Chapter 12

Brian

Trish and I both wanted to catch ‘Sliding Doors’ very badly but obviously we couldn’t do it in town coz the Cineplex is kinda like the local hangout. We decided to take a one-hour bus ride to the next town to watch it.

Just to be safe, Trish and I took different seats on the bus. We didn’t see anyone from school, which was a huge relief. When we alighted the bus, I took hold of her hand immediately. Now, she is all mine.

We were there about a quarter of an hour earlier and I wanted to go to the washroom so I left her alone.

I had only gone in for last than five minutes, but she was already gone when I came out! I couldn’t believe it, where the hell could she have gone? I checked the titbits store, the ticket booth and I even asked the usher to keep a lookout for me, but it was a futile attempt. I don’t understand how she can just go off like that.

I sat at the steps and rested my chins on my hands, feeling like I was ready to explode from frustration any second. I was half-waiting for Trish to reappear. The fact that I was in a totally strange place didn’t help much.

The sky was turning dark and I took one glance at my watch, it was near seven. I must have been waiting for a good hour. Then, I heard a familiar melody from my jeans pocket. It was my pager. I read the message, "Sorry but I had to go. Lauren was there with her folks and I didn’t want her to see me. I took the bus home. Call me when you get back."

That’s it?!? She left me at a bloody cinema because she saw a girl from school? I don’t believe my luck. I stomped to the phone booth and dialled her house number. Five ringing tones later, Jolene picked up the phone.

"Get me your sister now!" I yelled at her, unable to control my anger. She was a little shocked at my eruption and I could hear her hollering for Trish in the background.

I heard her running down the stairs and seconds later, she was on the other end of the receiver.

I didn’t give her a chance to say anything and started to scold her. "What the hell do you think you’re doing just running off like that, leaving me waiting like a fool at the cinema? You could have just hidden yourself or something!"

She sounded apologetic, but I wasn’t impressed. "I’m sorry Bri, but I can’t take the chance of being seen anywhere with you. What if Danny hears of it?"

"What if? What’s your problem? I am so sick and tired of having to hide from the public and how do you think I feel when I see Danny and you walking around school compound hand in hand huh?"

"I thought you understood! I don’t believe you. What’s my problem, what’s your problem? Look, I am sorry okay. Just, give it up!" her voice was getting more agitated and it wasn’t long before we were in a heated verbal exchange.

The things we were saying weren’t exactly very nice and at that point, I really wanted to just tell her to forget we ever met and go back to Danny. And I did.

Trish was crying by that time. I shifted my position uncomfortably, all anger had possibly subsided by now. I wasn’t aware of what I was doing, all the words just got out of my mouth before I had time to think about it. I wasn’t expecting her to cry coz I wouldn’t know what to do.

She said in between sobbing, "Is that what you really want Brian?" Her voice came out all meek.

I know I should have just told her no but it’s not easy to get off a high horse once you’ve mounted on it, so I told her straight, "Sure. Just go live a happy life with Danny. I don’t need you anymore."

When she heard that, she didn’t even reply. She hung up the phone.

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Tricia Littrell Tan

tricia@as-if.com