo bought for her a year ago.

"Hi." She said when Neth met her eyes.

Neth was taken aback slightly for her presence. Nonetheless, he replied her politely. "Hey."

Min Joo grinned and tugged Neth's elbow. "She is my best, best friend. I can't leave her out for such a wonderful dinner right? Kel loves pasta. So I thought we can all go together."

Neth, still slightly shocked, smiled awkwardly. "Right. Yeah. Okay."

Min Joo giggled and opened the backdoor of Neth's car. "Kel, come!"

Kelene could sense Neth's disappointment. The disappointment was written all over his face. She walked forward and past Neth. She slipped into the car slowly and closed the door.

Min Joo got into the front seat and they made their way down to the fanciful restaurant Neth recommended. All the while, in the car, only Neth and Min Joo conversed. Kelene was simply an ornament, at least that was what she felt.

**************************************

The restaurant was quiet when they made an entrance. It had a romantic ambience and the place was lightly dimmed. Couples were seated at their tables, holding hands, enjoying each other's company and the live classical music band on the stage. A waitress came up to them and asked Neth if he made any reservation.

"Neth De Souza." He replied.

De Souza. So, he is an Eurasian, thought Min Joo quietly.

The lady gently scrolled down a list of names using her index finger and stopped at one.

"Neth De Souza. Table for two?" She asked and looked up.

Neth coughed and scratched the back of his head. "Three actually. An extra person decided to come along. Can we make any arrangement?"

The waitress by the name of Nancy smiled politely. "Yes, sure. We'll just add an extra chair. Please follow me."

Kelene was feeling terrible. How could Min Joo do this to her? How could she bring her on HER date? It was totally unforgivable.

While Kelene was feeling negative, Min Joo felt the opposite. She was very happy her friend could share this joy with her. She was glad that her Kelene was part of her first date.

They found a seat that faced the Singapore River directly sat down. Min Joo loved the scenery. It was beautiful as the lights in Singapore begin to light up like little stars. The boats packed with tourists were floating beneath them, taking photos of the beautiful ONE FULLERTON and THE ESPLANADE.

"This place is beautiful." She gasped almost breathlessly as a gust of breeze blew at her face gently.

Neth smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I ordered some red wine as well. Are you fine with it?"

Kelene wanted to reply, but she realised that his eyes were only on Min Joo. She kept the comment to herself.

"Yes, sure. I'm fine with anything." Min Joo replied, crossing her legs beneath the table to make herself more comfortable. "Kel, how about you?"

Kelene smiled weakly and opened up the napkin over her laps. "I'm fine."

Neth gave a signal to the waitress and the waitress came shortly with a bottle of red wine in an ice bucket. She poured into the three glasses gently and walked off after saying, "enjoy."

Neth smiled and picked up his glass. He raised it slightly, "cheers to our first dinner." He spoke softly.

Min Joo chinked her glass against his and looked at Kelene.

"Kel. Your glass?" She asked.

Kelene pretended to be dreaming and sat up. "Oh, yeah." She picked up her glass and gently knock it against theirs. "Cheers."

Their dinner was basically more about Neth and Min Joo. Kelene had been quiet throughout the entire dinner except when Min Joo urged her to speak. She watched quietly as the two lovebirds conversed with laughter and giggles. Kelene had the urge to leave, but she knew that this move would affect the whole dinner.

"Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom." Kelene spoke as she wiped her mouth with the napkin on her laps. She just finished her mini chocolate fondue and the last course was coffee.

Min Joo was just recovering from a laugh when she looked at her friend. "Do you need me to come with you?"

Kelene smiled and stood up. "No, it's okay. I can go on my own."

Kelene went into the ladies and locked herself in a cubicle. She sat on the toilet cover and sobbed. She felt humilated, and extremely ugly sitting right next to Min Joo the whole night. She was never invited. She was never asked to come along. Why did Min Joo insist she tagged along? Now Neth probably thinks that she is irritating and someone with no sense of initiative. All these thoughts made Kelene sobbed louder.

