Only Time Can Tell

Chapter 1

There I was again rushing through the busy hallways of the school with an old rag-like backpack, worn-out slippers, stained unironed green pants and white shirt, unkempt hair, fragrance of raw fish, and a heavy heart. I could feel the indistinct gossiping of the other students and their discriminative eyes staring at me from bottom to top. Instead of bothering about them, I just hurried my way to look for my best friend Maya. Suddenly, I heard a soft sweet voice say, “So, I guess I’ll see you around. Just let me know if you need any help again in your science class. I’d be glad to help you Sandi.” I turned around, and I was not wrong. It was Maya, my best friend in her neat white blouse and green skirt uniform, talking to her other friend, Sandi. As they were about to part ways, Maya, turning around, saw me and greeted me with a smile and called, “Hey Khin, come over!” I approached hesitantly. Her other friend, Sandi, turned back to Maya’s direction. Her eyes were filled with fear and terror as she saw me. “Maya, he’s the man. He’s the unlucky man everyone says we should avoid. He brings bad luck.” She told with a shivering voice. I was already beside Maya when she said that. Upon this notion of hers, I lowered my head, my eyes nearly going to have a tear fall. I know I’m poor and messy but I just can’t believe that’s how I was for them. It was a straight stab in my heart. It pierced unfathomably. Good thing I have the best friend in the world who defended me. “What? Sandi, are you kidding me? He’s not bad luck. He’s the man I was telling you. He’s my best friend and if you have any problem with him, I can’t change your perspective but I hope you don’t miss out the chance to get to know how wonderful he is. You’re my friend too Sandi and I also want you to be part of our friendship.” She asserted nicely but her friend just wouldn’t understand. “No Maya! Ugh, whatever. Just forget that we were ever friends. I don’t want to have anything to do with that man and have unfortunate events in my life take place.” She said sharply and made a quick turnabout. Maya just couldn’t do anything but feel upset as she stifled a sob. I comforted her knowing we were in the same boat of sorrow and I was about to begin a conversation when another group of bullies stopped by- the mean girls and Kyaw, the beloved of Soe, the gang’s leader. “Hey Khin! I didn’t know you’re the new home of the fishes!” Kyaw said with great ridicule and a smirk on his face. “And Maya really loves it! You two are a match. The fish and the nerd! Hahaha!” Soe added as she laughed heartily in unison with her band. “As if they both have any other option. I mean who would want an unlucky boy and a weirdo?” another member continued.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I could accept their insults on me but please not Maya. This is my fight not hers. I then replied, “Unlucky you call me? Well, in that case, why don’t you all run away unless you want an ill fate? And drag Maya away from this.” Soe immediately refuted as if she took pity on me, “Oh, don’t worry dear. This will be the last time you’ll see us. Too bad you’re going to miss us.” Together, the group joined the chant, “Awww!” Having been contented, she invitingly continued, “Come on guys, let’s go!” Yet as she turned to walk away, she slipped on the ground as a result of stepping on a banana peeling. As she tripped and moaned in pain, her skirt covered her face, revealing her underwear with a label “Monday”. Kyaw swiftly assisted her and asked, “Soe, are you ok?” Before she could answer, Maya interrupted. “Wait, isn’t it Tuesday already? Why is she wearing Monday panties? Guess she never changed her underwear. I wonder how it smells like.” Maya rebutted with a giggle. Soe, to reprise herself from humiliation, tried to stand again but failed to do so. Then Kyaw rushed to me, held me by my collar and with fury in his eyes blamed, “This is all your fault Khin! You are really bad luck” But Maya rebuked him with sarcasm saying, “No, that’s what you call digital karma.” The others, agitated, insisted, “Let’s just leave before any more awful events take place!” He let go of me and carried Soe as they walked away. “That Tar!” Maya playfully said but I know pain lies in her heart. I felt relieved as they slowly disappeared from my vision but not from my life, not from our lives. ”Whoa! I didn’t know that old superstition still endures as of now. That belief of staying away from a person they perceive as unlucky. I think we should eradicate that.” She said trying to lighten the mood but I could tell by her tone she was still emotional. I knew she thought of that because of me. I didn’t want her to be burdened so I tried to console her saying, “It’s fine. I mean, it’s good we still have traditions lasting ‘til now.”
But she looked at me with hopeful eyes and replied, “But not all traditions are right. Not all superstitions are still applicable today, not to you. This isn’t right anymore.” I pulled her into a hug and hushed her gently. When she felt a little better, I pulled out of the hug and held her shoulders while I assured her, “Maya, it’s gonna be alright. As long as we’re together, we’ll get through anything.” For a moment, we just looked into each other’s eyes, hoping, yet I cut that moment.” Come on. Let’s get in the classroom before we get late.” I added. She then said, “I’ll see you later after dismissal for our home works before you…” “…before I get to work.” I finished her sentence and I gave a heavy sigh. “I understand.” she replied with a smile. I always loved her smile for it has lightened my days.
Our families were once close friends. They were co-workers in the marketplace who fell in love in pairs. Maya’s family’s situation however, had alleviated a little bit. On the other hand, my father died. It was just me and my mother left. Even though our families’ lives were different back then, they never lost connection. Their close relationship gave way to our friendship. Ever since Maya became part of my life, I felt like I wasn’t alone. I was happy to have another company besides my mother. I finally had light in my dark world. I felt accepted despite my poverty; like I had no shortcomings. Yet with my current state, I wasn’t sure if I could still make it through. I just accepted that that’s how my life will be forever. Little did I know, my life was about to change.