Storyboard 2: Preconceived judgement

Over the years, I’ve learned how He has become a victim of His own honesty.

The preconceived judgement I had of Him being pretentious and not-so-perfect was born out of my own cynicism.

If someone doesn’t behave in a certain way you expect Him to, you assume He cheated you and you begin to doubt His abilities.

However, in today’s materialistic society, where almost everyone has a hidden agenda, it is refreshing to experience the truthfulness People choose to adapt.

And I thirst for the Refreshment even more....

And I'm still learning to walk in Him, day by day and step by step.

**

He remembered the first time he realised her existence.

If the tutor had not call out he name that day, he would never have noticed her, despite the fact that they were in the same course ever since his freshmen year.

"Huh? I don't know the answer," she answered the tutor blatantly, with that incredulous look in her eyes. She didn’t blush, nor did she bow her head low. She did not finch a single bit, maintaining the same facial expression as if her face was a painted canvas.

“You better put in more effort to boost your participation marks,” the bespectacled tutor said sternly. Usually, the same misdemeanor warrants an immediate expulsion from that class.

"Another Bimbo. Another Noob who ought to be out of this class," he mumbled to himself.

Like the tutor, he had low tolerance for people impeding his quest for total concentration in lectures or tutorials. He was slightly annoyed by the concession, for there existed a cruel part of him who loved seeing fellow students trudging down the alley of shame, receiving just desserts for their inconsiderate behavior.

**

As usual, he would be in the library going over the previous lecture notes, in between classes.

She would always be in the cafeteria, chatting away with her bunch of gregarious girl friends.

"Those playful boisterous kids in the cafeteria will certainly fail their finals," he said to himself after cracking his brains to understand this morning's hard core lecture.

As he smirked, something caught his eyes, amidst the sea of students in the library rushing for their assignments. She rushed in to the library, looking rather lost for a moment. Then she continued her journey to the tables.. She walked closer and closer to his table.

Suddenly, he saw her standing right under his eyes.

"Can you tutor me for Statistics, please? 2 hours per week. I will pay you $30 per hour," she asked in an urgent, desperate tone, "I can even pay you $240 for the first month fee now as a guarantee."

An additional $240 worth of pocket money every month just for a total of 8 hours tuition per month was tempting. "These days, almost everything will tear your wallet a new hole for money to trickle out like water. Heck, even sitting down can cost you money. After all, Bimbos like her would not expect much too. Just a marginal pass and they will be there celebrating as if they just strike jackpot. Easy job..." he thought to himself.

He agreed instantly.

**

Tutoring commenced the next day. She was not late. He was taken aback. He expected her to be late, so accustomed was he to the Malaysian p-time law.

She was not pretty. She only had single eyelids, and pimples dotted the edges of her forehead and her cheeks. She was not perfect, but yet, there was this indescribable allure emanating from her...

Two months went by. The finals was in two weeks time.

"I'm going to pass, man," she said in glee.

"All thanks to you. I'm never going to forget your kindness.." she continued.

"You are welcome," he answered, but his inner self was saying, "Ah, you better just forget about me. I do not want to be associated with noobs like you.."

**

Two years passed. It was the day of his convocation. He had graduated with his Bachelor degree with First Class Honours. After collecting his scroll, shaking a few hands, saying thank yous, he disappeared into anonimity.

He packed his luggage after the event. He was due to leave his second home that evening. As he trudged his suitcase down the corridor of the dorm, he met a familiar face- His rich bimbotic employer two years back.

‘”Are you coming back again?” she asked.

“Well, not in the next few months. Perhaps I might come back in future”

“Will I ever have you as a tutor again?”

Silence. "I don't think so. I'm leaving.. Got a job," he answered.

"Will I ever see you again?"

“Maybe sometime in the future if fate has it,” he said.

She rummaged through her bag and produced an envelope, which she gave to him.

“You can only open it in the plane.”

“Okay. I have to go.”

She took a step towards him. He had this urge to embrace her. But he feigned indifference and turned to go.

He walked swiftly down the stairs.

“Take care. Thanks for everything. I appreciate it very much.” he heard her cried out.

He didn’t look back.

**

He was 23,000 feet above the ground when he peeled the envelope open. He retrieved the single piece of paper inside the envelope.

He stared at the paper. It was blank. There was no writing on it.

What a noob. Fancy wasting paper and envelope with nothing written on it.

He turned the paper around.

In her neat handwriting was printed the note:

“I'm sorry. I should not have judged you.”, he whispered, trying desperately to hold back his tears.