She stopped sobbing when someone else came into the bathroom. Wiping off the tears and smeared mascara, she flushed the tissue into the toilet bowl and came out. Gently, she splashed some cold water against her face and looked into the mirror. Her make up was running and her eyes were red. For awhile, she felt sorry for herself for landing herself in such plight. She should not have agreed to come.

However, the night had to end. Bracing herself, she wiped off the water droplets off her face and opened up her handbag. She took out her concealer and gently dapped it across her face.

Even if Min Joo made her look bad infront of Neth, she was going to end it with confidence and presentability.

She finished off the touch up with some pink lipstick and pressed her lips together.

"I'm not going to lose to her."

************************************

That night, Kelene went home with a thousand of mixed feelings. Neth had dutifully sent her home before sending Min Joo back. The thought of their private time together suffocated Kelene.

As she walked down the HDB corridors of tenth level, her cellphone beeped.

She took it out from her bag and saw "1 new message received".

Thnx babe for comin with me tonite! Neth is a great guy isnt it? Im glad tat u were there with me on Neth's n my 1st date! Luv ya! Goodnite my BFF!

Kelene had a sudden urge to throw her handphone down from where she stood. She held back and leaned against a wall. Tears were trickling down her cheeks. These were the tears she prevented from falling all night. Now, they flowed freely.

Sobbing loudly now, she sat on the floor and covered her face in her hands.

That night, Kelene decided what she should do.

*******************************

On Monday, Kelene made her way to school on her own. She saw Min Joo coming towards her from the school's carpark and quickened her pace towards the lecture hall.

Min Joo, dressed in a dark blue checkered top and white short pants ran up to her best friend.

"Kel!" She called and stopped her friend's pace abruptly.

Kelene bit her lower lip as she hugged her files tighter towards her chest.

"Kel. I tried calling you the entire Sunday! Why didn't you pick up your phone? I even called your house. I nearly make my way down to your place okay? I thought something happened to you!" Min Joo asked worriedly, placing a hand on Kelene's elbow.

Kelene forced a smile and turned to face her friend with a pretty face. "Um, I was helping out at my dad's all day. You know, Sunday, busy day for my father."

Min Joo looked more relieved. She smiled slightly. "Oh. But you should have at least dropped me a SMS or something. I was worried sick. We contact each other everyday since Primary school. If you don't contact me suddenly, of course I will worry. Right?"

Kelene smiled widely and before she could reply, Neth came jogging towards them.

"Min Joo!" He called out cheerfully.

Min Joo turned around and waved at her new interest. "Neth!"

Neth stopped infront of them and realised Kelene was around. "Oh, good morning." He said, directing it to her.

Kelene nodded with a weak smile. "Morning." She glanced at her watch delibrately and looked up. "I have to run. Lecture. See you guys later." She excused herself and ran up the stairway.

"Kel! Kel!" Min Joo called out from behind but Kelene continued walking, ignoring the calls.

"She's been acting strange since Saturday. I wonder if anything's wrong." Min Joo asked, her brows frowning, showing that she was thinking of something seriously.

Neth shrugged. "I don't think so. She was fine when I dropped her off on Saturday night."

Min Joo disposed the negative thought and shrugged as well. "Oh well. Perhaps." She smiled and looked at Neth. "I don't have lecture this morning. Want to do breakfast together?"

****************************

Kelene was at Min Joo's house that evening. They were lying lazily around in bed with fashion magazines. Min Joo was munching on a chocolate bar when her phone beeped.

She jumped out of bed and rushed to the dressing table. She opened the message and smiled to herself.

hey sweetie. im going home now. had a long day. call u later. hugs and loves, ur boy. xoxoxo

"Neth?" Kelene asked, sitting up from her lying position.

Min Joo grinned and jumped back into bed. "Yeah."

"Are you guys sort of together?" Kelene asked, putting her packet of chips aside.

Min Joo giggled and faced her best friend. "I don't know Kel. Everything feels just right when I'm with him. He's so handsome, so smart. He is practically everything I look for all these years. I think he likes me too."

Kelene looked away. "Oh really."

"Yeah. If we get together, oh Kel. I don't know what to say. I'll be on cloud nine. It's like a dream come true." Min Joo spoke dreamily.

"Oh yeah. It will be." Kelene replied coldly and reached into her bag of chips once again.

