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Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Chapter 4: School Reopens Chapter 4"School Reopens"
"Riiiiiiing!" the sound of alarm clocks rang ferociously in every house throughout the whole Singapore. Today, the day where every student has to wake up before dawn and move their lazy ass to get ready for school. Holiday was over and finally schools had reopened. And today, the first day of school, marked the start of the second semester.
"Ooooi bangun..." Old man, by rote, woke me up with his annoyingly groan.
"mmmm..." I murmured.
"OI BANGUN LAH!" Old man barked.
I leaped up from bed with my eyes dilated as wide as a goldfish's, shocked by old man's bark, heaved onto my feet and dragged myself to the toilet.
I stepped out from the toilet, with my scrawny body wet and puddled my floor tiles, grabbed a towel and dried myself up while humming.
By rote, I ironed my school uniform, put them on, had my breakfast, socked my feet and slipped them into my whited school shoes which had countless speck of dirt on them, and made my move to school.
"Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding" the digital bell sounded to warn students to hurry up to the parade square for assembly.
I scudded towards the square with my bulky sling bag bobbing at the side of my hip. I slammed my butt down and sit, took off my sling bag and put it aside, and started to converse with my Bill.
"eh how's the detention? best?" Bill sniggered as he whispered.
"fuck no, i wasted my time at school, did almost nothing and sit for few hours. how that possible be best?" I got annoyed by Bill. Well, he loves to annoy me. he loves to see me scowl. can be said, it's part of his hobby. he even love it more when I ever complain to him whenever I have an arguement with old man. At times I got addled by his liking. he seems to like peculiar things. He's weird, though.
"hahahahaha!" he giggled, dabbing his handkerchief to his lips as if not wanting to burst his laughter to alert the teachers who patrolled the square that been for a lookout of students who talk.
"abeh bapak kau cakap apa?" he asked what had my father said.
"dia? tak guna ah. dia ketawekan lagi ade ah cibai!" I replied with a scowl, telling him that old man was useless as he laughed at me about the detention. 'Cibai' is a Hokkien term to say 'vagina'.
"BAHAHAHAHAHA!" finally Bill burst into laughter. This is what he likes 'for old man to laugh at me for making myself look stupid to get caught doing a wrong thing'. This is his favourite- such bastard, he is.
"boys..." a patrolled teacher caught us laughing and warned us to stop.
"bodoh!" I scowled, saying 'stupid' to Bill for laughing a little loud to alert the teacher. And there he went, giggling endlessly.
Then a moment later, a prefect scudded to the front, preparing the microphone to speak.
"School, stand up" By rote, the prefect ordered us to get ready for national anthem and pledge, once done, the prefect would dismiss us class by class, we went back to our classroom and lessons started.
***
"Lepak dulu ah sebelum balek!" Zacky shouted from afar, telling the clan to slack at the void deck first before going home.
Zacky; the most sensitive, full of jealousy, and a bossy motherfucker in the clan. he has no sense of humour. a little jokes on him could hurt. pampered, to be more specific. everything must be done his way and everyone must follow whatever he says. If he says black means black, and if he says white means white. If none follows, he would sulk with a grim carves on his face and keep a grudge onto the one who opposes him. He even ditches and say foul words behind any of us in the clan, if one ever in contact with the girls he knows in this famous social media- at that time- Friendster. Apart from that, he even rejected friend request from any of us as he afraid that we might add more of his girlfriends and have a chatter. Well that, I believe, he must also been aware that he is not good-looking compare with the rest- well to most of us; And for that it made me believe, he afraid that one of us might take his girlfriends away whom he has crush for. As one day, I ever heard his conversation with his best friend who is Antonio. Antonio ever asked him "eh why you rejected friend request from some of us? why don't you accept theirs and let them be in your friend list?" and Zacky replied "later they would steal my girlfriends away" Also there was another time, we were in the computer lab, having our Computer lesson, and every of my classmates were busy surfing the internet, instead of doing assignment. One moment, he sit in ominously silent with a scowl on his face, and stared towards one of us- Bobby. Then, he asked him "you added her?", "please delete her from your friend list", "no, i m going to block you". And that point of time, I know exactly how he is and his behavior. He's just an ignorant fuck who is selfish, pampered and bossy. why does he even exists?...
"Eh lepak Pa Pa Er ah!" another shouted from afar, it was Fish. 'Pa Pa Er' is 882 in Mandarin.
Fish; aka the Google. Almost everything and anything he knows. Never a thing he doesn't have the knowledge of- at least few knowledge of a thing he knows- and that's why we called him Google. He would give a knowledge and information, if any of us doesn't know of anything. And that what also made him a laughingstock in the class. One time, the clan had a conversation regarding about a topic which we had no idea on how to settle the case. Then, Fish joined in, and started his Google explanation. He said 'this and that, and if this and that were to happen, that and those would happen as well' and went on until one of us interrupted him- which is Antonio- and laughed as he said sarcastically "EH FISH YOU LIKE A GOOGLE HAHAHAHA" and that made every of us burst into laughter, suffocating ourselves for the lack of breathing. Till then, he stopped and gave an unhappy look and sat around the corner of the class in silence. Until that point of time, everyone in the class would call him Google every now and then if he ever starts his Google mode. Still, he had yet to learn. After the sarcastic remark said by Antonio and making himself a laughingstock, he still ongoing with his Google advice and tips- up until today. There was also another time, I was having a conversation with Bill and from nowhere he joined in. At that point, me and Bill looked at each other, controlling ourselves not to laugh as we already expected what he going to say and do. As what we expected, he interrupted us and went on his Google mode. So, to stop him, I interrupted him and said the same thing as Antonio. And for that, he had a grudge on me and never like me ever since. Childish as it seems, but I couldn't be bothered. Hail Google Fish!
My clan made our way out and headed towards 882 which is just across the main gate while I went to the fence beside the main gate and unlocked my Piyo-Piyo and pushed it towards the void deck. As we reached, we put down our bags to the side, sit on our usual seats which surrounded a rounded ceramic table, while I parked my bicycle at the pavement outside, took our guitars from the guitar bags and started strumming. This, can be said, typical Mats. 'Mats' is a Malay term to say 'boys' however for this case is a sarcastic term to say 'malay boys who would always make nuisance and noise with their guitars at the void deck'. Like those typical mats, we made nuisance, singing, strumming, shouting and whatsoever until everyone started to feel thirsty.
"gi beli air ah" Bobby said and ordered any of us to buy drinks.
"tah, matin gi beli air ah kau ade bicycle pe?" the rest pointed fingers at me to buy the drinks since I was with my Piyo-Piyo- and that was just one reason but another reason because the rest were just too lazy to walk all the way to Kedai Mama to buy the drink. 'Kedai Mama' is a general term to say 'a convenience store which always located at the void deck and will always run by an Indian owner'
"yelaa yelaa... duit?" Not wanting to argue further so I agreed to go and buy the drinks. So, asked them for money, cupping my palm out like a beggar.
each of us slipped out their fancy wallets from their back pocket, flipped it open, unzipped or unbutton the coin pocket in their wallet, wiggling their fingers to dig out as many coins, and placed them onto the ceramic table. As for me, I don't have to fork out anything since I will be doing the shopping. Lucky but that's also one of our rule. If one volunteers or force to be a volunteer to do the shopping, need not to fork out any money. However at times, if we have a shortage, then it's up to the volunteer to chip in some or just mind his own business. If the volunteer decides to mind his business even we have a shortage then we can just forget about the shopping.
After everyone placed their shares on the table, I stood at the table and started counting, making sure there is no shortage before I make a move.
"ok dah... satu orang ikut ah!" I asked any of them to accompany.
"malas ah..." the rest replied that they're lazy to follow.
"Spikez ikut ah" I insisted Spikez to follow.
"ok lah ok lah" Spikez got annoyed.
He stood up from his seat, walked towards me, pulled his pant up so he could comfortably spread his leg open and clambered the backseat. He slammed his butt down onto the soft cushioned backseat, I stabilised myself, put my right feet on pedal and another feet onto another, he placed both his palms onto my shoulders and we cycled off.
"I dont like this Bobby.." I said in my pompous tone.
"he is too bossy"
"pukimak dia" 'Pukimak' is a Malay vulgar that means "mother's vagina"
"hahahaha" Spikez laughed from the back.
