Life of Problems

chapter 36

Our long awaited trip, finally we are out, said Kathy cheerfully. I just can't believe it.

Everyone was smiling except Jiya and Jwel. Jwel's face was as stiff as stone and Jiya had her regular gloomy look.

What do you feel like doing now Kathy? asked Joe.

Let's have ice cream, it's perfect for a hangout with friends, said Kathy.

Yeah, good idea,l and Jwel said together.

Okay then, let's buy ice cream first, Joe said.

Why ice cream? Nick hesitated. We can have roasted potato, how about that?I don't like potato, said Kathy.

Me neither, I said.

Umm,then...is there any problem with ice cream? Joe asked him.

Ah no, let's go then.

*

How much? Jwel asked at the ice cream shop.

200 each, said the shopkeeper.Alright, choose your flavor then, said Kathy. I want strawberry.

Chocolate,l said.

Coffee, said Jwel.

Nick? Asked Joe. I also want chocolate.

Ummm,well l...Nick? Jiya interrupted. I don't like ice cream. I wanna have roasted potato,will you like that too? Then we two can go together to buy that. Nick smiled awkwardly. Sure.

Okay,then we will go and buy that,she said. They left.

I thought she don't like potato, muttered Jwel.

Hmm? Joe asked.

Nothing, Jwel said. Let's wait here.

Yeah,l said.

*

How did you understand? Nick smiled.

Understand what? Jiya asked.

Don't pretend sister,l know you don't like potato, said Nick.

Well... and who told you that?

I saw you picking out potatoes from vegetable a lot of times in canteen, Nick said. I actually didn't have that much money but if l have told them...l mean it will spoil the cheerful situation,l thought. Thanks for solving it nicely.

They won't be unhappy with you just for you're not having money,Jiya said.

It's not like that. Last time when we went for a hangout,Ema and Jwel had to eat in a cheap restaurant cause I didn't have enough money. They're not habituated in that kind of food. I don't wanna spoil it every time.

Why are you so ashamed of that? Being poor is not a crime,Jiya said lightly.

Actually all of you belong to high class and l just don't suit with.... there's only one class,Jiya interrupted. We are human and that's our class.

Nick chuckled. Well.. world doesn't work like that, right? It's all about money.

When you have money, but you can't spend it to learn something you want or you can't spend it for any dear one of you, what is money without some papers?

That's cause you have a lot of money, your father is a..... what's the use of it? Jiya interrupted again. Money can't care for you or ask how are you feeling,can it? I am not feeling like heaven 

even after having money.

Family or freedom is important indeed, but money is also important.The most important thing for you is the thing you don't have and that's what my point. No one is perfect. You will always lack something. If you spoil it for money, someone else maybe will spoil it for something else. So no need to feel ashamed, alright? No one will judge you.

Nick smiled. But why don't you think for you in the same way then? No one will judge you as well for an old mistake.

Mistake? You think so?Don't stay angry at Joe, Nick said suddenly changing the topic. He really was just trying to know 

the truth . The story you told...ahh... you know it sounds a bit unreal. He saw you in canteen and tried that weird trick to make you tell the truth. But it went wrong. He really didn't mean to hurt you.

Why are you telling me that?

You're very good, you don't deserved to be blamed like that. Why don't you just tell Jwel the 

truth? Nick asked eagerly. I am sure it's just a misunderstanding, isn't it?

Jiya smiled bitterly. Look, they're waiting there,she said.

Nick saw the other four standing in front of that shop.

Too late, Kathy said annoyedly.

Sorry, Nick said. Let's go now, what's our next plan?

Beach, Joe said.

At night? Nick wondered.