**************************************

"Hello?"

"Jack? This is Kelene."

"Oh, hey."

"Look, I have something to propose. Are you free to meet up?"

"Oh, sure. What is it about?"

"Min Joo."

****************************

The week breezed past quickly. It was finally Friday night once again. Kelene urged Min Joo to go clubbing since she was not feeling too happy the whole week because of PMS. Min Joo totally understood. Her best friend was not herself since Sunday.

"You know, I promised Neth I'll not go clubbing."

The girls were dressing up in Min Joo's room. Min Joo was applying a light touch of blush across her cheeks.

"Oh please Joo! I need to let it out. I had a hard week. Can't you just come with me? Just tonight? We'll keep it from Neth." Kelene pleaded, kneeling on the bed with her hands clasped together.

Min Joo stopped and turned around. "Oh, alright. Last time okay?"

Kelene smiled widely and went over to give her best friend a hug.

"You're my best friend."

**************************

Jack was waiting for them in the VIP room. He was thinking back of the conversation Kelene and him had on Wednesday. They met up at Vivocity that very evening for dinner and Kelene proposed something that he was looking forward to for the past ten years.

"You know, after Russell, she never really dated any other guys." Kelene was saying, taking a sip of her white wine. "You had a great chance, but she never really did see you, because this guy Neth came along."

"Neth?"

"Yeah. A senior in our school. I think they just got together recently. That's why I come forward to you now, before they sink in any deeper. I'm sure you don't want Min Joo to start going out with this guy. You know how serious Min Joo is about relationships. You don't want to wait for another three to five years again." Kelene spoke confidently, leaning back against the chair.

Jack took a sip of his wine and leaned back. "What do you mean? Why are you telling me all these?'

Kelene smiled, crossing her arms over her chest. "Simple. Because I like Neth, and you like Min Joo. It's simple isn't it? It's like one plus one, will always equal to two. If we work hand in hand together, we might just get what we want."

Jack arched a brow and looked at Kelene with a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"

Kelene laughed. Jack had never seen this side of her. Kelene had always appeared to be quiet and polite.

"My, my. Jack, are you THAT dense? No wonder Min Joo never looked at you. You're dense." She remarked coldly.

Jack finished his glass of wine and poured himself another.

"What do you want me to do?"

********************************

"Hey Jack!" Min Joo called out and brought Jack back to earth.

"Oh, hey." He managed with a smile and looked at Kelene. "Hey."

"Hi." Kelene greeted back and sat down.

"I'm here to accompany Kel tonight. You probably won't see me much anymore. I'm not even supposed to be here. My boyfriend would get mad at me for coming back here." Min Joo told Jack as she took her seat beside Kelene.

Jack smiled. "No worries. This secret is safe with us."

Kelene smiled back and gave Min Joo a gently pat on the hand. "Neth wouldn't know."

Min Joo finally smiled. "Well, alright. Let's drink to our hearts' content then! A dozen shots of tequila please!"

*************************

By three a.m, Min Joo was drunk. She was blabbering nonsense and swinging her shoes all over the room, the bouncer had to pick it up for her several times until Kelene decided it would be better if the shoes remained off.

She smiled at Jack when Min Joo was lying on the sofa.

"I'll go, and make a phonecall." She spoke in a crisp voice and walked out of the room.

Jack looked at the drunk Min Joo and touched her face.

"You're mine. I hope you forgive me." He whispered and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

Min Joo groaned and swept Jack's hand away.

*******************************

Kelene was waiting outside of MOS as Neth's car stopped by the pathway. Quickly, she gave Jack a call.

"He's here. Bring her out." She spoke quickly and jogged up to Neth's car.

Neth stood out from the car and saw Kelene approaching him. He could not see Min Joo.

"Where is she?" He asked.

Kelene looked into his dark brown eyes. "Neth."

"Where is Min Joo?" He asked again, looking past the girl.

"She-" Kelene was about to speak when she saw Neth's eyes fixed on something behind her.

She turned around and saw Min Joo walking out with Jack. Jack was grabbing her by the waist and when they were nearer to Neth, Min Joo planted a long kiss onto Jack's lips.

