The Soft Issue
August 2017
Story from Within
T
here is a cacophony of sounds: the screech of night birds;
clangs of cans and metal doors. The sky surrounded me in a
blanket of stars. Night creatures roll out; the midnight hour is at
hand. It takes strength to be here for no victory comes without
sacrifice. I started to wonder, how could people sleep when there is
much at stake? And then I wonder why I feel so empty on this route.
But because I have taken the long journey here, I do not desire to go
back home the same.
I entered a nearby classroom, looked around as if I was searching for
someone. But these faces are so unfamiliar. They looked so cold and
no one was smiling. I took a long breath as I summon motivation to
begin, phew! I cannot! My head aches! I feel pathetic. I stretched and I
yawned over and over again. Why must I do this? I feel pressurised! It is
my responsibility.
And just when I put myself together to begin work for the night, pam!
The light goes off and almost immediately, everyone’s torch came on.
We came prepared! Nothing can destroy our determination. Now the
strategy is the same but our destinations are different, we are all here
together. But we are here not for the same reasons.
I am still bothered about the power outage. Apparently, my
companions have moved on. The encyclopedia explains to his
fellows. A candle bears the burden of light production. They look so
unbothered about everything else, but what the encyclopedia says.
They disagree to agree at some point, the mister lecturer seem to be
enjoying the spotlight. This guy knows something and his mates listen
as if their existence depended on it. The lecturer’s voice crescendoed.
Distracted, I rolled my eyes as I opened the first page of my note. This
guy, he is a helper to some and a big disturbance to others—who are
not part of his crew of ardent listeners.
The moment I picture seriousness is the exact minute unseriousness
picks me up. But really, I have come to broaden my horizon. I am too
broke to go home unannounced. This aim of coming I must achieve
even as distraction pokes its dirty fingers. Some girls drag their feet as
they walk in. How am I bothered while every other person appears not
to be! Oh yeah! These are the people your parents warned you about!
They are everywhere: in the library, at the faculty and even that corner
you felt no one knew of. This people have come to grab opportunities,
likewise me. But they have also come to organise their group gist. This
a time to rock that cloth dress code would not allow during the day: a
time to enjoy the school unlimited wi-fi, downloading the unnecessary;
a time to hook up with bae or boo; and yes, a time to stalk that crush
who is probably the mister lecturer.
Then I ask why? Why do we even have people like this in the university
environment? By now you should be used to my rhetoric. I really do
not need answers but my curiosity needs mending. A loud noise from
outside derails my thought. I dash out (of the classroom) to find out
what has happened; some guys had successfully downloaded a series.
I let out a long sigh! The fat e of their decision remains untold and the
thought of that was utterly terrifying. I give up!
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