Bus Ride

Terry went inside the apartment while holding two toasted bread.

He played the fool in front of Old Fred just to be safe. 'It seems like Old Fred isn't just an ordinary person.' He thought.

Just owning that kind of coffee already made him an extraordinary person.

He decided to be more careful next time, especially when he's around Old Fred, he felt the aura of Scarface when he was around the old man.

He went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He put the toasted bread on a plate. He cooked some congee and fry 2 eggs. A very simple breakfast. 'Luckily I got something from Old Fred' he thought as he looks at the toast.

Before he finishes making breakfast his mom woke up. She was stunned by what she's witnessing. She saw terry cooking but that wasn't the thing she was stunned for; it was because this son of her managed to wake up earlier than her. She can still remember that yesterday, he almost got late since he didn't sleep enough because of playing mobile games all night.

So this was more surprising than seeing a ghost for her, 'Did the sun rise up from the west?' that was the question in her mind right now. But recalling the happened last night, she can only convince herself that he's son is growing up.

"Mom, I'm almost done here, just sit and wait for me to finish this." He said with a smile as he saw her mom was about to help.

"I don't really know what to say right now, Little Terry. You're trying to rob all my responsibilities in this house." Her mother said jokingly.

"It would be great if I can rob this responsibility from you so that you would have time to enjoy more rest. You're losing weight and it seems like you're not taking good care of yourself." He said with a smile but deep inside, he was really worried about her mom's health.

"I'm not that old for you to worry about me, it is me who should worry about you little terry. The only time I can rest easy is when you finished your studies and find a good wife. By that time, even if I die, I would die smiling."

When he heard what his mom said, he suddenly got serious, he hurriedly said, "Mom, don't talk about things like that, you're not old and you would witness me marry the most beautiful girl in the world, you would take care of your grandsons and granddaughters, and will take care of your grandson's sons and daughter. We still have a beautiful life ahead, so you shouldn't say such ominous words like that." As he's saying these words, he looked at his mom's eyes in a serious manner.

Her mother was taken aback by what her son said. She was not used to seeing Terry talk like this. It seems like he's lecturing her about life, not that she hates it but instead she likes what she heard. In reality, she was a bit hopeless with her son, she always thinks about his future? What would this son of her end up doing in the future? Will he be alright if anything happens to me? All these questions were bugging her each and every day.

But all these questions were answered last night. The moment she saw what her son act responsible, she breathes a sigh of relief. She was thankful that her son starts to grow up. She was actually afraid that if she woke up today she will find that everything is just an illusion.

Right now, she was assured, she was smiling brightly since last night, not the kind of smile she wore just to look OK but a genuine smile that came from the bottom of her heart.

"Sorry Little Terry, it's just a word that came out from me without thinking." She said as she smiles brightly, one can also see that she has a teary eye. She added, "So, do you have a girl you like? You're talking about 'Grandchildren' but you don't even have a girlfriend." She teased her son.

Terry smiled sheepishly, he cannot say something like "I have a girlfriend" or "I have someone I like" because that would only result in another inquiry so he decided to remain silent.

They ate breakfast happily and the smile in her mother's face didn't recede.

After eating, her mother prepared to go to work while terry readied himself to go to school. He put his phone in his bag, he decided that he would find someone to repair it today.

Her mother went ahead to work and he was left home. Her mother remembered that they haven't paid the rent yesterday so he gave some money to terry in case Old Fred come to collect. She forgot that yesterday was the day of the rent collection. He was a bit reluctant to face the old man but still decided to go to the old man's house before he went to school.

…..

Old Fred was still sitting in his spot after Terry left earlier. Right now, you cannot see his amiable face and you can tell that he was somewhat feeling down.

He was still thinking about his wasted coffee. Every time he remembers the event earlier, he would ground his teeth and clench his fist.

'My precious coffee.!!!!!!!!!' He shouted in his mind, he never thought that simple gesture of his earlier would result in this unforgettable memory. 'That Little Devil.' When he remembers that ignorant look in Terry's face earlier, he can't help but curse.

As he mulls over and over about his coffee, Terry stepped out from their apartment unit and starts to walk towards Old Fred. The latter also noticed that someone's approaching so he looked ahead.