Neth's eyes dropped and looked at Kelene.

"What is going on?" He finally mustered the courage to ask.

Jack came forward with Min Joo still in his arm, wasted. She was slightly conscious, leaning against Jack's shoulder.

"That is Min Joo's boyfriend, Jack." Kelene replied softly.

Neth looked at Jack immediately, searching for an answer.

Jack looked at Neth. "I'm Jack. Min Joo's boyfriend. I'm sorry if she didn't tell you anything. She had been two timing me several times the past ten years, and each time I forgive her because I love her. This time, I have to stop it before it gets out of hand. I hope you understand."

Neth was leaning against his car as Jack spoke. Kelene could see Neth's face turning white.

"Kelene. Tell me this isn't true. Did you call me to come just because of this?" He asked, his voice shaking.

Kelene reached out and touched Neth's arm which he withdrew almost immediately.

"Look. This is the truth. I meant to tell you on Saturday, but realised that it wouldn't be too good for me to interfere. So I got her boyfriend to talk to you instead. It would be much better and understood. Now you know, Min Joo isn't suitable for you. She has someone else-"

Neth went back into his car before Kelene could complete her sentence.

He stepped on the accelerator and went off.

In his mind, there were thousands of questions. That girl was Min Joo's friend for over ten years, why would she lie about something like that? And that guy, Jack, seemed sincere about what he said too.

Nothing beats Min Joo's kiss for Jack.

With that, Neth made up his mind.

********************************

The next morning, Min Joo woke up with a splitting headache. Kelene was beside her, sleeping.

She sat up and inhaled deeply. She needed oxygen for her brain. She felt like her head was splitting into two. She always knew that going clubbing with Kelene was safe. She can be dead drunk, and the next morning, she would always be at home.

She decided to give Neth a call. After all, she did not contact him all night. He would be worried sick.

Quietly, she walked towards her window and dialed Neth's number.

It took awhile before Neth picked it up.

"Hey baby. I'm up. You sleeping?" She asked, her voice raspy.

Neth was quiet over the other side.

"Baby?"

"I think, we can stop seeing each other. Really Min Joo. What game are you playing?" Neth asked, his voice thickened with disappointment.

"Game? What are you talking about?" Min Joo asked back, gripping her phone.

"You fucking have a boyfriend and you didn't tell me! You made me think you're all so single and available since the orientation! Thanks so much for fucking leading me on." Neth shouted, his voice breaking into sobs.

"I-" Min Joo wanted to say something but was at a loss. What was happening?

"Shut up! I don't want to listen to your lies anymore! You fucking liar. How can you do this to me?! I actually DID love you, and YOU betrayed my love for you. How can you date someone and at the same time tell me you like me? You're just a fucking player." He ranted angrily, "I don't want to ever talk to you again. Even if we see each other at school, PLEASE do not come forward. I will turn nasty, so don't try me. You don't want me to humiliate you at school."

With that, he hung up the phone mercilessly, leaving Min Joo standing in her pink nightgown, completely dazed.

Min Joo turned around and looked at Kelene, still asleep. What happened last night?

She sat on a couch and thought carefully. She could not remember anything distinctive besides getting drunk.

She tip-toed across the room and took out Kelene's phone. She peeped at the call log and dropped the phone with a dull thud.

Kelene woke up to that sound and sat up groggily. "What's that sound?" She asked before regaining her senses when she saw Min Joo standing by the dressing table, her face looking straight at Kelene. She had tears in her eyes.

"Joo. What is it?" She asked, pushing the covers aside and got off the bed.

"Tell me, did you call Neth last night?" Min Joo asked calmly.

Kelene smiled nervously. "Of course not. It was our secret, remember?"

Min Joo picked up the phone that dropped on the floor and showed it to Kelene. "Then, why did you call Neth at three in the morning?"

Kelene took a step back and covered her mouth with one hand. She had totally forgotten about the call log.

"I-" She started.

"What?! What did you do? What did you say? Why does Neth think that I have a boyfriend?!" Min Joo asked, now angry.

Kelene took a step forward, this time braver. "Tan Min Joo, what happened today, was purely YOUR doing." She started, taking a step forward again. "YOU think you own everything, anything. Oh, you're the happy little Min Joo everyone loves. But you are wrong! There are other people who deserve some love too! Like me!"