Spikez; the cutest among the clan. he has that chubby ruddy cheeks just like the white buns or 'Paus' filled in with red beans paste that the contrast of the reddish colour could still be seen underneath the skin of the whited bun, and that made most girls at school adore him. One time, I ever saw girls got so cheeky whenever they saw him around the school. The girls would call him out and asked "can I pinch your cheek?","oh my gosh, you are so cute and adorable" And this, however, made me a little jealous as he got that immense attention from many girls while I had none. how unfair! Apart from that, he also has this innocent and decent look that would make everyone relent to whatever mistakes he did and always out of suspicions. One time, my teacher was writing Maths equation on the board, and the class was chaotic. Above the hubbub, shrills and shrieks of girls, boys banging the tables like Aborigines doing their rituals, and Spikez was threwing a ball of paper to the back of my teacher, and at that time I was standing and waving hands in the air like a monkey- out of no clue. My teacher snapped, gestured around and yelled "Aubrey!" I was in disbelief that he suspected me for throwing the paper at him, just because he saw me waving my hands in the air "it was Spikez!" I defended myself, while pointing my fingers on Spikez. And there he was, giving that innocent look with his jowly face, looking at my teacher with his decent gleaming eyes, and pretended nothing wrong had happened. "oh hell no, how can someone like Spikez do such atrocious thing. look at him!?" my teacher declaimed while looking at Spikez. My classmates all burst into laughter for I was unlucky that I got suspected for someone's else sin and Spikez sniggered as he looked at me, giving the air that he managed to escape. Until that time, I spoke to myself that this guy is lucky and that he can be also dangerous. Anytime, anywhere, he can do such sin and you will be the scapegoat.
We were still on our way to buy our drinks and we took longer than usual as the Mama shop we went to earlier, was closed. As for that, we had to turn around and cycled towards the Cheers store which is located few blocks away from our school.
I cycled along the tall school fences beside us, putting my arduous effort to pedal so as to reach our destination as fast as we could. As I reached upon a street, I made my Piyo Piyo to a halt and lookout for oncoming cars that would drive in, and started to pedal again once the road was cleared. While i was cycling, I turned back and continued to gossip about Bobby.
"Oi orang bodoh!" Spikez shouted at me to lookout for two students in front of us.
I turned my head facing the front, feeling panic and swayed my handle bar to the left and let my Piyo Piyo staggered to the side of the pavement. At the same time, I reached out both of my legs as the brakes and put my Piyo Piyo to a halt. I felt relieved after that as I almost crashed onto them- If Spikez did not alert me to look ahead, I was certain of it that I might crashed onto them. So, I gestured my head towards the two students, feeling guilty. And those students were from my school and they were from lower secondary- I knew it by the look of the short school pants they wore. And I knew them as I had seen them before. They were the ones who always with a group of Chinese in my school, and they always claimed themselves as "PaiKia". "Paikia" is a Hokkien term to say "gangster".
"Sorry sorry sorry..." I pleaded.
"cibai..." one of them muttered, a scowl painted on his face
"EH WHAT CIBAI CIBAI!?" I barked
"NOT HAPPY AH!?"
"COME AH ONE ON ONE!?" I provoked him to a fight
The guy walked away, scowled and at the same time took his mobile phone from his pocket, dialed a number and put his phone on his ear. And from there, I knew, he would call his 'so-called brother' to help him to settle this case. such typical gangsters.
"GO GO, GO CALL YOUR BROTHER!?"
"I M NOT SCARED!?" I barked again.
"Dah lah takmo kecoh ah, belah ah" Spikez told me to stop the commotion and just walk off.
I put my feet again on the pedal and cycled off from that place.
As we reached the Cheers store, we bought our drinks and went back to our place. From then, we slacked all the way till late noon and at that time was still early to go home. it was just 4pm.
"dah ah ah aku nak balik ah" I told them 'I had to go home'
"Lepak dulu ah!?" the rest persuaded me to slack a little more but I couldn't. I had a curfew. I must be back home from school at least before 4pm or else I must bare with the consequences. However I can go out back again but only if I go home early right after school and be back before 7pm after that.
"Nanti bapak aku bising ah" I told them that Old man might get piss if I were to go home this late.
"Anak bapak ah kau, k ah bye ah" They labelled me as "Father's boy" as I always obey to whatever Old man told me to do and If I ever disobey, I would fear about the consequences I have to bare later. So, I shook each hand before I made a move, took my bag and scurried back home.
***
"Eh bro, what happened?" I received a message from anonymous.
"what happened, what?" I replied, wondering who had sent the message.
"who's this?"
"me lah, Alson. cibai you, never save my number ah?" Finally, after so long, Alson- my best detention buddy- text me.
"sorry lah, i forgot. anyway what you mean by what happened?"
"No lah, my brother called and said you asked him for a fight" He replied. For this case, what he meant "brother", is not talking about the real brother. What he meant was the "gang brother" or some will say "blood brother".
"Long story ah bro, I tell you once I see you in school next time?"
"Can meet me later?" He asked.
"What time? and where?"
"6pm at Elderly's Corner near school"
"Ok can.." I agreed.
So i put aside my phone and took my shower, then took a short nap while waiting for Old man to come home from work.
Few hours later, Old man finally got home, having the smell of sweat as he opened the door. I scurried towards him and asked, with nothing else to ask, but for permission to go out as I knew, the meeting of Alson was very important. Hence, I really need to meet him.
"Ba, atin keluar jap" I asked politely.
"hmmm..." he groaned.
Without hesitation, I took whatever slippers I saw at the antechamber, I slipped my feet in, went out, banged the door closed, locked the gate and scurried off to meet Alson.
***
I was on my way in a haste, making flip flop sounds as I walked and at the same time, I was perspiring like a pig due to the humid weather that day. I swiped my index finger from the right to left, onto my forehead to wipe the sweats that had been pickling on my skin since just now.
Then few blocks from the location I was, I saw a Chinese guy, with his fringe down and covering his eyes as though he intended not to show his eyes, sitting on the chair at the void deck ahead of me. From there, I knew, that guy must be Alson.
As i got closer and closer, my vision got clearer and able to see every features of the guy. And there he was- Alson- looking at me and smiled as wide as he could.
I slowed down a little and took small steps upon reaching directly towards him, and shook his hand.
"amacam?" I asked. "amacam" is a Malay term used by Malay teens to say "how are you?" but the proper way to say "how are you?" in Malay is "apa macam? and this term, to my surprise, other races such as the Chinese and Indians, also understand its meaning and is used by them as well.
"long time no see you" I said.
"where have you been? So far i never get to see you in school"
"have lah... you don't know" he replied.
We went on talking about how's life to each other for quite long time until we decided to get serious and talk about the case between me and his brother.
"No lah, i almost banged onto him.. luckily, not. so, i said sorry... then he scolded me cibai so I m unhappy with him. that's why i asked for a fight lah" I explained.
"Oooh... then he's fault lah" he accepted my reason and that he blamed his own brother.
"then how alson?"
"you still want him or not?" he asked
"No lah, since he's your brother, just forget about it lah.."
"if that's the case, and since it's a small matter. we sua' " Sua' is the ghetto term to say "case is settle, no more grudge"
"but seriously, you still unhappy with him? if you are, tell me so i can call him right now to come here and give him a slap in front of you" he suggested.
When he said that way, I paused for awhile to think. even if it's his brother's fault and even that guy and him are blood brothers yet he has no right to slap him for his wrongdoing- worse still, to slap him in front of people. The only person that can slap him is his leader. And from there, I started to wonder that Alson might be his leader.
"he your ginna ah?" I asked. "Ginna" is a gangster term to say "soldier"
"cibai how you know..." he startled as I managed to know the truth that he hid from me.
