Sotus Short Stories- discontinued

Knott's Perspective - Chapter 15

"Do you want the flag or not?" Ai'Prem yells at the freshman. I could see them panicking as they speak amongst themselves. It's very different perspective looking as the senior in charge versus the juniors trying desperately to work out the clues. It always makes me think about our time as freshman. In all honesty I was no where near as calm as I am now. The hazing defiantly changed me for the better.

I can always remember the way P'Tum stared down at us with such ferocity. Every year, I heard the same complaints that the seniors are too harsh when giving out punishments. Even I felt that way, but now as I, myself, am the one giving out the punishment it feels as though I'm not punishing them enough. However we must adapt with the times.

I must of been lost in thought for sometime. The freshmen have lined up, and Tew is back in front of Prem. Asking for permission to get the flag. Ai'Prem responds to the question as per typical of his character. "Isn't that too easy? I won't allow it." As Tew turns around Prem starts speaking again, "What have I taught you that you failed to do so far? Think about that." That bastard gave a hint. I glance over at Arthit and he just shrugs. Which only means he is hungry. He always becomes either irrational or indifferent to situations.

I glanced over at the field and see the freshman are doing the exercise we did many weeks ago. Running across the field and lining up within the 3 minute time limit. I also see a few of the freshman are calling out the orders, but they are participating just the same. Prem shouts, "Enough! Order is doing what you are told, but the leader can't just give orders. He has to help others too. Task completed!" As he steps aside.

Arthit steps down from his position to announce that they will break for lunch. The freshman follow the second years to the designated location for the break.

I can't help, but see Bright. He is jumping up and down like a toddler and whining "I'm sooo hungry!!!! Please Ai'Thit... can I eat tooo!" "Ai'Bright use your head. You have to wait until freshman have left the field. You know this we have been over this.." his voice is clearly irritated. "But... At this point I don't think 1 Toota will be enough to sedate this hunger!" Toota turns around so fast, "Mind explaining why you continually mentioned me and food. Is there something you would like to tell me there Ai'Bright?" As he smirks and raises an eyebrow. It's like this group only know sexual innuendos.  "Woah, there Ai'Toot. You know I am as straight as they come. I am just a beast when I'm hungry!" "You can be a beast and not be straight." Toota responds in a matter of fact tone.

The freshman are now out of site and Arthit dismisses us, so we can head over to hazer tent next to the bleachers. Bright is practical skipping down the stairs until he lands face flat on his face when misses the last step. Everyone is laughing at him. Toota hollers, "Mind your step there Ai'Bright!" He just gets up and runs for the tent without a glance back.

***

The hazers are all standing in their positions, however the freshman are no where to be found. Until I hear a second year yell, that the freshman are collecting trash around the campus! Ha, they must of spoke to P'Deer. I know for fact that the second years did not know about this tradition.

When the freshman all returned with many bags of trash that had been discarded improperly. They stand in front of the bleachers as Toota shouts, "Are you seriously doing this? Task completed!" Shouts and hollering could heard and seen throughout the field of freshman. They had two more letters left, U for Unity and S for Spirit.

It doesn't take long for them to know what they need to do Unity. The freshman get into their lines and start reciting the Engineering anthem. Watching this part was my favourite so far. They sounded in sync finally. I don't know how many days we spent just trying to get them sing together. This just shows with effort it does pay off. Bright smiles as he engages the freshman, "Do you call that singing? You gave me goosebumps! Get up here!" As he smiles widely and waves for someone to come up.

They may be happy after getting passed the second last letter. However that high is short lived when they realized they have to display Spirit. This is the word that I was must confess to being curious about. As a group we had come up with many ideas how they could display Spirit, however we made sure no matter what they do Arthit will say they failed. Arthit's idea. I must say he can be a real monster well, NomYen drinking monster. Haha, sometimes I do crack myself up.

The freshman I can see are diligently trying to make themselves into a gear to represent their Spirit of the engineering faculty. When Tew comes up to ask for permission from Arthit to retrieve the flag he is quickly dismissed by a prickly head hazer. I don't know how Arthit can keep up this tough guy persona. I for one know this is exhausting for him. He has fallen a sleep on numerous occasions after our group meetings. I'm glad this is the end of the hazing activities and we can soon return to our normal behaviour... when I say normal... I mean as normal as our group can get. I can already see the future is going to be filled with debauchery and Alcohol.

The sun was beginning to set, so I look down at my watch it has passed 6 pm. Time was running out. Prem was speaking to me about 0062. "He has taken over the leadership of the freshman. I see him moving all over the field talking to everyone. What do you think he is doing this time?" I look at the field and then at Arthit. He is smirking like he is winning a bet... wait I try to figure out where his eyes are looking... none other than Kongpob. Did he make another stupid bet with this freshman? I need to seriously do something about him.

The freshman have all stopped moving around and they are all gathered in the middle of the field in a circle. Starting from a small one to larger as it moves out. I watch as Kongpob makes his way up the stairs and Wai'ing us as he goes a long. He stands in front of Arthit. They both looked tense. Arthit better not be still mad about him wanting to switch majors.

"What are you doing here?" "On behalf of the freshmen, I would like to invite P'Arthit down to the field." "And why should I come with you?" "So that we can show you our spirit." "Show me your spirit?" He laughs like he is judging the other "How about you ask yourself first whether all of you have enough spirit?" Silence and then he continues his verbal assault, "I told you. It doesn't come from the heart, you don't deserve to be in this faculty."

Things I realized in this moment: Number 1, he is still mad about Kongpob not wanting to be in the engineering faculty. Number 2, I still have things I do not understand about Arthit. Why is he taking this freshman's college life choice, so seriously.

Kongpob grabs my attention, "P'Arthit. I admit that I didn't plan to study engineering." Arthit's face is frowning and he is not looking the junior in the eyes. "But I don't regret choosing this faculty. I'm proud to be a student here, to meet new friends and seniors. If you think I don't love this faculty, you are wrong. I want to be an engineering student. I want to be your junior with all my heart. So do my friends. Otherwise, we wouldn't try so hard to gain your approval. If you want to know whether this is true, please come down with me."

We are all looking up at Arthit trying to understand this conversation which is obviously not only pertaining to this event. There is this underlying meaning somewhere. Arthit let's out a heavy sigh and agrees to come with Kongpob. As they make their way down the stairs I see the juniors' face. It's shining as brightly as the moon.