In the morning, Maple woke up early in the morning at 6 and did her daily routine of exercising and later taking a shower. She ate delicious breakfast made by her mother and went to the creepy tangyaun shop at 7:30 am. According to the information sent on wechat, the bus to the fruit farm would be leaving at 8 am sharp. There was also a warning stating,
WARNING:
ANYONE LATE WILL BE REPORTED FOR FOOD WASTAGE INCIDENT AND HANDED TO THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY.
After reading this, all the participants had gathered on the spot by 7:45 am except Jasmine. Maple was looking for Jasmine desperately but to no avail. To make the situation even worse, all the other participants were giving Maple a nasty and unpleasant look because all of this supposedly started due to her. Maple being haunted by these looks was feeling extremely uncomfortable and wanted to leave for the farm immediately or atleast have a friend by her side to give support. Unfortunately, Jasmine didn't show up until 7:59 am. Maple was constantly bombarded with dirty looks and gossip about her throughout the time.
Eventually, the bus showed up, and everyone began to make a file line and began to enter. Maple, relieved from the looks and gossip about her being ceased, also tried to join in the line. However, no one was willing to give her a spot in the line. The moment she would join the line, someone would push her to the side and give her a middle finger along with telling her to go to the back of the line. This incident happened almost 3 times. Maple felt like crying, but no tears came.
Tick..tock...tick...tock
Now, Maple was the only one left to board the bus. She heaved a sigh of relief, since there would be no one pushing her. She walked towards the bus door, the moment she lifted her foot to board the bus, Jasmine showed up and entered the bus before her. She was pushed back a little, and she was going to explode at this person because she had had enough of people giving her looks and passing comments and harrasing her. Without looking up, she shouted at the person at the top of her lungs.
"ARE YOU BLLLLLIIIIINNNNNDDD!!!????!!!!!"
"DID YOUR PARENTS NOT TEACH YOU MANNERS AT ALL!!!!!??????!!!!!!!!"
"YOU ARE REALLY CHEAP!!!!$#%%!!"
Maple was continuing to insult the 'other person' without looking her in the eyes. The moment she raised her head and met Jasmine's sparkling eyes that looked hurt, she stopped her sentence in the middle....
"YOU CRAZY.....".
Maple knew she had done something she shouldn't have. She was regretting it a bit in her heart. But, her hot temper was just out of control at the moment, so she simply shut her mouth and entered the bus door passing Jasmine in the process without meeting her eyes. She walked in the middle aisle and saw that all the seats were taken and there were no seats available to sit on. She was stuck to stand in the middle holding the handle suspended in the air. Jasmine joined in beside Maple.
The bus doors closed and the engine started to drive the bus and its passengers to its destination.
Maple's mind was continuosly going back and forth between apologising to Jasmine.
White angle (on Maple's right hand) : You made a wonderful friend and now you are not cherishing her. Just apologize and don't ruin the friendship.
The devil (beside the white angle) : No!! The other girl deliberately pushed you and made you a laughing stock infront of so many people. She doesn't deserve to be your friend.
White angle: We don't know why she did what she did. So, it is better to talk out to clear any misunderstandings.
Devil: My foot. Maple, you, have to have a upper hand and not bow yourself to talk to her first.
Maple listened to her conflicting inner views and couldn't quite make up her mind. In the end, she let go of the hatred and tried to embrace Jasmine.
She turned to face Jasmine and said, " Look...I am sorry I said those hurtful words to you. I shouldn't have said it".
Jasmine: .....
Jasmine completely ignored her.
Maple feeling embarassed stopped talking to Jasmine. Maple was cursing herself to listening to white angle instead of the devil. Meanwhile, a passenger seated not far away from them, cursed at Maple loudly for making them spend the weekend at a farm.
At this point, Maple was drowning in her misery more and more. Jasmine looking at Maple's state, decided to step up for her.
Jasmine to the passenger: She is not reponsible for your actions. Even if she began the food fight, she never forced you to throw food at other people. You, yourself, chose to involve yourself in the food fight.
The passenger's face was flushed red from embarassment and didn't dare to retort. Maple looked up at Jasmine with glittery eyes and was delighted that she listened to the white angle's advice. Even though Jasmine was cold to Maple, Maple could still feel her warmth in her actions.
Maple: Hey...I know you are mad at me. I don't expect you to forgive me for my absurd yelling. I shouldn't have poured my anger on you because of some people's actions.
Jasmine: ....
Maple: I will try to work on my anger issues.
Jasmine: .....
Maple: Fine! I will fulfill 3 of your wishes as a compensation for my mistake.
Jasmien: ....Okay....But, I will decide if I will forgive you even if you fulfill those wishes of mine successfully.
Maple hugged Jasmine on the waist and said, " You are the best".
Jasmine's mouth corners turned slightly up but Maple didn't notice it.
After a 2 hours bus ride, they finally reached their destination. Everyone filed out of the bus in a line like kindergarten student. Once all of them were out, the gentleman who had worn a nice hanfu clothing at the tangyaun shop, began his instructions.