TST, 2020
SJ barged into Dean’s office. Dean was taking his breakfast.
“Freddie… what have you done to Leo?” SJ said.
Freddie cocked his head.
“What have you done?”
“Would you like some tea?”
SJ exhaled.
Freddie raised a cup. “I think it’s important to start the day with a proper breakfast.”
“Leo Felix. What happened to him?”
Freddie slouched on the couch. “He took Isla to the club, used her life as a bait to play his perilous casino games.”
“I’m not asking what he did. I’m asking what you did to him.”
Freddie shrugged. “Gave him few punches.”
“The kid is nowhere to be seen.”
Freddie squared an ankle over one knee. “Aha! I also told him to come and take his termination letter. Maybe he decided not to waste his energy and just left.”
“You’re terminating him from school?”
Freddie nodded.
“Why?”
“I don’t know why you like this kid so much, Sonia.” Freddie chuckled. “You asked me to give him a scholarship. He was a prime suspect for burning the library when you asked me to forgive him and said you would handle the situation. Now, he’s messing with our daughter and you’re showing a lenient face again. Why do you like that kid?”
“He’s still young. He deserves the second chance.”
Freddie chuckled. “Second chance?”
SJ nodded.
“You know what…” Freddie sighed. “When I was eight, my big brother became a drug addict. One morning, he stabbed me. I barely survived the surgery. After a discussion between my parents and the police, they agreed that he deserved a second chance. A year later, he stabbed our mother. She never survived.”
SJ droop her head. “He will change.”
“There are things that you cannot change no matter how many clothes you change.”
**********
Baraka sat under a tree outside his room. He leaned on the tree gazing over the moving clouds. His happiness floated away like waves of the ocean along the coast of his life. He heard footsteps coming in his direction. He turned hastily. He was slack-mouthed when he saw Daniel.
“Baraka, what’s up?” Daniel said.
Baraka waved.
Daniel chuckled. “Hey, do you know where Leo is?”
“I don’t.”
“C’mon. He’s your friend.”
“Leo has got no friend.”
“Are you okay?”
Baraka rested his chin on his palm.
“Hey…”
“I don’t know where Leo is.”
“You okay?”
“Do I look so?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything…”
“We must find Leo. His girlfriend is causing lots of troubles to Isla.”
Baraka exhaled. “How does Leo do this?”
“Do what?”
“There must be a secret that he knows.”
Daniel sighed. “What are you talking about?”
“How does he get girls to like him?”
“I think the degree of your stupidity is enough to boil water.”
Baraka scratched his head. “How did I forget that? You don’t know the secret too.”
“What?”
“Leo took your girlfriend. If you knew the secret, your girlfriend couldn’t have been taken.”
Daniel clenched his fist. “Do you know that when you are dead, you do not know you are dead? It is only painful for others. The same applies when you are stupid.”
“We should all take lectures from Leo.”
Daniel grabbed Baraka’s shirt. “You fo—”
“Excuse me...”
The voice pierced Baraka’s ears. A megawatt shock raised his head reluctantly. His eyes met with an electrifying smile, showing the girl’s bewitching, unicorn-white teeth. Her coral-black hair toppled over her shoulders as the wind blew.
“Daliah…” Baraka whispered.
Daliah smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m looking for Leo.”
Baraka fanned his heated face with his hands. “You too…?”
“Have you guys seen Leo?” Daliah said.
Baraka sighed. “How co—”
“We’re also looking for him.” Daniel said.
“Please, let me know if you see him.” Daliah said.
Daniel nodded. Daliah walked away.
Baraka’s hands were on his head as he watched Daliah walking away, her hips rolling and undulating.