"Welcome everyone. We have already taken a head roll when you all were coming out of the bus. It seems like all the people present in the food wastage incident are here. So, don't worry. All of you have avoided a police record in your history. Let me introduce myself again. I am Sap. I will be responsible for you all until you all board this bus to return tonight. The one standing next to me is called Primrose. I will now pass on this loudspeaker in my hand to her for further instructions".
Primrose: You all will be divided into a group of 5. Then taken to a specific area for you to pluck apples. Right now, the time is 9:50 am. The farmers here will give you a rundown of how you will be doing your job. Then, you all will be plucking apples till 12 pm. Then, we all will have lunch and a little progress check. Will discuss further after lunch. Now, all of you pay attention to what the head is going to tell you. By the way his name is Abel.
After hearing the farmer's name, one of the participants, Chloe, snickered and commented, "Is his name Abel because his name kind of sounds like an apple and he wants to show that he is the head of the apple orchard?" She only got a glare from Abel who heard it.
Abel: I would be short on my instructions. I will only tell you how to pluck the apples without damaging them. Use your palms to gently lift the apple up, then twist the apple to separate it from the branch. Do not shake it or try to pull it down. I repeat, Do not try to pull it down by force or shake. Your actions may damage other apples on the same branch. Furthermore, never use your fingers to pluck the apples because they can leave bruises on the apple. Never throw the apples in the basket, put them gently in there. That's all for now.
Sap claps his hands together to gain attention from the people present. Then, he begins to read out the groups. Luckily, Maple and Jasmine are in the same group along with Chloe who made fun of Abel's name. There were 2 more boys that Maple didn't recognize in their group. When all the groups were listed out and all people were standing in their groups, the farmers working under Abel led each group to a specific plot of land where they would be doing their jobs. When the farmer was going to lead Maple's and Jasmine's group, Abel stopped him and said,
"I will take care of this group". Then he gave a quick glare at Chloe and smirked while turning his head away from her. Maple saw Abel's actions.
Maple discretely whispered in Jasmine's ears: I think this Abel person is going to make our life hell today.
Jasmine: Why do you think so?
Maple: Don't tell me Jas, you didn't see his evil smirk and glare directed at the one who made fun of his name.
Jasmine was more engrossed thinking about how Maple called her Jas so sweetly instead of what Maple was actually trying to say.
Maple pouted when she saw Jasmine in a daze. She went close to her ear and shouted, "ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?????"
Jasmine flinched and came back to reality from her imagination: Hey! I am not deaf. You can talk normally. I am not an old lady.
Maple: You are an old lady. You can't hear when I am whispering to you.
Jasmine: I don't know if I am an old lady or not. But, I am sure you are a little brat who knows no manners to talk to people who are older than themselves.
Maple: Who the hell did you say the brat was?
…
Maple and Jasmine continued to bicker at the back of the group ignoring their surroundings. Abel was hearing their bickering and tsked. He thought in his mind, "Let me see how long you all can keep your pretentious cheerful behavior up". Abel laughed maniacally. His laugh gave a chill down Maple and Jasmine's spine and they finally stopped bickering and turned their heads away from each other.
Jasmine noticed that the other groups destinations were closer to where they were dropped off from the bus. However, their group had almost been walking for 5 mins. But still hadn't reached their destination. After a few more minutes of walking, they reached a big plot of land that was filled with fresh, plump, red apples. However, the strange thing was that these apples looked different from the apples they came across before. Furthermore, this land had a big gate to enter from to reach its inside.
The security guard: Hey Abel!! What brings you here so early in the morning? You know that these apple trees have just been watered, and it will take some time for them to get dried.
Abel: Don't worry, uncle. I just want to teach these unruly city kids some lessons on plucking fruits. I also want them to realize how hard we have to work in order to deliver delicious apples at their doorstep. After they realize it, they won't look down on people like us.
The security guard: Ha….Haaa…Why does this situation sound so similar???
Abel's face turned red and he quickly retorted: This is different. At that time I was just young and immature to understand. But, these people are old enough to distinguish between right and wrong.
The security guard: HA…..HAAA…HAAA ...I still remember how brother Bing taught you a lesson here.
Abel almost turning into a tomato: Forget it! Just open the gate and let us all enter.
The gate was opened and the group of 5 along with Abel entered the new apple orchard.