The Finale

Woke up at around 7 a.m to look through my Physics MCQ for about 1 hour, then fell into a deep sleep for around 3 hours. Raymond called to ask me to shop for a present for the Desert Rose,
since it is their birthday tomorrow. Had a hasty lunch from my mother before paying my share to Roderick, who had patiently waited for my arrival at Orchard MRT.

Both of us walked from Orchard to Paradiz, exercising our underused legs. I'm getting quite nauseous of the blue UV light at McMaster and the horrible cigarette smell in the toilet. Had a stomachache and found the ground toilet devoid of resources. Went hurriedly up to the 2nd toilet, which was slightly cleaner and better. Played five games in all. For the first time, my side ended in victory for the last game. (though it was quite humiliating to lose to a group of prepubescent guys before that).

In our euphoria, I had cleanly forgotten about the present which was left at the shop. Even though I had placed the gift in front of our screen, I guess that the poor lighting there made it inconspicuous.

Only realised my folly when we had reached Kembangan. Travelled all the way back to the same old place. Thankfully, the shop was still open and my gift was safe and sound. By then, it was already 11 p.m. Along the way, Raymond suggested a crazy idea: Lets go to the Desert Rose's house and give the present in front of her door. He began asking his classmates for the addresses.

Had many plans when we were walking to and from MacMasters. One was the once-in a lifetime scenario above. Another was that Raymond would come to my house and wrap a present, before going to her house and finally studying at the airport.

Time ticked by, as I pondered at the train station. The Northward bound train will bring me to her doorstep; the South train will bring us home. Missed both trains while contemplating, with the gift in hand. Many thoughts came through my mind; Raymond was anxiously waiting for my response.

Taking the Northward bound train is akin to burning a bridge. There will be no return trip by MRT home. At best, we will manage to find her place by midnight. By then, hungry taxis will be prowling the streets waiting to impose their midnight surcharge.
<p>Though Raymond reassured me that his parents will pay, I feel bad for making his parents pay for the extra charges; this matter doesn't even concern them.

At the end of the day, why would I make my friend and parents suffer, just to give a present to the Desert Rose? There might be a probability that the gift itself would receive contempt from the beholder; all these at the cost of money, tears and sweat.

<p>Sometimes, one has to prioritise. Could see the fatigue in the both of us, though Raymond tried to make me feel better by saying "Will you go if you just consider yourself?" My reply was that it is my nature; I cannot help but think of the after-effects. And one must step out of the idealistic world once a while, to view at the real circumstances.

For the first time since the rose incident, I refused to go the extra mile just for the sake of friendship with the Desert Rose; why should I tire my closer friend Raymond just for the sake of illusionary, "might have-or might not have" relationship with her? Thought back and felt it was silly to succumb to others' opinions and give the rose.

This time, I felt the inner peace in me, not to do anything rash tonight. Planning to go to school tomorrow and ask her classmates to write their regards to her. The gift will be properly wrapped by then. This will probably be the last gift I can ever present, if she still regards me as her friend....