'What the hell is this little devil doing here?' he thought as he looks at his thermos and clenches it tightly.

"Old Fred I'm here to ask for another cup of Kopi Luwak. I can't help but remember the taste and the aroma of that coffee." Terry asks innocently with the look of reminiscing.

"You piece of sh-." Old Fred almost curse once again but he was interrupted by Terry.

"I'm just kidding Old Fred, I'm here to pay the rent, you forgot to collect the rent yesterday so my mom asked me to give it to you." Seeing the old man's reaction, he gave a light chuckle and put the payment on the table. Then turn around and walk out of the complex without waiting for a response.

Old Fred can only sigh as he watches the youth walking off. He can't control his temper in front of this little devil.

.....

Terry, like other students, rides the bus to school.

He was currently sitting while musing about something. Right now, his bag contains all his rewards yesterday so he was thinking that what if someone noticed it? he can't think of a reason why a poor guy like him would possess thousands of dollars. He might even end up in jail.

He was deep in thought when someone suddenly sat beside him. Looking at the person, He noticed that this was his 'best friend'. Well actually, they were best friends because they share the same treatment of being the punching bag for Clarence and his minions (Three Idiots). So being on the same boat, they can only have each other to understand their situation.

His name was Louser which can be said as the most appropriate name for him being a loser.

"I heard that Clarence made you an idiot?" He said as he picked his ears, waiting for a reply.

"You're the idiot, your family is the idiot, your whole clan is an idiot!"

Terry said in annoyance. he didn't know who spread news like that. Although he didn't care about it, it's still annoying to hear someone call you an idiot so early in the morning.

"Whoa, calm down my friend, I'm just asking so don't be mad at me," Louser said.

Terry looking at the face of this young man suddenly noticed his panda eyes but didn't ask about it because he can guess the origin of it already.

Louser was a bit of a chatterbox when he was with terry so he will talk about anything but in front of other people, he was like a mute. Terry decided to take a nap, he won't bother with all the nonsense of this kid.

They sat peacefully when the bus stopped and let a few students at the bus stop ride the bus. Terry didn't mind and just continue to sleep but the look on Louser's face paled a bit. He saw two students were looking for a seat. these two students happened to look at the direction of where they sat then grinned.

"You two, who told you can sit on our spot eh?" said one of the students while pointing at them, while the other was looking at them menacingly.

Louser being as timid as mouse stood up hurriedly then attempt to wake terry up.

Terry was sleeping so when he felt that someone was waking him, he unwillingly opened his eyes only to see his best friend and the duo. He thought that Louser woke him up because they were on the last stop but upon looking at the terrified face of his friend, he got the gist of what's happening.

He looked at Louser and said, "Why are you standing there? It still far from our school so you better sit." after saying this he shut his eyes once again and leaned comfortably on the window.

Hearing what he said, Louser almost fainted. 'What the f*ck, you really became an idiot.' he can only scream in his mind. He didn't know what to do so he just stood there silently.

The Duo, was exasperated when they noticed that they were being treated like air by Terry. They thought, 'We're trying to bully you here you know? You still have the guts to sleep in front of us?'

One of the Duo reaches out his hand to Terry like he's about to do something when they suddenly heard a voice at the back, "You better not lay your hands with my bags or you'll end up replacing them."

The Duo and Louser looked at the source of the voice only to see Clarence sitting at the back lazily. He was alone so they didn't notice him earlier because they were used in seeing him with his two minions.

Clarence, seeing them look at him, said once again, "What are you doing standing there? You better sit before I start to get mad." As he said this, he glared at the three.

The Duo can only smile wryly while they find another vacant seat to sit. They were afraid of Clarence getting mad at them because they knew his notoriety as a bully unlike them who only picks on the weak, Clarence was known for being tough because of his build and the gossip surrounding his family.

Louser, hearing what Clarence said, sat immediately beside Terry. He didn't even utter a word and followed as soon as he heard it. He was afraid that he would acquire another panda eye if he didn't move as fast as he can.

Clarence like nothing happened still sat at the back. He was actually inside even before Terry rode it. He was just being low profile since Terry was around. Also, one of his reasons was he didn't want someone to bully his classmate other than him.

Due to the bully being the protector, the bus went on the way peacefully.