I stayed indoor all through
the weekend revising all
we had learnt for that
week. I kept getting
nervous as the new week drew
closer. maybe because it was
the week I would start the
tutorial with Sharon. I had
tried to assure myself that all
would be fine, but it didn't do
much because I kept getting
nervous. how will I sit alone
with her in a room and she
wouldn't notice I'm a shy guy.
I pray I don't embarrass
myself when I'm with her.
The new week came and I got
prepared for my first lecture
for that week. I took the
campus shuttle that would take
me directly to the building I
was having my lecture. I didn't
realize I was in the same bus
with my coursemate, Sylvia,
until she spoke to a lady
beside her. I made sure she
didn't notice I was in the same
bus with her. I quickly
brought out money from my
wallet and paid for the both of
us without letting her know. I
told the driver not to collect
money from her when she
tries to pay. I believed it was
the right thing for me to do.
when we got to our
destination, she tried to pay
but the driver told her that
someone had already paid for
her. she asked who was the
person and the driver pointed
at me. that was when she
realized I was in the same bus
with her. she approached me
and glared at me. the smile I
was trying to keep on my face
disappeared immediately. I
was thinking she was coming
to thank me, but the glare she
just shot me made me
nervous. she brought out some
money from her purse and
force it into my hand.
"next time don't try to pay for
me without my notice. I didn't
ask for your help" she said to
me in a note of warning.
She shot me one last glance
and walked out on me. I stood
at that particular spot like a
statue, staring at the direction
she took. I tried to remember
if I had said or done anything
wrong to her before for her to
direct such anger to me, but I
couldn't seem to remember
anything. this was too much
for me to bear. I have never
been this embarrassed all my
life. I wished I never paid for
her. I wished I had known this
would happen, I would have
avoided it. my leg suddenly
became too heavy for me to
lift. I managed to plod ahead to
where my first lecture was
holding.
All through the lecture, I didn't
concentrate. I kept trying to
figure out what I could have
done to that lady that made
her behave that way towards
me. could it be that someone
might have said something bad
about me to her. all my effort
to figure out what I could have
done was fruitless, because I
couldn't seem to remember
anything.
I stole glances at her from time
to time to see if she was
looking at my direction, but all
her attention seemed to be
focused on what the lecturer
in class was saying.
After lecture, I went to the
school restuarant to have
lunch. just when I was at the
counter placing my order, Kate
walked into the restuarant
with two of her friends. I
believed they had come there
to have lunch also. I tried as
much as possible to hide
behind the guy standing at the
counter with me, but my effort
was fruitless because she saw
me immediately she entered
the restuarant. she walked
towards me with her friends
right beside her.
"hi" I said immediately they
got to me.
"wow Christian! we meet
again" she said
"yeah" I responded.
"you came here to have lunch
right" she said
"not really. I'm not having my
lunch here. I'm buying in a
take away pack" I responded.
I initially wanted to have my
lunch in the restuarant, but
seeing Kate and her friends
made me changed my mind,
knowing fully well that I would
have to be on the same table
me them. That would be
deadly for me. I might just
collapse unknowingly.
"okay, but you are paying for
my lunch." Kate said
"no problem, you can order
for anything you want" I
responded
"are you not buying for us
also?" one of her friend asked.
"you can order for anyhing
you want also" i said to her
"thanks" the lady responded
"you are welcome" I said
I waited for them to order for
whatever they wanted so that I
could foot the bill.
Just when I was about paying
for their meal, the other lady
beside Kate distracted me.
"sorry, I hope you don't mind
paying for the one I'm taking
away" she said
My mood suddenly changed
when she made that statement.
I tried not to show the look of
disappointment on my face.
so if I pay for your meal here,
I would still pay for the one
you will take away. am I your
father?
That was what I wanted to say
but dare not say it.
"you can have anything you
want" I said against my
decision.
I watched with teary eyes as
they all place their order. the
amount of food they ordered
made me wonder if they
wanted to feed their families
with it. it was certain that I
would trek back home,
because I was sure there won't
be any money left with me
when they are done with their
order....