Strange Curses

"I am sorry. i am so clumsy, and stupid." tears began to rolled down her face.

"Hey it's ok! I am fine you know. Why are you crying?" trying to calm her down and yet not looking as though i bullied her.

"Shhh..." i said to her while searching for the packet of tissue in my bag.

"Here." Handing the tissue to her.

She mumbled a word that sounded like thanks.

people sitting one row before us turned and looked at us, giving me the stare as if i am some sort of an outcast.

I hate that feeling...when people look at me with that kind of stare.

I stared back at them and said in an agressive tone "What are you staring at? Never seen a pretty girl and a hunk before?"

I know i am in uni now and i shouldn't use my ah beng roots to intimidate people but i couldn't care less at that moment. I just don't want anyone to look at the 2 of us.

However, the intimidation worked, and they went back minding their own business listening to the fat Dean who is now in his own world telling us how great NTU is.



I couldn't take it anymore, i grabbed Rebecca's bag, held her by her wrist and led her out of the LT.

"Where are you bringing me?" She asked, still sobbing a little

"Outside." I replied.

"But the talk....." a frown on her face.

"Nevermind, I will fill you in." and i continue to led her down the stairs out of the LT.

She obediently followed me, seemingly trusting my every move.



The atmosphere outside the LT seems to have a calming effect on Rebecca. She stopped crying immediately once she stepped out of the LT.

"Do you wanna wash up a little? There's a toilet there" i pointed out.

"Yeah, do i look really bashed up now?" she asked

"Go see for yourself in the toilet" I smiled.

She smiled back agreeingly and walked into the toilet.

While i waited for her, several thoughts ran through my head...

Why did she have to cry? I was the one feeling the pain, not her.

How come she allowed me to hold her hand? I only knew her for 5 minutes.

And how come she is willing to follow me out of the LT?

As I pondered on, i felt a gentle tap on my right shoulder.

"I am done." she said.

It was as I turned to face her that I realised how beautiful she looked.

Not wanting to give her the wrong impression that I was ogling at her, i pretended to look around the outside of the LT and said "hmm...nice murals they have here."



"I...Errmmm" trying to say something

"Errmmm" she said, syncronised with me.

"Do you wanna grab something to eat?" both of us blurted out together.

we both laugh at our coincidental sillyness.

"i know Canteen B sells rather good breakfast sets. Is it fine with you?" i asked.

"Alright." was her reply.

As we walked towards Canteen B, she mumbled out looking down at the floor.

"Hi, i am so sorry about just now."

I turned around and looked at her.

"Oh hi, i am totally fine. Erm... my name is Ethan, Ethan Ong. What's your name?" i said nonchalently.

"I am Rebecca and I think i will be in the same class as you for this year."




We sounded rather awkward with the formalities of introducing ourselves.

"Erm..." i said as we walked along the pathway towards Canteen B.

Rebecca looked at me. The look from her was very captivating. Her eyes were intense and bright. I imagined that she was from some manga comic books that i used to read. It just seems like her eyes were trying to tell me something. Even though she just cried a moment ago, it totally didn't show on her face except for her sharp nose that turned raspberry from all the sniffing and snuffing.

Lost for words for a moment, i said "nothing" and continued to walk next to her.