Tuesday, November 6, 2007 @ 3:03 PM
::Dance 8::Mrs kang knocked on Katherine’s door. “Katherine? I’m coming in.” No answer came and Mrs kang pushed open the door. “Katherine?” Katherine had fallen asleep and Berry was lying beside her. Mrs Kang reached out her hand and wiped away the tears on Katherine’s face. “My poor child… You must’ve felt very lost. How could Daren do such a thing to you?” Daren had told her that he broke up with Katherine. No matter how she asked him, he refused to tell her why he requested for a break up. Mrs Kang pulled the duvet over Katherine snugly. Katherine’s eyes flickered and flew open. “You’ve waken up. Do you want to eat something?” Mrs Kang sat down beside Katherine. “I will move out as soon as possible.” Katherine said in a monotone. “I shouldn’t stay here anymore. I’ve no right to.” “You’re my god daughter. Of course you have the right to stay here! Nobody can chase you away.” Mrs Kang patted Katherine on her head. “But… It won’t be good…” “Says who! You’re staying and that’s that.” Mrs Kang stood up and straightened her skirt. “Wash up and come down for lunch.”
When Katherine came down, Mrs Kang was already sitting at the table. Katherine slid into her seat and Berry made herself comfortable beside Katherine’s chair. “I’ve something to tell you.” Mrs Kang said. Katherine looked at her blankly. Nothing could be worst than breaking up with Daren. “Daren is going to get Josephine to replace you as lead dancer.” Mrs Kang’s words came as a striking blow. Katherine dropped her fork and startled Berry. “Who told you this? Daren?” Katherine stood up agitatedly. “He said that it won’t be good if you were to remain as the lead dancer. He left for the studio early this morning to announce the news to the whole troupe.” Katherine suddenly felt like as if she weight a hundred kilograms and sat down heavily. “Katherine…” Mrs Kang started. “Excuse me.” Katherine ran up the stairs, ignoring the pain in her feet. The pain in her feet was nothing compared to the pain she felt in her heart.
Katherine locked herself in her room the following few days and cried herself to sleep. The curtains were drawn in her room and her room looked dark and gloomy. Knocks came on her door but she would just ignore them. Berry buried herself in her basket and lifted her head to peek at Katherine occasionally. Berry licked at her near empty water bowl and whimpered. She has been in this dark room for too long and is starting to get depressed. Katherine would not play with her no matter how she nudge her. The ringing of Katherine’s mobile phone pierced through the quiet atmosphere in room. ‘109 missed calls’ was written on her screen. Katherine dragged herself out of her bed weakly and walked to the toilet in her room.
She turned on the tap and splashed cold water towards her face. Katherine stared at her reflection in the mirror. There is no use in torturing herself further. Her mind told her that Daren would not come back to her anymore. He no longer loved her. Was there really love between them in the first place? Did they really love each other? Why did they even get together? Katherine filled the bathtub with water and pondered. Their story seemed like a much too short fairytale…
Katherine took out the make up kit that she hadn’t touched in years. She had tossed it into her bag when she packed her belongings. She applied a layer of compact powder on her face and tried to cover the dark rings under her eyes by applying a thicker layer of compact powder and by applying a darker shade of eye shadow. She did the finishing touches in her make up and walked into her wardrobe. Looking through all her clothes, she picked a red tube and skirt. And she walked out of the wardrobe, Berry stared at the person standing in front of the make up stand. It was her owner, but she looked so different. Katherine had put on make up she never used before and she had chose skimpy clothings which she used to wear during her rebellious period. Katherine dumped her mobile phone and wallet into a handbag and opened her door for the first time in so many days.
Mrs Kang was elated when she saw Katherine walking down the stairs. She rushed over only to find a Katherine which she had not seen before. “Dear?” Mrs Kang stared wide eyed at the Katherine that stood in front of her. It was obvious that she had lost a lot of weight but what startled Mrs Kang the most was the make up and clothes that was on Katherine. “I’m going out.” Katherine replied simply. Mrs Kang could only look at Katherine walk out of the house.
++++++++++
Chris stood at the entrance of Crazy Monkey and waited for Katherine. She had called him and her voice sounded strained and tired. Chris started pacing up and down. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, Katherine arrived in a cab. Chris was greatly shocked when he saw Katherine. She looked like a different person. The happy and fortunate smile she had on the last time he saw her was no longer on her face. Now her face was expressionless and blank. Her pretty face was thick with make up. Chris kept stealing glances at Katherine as they walked into the pub.
Loud music was blasting through the speakers and many people were dancing as usual. A small crowd had gathered around Chris and Katherine’s table.
“Eh, pretty lady. New here ah?”
“Want me to treat you to drinks?”
“Can I dance with you?”
“What’s your number? Let’s be friends la.”
Chris looked at Katherine flash smiles at men that were obviously lusting after her. Chris shook his head and said menacingly. “You guys better keep away!” Some of the people walked away while two were still persistent.
“Eh, don’t like that la. Got good thing share with everyone ma.”
“Ya la. Don’t so selfish leh.”
Chris opened his mouth to rebuke but Katherine stopped him. “Let them be.” The two men grinned happily and pulled chairs over to sit at Katherine’s table.
They ordered bottles of beer and to Chris’s astonishment, Katherine picked up a bottle and drank it’s contents. Katherine had never touched liquor before despite coming to the pub frequently. Chris stopped Katherine from taking a second gulp and whispered in her ear. “What are you doing?” Katherine pushed Chris away and gulped down the brown liquid in the bottle. Katherine was already drunk by the time she put down the bottle. She stood up unsteadily and started laughing. “I want more beer!” She shouted. “Ok ok. You want I order for you ok.” The men with a missing tooth replied happily. “No!” Chris stopped the men and glared at him. “Can’t you see that she’s drunk!” “Aiya, she drunk her business you care so much for what.” The men gave a loud burp and continued. “She want to drink you cannot stop her one ok.” The men placed his hand on Katherine’s shoulder. Chris punched the men and shook his fist angrily. “Don’t you dare touch her!” Chris carried Katherine out of the pub and hailed a cab. “What exactly happened?” Chris wondered as he looked the unconscious Katherine lying in his arms.
back to the TOP / Comments: 0
