Midnight Mayhem

Cleo Weiland: I think you'd like it. It's got lots of nerdy jokes, the kind you understand.

I hit Enter. Beep.

Obefiend: Meh. Don't think so. Mythbusters for me.

I chuckled. Just then, my phone rang. It was Zara.

"CLEO!! Happy Birthday!!" screamed a roomful of girls, through the phone. I switched to loudspeaker, smiling.

"..Ha...py...Birth..day....." 

Reception was breaking up, so I did what any girl around here would - I climbed up on to my study table and held my phone out of the window, sticking my head out with my knees placed precariously on the windowsill.

"I can't hear you guys!" I said loudly.

"Come...over here!!" 

I ended the call and ran up to the girl's apartment upstairs. It was completely dark and the door was locked. I heard scurrying feet and hushed giggles.

"Oi! I'm outside!" I called out, my hands wringing the doorknob repeatedly. "Okay fine, I'm coming in through the front door!!" I ran back down the stairs. 

And then I heard Alessa's voice.

"Cleo...here! Where are you going? Come on!" I smiled at her and followed her into the apartment, running up the steps two at a time.

It was completely dark inside because the girls had turned off all the lights, even in the rooms. I'm terrified of the dark, and Alessa was clearly unaware of it because she walked off to the far end of the corridor leaving me on the other side. I watched her disappear through the darkness and thought of an escape plan, a detour. So I ducked into Mya's room.

It was empty but the lights were on. Better than nothing, I thought. It took a few moments for Alessa to realise I wasn't with her. She rushed back to find me and grabbed my hand, pulling me to the dark end of the corridor. I braced myself..

And came face to face with a chocolate cake! It was adorable, the girls had sprinkled Milo all over the top and decorated it with colourful bits of Jell-O. Everyone was there, singing and I found myself tearing up like a silly little girl. I truly didn't expect much since it was Exam Week (it always is during my birthday!) and I guess I was touched that they put time into remembering my birthday.

I blew out the candles and the lights came back on (thankfully!). Faith passed a small paper bag with what seemed like a piece of plaid linen inside. "From all of us," she says, pushing a card into my hands.

I unravelled the cloth and discovered it was an apron. Being resident cook sure had its perks I guess! Natalie was busy snapping photos and Joanna was claiming she baked the whole cake herself - to which Ava pointed out that she wasn't even around when they put the Jell-O on top. I laughed, tears streaming down my face. I'm sure I'll be missing them all.

For Faith, Mya, Zara, Alessa, Natalie, Jenny, Joanna and Ava - Thank you for the wonderful surprise. I'll always remember all the fun we've had together!

For my darling baby sisters - I love you both! Hugs!

For those who remembered - Thanks for all the wishes :)

And of course,

Special mention to Effs - You've made my day more perfect than I could have ever wished for. I love you always! :)

Here's to being 23!

The Plan That Went Bust

I stirred the grainy mixture in my mug earnestly, wishing that the few odd lumps would disappear. It didn't, so I grabbed the kettle nearby and poured a dash of hot water into the mug. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the solution was complete. I took a deep breath.

And then I took a sip.

I winced. The grainy mixture resembled a cereal drink but the fruity flavour was off-putting, to say the least. I took a second sip and noticed a hint of milk. By the fourth sip I felt like I was drinking baby vomit. It sure didn't help that the drink smelt like a combination of medicine and sour milk. I gagged and braced myself.

Unfortunately, it took me more than ten gulps of the vile drink to finish it up. The instructions on the back packet said that I had to drink a full glass of water after consuming one sachet. I gratefully gulped down two cups  of cold water, hoping it would take the taste out of my mouth. 

How was I supposed to substitute entire meals with this?

Once I was sure that I wasn't going to throw up, I ran upstairs to meet Mya and Sienna. 

"It tastes like baby vomit after a while.." I told Sienna. 

"Yeah, I know. Takes some getting used to.." she says, her eyes travelling to the huge box of SlimQuick she had just bought. 

