Write Affair

A Neighbour in Times of Need

[Author's note: Based on an encounter I had.]

Mika was late. She was usually home by 10pm but today, she had to complete the report about the customer’s complain on the garment that wasn’t sewed well. Mrs Yong had always been one of the difficult customers and Mika often found ways to avoid serving her. She overwhelmed with the customers who came into the boutique to try out the new tops that had arrived and none of her colleagues were free.

With a heavy sigh, Mika approached Mrs Yong to attend to her. Mrs Yong never looked at her once and said loudly for all to hear, “This dress is not good. The seams are not aligned. I want a refund.” All attempts to pacify her failed. Even a new dress that fitted her current piece failed to make her change her mind about the refund. As Mrs Yong’s husband was in the politics, Mika and her supervisor had no choice but to refund her. Her connections were something not to be ignored. Mr Yong was known to have sued a person who posted a defamatory remark in the newspapers until he was bankrupt.

No one wanted to mess with the Yongs. It wasn’t worth it. As this was a refund, Mika was to write a report and submit to her supervisor to vet through and it was midnight by the time she reached her home. Her neighbourhood was quiet. She felt a cool breeze and hurried home. It was never too good to stay out too late even if the crime rate was low.

Just then, she heard some foot steps. Worried that she was being followed, Mika started walking briskly. A twig snapped. Certain that she was being followed, she prepared to whip out her electric shocker in case the attacker got close to her. When she reached her home, she heard heavy breathing. With her hand just at the opening of her bag, she turned to face her stalker and faced his huge erection. He was leering at her. Taunting her. Furious, Mika stomped towards him and kicked his groin. Hard.

He doubled over in pain with a grunt. She started screaming for help and kneed his face. He was still bent with his face tilting 45 degrees up. She pulled out her shocker and placed it on his neck and shocked him. He convulsed. In pain and unable to get away, he clutched his jewels while attempting to pull away from her. Someone arrived and he was soon rained with punches and kicks. Mika was safe.

The police arrived 10 minutes later and the flasher was handcuffed. His face was swollen from the punches and Mika felt a tinge of pity. She brushed it away and spent 2 hours at the police station to record her version of the account. Her neighbour, Mike, sent her home. Mika was glad to be home safe. She made a mental note to get that CCTV and throw a thank you party for those who have helped her in times of need.

A Field Trip

[Author's note: SimplyMoroccan is organising SimplyMoroccan's Competition. The rules can be found here. Ending on 15 Oct 2007. Now, onward to my attempt on using the words based on the rules.]

“Wîlî wîlî, how did you end up here?” Jessie gently picked up the farâsha which seemed to have a broken wing. It didn’t attempt to fly away. Cupping it in her hands, Jessie half-ran, half-walked home. She had been walking home from her trip to the pier where the new babbôr been before cruising off to another harbour.

It was her first time seeing a babbôr in real life. Her Papa had showed her a black and white picture of it in the newspapers a few days ago. Seeing the one in real life was different from seeing it in the papers. Her school had organised a trip to the pier that day because it came from another land and was stopping over for a re-fuel. Field trips were rare because her principal was qrzâz and Jessie was surprised that they had one.

Jessie had a good look at the huge babbôr from the pier. There, the captain came down to give them a tour in it. All of her friends were in awe. They had never seen so much finery in their lives. The captain brought them to the dining area where the children all ooh-ed and ah-ed about the fine cutlery and the paintings. It was there she overheard that the field trip was free because the captain had paid for it. Joe whispered that the principal ought to eat his khnôna. Jessie stifled a laugh. Jessie had once tasted her own and shuddered at the reminder. Her Mama had scolded her for it.

By this time, she was near her home and went into her house. “Mama! Mama!” she shouted excitedly, forgetting the delicate farâsha in her hands during the process.

“In the kitchen!” Her Mama shouted. Turning, she went there and proceeded to tell her Mama about the injured farâsha and the huge babbôr she saw.