"I know lah... no one can slap him except his ginnatau" "Ginnatau" is a gangster term to say "small boss"
Here, in Singapore, the gangster system is complicated. No matter how much knowledge you try to acquire of its system, it is still confusing to understand. Here, in Singapore, to some of the gangster system are some sort similar to the Japanese Secret Society, The Yakuza. One of its system that is similar is the hierarchy system. Like the Yakuza, the Oyabun who is the overall boss leads his clan; well same goes to the gang in Singapore. There will be one individual leading as the overall boss who mastermind his clan or gang. then his gang has many branches and subsidiary clans. And each subsidiary clan has its own small bosses. And at times, even the subsidiary clans have another subsidiary clans under their control. Like for Alson, he was the small boss for his own clan and he took orders not from his Oyabun or the overall boss, but took orders from another subsidiary clan leader above. However, there is a disadvantage when one gang has plenty subsidiary gangs going about. The disadvantage that would be is the internal conflicts. They have so many clans in one gang that their own people barely know their own subordinates; and that end up to internal conflict; in which out of boredom, the 'ginnas' would find trouble to any random individual who is also a gangster but without knowing that the individual might also be from their own gang as well. And from there, because of few ginnas' foolishness, it leads to internal wars. Clans unhappy with another clans; vengeance; revenge; declaring wars with one another despite knowing the fact that they fall under the same gang. And this internal conflicts and wars have been going on since decades and somewhat this thing is already a practice for them. And this, sparks a confusion in the gang that their people doesn't know who is who and who is under who. Hence, this leads to the downfall of a gang. However the fact that is, the gangs here in Singapore is too hilarious. It is hilarious because as long as you stay faithful in one gang, or to say you have stayed for like 3 months or more, you can actually be a small boss in the gang and able to recruit your own ginnas for your clan afterwards. It just takes 3 months or so and you already have the power to lead people but that depend on your boss to decide for you whether to let you have your own clan or to make you stay put. And this what amaze me so much and boost my interest to become a gangster- to have my own clan and lead.
"yalah, i m his ginnatau... eh but dont tell anyone alright?" he tried to persuade me.
"yea i wont tell anybody... whoa didnt expect you to become a ginnatau sia!" I was amazed and surprised at the same time. Like who wouldn't? a guy like Alson, with a decent and innocent look who has no desire to pick up a fight with anybody, was a ginnatau.
Alson; he has my utmost respect, even for now. Like many other small bosses, they would defend and fight for their own people even though their people are at fault. They would say whatever bullshits to make you at fault. And if you still deny it, they wont stop to batter you until they are fully satisfy and settle the case just like that. such stinky caste they are! However, for Alson, he's different; he's the orthodox boss who has followed the actual rule- the tradition rule. He has never been biased and he will always observe whose mistake it is. If he finds out his own people who are at fault, he would settle the case by teaching them a lesson- which is to slap them in front of the person who his people find trouble with. And if the person who is at fault, then he will batter that person- only him, not as a clan. And for this, I really admired and idolised him. Such bosses like Alson, are rare to find anymore in today's era. Mostly are left are those stinky bastards. And for that, I decided to myself that someday or one day, I would want to be like Alson. To join a gang, stay faithful, follow the tradiotion rule, get the green light to have my own clan, teaches my people the right way and lead my clan.
"ok ah, sua' ah?" Alson asked again.
"you still need me to slap him?"
"dont need lah... forget about it. just sua'" I said.
"ok settle!"
Finally the case between me and Alson's ginna had settled. no grudge. So we both shook hand and parted.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Chapter 3: Friendship Chapter 3"Friendship"
Few months had past, finally Hari Raya- Malay festive season- had ended and so was my second semester holiday, which was last week. All I did during holiday was absolutely nothing. Mostly students would find a part time job to earn a little extra, or to make plans to go out with friends, or to go overseas with family, or coming back to school because they had Curricular Activities .However for me, all i did was sleeping late night till the next morning, woke up, ate, shit, went back to school and repeat. yes, back to school, not because I had Curricular Activities like those others, but because I did something folly that made me came back to school for detention.
Back then before my second term break started, I was too bored at home with nothing much to do that I decided to prank call my NCC mate, Zim.
Zim; he's an ugly motherfucker. what makes him ugly is his upper teeth. his upper teeth will forever protrude from his mouth, looking just like the Brazilian soccer legend- Ronaldinho. Worse still, back then, during my NCC camp on my first term break, one of the camp days, all cadets were to assemble at the school field, and sergeants instructed us to seat and painted camo paints onto our faces. Then, I remembered, Zim took a seat with his droopy eyes, his upper teeth protrude from his mouth, making a slit in between both his upper and lower teeth, and he had painted more brown colours than green, looking exactly like chimpanzee. that, it wasn't me who realised at first, it was Antonio. As he saw and realized Zim looked exactly like chimpanzee, he chortled as he shouted and said "EH EH EH ZIM LOOK LIKE CHIMPANZEE SIA HAHAHAHA!" and everyone took a glance on Zim like owls and burst into laughter, even the sergeants too. Pitying Zim but he did looked like one. However, despite his ugly teeth, some sort I respect him. Even though, he has those ugly teeth, he has the guts and courage to approach girls at school- and those girls are good looking ones. What amazed me even more was that, these girls willingly to accept him and agreed to walk with him to school, almost every morning. And this made me jealous, seriously. Like, who wouldnt? someone with an unattractive teeth and scrawny face can has women- beautiful ones- while someone, like me, with a normal teeth, has none- literally none. life is just unfair.
"Hello, is this Zim?" I prank-called him, snickering while covering the speaker with my left palm.
"yes, this is Zim" he replied in a confused tone, wondering who was the caller.
"AKU DENGAR KAU BULLY KAWAN AKU, DILL KAN? JANGAN SAMPAI AKU REMBAT KAU!?" I snickered as I intimidated him, saying that I heard he had bullied my friend, Dill- which was not true- and for that I will beat the hell out of him.
"huh... mm..ma...mana ade!?" he stuttered in fear.
"takpr besok, kau standby, aku tunggu kau luar gate sekolah lepas sekolah.. tooot toooot" I intimidated him again, saying he better be prepared as after school, I would wait for him outside school main gate. Then, I ended the call and burst into laughter.
After few days had past and I remembered, It was on Saturday, i was playing games looking like a zombie, with unshaven moustache and dark circles around my eyes, I received a message out of sudden. And it was from Dill.
"eh who are you? I heard you included my name when you threatened Hazim on the phone" Dill texted.
"this is no one" I replied, trying not to reveal myself and never replied him after the next messages he sent me.
Upon many times he had sent me messages without getting a reply, he decided to call but I ignored it. After quite some time, feeling annoyed by my ringtone sounded every now and then, so I put my phone on silent, putting it aside, and continued playing games while enjoying the buzz sound made by my phone vibration.
Few hours later, he pestered me again, asking who am I. At first I ignored but after so long, without him giving up, I gave up instead. I revealed myself and then he went silence. Without thinking any further I continued playing games and had my weekends well spent.
***
"Ding Ding Dong Ding Deng Ding Ding Dong Ding Deng" a sound made by my school digital bell, warning every students to rush their way to the Parade Square as it was the time for assembly. and today was my last day of school before our semester break.
"School, stand up!" by rote, the top prefect ordered the students to stand up to standby for our national anthem and pledge.
"Students, you may sit" done with what's necessary, the top prefect ordered us to seat.
"Take out your book and read"
I landed down my butt onto the brick-floor, unzipped my bag pack, fumbled my hands to reach any book I could find, took a book out, flipped it open, covered my face with it and started to converse with my clans nearby.
"eh you guys know, i prank called Zim that day and it was funny as fuck!" I giggled, trying not to burst into laughter and make any sound.
"eh really? really?" Bill got excited, feeling curious as fuck. Bill; he will forever like this kind of stuffs. These stuffs will forever interest him. He would get curious like a cat, wanting to know more details. If any of us, decides not to tell any further, he would sulk and pester you endlessly until you give up and decide to share. If any of us still decides not to share, he will stop pester you for a moment and then pester you again, the next moment. well, that's how he is- fucking irritating fat fuck.
So, I told them all the things I said to Zim and they giggled with one palm covering their mouth and another to hold their book, covering their face with it, trying not to show any teacher or prefect around the parade square, that they had been talking and laughing and not reading their books.
"bastard sia matin" Fid snickered as he muttered.
Moment later, our principle stepped in the front of parade square elegantly and that tell every students that we going to have a-good-morning-to-start. the students really hate this moment. this moment is the moment where the principle is about to give a 'wonderful' speech which would last at least half hour and so. good thing about this is that our lesson will start later than the fixed time but the bad thing is the students will be dying of boredom, listening to the irrelevant speech by the principal.
"Ok students, you may close your book and I have something to say" my principal, Ms Chen, spoke, giving the majestic air with her chin pointed a little above.
"Today... I want to talk about..." the speech had begun.
