Page 77 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

They were still playing. So, I sulked in the kitchen until the principal left.
“Our cook won’t give us dinner,” said Lambu.
“What the hell did you say?” I blurted. “Since when have you started treating me like a cook?”
It startled them, but I didn’t laugh. They exchanged glances.
“At least you should have cooked for the principal,” said Lambu.
“Whatever,” I said.
“Yeah,” said Master. “You should’ve at least done that.”
“Enough of your nonsense,” I said. “Why didn’t you cook for him yourself?”
“You are insolent,” said Lambu. “How could you do such a thing to sir?”
I walked into the bedroom, placing my hands on the hips. “What do you mean?”
Master shifted away to the edge of the bed. “You disrespected sir. Your reaction is despicable. Why
didn’t you cook?”
“How is my reaction despicable? Prove me. Why should I when you just relax?”
I hurled a steel plate across the room and slammed my fist on the table to emphasize my points. Master
crawled into his bed, but Lambu stood and argued with me.
“Enough of it,” said Master. “Both of you.”
The room floated with silence since then.
At school, I remained aloof. When Master and Lambu chatted with the apprentice teachers, I would
sneak out. Back home, I didn’t take the meals they had prepared. My unbridled anger didn’t abate even
after a week. They hurt me so much I decided not to talk to them.
One day, I was in the kitchen when Master and Lambu were talking about the apprentice teachers.
“They are damn pretty,” said Lambu.
“I like the one with glossy hair,” said Master.
“I like that thin girl,” said Lambu.
A wave of irresistible chuckles surged inside me in the kitchen. I controlled them.
Lambu popped his head round the door and said, “Hey Uncle, which one do you like?”
“Admire them?” I replied. “Well, I am not into this.”
“Why not?” he asked, grinning. “This is your chance.”
“Not my type. Bit sartorial.”
“Why don’t you approach the tallest one?” suggested Master. “She is damn pretty.”
“No way, guys,” I said. “I am not interested.”
“Can you do us a favor?” said Lambu.
“A favor?” I said. “What’s that, guys?”
He grinned. “Um, I think you should convey our regards to them.”
My eyes popped. “Who—”
“To Miss Palham from me,” he said.
Master’s voice echoed around the kitchen wall. “To Miss Namzam from me, please.”
“Okay, guys,” I said, giggling. “Anything else?”
“That’s it,” said Lambu.
The next day, I greeted the apprentice teachers in the staffroom. “You have regards from my friends.”
They giggled covering their mouth.
“Seriously.”
They dispersed to their classrooms, still giggling.
In the evening, Master and Lambu rushed into the bedroom.
“What did they say?” said Lambu.
“I think they like you,” I said. “They giggled.”
Master frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
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