TURNING POINT (completed)

FOUR

[After recess...]

Everyone has returned to class for free time. I catch sight of a large group of my classmates gathering around you near the Teacher's Table. My curiosity is instantly piqued. What are they doing there?

So I turn round to see what the commotion is all about. Beside you, I spot Vaish, the Vice-Chairperson of the class, an amiable smile plastered on her face. She holds up her large blue bottle near your lips, so close that you could almost kiss its surface. Like a microphone. Christa, Vaish's best friend, stands in front with her arms outstretched, fingers formed in the shape of a camera. A microphone and camera... I immediately understand everything.

"Ready, Christa? Three, two, one, go!" Vaish announces loudly. In an instant, heads turn and before long, all eyes are fixated on her and you, the stars of the show. Vaish clears her throat and continues, "Hi guys! I am T Vaishnavi, reporter for 'The Orchid Times'. Today we are going to interview the teacher of Primary 6 Orchid 2016. Please give her a big round of applause! " We don't need to be told twice, clapping and cheering in support.

You raise your perfectly shaped eyebrows in confusion, which look like they have been carefully sketched out. But you comply anyway. It doesn't matter. After all, you still have plenty of time to mark worksheets during the concert, or when you get home. As Christa turns the 'camera' towards you, putting you at the centre of attention, you beam widely. It seems to light up the entire classroom at once, like a ray of sunshine. Have I ever mentioned how beautiful you look when you smile?

"So, what do you think of this class, after teaching us for about two years now?" Vaish asks.

"Hmmm...I have to admit that this isn't the best class I've taught. Quite badly-behaved, yah," you stare pointedly at some of the 'Irritants' who never hand in their homework on time. I cross my fingers that it's not directed at me. "But one of the sweetest lots of girls I have ever taught. I hope to see a change by the end of the year, though." You grin, and some of us do too.

"And the most pressing question of the year, that everyone wants to know. Sorry guys, but...er...do you love Jessica?" Vaish forces her voice to sound as natural as possible, but she's probably rather excited about your answer. In fact, everyone is. The whole classroom erupts into raucous laughter. Some speak in low whispers, stifling their giggles, some 'Drama Queens' pretend to faint, but most are both shocked and amused at the question.

You stare at Jessica, the crazy 'Class Clown' to gauge her reaction. She starts jumping up and down frantically, screaming at the top of her lungs, "Say yes! Say yes! Yes! Please. I beg you, or else my heart will.."

You can't take all this nonsense any longer, otherwise you think you'll go mad as well. "Shut. Up. Jessica! You can forget about me saying yes!" Turning back to Vaish, you say,"Honestly, not at all." Jessica's beetroot red face falls at this. "Because she can be a bit, er...you know what... at times. But, you know, she can be quite helpful too." Jessica's face lights up. You are obviously doing this for polite reasons, and will settle disputes with her later on. So you add, just for good measure, "Just one thing, her heart needs to stop breaking around me!" All of us giggle uncontrollably.

"OK, so... Why did you decide to become a teacher?" Vaish looks interested now. The class falls silent. This is obviously the most important question of all. I crane my neck a bit higher and keep my ears peeled for your response.

You pause, then admit, "Actually, I wasn't a very good student in school. I always didn't study for my exams and played with my friends instead. Haha!" I cannot believe my ears.

"What about your Math results?"someone pipes up.

"Well, I had crap teachers and rubbish results, especially in Math. But in Secondary 2 right, I had a teacher who finally knocked some sense into me and my results improved by leaps and bounds. From there, I always aspired to become a teacher and help others." You laugh at the memory, being honest with us, like we're good friends.

"Were your parents agreeable to that?" Vaish probes.

"Yes, they supported me no matter what. But my father said, 'On one condition. As long as you don't lose your voice!' And to this day, I still have not!" you say proudly.

Your words reverberate within my head, heavy, full of meaning. Even you made mistakes in the past. But you also had a teacher who put you on the right track again. Made a difference in your life. After what happened on Tuesday, I finally realise your reason for coming down so hard on me. What I did was my fault, and you tried to correct me because you did not want me to end up as a person with poor character.

As I hear Vaish's voice in the distance concluding the interview, I gaze dreamily at your perfectly chiselled features, high cheekbones and lastly, into the very deepest depths of your soul, through your smiling eyes. And although you might scold or swear sometimes, I know in my heart that you do not really mean any harm. So for you, and for the good of everyone else, I will turn over a new leaf and become a better person. I promise you.