"Okay, that's all for today" After half hour or so, Ms Chen finally ended her speech, took a step back, and walked off elegantly.
The top prefect took over the parade square, after Ms Chen left minutes ago, adjusting the microphone and ready to dismiss students as per class. Students from each class heaved to their feet and bags upon hearing the dismissal, scuffling their feet as they left the parade square. Then, as the prefect about to dismiss my class- like finally- I saw our school discipline master scudding towards the prefect, telling the prefect to stop us from leaving yet. The discipline master, Mr Silva, took over the microphone and announced "Aubrey stays back, the rest dismissed" upon hearing the announcement, I slumped my shoulders as I know the reason why he called me out; it's about the prank- call case.
I stepped aside, seeing my class leaving the parade square, and frowned and grimaced as my clans were pointing fingers and laughing at me for getting busted. Then, Mr Silva, came towards me with a scowled face and told me to follow him to his office in his pompous tone. He made a move first then followed by me, feeling panicked.
"I want to meet your father tomorrow and I already called him!" He scowled.
"O... o... ok" I stuttered in fear, worrying about what will happen when i comes home later- old man going to fuck me upside down- and that's for sure.
Back then, during primary school years, I was very mischievous. I every bullied my friend because he stole my crush away; I ever threw shoes onto a junior in a bus until his mother came to school to scold me; I ever called my clan out to batter my rival at the field; I even forged old man's signature to sign on my test paper. And that when my teacher realised the signature is no where similar to old man's and that she called me out to the front of the class and interrogated me to answer her honestly on whose doing. I denied at first and said it was old man who had signed this but she doesnt believe any of lies and treachery. She interrogated me overtime until after long minutes of pressure, I finally told her the truth "It was me" That's when she heaved to her feet, scudded out from class and called old man regarding about the case. At that point of time, I muttered "I m fucked" I went back home, looking morosely, as old man hoarse "come here, pukimak, kau bukak seluar kau, kau baring" he ordered me to lay on this bulky pillow we had before, with my pants down, exposing my butt skin. He unbelt his thick leather belt, wrunged it and aimed onto my butt. He lifted up and down slowly until he got a better aim and position, and finally he whipped my butt as hard like a jockey whips his horse in order for it to run faster. I croaked and wailed, persuading him to stop. He ignored and continued until he was satisfied. After endless of whipping, finally he put to a stop. He warned me hoarsely "I TELL YOU, IF YOU EVER DO THIS AGAIN, YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES" Afraid by his monstrous, I assented. And until that point of time, I despised my teacher- this fat nosy pig- Mdm Habibah.
"you may leave now" he ordered me with his eyes staring at me like a hawk, looking for prey to attack.
I swung the door opened, took my leave and scudded to my class.
"apelah kau ni... selalu menyusahkan aku lah" old man got annoyed by my folly action. however this time round, he wasn't mad at me of my doing. he stayed placid like stagnant water. maybe he was in the good mood or maybe he was tired- that only God knows.
I was at home by then, listening to the nagging by both of my parent.
"kan sekarang aku kene gi sekolah kau... tuh lah main game bully lagi, tengok sekarang kau bully orang... dah dah, aku banned kau main tuh game!" he frowned, a little pissed as he had to come down my school and for that he banned me to play my favourite game- the Bully- because I got influenced by it.
The Bully; this game is about this main character named, Hopkins, who was sent by his mother and step-father to this school called Bullsworth, while they enjoy their cruise ship for months. this Hopkins was new to this school and so he has to make new friends there. however the friends he befriended with, turned over him and back-stabbed him. To take revenge, he has to rule the school by defeating every headman of clans in the school. After throughout the journey, he had defeated many of the headmen, finally he took his revenge onto his friends and after that he ruled the school, making every student in the school respect him as the leader of the whole school. And that, I wish to be like Hopkins.
***
Finally my second semester break had started, every student must have taken full advantage of this to sleep long hours and wake up around noon, no longer getting annoyed by the ringing of their alarm clocks early in the morning and finally had found their happiness in life and meaning into it. Except for me; I had to wake up early and so was my old man, just to go back to school to meet up with Mr Silva, Zim and his father.
Not long we had gotten ready, I slammed my house door opened, creaked as I opened my house gate, brought down our bicycles, closed the door and locked, followed by my creaking house gate and offed we go.
We locked our bicycles near the front gate of my school and made a move to Mr Silva's office.
"knock... knock... knock..." i gave soft knocks on the door repetitiously, while my dad towered behind me, looking drawn.
"come in.." a voice groaned inside the office.
I swung the door open and saw Zim and his father with scowled face.
"Hi I am Silva, you must be Brey's father.. and this is Zim and his father... please have a seat" Mr Silva spoke politely, offering us to take a seat.
I took my seat after Old man, at the same time peering at Zim and almost burst into laughter. He was on the corner of the sofa, hunching his body with his chin pointed the ceiling and droopy eyes, his face gleamed by the office's light making his protruded teeth glitters like sparkles of sea wave. I took a breath and settled down.
"Mr Ti, you know, your son had prank called Zim and threatened to batter him outside school" Mr Silva spoke in his pompous tone, with his stern face. "Zim got threatened so he informed his parent... his parent had stopped him from coming to school, at the same time reported to us regarding about this case.. also to the police" He explained to old man every details happened, trying not to miss any "However, we adviced them not to... since this thing involved between two students from the school so we decided to take full responsibility. Also the police adviced the same way. the police stated 'it's best to settle between both parent and the students. if nothing can be settled, we would take actions'"
Nearly snickered to find out that he actually chicken out to inform his parent and was afraid to go school. how ball-less he is. back then, I got threatened by an anonymous through phone once. I wasn't getting affected by it, i settled myself- at least- and look till now, nothing has happen. and till now old man doesn't even know about this.
"AWAK EH DATANG SEKOLAH UNTUK APA? BELAJAR KAN? YANG AWAK NAK ANU ANAK SAYA BUAT APA!?" Zim's father was pissed, grimaced, saying 'what's my purpose to come to school? isn't it to study and not to bully people around' "SAYA TAKNAK AWAK SUSAH ITU SEBAB SAYA TAKNAK POLICE AMEK TINDAKAN..." he scowled as though he was not purely satisfied by my action towards his son. If there was no law in this country, I bet, he would have bring down a parang or kachang panjang to chop off my head, I thought.
"Ok, now thing is not beyond control, let's settle this in a proper way... due to his action, I've decided to put him on detention for a week. he must report to school at 8 am till 12pm outside my office" Silva suggested to ease Zim's father.
"yea... tell him to wash the school toilet as well" old man suggested too. Old man is a bastard; he always love to see me face such harsh punishment if I ever found guilty in something. How can he suggested such thing to Mr Silva? he should help me instead, not kill me! I peered at Old man, giving a sign that I was annoyed by his suggestion. He snickered at me. throwing vulgar in my heart and looked away.
After long minutes of settling the case, finally it has ended. We all shook hands and forgave, and made our way out from the office.
Along the way to the front gate, old man laughed as he spoke "PADAN MUKE KAU KENE DETENTION TIME HOLIDAY, HARI RAYA PULA TUH HAHAHA!" this old bastard laughed for I had to come to school for detention during my holiday and Malay festive season- and that's cruel. Which father would jolly to see his son to face such punishment, tell me which? Annoyed by his laughter, I ignored him.
"but his father is over-reacting" I said in grimace, disgusted by Zim's father reaction.
"alaa bapak dia pun bongok macam anak dia juga" Old man jokingly said that Zim's father is as goofy as his son too, making me burst into laughter. old man is always good in this, he love to slide in jokes at such serious moment. afterall, it was just a prank call; to him it's not a big deal.
We unlocked our bicycles and cycled home.
***
"BANGUN!" old man woke me up joyfully "kan kene gi detention" he chortled, jokingly reminded me that I have to go for my detention "tuhlah sendiri cari penyakit kan kene bangun siang untuk detention. padan muke!" Old man endlessly busting my balls, saying 'It was my fault that I was so stupid that I got into trouble which in the end led me to a detention. and I deserved it!'
I woke up, feeling annoyed by old man, heaved up from bed, dragged my feet to the toilet and took my shower.
By rote, I towel my wet body while singing joyfully, ironed my school uniform, put them on, had my breakfast, slammed the door and the creaked gate open, impatiently slipped into my white shoes while ignoring the teasing by old man, brought out my Piyo Piyo and cycled off, leaving the door and gate open for old man to close.
