爱の恐惧

Love Phobia

[ Chapter 15 ]

Cinderella walked on broken glass,

Sleeping Beauty let a lifetime pass,

Belle fell in love with a hideous beast,

Jasmine choose a poor man,

Ariel spent her life on land,

Its all about the smile & tears;

Love is about facing your biggest fears

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" REAGAN CHEN !! REAGAN CHEN JUN FENG !!! "

" JULIET CHEN !! JULIET CHEN FENG LING !!! "

" Here !! " Reagan responded.

" Here !! " Juliet responded.

My mind went silent for a moment. I thought I heard a Juliet name being shouted out in this crowd. I scan around the crowd, searching for the source of voice being shouted, but somehow or rather it was in vain, because the crowd was too messy.

" I must be thinking too much ! " I thought to myself.

" Alright .. group 1 .. we are moving out from this crowd here, follow me !!! " one of the mentor shouted.

" Shit .. my group has left without me .. "

Slowly I managed to squeeze my way out through the crowd, running towards the direction of my group.

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" JOANNE PEH !!! "

" Here !! " Joanne responded.

" Alrites .. last name taken, we are READY for orientation fun !!! I'm group 3 mentor Davin ... feel free to approach me if you've any problems " Davin winked.

Joanne started nudging me.

" Hey Juliet dear .. our mentor is sooooo CUTE !!! his winks so mesmerizing .. " Joanne whisper to me.

My attention shifted back to Joanne. I thought i saw him just now. I saw a familiar figure running towards the direction of group 1 that was led away from us earlier on.

" it must be hallucination ! " I thought to myself.

" uh - yaya don't get electrocuted by him ar !! " I teased Joanne, trying to forget what i saw just now.

" bleah ... he seem more interested in you though .. I noticed he kept staring at you .. "

" aiyo you think too much, I'm not interested & further more I won't snatch from my bestie okays .. hurhur "

" the two lovely ladies over there .. gossiping about me ar ??? " Davin shouted towards our direction.

Both me & Joanne sychronised our movements, shaking our head together, which led the whole group break into laughter.

" hahaha .. so group 3 has recruited a pair of our singapore version siamese twins .. " Davin joked.

The group broke into laughter again. Somehow from the start, the whole group has been solely influenced by his charisma & charm, except me. Perhaps I'm bearing a grudge from the start, he has made me the joke of the group. But I couldn't deny due to his spontaneous & light hearted conversation, he not only won over many of us, but also bond the group together. As many of our ugly sides, & jokes among one another started to be common, it wasn't that awkward anymore, instead it became fun & laughter. I guess thats the magic of orientation, or rather what Joanne has labelled as "the magic of Davin" .

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" Group 1 .. are we all present ? ! ? " the mentor shouted.

I managed to catch up with the group after some hardcore chasing. I was still grasping my breath, when i started to hear giggles & laughters around me. I looked up, only to see many pairs of eyes staring at me.

" freshie .. your name is Reagan right ? " the mentor asked.

I nodded.

" uh .. are you hard up for breath because you're surrounded by the legion of girls here !! " the mentor joked.

" huh ? "

I looked around me, only then to notice that I'm the only guy in group one.

" I'm sure the guys out there gonna be envious of you .. man .. hahahaha ~ " the mentor joked once again. The rest of the girls broke into laughter too.

" Gosh .. man I'm getting awkward in this situation .. " I thought to myself. Just then, I decided to give it all out, it is suppose to be an orientation filled with fun & laughter, there is no point feeling shy & acting as some big figure waiting to be befriend by others.

" Hey .. mentor .. tell you a secret ... this group is all about GIRLS POWER .. & there must be a reason why I'm being post to this group right .. " I replied in a gayish tone & winked at the mentor.

I guess working at One-Stop Love Service Center has really changes me alot, from the once shy guy to a guy that is able to deal with situations more openly & not feeling awkward about it. The daily interactions with customers, girls showing hints of confessions to me has somehow open me up.

