Fifth Story: Two Sides of The Same Coin

Chapter 6

31 January 2022

Mrs Ngọc restlessly paces around the room, with her arms crossed. She clearly looks irritated. Occasionally, she clicks her tongue in an irregular rhythm as she looks at one of the Student Council pamphlets. The woman is seething with rage; her face turns red and her eyes become bloodshot as she opens the door to her office and calls for the vice-principal.

"Ms Nga, Ms Nga! Make an announcement to the whole school that we will be holding an urgent assembly during lunchtime!"

"During lunchtime, but..."

"No buts! Do it, now!"

"Yes, Mrs Principal," Ms Nga, devoid of any desire to resist, grabs the landline and tells the Broadcast Committee the principal's message.

Perchance the teachers around the school have sensed the urgency and the true nature of the message, they, and their students, along with other support staff members, are gathered in the schoolyard at an astonishing rate although efficiency is an alien concept in Vietnam. The students are restless and have no idea of what is about to hit them in the face.

"It's lunchtime, and we can't even go to the canteen now. Great way to end January," a student complains. "What the devil is going on here?"

"No idea, but our school has a gymnasium, you know. And the heaters work, for God's sake! Are they that stingy?"

"True, there's no need for us to be here. Though, I think she's going to address the rumours that are circulating around school now," the third student adds.

"Good afternoon, students and staff of 'A' High School. I would like to address some issues, but firstly, I'm aware that recently there are some disturbing rumours about me and my family at school," Mrs Ngọc speaks. "I will not question who started them, but I demand that they cease forthwith."

The students are still whispering amongst one another and ignoring her orders, which angers the principal.

"And secondly, from now on, students are no longer allowed to hang out in public places after school. You are to go home immediately. This is out of concern for your safety."

"What the f—k?" Oanh utters in disbelief. "I'm not dreaming, right?"

"She's nuts. Clearly nuts," Thủy, who is sitting next to her, shakes her head. "This is clearly a violation of our freedom."

"If she's got our safety in mind, then our parents wouldn't object to it," Châu Anh comments. "I mean, remember the previous vice-principal's attempted murder case? You were supposed to be his third target, Mai told me."

The entire school is once again in an uproar, this time an even worse pandemonium than before. This is undoubtedly the students' and the teachers' response to her new rule that she thought up. For an action, there is always a reaction, but it seems that Mrs Ngọc is unable to understand that. She is overwhelmed by the passionate response and storms off the stage.

The vice-principal, Ms Nga, tries to calm the school down but to no avail. She has no choice but to tell them that the decision is final and there is nothing to can be done. Of course, that just adds oil to the fire.

"Ms Nga," Yến pulls the vice-principal aside, "we have the support of the whole school. Now is the golden opportunity to strike back. You don't have to worry about your situation."

"I..." she struggles to find appropriate words to express herself. "I'm not sure what to make of this. But I'll think about this."

"Please tell us your answer. How would tomorrow be?"