It is miles away from home to school and finally I had reached at the main gate. I alighted, strolled my Piyo Piyo in and nearby the security point, locked it and strode to Mr Silva's Office.
Upon reaching to Mr Silva's office, I saw a hair fringed down Chinese boy, seating at the corridor outside the office, with a table in front of him, looking surprised as I walked towards the office. I ignored him and gave a soft knock repetitiously on the office door.
In a while, Mr Silva went out from office, forever with his scowled face.
"follow me" he ordered.
We went to a class nearby the parade square, he opened the class door, standing at the threshold, pointing fingers onto one table nearby and ordered again "take the table" I dragged my feet towards the table, a little pissed by his bossiness, lowered my knees and bent down my back forward, took a grip of the table by the legs and carried it up.
"Now, you take this back outside the office, take the chair from the study corner nearby, and seat beside the Chinese boy who you see outside my office"
I carried the table unsteadily back outside the office, put it down beside the boy, took a chair from the study corner and dragged it, making a creaking sound, and took a sit.
As i sat down, he asked "you what case bro?"
"prank call.." I murmured embarrassingly.
"prank call!? hahahaha!" he burst into laughter "what happened bro?" he asked again.
"yea, I prank called my friend and his friend, damn paotokia, that he paoto to my friend and my friend told his parent... and his parent informed Mr Silva and reported the police as well... and for that i kena" I raised my voice a little and explained every detail to him, trying not miss anything. Paoto is a term usually used by gangsters and ghetto people to say 'snitch' and Paotokia is a term to say 'someone that snitch' but now many teenagers has used this terms. And kena, as for this case, is a term to say "got busted"
"hahaha then rembat him ah?" he chortled and suggested me to batter the paotokia.
"cannot lah, you crazy ah? prank call only, almost police case... what else if i rembat him?"
"hahahaha anyway what's your name bro?" he asked politely.
"Aubrey, you?
"Alson.."
Until that time, we became friends. our bond sprouted like a green bean sprouts out its flimsy whited stem from its greenish shell, fumbling into the soil to have its permanent stand so as to grow taller and stronger. our friendship, though it was just a week being together, it felt as though we had known each other for years. We talked, we shared stories, we joked around, we laughed- we did almost everything what true friends do- and at times we kept quiet as he would always fall asleep after a long chatter while I got myself busied in drawing and sketching graffiti on my sketch book. Until then, he made me believe that true friendship does exists. Despite the different race, language or religion we have, he treated me like his own- a little brother, to be specific. He also made me believe that true friendship can be earn not only in a scale of years but also can be in seconds, minutes, hours, days or weeks. Thus, till this day, he had changed my perspective of true friendship that it is not all about how long you have befriend with one, race, language and religion- he had me think that true friendship is about the sincerity in one's heart. And that, I have my utmost respect towards him.
After a week had past, he finally had served all his detention sessions while I had few days more to serve. He teased me and left me, making my remaining sessions dull and boring. No more chatter, laughter, stories, jokes- no more- everything seemed quiet without his presence. And the last word I heard from him was "what's your number?" and left. until then, we had never seen each other again.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Chapter 2: Double Trouble CHAPTER 2"DOUBLE TROUBLE"
"Wake up, Brey! Wake up!" my mother yelled. "It's time to get up for school. you are running late!"
"5 more minutes!" i negotiated with her with my eyes closed and my mind asleep.
Forever and ever, my mother has to suffer every morning, just to wake me up for school. She can go pathetically crazy and insane just to wake me up. Nobody can easily wake me up, except for old man. I have so much fear for old man ever since young. He could become from a father to a monster. He can get so angry that he can violently wallop me if I never follow his sayings. He is just hot-tempered. I remembered back then, he used to push our dining table upside down because he had a quarrel with mother. That shows how crazy he is. seriously and seriously, he is the person who we should never fuck with.
"NO!" she started to get pissed. "I would wake Baba up, if you don't wake up now!"
"Can you just...." before i could yelled her back, old man already shouted from the next room.
This wouldn't happened if my mother would lower down her voice and now, old man was awakened by the noise which mother had made, nagging.
"AUBREY!!!" old man shouted as though he was the Captain in-command, giving orders to his platoons to march perfectly around the parade square.
"OK! OK!" I shouted in fear, with my eyes opened as wide as though they were about to pop out, and my mind awakened in a shock.
I woke up unhappily, dragging my feet towards the toilet like a zombie, looking so badly but with a nice hair done. It is always like that. When you try upteem times to style your hair nicely for an occasion, it always look bad and never go the way you wanted. but when we wake up from a sleep, with no one touching your hair, it ends up so good that you don't even want to wet your hair when shower- boys' biggest problem.
Took long to finish up my shower and that, old man always nag at me about. I would take at least more than half hour to finish up my shower and that is not normal for boys- mostly girls would take that long. Well, that's me. I am very particular when comes to hygiene. I would carefully clean every corners and parts of my body and shampoo my hair at least twice- and this is the reason why i am always running out of shampoo every month.
"La..la.. la.. la.." happily singing while rubbing a towel on my wet body to dry.
"Can you hurry up!" old man shouted from the hall, busy preparing for my breakfast,
Despite how monstrous old man is, he is always sweet to actually prepare me breakfast everytime before i go to school- only when he was on off days. He would make me at least a coffee or two half-boiled eggs and toast few breads- when he is in a mood to do so. He knows that i really love half-boiled eggs. Well, he is the one who taught me to eat these. Back then, he made me half boiled eggs for the first time and taught how to eat these. He tore the toasted bread and dipped half of the bread in the egg and fed me. The taste are so heavenly that makes you want even more. I could eat that entire meal like less than 5 minutes- crazy as it sounds but it's true. Then, that's when I found out that I had an allergy for eggs. I had rashes all over my body as though millions of mosquito had bitten on me at one go. My whole body turned reddish and itchy. I suffered so much for this. Visited the doctor like many times, and I believed the doctors whom i met must be sick and tired of seeing my face every now and then, for the same sickness all over again. I swear upon my God, i had such a stifling moment back then. fortunately, after a month or so, i finally managed to recover and overcome my allergy for eggs. Funny as it sounds, the medicine for it, was also eggs. During the time I had rashes, old man kept giving me eggs for me to eat and that I believe the logic, that something in the eggs must had altered my cell inside till i immune to this allergy. Clever for old man upon finding the medicine to it but at the same time, it can be said he tortured me badly.
After eating my breakfast, laced up my shoes and out from home, finally I made my way to school. Walking as slow as i could as i have the tendency to perspire badly. I will always perspire badly. No matter how slow the pace i do in anything, i would perspire as though i get caught up in rain that my whole face gleams with sweats and getting patches of wet spot all over my tops. I always wonder what's the cause of it. It's either the weather is humid as fuck or is it just me. Seriously, getting sick and tired of this.
Upon reaching my school, I plugged out my earpiece from my MP3, put my phone on silent, slipped them in my pocket, and went in the gate of hell- school.
"Hey, what's up" happily handshaking every of my clan members at the parade square of my school.
Parade Square: A place for every students looking like zombies, to assemble at, every morning, before enter classes and lesson starts. A place for students to waste their time sitting down, reading books before the time for our country's pledge and anthem. If any was found talking among ourselves, you will get embarrass in front of hundreds of students looking at you, by standing all the way till the time for pledge and anthem. bullshit as it sounds, but this is how Singapore's School System is.
"Ok, you may stand up" the top prefect ordered. It's time for our country's pledge and anthem.
"Marilah Kita Bersatu..." all students sang as though we are that patriotic, having the heart for our country. Except for Us, me and my clans. hooligans will always be hooligans. Either we made fun of the anthem or we don't sing at all.
"Students Dismiss!" finally done with the pledge and anthem, so the top prefect ordered again.
One by one, all classes were dismissed according to the prefect's order. Students bustling towards their classes and busy talking at the same time. Prefects had to hush them so as they would lower down their voice and moved out from the parade square as quickly and quietly.
Reaching towards my class, by rote, before entering the class, I jumped to reach the highest height of the class door, just to remind my classmates that despite how short i am, i able to jump as high as kangaroos do. As my feet touched the ground, making a large thud sound, I looked behind and smirked to my classmates. Then, making my way towards my seat, at the center, second table from the front. I had my seat and already conversed with my friends nearby, Bill & Fid.
