XLIII | Chance ❦ Rowan drags me to school. No reason, really. (We’re not wearing school uniform.) It’s late.The back gate’s going to close. But Rowan wantedto see this rowan tree. I followed alongbecause I don’t have anything to do right now. There’s pink and orange clouds in the sky. The moon has riseneven though … Read more
XLII | Confession ❦ Kumar texted methe night Rowan declared‘I hate you.’ He’s not using Rowan’s phone anymore. I read the message,listless. It’s another reporton Rowan’s mood. I don’t know why Kumar’s sending these. I told himhe doesn’t have to. That Rowanwon’t appreciate himdoing so. He just sent me the crying emoji in response. Kumar … Read more
XLI | War ❦ It’s two daysafter the incidentat Blue Abyss when I visit Kumar at Rowan’s house. I hesitateat the bus stop, suddenly remembering how she cried. Tears flowing fromexpressionless eyes. Jerry had been insulted but she had cried. I texted her,the number Kumar used before. No reply. Jerry said afterwards the incident … Read more
XL | Entry ❦ Norakeeps glancingat Rowan as we’re sprawledaround the bar where Tom works. His workplacelooks similarto the nameless chicken rice shopin decor. But it has a name:BLUE ABYSS. It’s crowded tonight. ‘Why did you ask her to come?’she asks me. I gulp downa can of real beer. ‘To see her reaction.’ Nora stares … Read more
XXXIX | Persuasion ❦ I only came to school todaybecause there’s a stupid project work briefing Kumar asked me to attend. It has nothing to do with the rebuttalI came up with last night to infuriate Rowan. Nothing to do with wanting to see her either. Project workis an A Level subjectthat can get me into … Read more
XXXVIII | Thought ❦ Rowan follows me like a ghostas I stroll around the hawker centre. Why does she care so much? He was old. He would have diedeventually. I buy her a meal. She eats without really looking. Then,does she worry about me? We’re in the bus againwhen I tell her ‘He wanted to … Read more
XXXVII | Gone ❦ My phone makes a soundacross the room. Ah. I run to the nameless chicken rice shop. Breathless, I reach the doorand pause, one hand on the cool metal handle, my reflection pantingin the black glass. The door is opened before I am done composing myself. I stumble inside,falling into Rowan’sexpressionless eyes. … Read more
XXXV | Root ❦ The man, the woman—I can’t think of them as Kumar’s parents. We standlike awkwardscarecrows on the deserted street, faces lit by one yellow street lampand the red backlight of the motorcycle. I’ve heard about them, vaguely, we (my friends and I)don’t talk about them much. Most of us aren’t closeto our … Read more
XXXIV | Rage ❦ Kumar refuses to say more. It’s frustrating.Why? Tell me! I can help you. He shakes his head.Thanks, Clyde. My parents are a bit troublesomebut they’re not bad people. It’s okay. Why don’t you tell me what happenedand I’ll decide if it’s okay or not? The donkey nudges Rowan’s shoulder. ‘We should … Read more
XXXIII | Alone ❦ Aspen tips Kumar’s head back. In the torchlight Rowan is holding,his eyes blink painfully. There’s bruises on his face.Not all of them are new. A cut on his lip. Looking at his battered appearance, it didn’t just happen once. He’s always smiling.Saying stupid things. I remember him greeting Rowan.I remember being … Read more
