Finally, my stomach was satisfied as my mouth belched out a soft burp. Since I had had a hearty meal, I decided to return to the classroom quickly to finish up my homework. I certainly did not want to get into the bad books of Mrs Kho, my form teacher.
As I padded back along the corridor, there was soft laughter that ricocheted in the air. My eyes darted from side to side. Hmm? No one was in sight. My neck craned high and low, looking for the source of the sound. As I peeked through the gap of a classroom window, I caught sight of some movement.
“You scare me to death!” Rael looked stunned as his bulging eyes stared into mine.
“Hey, what are you up to?” I asked inquisitively.
“N...othing,” he
stammered.
“What is in your hand?” I asked, trying to take the box from his hands. It was well-wrapped with a silver ribbon on top.
“Don't touch it!” he
hissed.
“This is for Mrs Kho and don't you dare tell on me!” he threatened malevolently, with his raised knuckle-white fist.
The bell rang at that moment and being timid by nature, I quickly returned to my seat and pretended I knew nothing. My classmates also streamed into class.
Within minutes, Mrs Kho ambled into the classroom, her flowery dress swirling about as she walked. She was a bespectacled thin wiry woman and was grinning from ear to ear, probably because it was Teacher's day the next day.
“Good morning, class!” she greeted us in her typical nasal voice and placed the books on the teacher's desk. Just then, she saw the nicely-wrapped present with a pretty card. “Whose is this from?” Her face lit up in delight but no one answered.
“Mrs Kho, this is such a nice present. Could you open and show us?” asked Mary in a saccharine voice. She was known for currying favour. By this time, everyone, almost everyone, was insisting that Mrs Kho should open the present - except me.
Mrs Kho flashed a wide smile and finally agreed. My unsuspecting teacher was knitting her brows together as she tore open the gift wrapper, smiling like a Cheshire cat, wondering what was inside. Excitement was bubbling inside us. She lifted up the cotton-wool covering.
Suddenly, she gave a
high-pitched shriek and froze on the spot. Her face turned from
ashen white to almost deathly sallow. Cockroaches – swarms of them
– started crawling out. It turned out that Mrs Kho had a phobia for
creepy crawlies. Her moment of jubilation was immediately replaced
by waves of terror.
The classroom was in
a tumultuous commotion. The cockroaches were running everywhere. The
noise reached a deafening level. Many were standing on the chairs
and tables trying to avoid the cockroaches, screaming like banshees.
Some were bawling at the top of their voices and the naughty boys
were trying to catch the horrid insects to throw at the girls.
“Exit the class now,” ordered a stern voice. It was Mr Kevin, the discipline master. In a flash, the panic-stricken children immediately made a dash for the exits. Mr Kevin then rushed towards Mrs Kho and helped her out at once. Everyone gathered outside the classroom and Mrs Kho fell onto the floor in a pathetic heap, crying loudly as a dam of emotions burst within her.
By this time, Rael was stricken with guilt and reported his 'crime' to Mr Kevin. He was filled with rage and gave him the mother of all dressing-downs. Rael realised that his prank had gone too far and could only hang his head in remorse. Fortunately, the kind Mrs Kho was quick to forgive and insisted that Rael should receive no further punishment.
Rael was immensely
touched and tears brimmed in his soot-black eyes. “I promise to
mend my ways,” he declared. Indeed, he has been true to his words and
since then, he has transformed from an imp to an angel. I am so glad that
he has finally turned over a new leaf.
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