Bill, aka 'Fatboyslim', gotten the nickname because he had put that as his email address and also he was fat but not slim. Bill, is a best friend of mine. I have so much trust on him. He is trustworthy and also reliable as a best friend. He would advice me every time, if I ever have the thought to do something that would risk my life or future. Not to say i m a 'homo', but he is also cute. a guy who is fat and short at the same time, forever smiles with his teeth shown and his laugh is will always be contagious. If he ever listen to a joke or two, he would laugh as loud as he could and making himself look just like the Chinese Laughing Buddha, in which he would also make everyone in the class to laugh their lungs out. A funny guy but serious when comes to handling serious matters.
Fid, aka 'Chocolate Chip', gotten the nickname not because he had put that as his email address, just like Bill did, but because he has darked- brown birthmarks splattered all over his face, making himself look exactly like those chocolate chips. Apart from calling him 'Chocolate Chip' we also called him 'Chips More'. Also, he even has this one big birthmark patch directly around his right eye, making himself look just like those typical pirates who have an eye patch closing their eye. But we seldom call him 'pirate' because it is not as humorous as 'Chocolate Chip' or 'Chips More'. The class would burst into laughter and almost suffocated ourselves when one ever calls him by the name of "Chocolate Chip' & 'Chips More'. Pitying Fid but this was one of the few things that could entertain us in class from getting so stressful with the lessons- he ought to accept reality that he does look like those 'Chocolate Chips'- he just got to.
Apart from making fun of Fid, he is actually a nice guy- he is my best friend too. he has that one heart for his friends- always- except for at times he would ditch us for girls, and many would irritate him for that. However, I cannot really blame him for his attitude as he seldom gets a girl. Many times, i had seen girls rejected him, making excuses that he would be a good friend for them instead, but the actual truth is, which only Fid and myself knew that they rejected him because of his birthmarks. And this is why he always emo as fuck, which he would complain about his flaws he has, the girls who had friend- zoned him, and almost anything, to me. sometime I get tired of his old same shit, so I just listen and cannot be bothered.
"Ok, Matin, please stand up, continue the next phrase and read..." my English teacher ordered me.
English lesson to start our morning, as dull and boring it can be, but I love it. I just love English lessons but not as favorable as Science lessons. The only things i like about English lesson, are that i able to improvise the way i speak, my grammar, my sentence structures, and all those sort of necessary things that would help me to write in the future- except for comprehension- that shit is bullshit, it just has thousand answers for the questions if you don't read the whole passage carefully- that shit is totally shit.
So, I stood up and enunciating the syllables in the sentence in a pompous tone.
"Very good, Aubrey" I sit down, giving a majestic air.
One by one, had to stand up and read few sentences in the passage of this book, Singapore Short Stories. This book was my English teacher's favourite book. This book filled with tons and tons of stories happened in Singapore, and the way the author constructed the passages are impeccable, making the students able to read and understand without getting addled with the words and sentence structures he used. and that, my English teacher would love and advice us to read the book every of his lessons and also at home.
"Riiiiiiiiinnnnng!" finally, it's time for our recess.
Our teacher left and we put aside our books, grooming ourselves while on the way out from class.
I was the first one to be outside, waiting for the rest to get out from class, with my hands resting on the railing of the corridor. While waiting, I saw a group of girls downstairs, and I know them- they were my juniors- aged 14 all of them. One of them, has the funniest family name, which it rhymes with 'hungry' in Malay and so i shouted by the name upon calling her.
"SAPAR, SAPAR... AKU LAPAR" I was snickering with one of my friend beside me.
Few seconds later, her head drooped and she covered her face with her hands.
Another one of them shouted "BREY, DIA NANGIS TAU!" the Sapar girl cried.
My head had taken aback, making me feel guilty of my doing but at the same time, I can't be bothered and walked off. I am the mischievous type who would play everyone's family names with words that rhyme with it. I also would call names at people for their face features. truthfully, i am a son of a bitch for this.
In a blink, my friends rushed towards me and asked what had happened earlier as though i had committed such big crime which attracted flotilla of reporters asking for new reports for my case.
I told them every detail had happened earlier and at the same time, making our way to the canteen.
We ordered our usual meals and had found a table for us to enjoy our meals.
Not so long, we had finished up our meals and returned the plates to the bin. before making our move to our usual place, the checkers corner, we bought ourselves few snacks and fruits to go.
On the way, a group of Malays who i know, came towards our group. and one of them, is Ariel.
"Aubrey, come here. we need to talk to you" Ariel spoke to me.
I sensed something not right and I believed it got to do with the Sapar girl. I didn't expect that the girl had connection with them. I dispersed from my friends and walked towards the group. The group brought me to a staircase near the parade square. and so, my assumption was right.
"You disturbed Dayah right?" Dayah is the Sapar girl.
"Aku gurau gurau aje pe.." saying i was kidding with her, sitting on the staircase, looking so stress.
The group kept bombarding me with hatred remarks and questions till i snapped.
"Takde, wa dah cakap pe wa gurao je pe, lu korg asal?" I repeated my reason. 'wa', 'lu', are rude terms to say 'i', 'you', and mostly gangsters use that whenever they have a talk with their rivals.
At that point of time, i was really stressed and stupid, that I had to use that term to explain my reasoning, in which the group got snapped by the words I used.
"Oh, wa lu wa lu eh? kau gangster pe?" the group scowled and came at me with hatred, saying that am I gangster to say such term to them.
"Riiiiiiiing!" lucky for me, I was freed from the stress. The school bell rang and recess has over. The group had no choice but to order me to get out from their sight. I got myself up and walked off from
On the way to class, Ariel walked with me, trying to comfort me after the stress I had taken. Though I was stupid but I am not that stupid, I know Ariel was bullshitting, I know he's on their side and was against me. All those efforts he tried to console me, was just a show. I know he still had a grudge on me upon what happened 2 years back. He never liked me ever since.
I entered the class with a sulky face, followed by Ariel, with all eyes on us, watching every step of actions we made. I took a seat, with my head drooped and hands covered at the back of my head as if I had a business and I m facing a bankruptcy. Ariel's seat at that time was just behind mine, so he took a seat and still ongoing trying to so-called 'help' me to solve the problem, from my back. I couldn't took it any longer so I turned behind and yelled at him.
"DONT DISTURB ME ANYMORE!"
Ariel had taken aback, feeling displeased after I yelled at him. again, he went on "I tried to help you, but you don't appreciate it. up to you. now, you solve it by yourself" Still, in my stressful state, I ignored him.
"Ok guys, please turn to page..." my teacher had stepped in the class and continued where we had stopped earlier, before the break.
Minutes after minutes, hours after hours, at that moment all students were busy jotting down answers on worksheets, brainstorming with their groups, reading after reading, stressing their brains off, listening earnestly to the dull lectures by the teachers- and to some were sleeping throughout most lessons- until the last bell ring strike. As the school bell rang, all students busy packing up their books in their bags, to some run out from school and gone home,to some taking their home sweet time walking out and gone home, and to some didn't even went home and slacked at the void deck of the HDBs nearby.
* * *
After days had gone by, stressing with piles of worksheets need to be done before the next school day starts, I decided to have a cycle around the park later that evening.
"Ba, can I cycle around the park?" asking as politely as I could, hoping he would allow me to go.
Old man, he's the head of family- more or less like a dictator. whatever he says, you have to obey, whatever he tell you to do, you better do and where ever you want to go, you better ask permission before you do so. If any of us, like myself or my mother, would go out without his knowing or permission, he would call you, screaming, shouting and throw vulgar through the phone, telling you to come back home now, no matter how far you are from home- if you don't get home as fast as you could, then you bare the consequences later at home.
"Okay, can... just be back on time, before 7" he grunted.
Embarrassed to say, yes, I did had a curfew. If I were to cycle around the park around evening, the curfew timing would be 1900 hours- but for this, I agree to obey, as to what my religion had taught us, it's not a good timing to be outside around that hour. However, if I were to go out with friends to town area, I must be back before 2200 hours or at times before 2300 hours, even it is on Saturday where there is no school tomorrow. Sometime i tried to reason out to be back home very late but he would shout through the phone to come back earlier than my curfew time- which is worse. Thus, I decided not to reason out anymore after that.
