This story happened more than two decades ago but the thought still made me nauseous. It was one of those rough times when we struggle to live independently in a city thousands of miles away from home. We are pursuing a dream. To finish college, to find a job (and a decent man? That was how things are, until now?) We are lucky to be admitted in a dormitory with a reasonably low monthly rental. There are five of us occupying a 10x10 square foot room with five single beds, one study table, a 10 watts electric bulb, a single fan but no built in comfort room. The bathroom which we shared with five more occupants (including two males and our landlord's son) was located twenty steps outside our room. My roommates who are so scared of the dark decided to put a bedpan underneath in preparation for the late night's call of nature. Except me and one friend. Each night before bedtime she would go out to take long baths while I stay up late reading or writing or sort out things in my locker. Sometimes I take short walks for fresh air or until my eyelids go heavy just sitting in a garden bench. One morning, while eating breakfast, this landlord's son secretly approached me and asked if he could have a few minutes of my time. I was puzzled, gave him a moment of grimace but smiled when I saw his begging eyes. He led me to the back of the house near the overgrown shrubs of his mother's and we sit on a bench. I kept thinking of what he's up to while I constantly looked at my wrist watch. Oh jeez! Sweats broke out his forehead and I'm like "Oh if this is about me, shout it out because I'm getting late to class!" Still very hesitant, he finally spoke when he sensed I'm getting impatient.
" I'm sorry but this is something I'm too shy to asks about."
" Hey, tell me about it and please hurry", Oh dear, I'm intrigued, I'm puzzled but excited? No. I don't have time for this.
" I need your help. You're the only one who always slept late, so I guess you knew about something lately. Please tell me the truth."
"Ohh! I was shocked. I hate reading between the lines. What exactly do you mean by that?"
" I cannot find my underwears in the bathroom for three nights already."
"Omg! So are you accusing me I steal all those?
"Just wanna asks you first. Sorry"
Poor guy! It was so outrageous but hilarious at the same time it made my stomach cramped from laughing.
"Ok, Just telling you I'm not a pervert. In fact I could slap your face right now for insinuating such stupidity."
I went directly home after class that day. It was high noon and almost everyone are at school. Feeling a bit drowsy with nothing new to read about, I decided to clean the room and look for those ' stolen men's undies' underneath the beds but to no avail. Exhausted, I lie flat on my back unintentionally shifting my gaze at a small window facing my bed. Then as I was about to close my eyes, I saw it! I gaped for a few seconds, immobilized and speechless. WTH! The ' stolen things' are neatly hanged in individual hangers screaming at my face like early morning sunlight. And I thought he was wrong all along. Oh dear! What a shame!!
When my roommate friend came home that evening, I confronted her right away . But guess what I get? She smiled like it was nothing and told me to not worry. Sigh.
The next day when our landlord's son ask about it I never hide one tiny detail so I wouldn't have to carry such burden in my head. He only said thank you.
Days went by with not a single gossip heard around the dormitory. Things are at a usual pace just like before. We all busied ourselves studying for the exams. Then one night while I was reading, I noticed my friend sniffed frequently unto something while lying in her bed facing the wall. I ask what was wrong and said nothing. Later when she was asleep, I went to her bed to see what was she holding.Pulling it slowly away from her grasp, I was shocked and nearly fainted. It was a men's underwear! Oh my God!
I kept calling God till I drop to my own bed almost out of breath!
Later on, I learnt that they exchange undies to kept and sniffed??? OMG! It was so disgusting! They are so totally sick! Most ironic is they got married while I was admitted to a hospital for hyperventilation. Sigh..!
Lesson learned: Know who your friends are ( learn also to accept)^_^
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