The group broke into laughter through my acting. Soon after i was able to bond with the group of girls fast, & in actual fact some of them already recognised me as the " guy being showcased in One-Stop Love Service Center " . I was like a mini well known figure among them. They were eager to know all about me & were surprised over the little fact that I held.

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" Our warmest welcome to you, freshies who has chosen Arts @ VJC. VJC is proud to provide you all with a wide array of teachings and programs that will enable you to achieve your academic and career goals. While at VJC, you may participate in personal enrichment, artistic and cultural events, athletic programs, and student leadership activities. This is your community college. We seek to be an integral part of your personal and professional development too. The central focus of VJC is to create a stimulating learning environment, an environment in which you can prepare for tomorrow and all that the future can bring. Therefore, your two years start now, at this very day, at this very moment. We hope your time here is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We've specially prepared an exciting orientation programme, just for you . Enjoy & have Fun !!! "

Davin bow & smiled towards all the arts students in the lecture hall.

Everyone in the lecture hall clapped.

" wow .. I didn't expect Davin our mentor to be holding the Arts Student Union President Role too .. a awe inspiring speech made by him " Joanne whispered to me.

" awww .. my Joanne dearie .. you're blinded by love !! hurhur "

" bleah . humpfh .. its more than being blind okays .. tsk tsk " Joanne replied.

" Alrights ... FRESHIES ... lets start the mass games !!!!!!! since we have all eight groups in this lecture hall now .. make some NOISE !!!! you won't have a chance to do so that often in your 2 years of time when you come here for endless lectures sessions .. hahaha " Davin shouted.

" okays ... this game is simple ... each group will send representatives down here to where I'm standing & pose a question to the other groups, if the other groups don't have any answers to your questions, you earn a point, the highest group with most points wins & vice versa the lowest will the group with least points & will have to do a forfeit ... sounds cool !! " one of the mentor shouted.

" YEAH !! " the freshies shouted.

" lets get started !!! "

" What is invisible and smells like banana? " group 8 asked.

" Monkey Farts !!! " someone from group 6 shouted !!

" BINGO .. !!! one point for group 6 "

" What kind of flower do you have between your nose and your chin? "

" tuLIPS "

" If John 's mom has 5 sons and their names are Ja, Je, Ji, and Jo. Who is the last one? "

" John .. -.- "

The game was ongoing with lots of laughter & fun filled lame questions.

" alright ... last question .. group 3 shall pose this question .. this shall be crucial to them, because currently they are in last position with group 1 .. & who are they sending .... * drum rolls * we have group 3 singapore version of siamese twins to pose the last question." Davin jokingly said.

the whole lecture hall exploded into laughter as me & Joanne walked down the stairs to the stage.

" Joanne .. thanks to your Davin .. we are in the limelight now .. " I said in a irritated tone

" aiya .. come on its all for fun isn't it .. tee-hee .. come on lets think of a challenging question to astonish them !! " Joanne replied.

Both me & Joanne were struggling to find a challenging question, then a sudden thought just rushed through my mind to pose this question ...

"whats the relationship between the number 220 & 284 ? " I asked.

The whole lecture hall went silent. I could see discussions going on among my fellow schoolmates. Nobody seems to know the answers.

" well done ... Juliet dear .. didn't expect you pose this question ... our trump card !! tee-hee " Joanne whispered to me.

" wow .. wow .. what a challenging question ... uh .. first question of the day that somebody couldn't answer at all .. HAILS to GROUP 3 ~ !!! we have 10 seconds left, nobody can answer ... & group 3 gonna earn points from group 1 to group 7 & proclaimed as winner for this round ... " Davin ranted.

" 5 ... 4 ... 3 ............1 " Davin started to countdown.

Just when me & Joanne thought we are sure winners for this round, someone familiar stood up & shouted .

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" All the factors of 220 are 1,2,4,5,10,11,20,22,44,55,110 & of course 220. The factors of 284 are 1,2,4,71,142 & 284.