"How on earth do you get used to this?" I cried.

"I just force myself, I guess."

"I'm not sure I can do it, Sienna," I confessed, ruefully.

Minutes later I found Mya. She had given me the samples in the first place and judging from how much weight she'd lost and how great she looked now, I was keen on trying the beverage. Until now.

"How come you don't like it? I love the flavour, I even lick the spoon clean sometimes," said Mya,bright-eyed.

I frowned, trying my best to conceal my horror as I saw a mental image of Mya licking off the horrid mixture.

"I'm not too sure about it okay? I don't mind the collagen drink though, that tasted pretty good," I said, referring to another sample she had given me which tasted quite pleasant.

"That's okay..whatever suits you, I guess," she said, nonchalantly.

I walked back to Sienna's room and threw myself onto her plush comforter, feeling dejected. And then I saw the bottle of chilli sauce on her table.

"How come you can have that bottle of chilli sauce sitting so innocently on your table? If I were you, the only thing I can think about is the bottle staring back at me and saying, 'Hey why don't you fry up some nuggets to eat with me on the side?' That's just tough!" I blurted.

"And that's why you need to find another diet, darling!"

Revenge of the Gorgon

I tossed and turned restlessly, trying to find a comfortable position while keeping my eyes on the small laptop screen next to me. Yvonne was pretty much settled in her bed on the other side of our room, headphones plugged in and oblivious to her surroundings. Her eyes were transfixed onto her laptop screen, which illuminated the room with a eerie hue of dark blue. 

It was another sleepless Friday night, uneventful. Until the unexpected guest arrived.

A loud, short buzz broke the silence of the room. This was followed quickly by two shrieking girls scrambling in the dark to find the light switch, headphones thrown haphazardly onto the floor and laptops carelessly pushed aside on the beds. 

Click. The lights were on.

And there it was. I stifled a scream.

"Where is it?" asked Yvonne, terrified.

"Erm...lets step out here to the hallway..no, wait, you should go to the bathroom.."

"Is it in my hair?" she asks, fearing the worst.

I gulped and nodded.

"OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, GET IT OUT!!!" she screamed.

Yvonne was in the hallway, eyes closed and her body bent forward towards me, motioning me to swat The Gorgon away. It was only a feet away from my face. I kept the room door half-open, afraid that The Gorgon would take off and fly back into the room. 

"You have to take it out, TAKE IT OUT!" screamed Yvonne again.

I hastily ran back to my desk and grabbed an old copy of The Sun, rolling it tightly into a makeshift Gorgon swatter. I positioned the weapon over Yvonne's head. The Gorgon did not move.

And then it flicked its wings. I jumped.

Yvonne put on a brave front and appeared calmer now, not knowing what was on her head. Ignorance is bliss. "Come on, you can do it...just swat the thing away.." she pleaded quietly.

Being face to face with The Gorgon was horrifying. I imagined it flying right into my face if I did take a swipe at it. But I had to save Yvonne. So I took a deep breath.

SPLAT!

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

Yvonne screamed and ran into the kitchen. I kept my eye on The Gorgon until it flew away, out of sight. 

"Where did it go? Where did it go?" asked Yvonne, crouched in a corner of the corridor several moments later. "It's not here anymore and I know for sure it's not in the room. Get back in here, come on!" I whispered quickly.

Yvonne dashed inside and I slammed the door quickly. We sprayed insect repellent under the door and all over the window sills.

We were safe again. For now.

The Doppelganger

"I'll prescribe antibiotics for you, since you don't seem to be getting any better," said the kind lady doctor, scribbling on her notepad. Suddenly, she stopped abruptly and looked up at me. "Do you have a younger sister studying here?" she asked. I smiled politely and said, "No, I don't." I only have one younger sister in college and she's about 5 hours from where I'm studying.

"Pelanduk dua serupa.." she said, smiling, her voice trailing off. I gave her a quizzical look, unsure what she meant. The doctor took off her half-rimmed glasses and placed them gently onto the table. "Yesterday, a girl came in with an eye infection. She is the spitting image of you. I thought you were somehow related," she explained.

