A mid-summer night hare (44)

They are home. Ackley is there. But he seems to avoid Hareta and quickly goes up to the second floor. Hareta hasn’t noticed their seperating vibes.

Emmy speaks again, “I would give this pack of oyster masks. Do you know this brand, Lux? They have really good reviews”

Hareta says, “Thank you.”

Now that Hareta is at Chin’s house, why not take the chance to get more dark secrets about the couple? Hareta excuses herself to the studio and claims to have no internet data.

Hareta says, “I need to use your wifi. Can you give me the password?”

Emmy says, “Sure. Here you go.”

Hareta says, “I can’t seem to log on to hommesuitehomme. There is another network achin5354. Is that yours too?”

Emmy says, “Yes, Ackley’s buddy Dickie Lee set it up long time ago. I don’t know the password either. You know I am not a tech savvy person. Can you try the other network instead?”

Hareta says, “Okay. Perhaps I would know how to fix it. How did Dickie encrypt it?”

Emmy says, “He mentioned something about DHL encryption. I am not sure about the details either. I never log on to that.”

Hareta says, “Okay. I will try another account.”

Emmy says, “Let’s forget about this network thing. I have always wanted to ask you something.”

Hareta says, “Go ahead.”

Emmy says, “Are you renting your apartment?”

Hareta says, “Yes.”

Emmy says, “So you have always rented your place? Your childhood home as well?”

Hareta says, “Yes, my family has been renting apartments since I was little.”

Emmy says, “Don’t mind me asking. Last time I saw an envelop that you were holding. It reads Sing Gau Gau, Joe. Is he your landlord? So he is your first, landlord that is?”

Hareta says, “Er….how would you know about it?”

Emmy says, “Please don’t mind me saying this. If your first, landlord that is, always gives you unnecessary pressures, you really shouldn’t let him do that to you. I think it is not worth to trade yourself for down payment, rent or international school tuition. It is not worth it. It is not about face or pride. It is your values.”

Hareta says, “So you think my son is qualified to go to a good private school? Only because I am renting my place?”

Emmy says, “No, you totally misheard me. Anyways, I just want to offer to help. You are a single mom. I just want to say that sometimes what you pursue in life is not worth the price you pay for it.”

Hareta is furious. She thinks that Emmy looks down on her. So she chooses to be silent. She says to herself, “One day, I will get ahead of everyone who has ever looked down on me. I will do better than these people. I will get rich! Hareta, I know you are a nobody now. But one day, you will be admired and worshipped like a heaven sent goddess. Work hard! These cold words from Emmy are exactly what drive me to get to the top.”

Hareta remains silent. She looks a bit mad.

Emmy notices the emotions on Hareta’s face so she quickly changes the topic. Emmy adds, “Please don’t get me wrong. I just don’t understand why you are sacrificing so much for your son’s education.”

Hareta says, “I don’t think it is a sacrifice. Parents all want the best for their children, right?”

Hareta is jealous again. “Why is it only right that Emmy sends her kid to ESF while my son goes to a SEN local kindergarten? I have even watched how you two make out in the bedroom every day. And you are clueless about it. Do you know anything about me at all? Do you know how I have come to where I am now? You don’t even know my story before looking down on me. You are too self-centered. Everything you own is a serendipity. I want you to experience the tragedies I walk through. One day, you will taste the coldness of humanity.”

Emmy says, “Yes, you are right. Parents want the best for their children. But I think you shouldn’t go after intangible things like fame, or brands, or celebrities. Just stay grounded. You won’t be starved to death in this land of plenty. I know you work hard to build your life. But wealth is a gift from God. You can’t escape your destiny.”

Hareta says, “Are you looking down on me now? What’s wrong with working hard towards my goals?”

Emmy says, “No, this is not what I meant. You don’t seem to hear me. I am saying it is pointless to fight against your fate, even if you have strong will. Anyways, I will stop ranting. We are besties. Why would I think less of you?”

Hareta really hates Emmy’s condescending tone. The first thing on Hareta’s mind when she wakes up everyday is to talk back to Emmy in the same condescending manner. Hareta wants to get to the very top in one step. She wants Emmy to experience the pain that Hareta has endured in getting to where she is. Only then it would be fair. Why does Hareta have to endure all the bullying from the society while Emmy lives happily every day? Why does Hareta have to be persecuted by her landlords while Emmy lives a carefree life at a Bel-air house?

Hareta remembers all the comments from Emmy. She endures it all. She is waiting for the day when Emmy loses it all.