"If i add up the sum of the factors of 220 excluding 220 itself, 1+2+4+5+10+11+20+22+44+55+110 = 284

likewise i add up the sum of the factors of 284 excluding 284 itself, 1+2+4+71+142 = 220

The sum of factors of 220 is 284, the sum of the factors of 284 is 220. The pair is called Amicable numbers. It signifies my heart only got you ... & your heart only got me ... " I stammered at the last part of my answer.

All this while, i was struggling within my heart. I frozed when i saw both Joanne & Juliet going to the stage together. I didn't expect to see both of them appearing together, let alone seeing Juliet posing that question that has been lingering in my heart since young. I was real confused, yet somwhow I can't conceal that eagerness in me to have finally see her once again.

Everyone turned their direction towards Juliet after hearing my answer.

I could see tears welding up in Juliet's eyes as she reply,

" Co ... r rr ec t ! " Juliet stammered.

Davin somehow sense the atmosphere wasn't right, & immediately divert everyone attention towards him ...

" wow wow ... indeed an challenging question .. but somehow .. we have an winner here managing to solve the mystery .. its forfeit time !!! GROUP 3 LETS RUN !! its water splashing time !!! " Davin shouted.

Everyone started to rush out of the lecture hall towards the school compound.

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I was still shocked over what happen. I didn't expect to see Reagan appearing here answering an unsolved mystery I've left for him back then. I was just in a daze, unsure of what to do. My tears were slowly welding up, about to explode any moment. Just at this moment, Davin held my hands & lead me to the school compound.

" everyone lets attack GROUP 3 !!!! " one of the mentor shouted, & started throwing water bomb towards us.

I was totally lost at that point of time. I couldn't see Joanne by my side. I was searching frantically for her, but to no avail .. my tears were slowly flowing down, I just couldn't resist that feeling inside me. All i saw was Davin shielding me from the water bomb attacks, smiling to me. Soon, one of the mentor noticed Davin's actions, & started a mutiny to gather the attack point towards me & davin. we both got ultra wet due to the mutiny, & soon everyone started to laugh & joked about us,

" our President is in loveeeeee " many of the mentors jokingly teased davin.

After the water bomb attacks, I somehow manage to gather back my feelings, the water has conceal my tears well. It wasn't obvious to those who thought that I was crying earlier on. I started to search for Joanne once again when someone tapped my shoulder. I was fearful it might be Reagan, & hesitated in turning behind, only until I heard Davin voice.

" hey are you alright ? ? " Davin asked.

I turned behind to see davin & heave a sigh of relief.

I nod in reponse to his question.

" thanks for just now .. mentor " I replied.

" no problem .. & need not be so formal .. just call me Davin .. quick go get yourself dry .. & remember next time we shall be the one to incur forfeits on others le ar .. hehe .. see ya around .. " Davin winked at me, before walking away.

" Julietttttt dearie .... " Joanne started to run towards my direction.

" where were you just now ...... " I gave Joanne a hug.

" it was in a total mess earlier on, I just ran out with the crowd, so sorry dearie ... for not grabbing you along with me .. " Joanne said in a sorry tone.

" its okie luhs .. silly girl .. why apologise wor .. I was worrying for you .. " I gave Joanne my trademark smile.

Joanne gave me a hug back.

I slowly recalled back what the greek fortune teller has said,

" Miss Juliet .. sorry for interrupting your thoughts again .. but I've forseen that it hasn't ended, which is why cupid didn't continue on your future."

" it hasn't ended ? Me & Reagan hasn't end , which explains why I saw him today .. why ? why ? WHY ? I thought to myself ....

Somehow this orientation is the re-beginning of every thing ... my intuition tells me more surprises has yet to come.

Could it be the start or the end to everything ?

[ to be cont .. ]

I'll follow you and make a heaven out of hell, and I'll die by your hand which I love so well.

william shakespeare