I laughed softly. This wasn't the first time.

Sometime last year, a friend texted me while I was in my room, reading in bed. "You sure aren't friendly these days! I just saw you at Building 23 and you didn't even look at me when I said hi!" I texted back, telling him that I have not been anywhere near Building 23, and that I was in my room. "But she looked just like you! Right down to the way you walk.." was his quick reply.

Strange indeed.

I've yet to meet this so-called twin of mine. Would I notice the similarities if I did meet her though? I doubt it.

Grounded

"I'm horribly broke!" I moaned, lying flat on the carpet, spread-eagled. Faith barely looked up when she replied, "Yeah, what else is new?"I sighed, feeling completely miserable. The room was silent except for Sienna's constant typing at her laptop, her fingers making soft tapping sounds on her brand new keyboard. 

"Is it just me or money seems to run out faster these days?" asked Zara, as she sat down and curled up next to me. "The  old man downstairs charges at least 50 cents more for rice with fried chicken now. Proper meals are fast becoming a luxury, you know."

"Yeah tell me about it. I just stocked up on instant noodles," said Sienna distractedly, pointing to a pack of chicken noodles on her shelf. Her eyes were still glued to her laptop screen. "I haven't gone shopping in god-knows how long. This sucks!" I cried. Zara patted my arm gently. "There, there," she says.

Mya stepped in, all dressed up and ready to go for her class. "Yeah Cleo, I haven't gone shopping for quite some time now," she says as she slings her brand new Gucci purse over her shoulder. Innapropriate as always, I thought. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Faith roll her eyes. "You just bought that bag last week, Mya," she said.

"Spoilt brat," muttered Sienna under her breath. I managed a giggle before Zara elbowed me sharply in the sides. Being broke sure brought out the ugly side of everyone. 

"I'm off then. Tata darlings!" said Mya, obliviously, as she steps out of the room.

"Now what?" I asked the girls. "I have no idea how we're going to survive this way. I think I'm only going to do my shopping at warehouse sales from now on. Can't afford retail prices anymore."

Faith nodded ruefully. Sienna threw off her headphones - finally - and offered to make some noodles in her hot pot. Everyone nodded in agreement. I rubbed my forehead absent-mindedly, hoping the dull throbbing would go away. "I'm going to be sick, " I announced.

"Hang in there, Cleo. Hang in there," assures Faith.

In Ten Years

I stand in the doorway, overlooking the small garden in our front lawn. A koi pond, surrounded by tall clumps of colourful Birds of Paradise. Evergreen carpet grass, soft to the touch. Perfect for little Aidil's daily excursions to the front yard in the evenings. I take a deep breath, taking it all in. The house was quiet, finally. It had been a tiring day running after a toddler and nursing a baby. I had taken a long bath as soon as the children were down for their evening naps.

From a distance comes the familiar sound of a car engine. I smile to myself and press a button on the wall near the front door. The gates open and a shiny black BMW pulls into the driveway. It parks nicely into the spot next to a white BMW of the same make and model. The man in the driver's seat looks at me, half smiling as he reaches for his briefcase on the passenger seat. I wave and wait at the door, clad in my fluffy pink bathrobe and a cup of cocoa in hand. The engines die and a tall figure steps out and makes his way towards me.

"My dear Bibo," he says as he approaches and kisses my forehead. "Hmm you smell nice. New shampoo?" he asks, eyeing my damp matted hair. I laugh softly. "Maybe, maybe not," I reply, taking his briefcase. He follows me into the house, taking off his necktie along the way to the kitchen, where he pours himself a cup of cocoa. He walks back to the living room and settles onto the sofa next to me.

I turn to him and watch him sip his cocoa, flipping through an issue of National Geographic. He doesn't notice me watching him. I see the wrinkles forming on his forehead, his brows furrowed as he goes through an article on ancient Maya civilisation. He looks exhausted and the years had caught up with him. I set my cup onto the coffee table and rub his shoulder absent-mindedly. 