I opened my creaky and rusty door gate as wide as I can, and brought out my bicycle- the Piyo Piyo. My Piyo Piyo is like a trademark, my trademark- many recognize me through this trademark because every now and then, i would cycle around my area and malls with my Piyo Piyo, just to buy necessities. And many would say "you know Brey?", "brey, who? you mean the one with the Piyo Piyo" and snicker. Embarrassing it can be but at the same time, I feel happy about it. well, at least there are people who recognize me despite the shitty attitude I have.
I set my feet onto the paddles and off I cycled.
I heard shouts mingling with the clacking sound of my bike chain "Aubrey! Aubrey" I looked around for people that had called me. Then, I saw a group of Malay guys, waving and calling for me, at the stage nearby. So, i cycled closer to get a better look. It was them, the group which surrounded me during recess few days back. I knew they called for me for their unfinished business that day. I knew they were still unhappy the way i talked to them. And so, I stopped my bike near them, parked it at one corner, got up and walked towards them.
"Aku masih tak happy dengan kau" one of the group member, Shad scowled, saying that he was still unhappy with me.
Shad, he's that bastard. I have never liked him, I have always hated him. He stole my crush and apart from that he had this crappy attitude that he liked to vent at everyone. He would speak rudely with his scowled- face and eyebrows wrinkled, and always walk around school as though he ruled this motherfucking school. He would sway his hands with a gangster- look like those characters in the movie, Young and Dangerous. Most people at school had so much fear for him- like, who wouldn't- he had so many connections with the gangsters and his best buddy was Ariel. One pinch on him, a war might spark. that's how he was.
"Kite nak berbual dengan kau pasal itu hari" another one spoke politely, Inn, with his decent face gleamed at me, saying that he wanted to talk about the other day.
"sekarang kau tak happy, korang nak ape?" I asked them 'since they unhappy with me, what do they want from me'
"kau kene one on one dengan salah satu kite" Shad suggested to fight with either one of them, with his rude tone.
"Ok then.." I said in such a provocative way to agree with the suggestion.
I took off my Chapal- a traditional footwear that many Malays would wear during Hari Raya- which at that point of time, I totally didn't have any modern slipper which many teenagers would have and also to say, I was not a dandy- putting them aside and entered the square, with my fist clenched as tight as a clam shutting its shell to protect itself from danger. I had to fight with Inn.
Inn, also had his fists clenched, moving around the square, waiting for me to leap towards him.
With my teeth grinned, I rocketed towards Inn, throwing countless of punches onto his stomachs without any mercy. We were from one corner to the other corner, shuffling our feet onto the rough bricked- floor, with me punching him viciously and Inn defending himself from getting direct hits onto the stomach. Then, we stopped a moment, grasping for air to breath.
After awhile, we continued again, fighting as though we had so much hatred towards another that we didn't gave one another a change to gain victory. The other group members watched the fight with excitement and some even video recorded the fight.
"ERGH" I scowled and crowed with my teeth gritted and lips closed, giving my last punch onto his stomach.
"URGH" Inn was shuffled back, his body drooping with his hands on to his stomach and gave a low cry in pain.
"Inn, boleh tak? kalau tak aku pergi?" Shad asked from afar, asking whether if Inn is okay and if he isnt, Shad would take up his place.
Inn was really in pain and had no choice but to be substituted and that boosted up my confidence and energy to fight even more.
Shad, got himself up and about to go until someone stopped him, Ariel.
"Aku pergi..." Ariel said in confident.
I turned aback, having a little fear, that I might get wallop easily for this time. I ever fought with Ariel before and I got beaten up badly. his fists were like machine guns- fast and powerful- until I had no chance to dodge them. At that time, it was like a Tiger having a fight with a cat. All i could do was to keep shuffling back to avoid his punches and distant myself from him. Truthfully, no one can beat this son of a bitch.
Ariel entered the ring, giving that i-am-ready-to- beat- you stance and fierce stares, his hands up like those Silat kids would do when they have a fight, and his fist clenched letting his veins in the hand to be visible clearly.
As Inn did before, Ariel, moved around the square, waiting for me to sting first.
Then a past moment had struck me, it was a moment which I had my first fighting lesson from a mutual friend. Back then, my soccer team mates organized a chalet at the Pasir Ris and many were invited. and one of my mates invited this guy. this guy is an entertainer- he entertained all of us at the chalet and perhaps, if he wouldn't in the inviting list, I bet it going to be a boring chalet- i supposed. Then, after hours of excitement, we stopped to a silence, one of my friends said to me "if you want to learn fighting skills, this guy knows the best" i was surprised by the decent look of him and an entertainer that he could actually fight. So, without any hesitation and feeling shy, i spoke to him and asked to teach me how to fight. He taught me many skills and at the same time giving advice. He ever told me "study your opponent movement before you make your move", "move you right hands left to right to distract your opponent, and standby you left fist to strike" ever since that day I appreciate him lordly and now I m in a situation where all the skills he taught me, came to actions.
So I applied the guy's skills and advice. I moved around the square, studying his movements, but at the same time shivering and feeling so weak after I had used up most of my energy for the first match. After I had a glimpsed of Ariel's movement going to be, I took a leap forward and throwing weak punches onto him.
Ariel blocked few of my punches and counter-attacked by throwing few heavy blows on me. I gritted my teeth, trying to ease off the pain. I moved few steps backward, drooped my body a little, and grasped for air.
As I was breathing, I heard pattering sound approaching towards me so I took a look up and saw Ariel running towards me with his clenched fist up high, directing towards my face. Upon his fist reaching towards my face, i impetuously kicked him onto the stomach. Ariel drooped, and that point of time I know, if i never take this chance to finish him off, I would be dead later. So, I scurried towards him, carelessly throwing countless punches with all my might to finish him off. Then, a sudden stop.
"TUHH!" Ariel spitted blood out of his mouth. there was a river of blood streaming down his lower lip.
I was shocked and at the same time happy. Never I had the chance to make him Kicap- a gangster term to say 'bleed'. He's one of the fearless known fighter in the school and this to happen was just as miracle. Even the group members gawped upon seeing Ariel bleed for the first time- against an underdog like me.
Shad was totally pissed for I able to win against not one but two persons so far. So, he scowled and called for Ariel to be substituted "Riel, aku nye turn".
Ariel wiped off the bloodstream and morosely sauntered back to seat.
Shad angrily entered the square, unlike those two, he stood still like a lamp post, waiting for me to make the first move.
I bulldozed towards him but he stood there still without even fidgeting his feet. Upon reaching towards him, he took a grab of my side body and grappled me even closer, preventing me to give him full blows of punches.
"ERGH!" I hoarse, annoyed by the little space and chance given to throw full blow of punches, and at the same time feeling so determined that I kept on throwing punches to his side stomach.
My punches were not effective even after throwing countless of punches randomly to his stomach, no sign of anguish painted on his face. his stomach was like made of metals where only physical force done by machine can make an impact to it. Until one moment, I stopped in a sudden.
"craack!" a cracking sound on my shoulder "argh!" I croaked, feeling much pain on my left shoulder.
Feeling my left shoulder twisted that I unable to manipulate my left hand to throw anymore punches and I croaked again "i give up!"
Shad shoved me back, making me slumped to the ground, and bellowed "kau belah dari sini" insisted me to get out from sight, and kicked my Piyo Piyo down.
I was hovering on the ground, holding my left shoulder with my right palm, and then heaved to my feet and my Piyo Piyo, and got out from their sight.
* * *
Hours later, even after losing the last match and should feel upset about it, instead, I felt much proud of myself to win against Inn and Ariel- the fearless known fighters in the school. I was smiling every now and then ever since. I couldn't believe that I able to batter them badly and made them lost in such disgrace. Like, they were the fearless ones, everyone had much fear towards them- they were bullies- and for an underdog to defeat them and emerge as victor, no one will ever accept the fact- no one.
"gi siap!" old man ordered me to get ready for our religious class later.
At that time, I was a pious one. I used to pray a lot last time and to miss a religious class was totally a no-no. and if I ever miss a class, I would feel really upset like kids putting a sulky face for not getting sweets to satisfy their crave. However, now, I have changed and couldn't careless about it anymore. To miss a class or two, it's like a fine thing to do, until, many times old man has to drag me out to attend for my classes. This, sadly, can be said I have gone astray.