Min Joo stumbled back and knocked against her make up stool, tears in her eyes.

"You think, being rich, being beautiful, makes you EVERYTHING? Isn't it? You get the best guys, you get the best things, you have a great family, well, YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST KEPT AT THAT!" Kelene shouted, pointing at Min Joo with her index finger as she completed her last sentence.

Min Joo covered her ears and screamed.

"Stop! Stop!"

Kelene laughed coldly, walking towards the bed. "Min Joo. Look at you. You have this day too."

Min Joo, now crying, grabbed Kelene by the arm and shook her. "Tell me! Tell me! Why did you do that? I gave you everything. Everything I have. Why do you have to do this to ME?! I'm your best friend! How can you do this to me?!"

Kelene broke free from the grasp and pushed Min Joo onto the floor. "Shut up! You gave me EVERYTHING? Yeah, sure, you gave me heartbreaks and insults too! What a PERFECT package."

Min Joo sat up and hugged her knees. "Why? Why did you have to do this? What did I do?" She asked in between sobs.

Kelene smirked and knelt beside the crying girl. "Do you remember, in Primary school? People often laughed at me for being your dog. And do you remember, what you said? You told them that I'm a cute puppy you bought from a pet shop. Do you remember that? I bet you don't! Because to you, it was a joke! A bloody fucked up joke! In Secondary school, we met Russell the same time, but he DID NOT even look at me! Not even once! As long as you were there, he could never see me! When you were not around, do you know that he smiled at me? He spoke to me with such gentleness I thought I could fall in love with him. But YOU! You had to take him away! Why?! Why?!" Kelene cried and shook Min Joo by the arm, causing the nightgown straps to fall sideways from Min Joo's boney shoulders.

"You had FUCKING everything and I have none! NONE! I worked so damn hard in JC to get into the medical course and YOU!? You got your fucking dad to pay for your degree! Why?! Why do you have to keep tagging around me?! Why?! Do you know how ugly I feel when I'm with you?! Because you MADE me feel that way! You took me out on YOUR dates and made ME feel like shit. I like Neth! I love him! But you had to take him away! Like the way you took Russell away from me! You're doing the fucking same! Now, you know, how it feels like to be dumped by a guy and great for you, Tan Min Joo. Congrats to having your FIRST imperfection in life!"

With that, Kelene stood up and went into the bathroom.

Min Joo was shaking badly as she curled herself up on the floor. What exactly happened? What did she do? How? How could Kelene treat her this way, after all these years of being together. How?

Kelene came out shortly in her own dress and grabbed her bag. Before heading out, she turned around. "I hope your NEXT BBF wouldn't suffer the same fate as me. It's insufferable."

Ending their friendship at that, Kelene left the room.

**************************

Kelene was waiting at the void deck of her house in a black tanktop and straight cut jeans when a red Volvo stopped infront of her.

She smiled as Neth stepped out of the car. "Hey." He spoke, with a wide, handsome smile.

"Hey, yourself." Kelene teased.

Neth opened the front door for Kelene and Kelene slipped into the car.

Kelene smiled as she fastened her seatbelt.

Finally, she takes the front seat, and she is no longer just an ornament.

Neth placed a hand over Kelene's and asked, "so, where do you want to go for dinner?"

Kelene sat up and looked into Neth's deep eyes. "I'm okay with anything."

Neth smiled. "Right, I'll take you to somewhere beautiful and romantic for some Japanese cuisine. Okay?"

His girlfriend nodded in approval as the car left the side curb.

"I wonder, how Min Joo is. I haven't seen her around in school." Neth spoke, breaking the short silence in between them.

"Oh? I heard she left Singapore. Well, it would be better for her that way, especially after what she did to you." Kelene replied, dabbing some lipgloss on her lips.

Neth smiled and placed his hand over Kelene's again. "Thanks for telling me the truth that night. I would have been hurt if you didn't do what you did."

Kelene smiled and held onto Neth's hand. "You know, everything I did, was worth it. Because, it was all for you."

"I would do anything for you, Neth."