"Tiring day, Sayang? How did the meeting go?" I ask cautiously. I've always known him to be sensitive when I ask about work. It was not something he liked to discuss.

"Same old, same old. Tough client. Not much comments this time, not a good sign," he answers, turning to me. I say nothing and lean onto his shoulder.

"What's my boy been up to today?" he asks after a while. 

"He's napping now. I think he drinks too much Ribena, Bie. I blame you for that. He won't stop zipping around the house. Even with the child-proof barrier at the stairs, I worry about him. Getting harder to catch up with the little kid."

"And Alia?"

"Well behaved today. She's trying to learn to crawl. It's so adorable. I taped it for you, we can watch later," I beamed with pride. 

"It's nice having you home. Rick was kind to give you another month off," he says, running his fingers through my hair. 

"Yeah, well, I think I deserved it. If it weren't for me, we wouldn't have scored the Petrofac job. That's one more tender for my portfolio," I say, smiling.

"Always knew you could do it, babe,"  he says, making me blush.

The baby monitor at the side table crackles. We hear a baby's soft cries. I get up and look at him knowingly. "Gotta go," I quipped. "Do your thing, you hot mama," he teases, tugging at my robe as I walk past him. I giggle and pull myself away, my face feeling hot. Just as I reach the stairs, I turn back to him.

"I love you, Bie."

"I love you too, Gorgeous."

~EffiCleo, two years on and still going strong~

The Intervention

Ed struggled against the ropes binding his hands behind the chair. "These girls are nuts," he thought as he tugged at the knots in a futile attempt to get away. He heard the distant sound of footsteps, no, heels, against the solid concrete floor, making its way towards him, but he couldn't see anything. The room was small and dark, its walls black and dusty. He did now know where he was and began to panic as small beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Suddenly there was a burst of light as a door opened. Ed squinted and tried to see who - or what - was in front of him. A tall figure approached him and stopped about a few feet before him. Several others followed, he counted six in all, and again the door was shut, plunging the room into complete darkness once again. Ed let out a muffled cry, there was no way he could speak with the roll of cloth forced into his mouth.

A click and a lightbulb turned on, casting a pale yellow light. I watched as Ed's eyes grew wide in shock and terror as he saw us. Alessa stepped forward, her heels making distinct taps on the floor, and slapped Ed fiercely across the face. "Look who's here, Lover Boy," she said menacingly.

Faith had found the only other chair in the room, an old and battered cushioned armchair pushed against a wall at the far end, and promptly sat with her legs curled up underneath her. Her eyes were swollen and puffy, a far cry from the cheerful and energetic Faith we were used to. She began to tear up again just seeing Ed.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it.." whimpered Faith quietly, barely audible, her voice trailing off.

"Who's the other woman, Ed? Did you think we wouldn't know?" I asked him, placing my hands around his neck. I ran my fingers lightly across his shoulders, up his neck and settled on his Adam's apple. I clasped my hands and tightened my grip, slowly but surely, until I heard little coughs escaping from his muffled mouth.

"Don't get carried away, Cleo. He's no good to us dead," said Zara, coming forward from the shadows. 

I smiled sweetly and nodded before letting go. Ed sputtered and wheezed as air entered his lungs again.

"She doesn't deserve this, Ed. We don't like men who prey on one of our own. You should have known this a long time ago," said Mya, straightening up to her full height, a few steps behind Alessa. 

"We always knew you were trouble," said Sienna, as she bent down and tightened the knots on Ed's hands. Ed merely lowered his head and stared resolutely at a spot on the floor. He showed no remorse. 

Faith's soft sobs emanated through the room. She had her face in her hands.

"We'll take care of this for you, Faith. Don't you worry darling," Zara tried to reassure Faith.

Mya eyed her silver dagger lovingly and caressed it in her hands. Alessa slapped Ed again, leaving red marks on both cheeks now. 

We only let him go 2 weeks later.