"mane ni baju!" i scowled as I was pissed, looking for my favourite shirt to put on.
"cepat lah!" old man shouted from afar, wanting me to hurry up as we were running late for our class.
Finally after quite sometime, I managed to find my shirt. I put it on in a haste, sprayed few sprinkles of perfume, a little touch up on my hair and caught up with old man that had been waiting for me for quite a long time. Then, old man locked our house door and made our move.
From our house, we walked all the way to the main road, crossing to the opposite side and stopped a cab. Old man opened the door for me so I went in and then followed by him.
On our way to our class, I had the sudden urge to text someone to share my joy of victory, however at that time I had no one to share with- except for Dee.
Dee was Ariel's girlfriend at that time. Well, before Ariel had proposed Dee to be his girlfriend, I got to know her first. She was my best friend back then and also my classmate. She was the one that I had always depend on. She was the one that would listen to every of my stories and problems, and eventually would help me to overcome all those- and that i felt so much loved. Each time she had been so concerned about me, my feeling for her grew and my love for her went deeper and deeper as if a metal bar which is enormously heavy falls into the ocean and slowly sinks in deeper, making a far distant from the surface. But, every time i wanted to express my feeling towards her, I abruptly became a coward, having no courage and gut to say it to her, until I hopelessly lost my chance to have her as my girlfriend. and that was the time, where Ariel came in and snatched her away from me, leaving me with my heart broken into million pieces.
"hi dee, there is something i wanted to share with you and you wont believe it..." messaging her in a delightful manner, telling everything that had happened earlier.
'WHAT!?" she felt shocked upon hearing what had happened "you better be careful about this.." she warned, trying to hint me something but I was too excited and happy that I didn't sense something bad might happen "Nevertheless, you take care of yourself" Upon getting her reply, stating that way, I started to dread.
To be positive as I could, i made myself forgot the things she had hinted and carried on my day.
***
Next day, I went to school and the vibe was totally different- changed. I felt it was not as usual as before. When I walked around school with my clan, most seniors were staring at me appraisingly, as if I have saved the world from catastrophe. But to avoid any fighting, I chose not to stare back and ignored every glance I received.
Then, one of the seniors, came to me and said in a respectable manner "aku salute kau!" I was confused of what had happened. I even took a moment to recall what had I done lately. so I asked "asal?"
"aku dengar kau jatuh kan Inn dgn Ariel kan? aku dengar kau kicap sama Riel" this was what made everything so different in school. It was all about the fighting I had yesterday. most seniors knew every details of the fighting scene and even about the way I got Ariel bleed. and that made me feel amazed that such news can be spread as fast as the virus, H1N1, to spread to another victim.
"just lucky.." to show my humbleness and refused to accept their praises. But beneath me, I felt so proud, almost made me blushed, with my cheeks red as the buttock of baboons.
Until then, almost every senior- even for some juniors- would came to me and praised me like a Lord. Finally, the thing I had always wanted, I had achieved. To be acknowledge as one of those fearless known fighters in school. To put such fear into students that I am one of them now- a somebody- one of the big fishes in this dirty little pond. To make every student that a step on my head would spark a war and that would be a such bad idea. This, was a dream came true.
"Riiing!" the last school bell rang and offed the students go.
Then, Ariel came to me with such hatred painted onto his face, and said "follow me"
I followed.
We walked out from school and along the path towards the main road, crossed to the opposite side and walked under the void deck hastily and to a place which I hardly know where it going to be.
Then, from afar, I heard noises and saw few students whom i recognized were sitting at the resting corner, beside a small shop, and staring at us as we got closer towards them. the students were the clan of yesterday- including Inn and Shad. Then, something struck into my mind, and thought that this was the thing which Dee had hinted. I knew something bad will happen so i walked as slowly as I could but not having the thought to retreat because I followed my pride. Putting my bags aside and gathered in front of them.
"WHAT HAD YOU TOLD DEE ABOUT!?" Ariel bellowed.
"ttt..tttold.. whaat?" i stuttered in fear. Like, who wouldn't? I was surrounded by at least more than five people, and they scowled, having so much anger and hatred towards me. I am a fighter but not a warrior who would be able to fight many in one go.
"KAU INGAT AKU TAK TAHU EH?" Ariel yelled for I had thought he didn't know anything about me telling the fighting to Dee "DEE SHOWED ME YOUR MESSAGE"
Until that moment, I broke down, heartbroken, feeling upset and all other negative feelings mingled into each other. I can't believe Dee had snitched on me. Dee, the one, that I had trusted for life, the one I love, turned out to be an informer. she willingly sacrificed the moments we had for years and sided on her motherfucking boyfriend, Ariel, whom she only knew for a few months. SHE FUCKING SHOWED MY MESSAGES TO ARIEL!
Feeling so weak, I drooped. Then, one of them who at first didn't bother to get involved, joined the group and asked others "ape cerite?" this guy was my primary schoolmate. Back then, we were not that close together, but we would at least say something when we see each other, at most hi & bye. We never had beefed before- never. we were cooled back then. So, when this guy came into the scene like an Angel trying to help a pitiful fellow, I thanked God for his savior. Then, a while later, I heard they were mumbling about something, something related with "brother" and until that point of time i knew, I m dead. this guy, named Soff, was Ariel's gang blood brother, same goes with Inn and Shad too.
They were from a gang called '18'- one of the famous gangs in Singapore; this gang, 18, was once the top ranking gang in Singapore and also was once a father of a gang called 'Kau' means '9'; to what I knew, 18, was once called 'Singapore 18' and then to whatever had happened, they broke down into two parts, which are '18' and 'Kau'- which by logic, if you take 9 multiply by two made up 18 and that's where the controversy starts to roll about in Singapore ever since- but the real truth about them have yet to reveal- a secret.
"brother peh pasal, wa pecah!" Soff bellowed and swore upon his brothers that if it's a matter that's relate with his blood brother, he would also take up the burden together with them. Soff was venting up.
In a blink, I saw a clenched fist thrusting towards my face like a torpedo targeting a jet. with no time to dodge, I got hit on the face and I staggered back, falling onto the shop's stool. Soff fire started and seconds later, everyone- except for Inn- started to throw countless punches and kicks on me, making loud thumping and thud sound. They battered me without any mercy- even I pleaded to stop. Inn looked from afar.
"AMEK KAU PUKIMAK!" one bellowed, feeling the satisfaction of battering me up.
"STOP OR I CALL THE POLICE!" a shopkeeper shouted from her shop counter.
Finally, they had put to stop. I was hovering on the ground and feeling battered. I croaked and at the same time trying to heave to my feet. Then, Inn came towards me, grabbing my hand and pulled me up. He pulled me to one side and put me against the construction wall fence, and wanting to settle with me once and for all.
"Kite tak nak buat macam gini, tapi kau sendiri cari naas" he spoke politely, blaming that I was the one at fault that I find for my own death. I listened earnestly but at the same time, I stared at Soff.
"PUKIMAK KAU MASEH TAK PUAS PE!" Soff angered by my stare, trying to come at me again, with his clenched fist about to launch.
"relax... relax... relax.." Inn stopped him.
Inn is a gentleman. To him, to gang up onto a person, is never his thing. To him, that's a cowardly act. He even explained to me why he purposely let me won against him because to him, it's unfair to actually make me fight all of them just because of a small matter- and for that I couldn't possibly think of the right thought that to what he said is true or maybe it was just a cover up for his shame that he actually lost to me- cant be tell. but that time, I was totally convinced by his saying- maybe what he said might be true. He took long to speak with me nicely while the rest at the back, watching.
Inn's speech touched my heart and so i dropped a tear, feeling ashamed after gotten a beat up in front of my crush, Ain, and few others who know me, and at the same time, to finally encounter someone so gentleman and honorable, like Inn, made me wept. This, was the worse day I ever had.
"dah balek" Inn told me nicely to go home.
So, I took my bag and made my move.
Ever since that day, I have learned my lesson. Don't be too proud of yourself and learn to respect. You may win against something one day and lose in disgrace the next day. If you don't know how to respect, no matter how above you are, you will meet the bottom someday. No one will forever be at the top, and no one will forever be at the bottom. life is fair. and until this day, I will always tell myself, I am still a Nobody, not a fighter.
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Nothing's Perfect.
you got to be yourself. |