Chapter 7

For the next few days, I went to Lara’s house to study. Productivity was high over there. Moreover, if I had any doubts, I could always ask Lara.

I did not dare to stay overnight at her house again. Joanna’s reaction to our sneaking-out freaked me out: It was like she had turned into another person completely. According to Lara, Joanna had been acting strangely recently.

One of the days, just five days before our first Paper, Joanna called me. I was at home watching television. She said she needed to see me. At first, I was curious on how she got my contact number. Then, when she told me to meet her at one of the restaurants in Jurong Point, I forgot about my curiosity and agreed. Before she hung up, she said, “Oh, by the way, Lara won’t be coming.”

“Oh.” I replied, hung up and shivered.

I had never been to the restaurant that she indicated. The waiter guided me towards Joanna, who was sitting on one of the cushion seats. It was seven in the evening and almost all the tables were occupied. When I studied the surroundings, I realized it was taken by mainly young couples.

“You look pale.” That was Joanna’s first sentence.

I nodded and countered, “You look pale too.”

Joanna smirked a little. The waiter asked for my order. When I saw the price in the menu, I just asked for a cup of iced water. I told Joanna that I had eaten.

“I can read you like a book. Give the young man a Set B. Coke. My treat.” Joanna said and then showed me her twisted smile again.

I tried to avoid her stare by scrutinising at the couple beside me. They were young executives. The man looked like some salesman with his neat shirt and tie, whereas the lady was dressed up like some banker. I smiled at them. When the lady saw my smile, she tapped the guy’s hand as if to show me that they were, indeed, a dating couple.

I thought of several Channel 8 dramas whereby an old lonely woman would seek companion from a young boy. I remembered in one of the scenes, the woman tried to molest the boy. In the end, the boy gave in to her request for the money.

I looked up at Joanna and the molesting scene refreshed in my mind. There was a fork and knife on the right. I picked the knife up and held it tight. If she was really interested in me, I would fight back. I’m interested in your daughter, not you!

“There’s something I’ll like to tell you.” she said.

I tightened my grip on the knife.

“Look, Jie Lun, I – hey, put that knife down.”

I deferred her order and picked up the fork as well. She was looking at me with the bend of her eyes. “No.” I whispered. I wanted to tell her that it was impossible between the both of us. That I liked her daughter. But somehow, I did not. I gazed at the fork, as if it would bend.

“Put the fork down. Now.”

She sounded hoarse. I dropped the fork and knife on the table and picked up the serviette. Then, I wiped off the cold sweats that were forming across my forehead.

“Listen well, Jie Lun. I know of your relationship with Lara. I’m not stupid. Even the stupidest person in the world can see that. You’re a good boy. I can see that. I’ve seen you doing things for Lara. I’ve seen your concern for Lara. I’ve been observing you.

“And look, I want you to promise me something. I want you to take care of her. Take my responsibility. You understand? I’m old. She needs someone to take care of her. You can, Jie Lun. I can see that. She listens to you. Will you promise me that?”

I blinked. A waiter came and put a glass of Coke in front of me. He smiled at me as he tried to balance his tray filled with other drinks. I waited for the waiter to leave us before I said, “Of course. I’d like to take care of her forever, if you agree.”

Joanna held up her wine glass. I had not noticed that wine glass beside her. “Cheers.” she said.
I held up my glass of Coke and said, “Cheers. To the future.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I did not tell Lara about my meeting with Joanna.

Joanna wanted our discussion to be kept a secret. I respected her decision. A few days later, we had our first Paper. On that day, Lara said she had good news.

“My mother knows of our relationship: And she agrees with us being together! How cool is that? We can hold hands everywhere! Yahoo!” she had said.

I started my act of happiness, jumping up and down. I had, after all, known that five days ago.

We finished all our Papers after twenty days. I had confidence in most Papers except Chinese, whereas Lara thought she might not score well for Elementary Mathematics and Combined Science of Physics and Chemistry.

We had both decided to go to a Polytechnic. “Hands-on experiences”. That was our main reason. In fact, after our last Paper, we had gone to a nearby Park and there, we discussed our future.

“We will go to Ngee Ann Polytechnic. After we have graduated, I will go National Service first while you work. About two years later, I will join the work force as well. Then, we will work in a Multi-National Company for about ten years-”

“Wait! When we are twenty-four,” Lara cut in. “We have to make another promise at the Bird Park.”

I laughed. “Yes, after that, when we are thirty-two, we make another promise and we will start our own business. We can sell clothes or start a small café. Then, at thirty-three, I will propose to you. You must agree, okay?”

“I want a diamond ring!” she exclaimed.

“Yes, no problem. Then, at thirty-four, we’ll have our first child. At forty, we make another promise at the Bird Park. And at forty, we plan our future again. Okay?”

We shook our last fingers together. “Deal.” she said. “Whoever backs out from the plan will be a turtle!”

“Deal! That is our future. Now, we have to find a temporary job till we get back our ‘O’-Level results.”

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