COMPLICATED

FIVE (FLASHBACK)

CHAPTER FIVE

(At school Salome and Clara were discussing after class at their usual spot)

Clara: Honestly, I don't know how to thank you for all you have done for me.

Salome: If this is not what friends should be doing for each other, then I don't see the need for friendship.

Clara: You are more than a friend to me. I already feel like you are the elder sister that I never had.

Salome: (Smiles gently) this reminds me so much of the first day we met.

Clara: I can never forget that day in a hurry. You made me the strong girl that I am today. (Tears starts flowing down her cheeks)

*FLASHBACK*

(A few years ago, when Salome and Clara were in Ss1. That was Salome's first day in school because she changed from her former school)

Teacher: Clara, stand up and tell the class the meaning of Biology.

Clara: Aunty, please can I sit down and answer?

Teacher: (Angry) are you stupid! Will you stand up and answer my question?

Clara: Aunty, please I can't stand up. I am having stomach upset ma, please permit me to sit down and answer the question.

Teacher: Don't let me get to you there with my cane or do you want me to take you to the principal's office?

(Clara considering the thought of been flogged and taken to the principal's office which will still make her stand up. But at the moment, she doesn't have any better choice than to stand up, knowing fully well that her teacher is a mean person. With tears in her eyes she stood up to answer the question and that was when all hell was let loose. The majority of her classmates started laughing at her)

Teacher: (Yet to understand what is going on) why are you people laughing?

(The students stopped laughing were closing they nose. They started murmuring. The teacher now has to come close, only for her to find out that Clara was on her Menses. (Does she immediately understand why Clara refuses to stand up?)

Teacher: Is this the reason why you refused to stand up and answer my question? Are you the first girl to see her menses (Some members of the class burst into laughter) as big as you are, you can't take care of yourself and keep yourself neat. Don't you know that you are a girl? Will you get out of my class you smelling thing!!! And you better come back and clean up this mess that you have made.

(Clara couldn't bear the shame, she felt like killing herself. But is not her fault that she is from a very poor family. She had no money to buy a sanitary pad, though she was expecting her period to come anytime soon she was not expecting it to be that day, if not, she wouldn't have come to school)

(As the teacher was still making fun of her, Salome couldn't bear the pain. She immediately pulled off her sweater and used it to cover Clara's waist. She then used the tissue in her bag to clean up the mess. She escorted Clara who could barely walk due to shame out of the class)

Salome: My dear stop crying

Clara: (Very sober) you are telling me to stop crying because you are not the person that was disgraced in class just because of an ordinary question that I even know the answer to.

Salome: I know am not the one that was disgraced in class just now but I am also a girl like you and I understand how it feels. Sit here and don't go anywhere, I will be back soon.