The Apartment
Chapter 13: The Confrontation
Esther Paced the length of her Cubicle giddy with relief but also agitated from Mary’s reaction. Just then, the curtain flew open and Mary stormed in, huffing and puffing. Her face was as red as a tomato. Her fists were clenched.
“You have to quit!” Said Mary through gritted teeth, jutting her chin in Esther’s face.
Esther’s eyes widened. She stepped backwards and raised her hands to stop Mary from following. They were shaking. Keeping her gaze at Mary’s feet, she shook her head.
“What do you mean No!” demanded Mary grabbing Esther by her hands and shaking them roughly.
“Ouch!” Cried Esther as pain shot through her elbow.
“You didn’t even know anything about JV until I told you. And now you want to destroy my drea…” Mary’s voice broke. She slackened her grip, then Let go. An uncomfortable silence ensued. Esther froze, her heart pounding.
Please dear lord, let it be over! She prayed.
SNIFF! SNIFF.
Esther looked up suprised.
Was Mary crying?
Their eyes met and Mary’s moist red eyes turned hard and anger flashed across her face. Then, without warning, Mary Lunged!
“Aarrgh” She screamed shoving Esther hard against the shelves.
CRASH!!!
The sound was thunderous as Esther and half of their utensils fell to the floor. The racket drew in other girls including the House Prefect.
“What is going on here?” Demanded the prefect.
Esther groaned. Mary turned heel and stormed off.
“She attacked Esther!” someone said.
“Is that true Esther, can you explain what happened?” asked the prefect. She reached out her hand.
Esther took it and pulled herself up, shocked at the turn of events. She looked up to find a sea of girls staring at her expectantly. Some of them in the back snickered. Fresh fodder for the gossip grapevine.
…
Esther, lay on her bed. Everyone was gone and it was a few minutes to dinner.
She had bumped her elbow so badly earlier, she had to go see the school nurse. It was still throbbing deeply. The pain killer she was given had not kicked in yet.
Mary is so selfish. She has everything! Money, nice clothes, weekly visits and goodies from her family. What does it matter if she doesn’t get into one lousy club? Her father’s allowance is probably higher than what the club pays. She is just a spoiled Brat!
…
After dinner, the girls walked back to their rooms.
”I didn’t see Mary at the Mess. Did you?” Ana asked.
Esther shrugged. Probably off sulking somewhere.
In her room, she changed into warmer clothes for the preps class which ran for two hours every evening. Then went to the bathroom. As she washed her hands, a sound in the corner startled her. she could barely make it out …
Maybe a cat?
She crept closer, a little scared.
What if it is something else? Or someone?
Her heart skipped a beat.
SNIFF! SNIFF!
She stopped.
Was someone in there?
I should leave them alone.
The sniffling and sobbing continued as she washed her hands.
Maybe I Should check? She debated, decided against it and walked out to the corridor.
The Matron was going through each cubicle to ensure no one was there before she locked the dormitory doors. Keys jingled on her side.
“Hurry up!” she told Esther then walked to the bathroom
“Young Lady, what are you doing in there?” the Matron’s loud voice asked a moment later.
“Nothing” said a shaky sobbing voice.
Esther stopped. Curious, she busied herself in front of the mirror halfway along the corridor and waited.
Sounds familiar.
“What is your name young Lady? Are you sick?” demanded the Matron sounding alarmed.
“I am fine…” said the voice stubbornly.
“Then go to class” said the matron sighing.
Mary walked out of the bathroom and walked past her without a sideways glance. A guilt crept in Esther’s heart
……
The next day…
“I would like to withdraw my membership” said Esther to the Patron.
“Why” asked the Patron
“Mary…My friend wanted it more.” She answered. “I would like her to take my slot”
The patron shook her head.
“My dear, that is not how it works. What makes you think that Mary would get in even if you quit.”
“When the chairlady announced the winner…. she said…” Esther tried to explain, her eyes wide with surprise
“Passion versus talent….” Finished the Patron. “The chair lady uses that speech every year.” The patron smiled.
“Please…” begged Esther, “Mary is distraught about this and living with her is becoming unbearable…”
“She is your roommate?” asked the patron
Esther nodded, then tried again. “if you could just consider…”
The patron raised her hand and shook her head again.
“Membership is based strictly on merit not sympathy. You can quit if you want, but it will not help you friend. And you still have you fees to pay. We have already spoken to accounts about the credit arrangement.”
Esther was awash with relief.
I will not be sent home.
Her mind then flew back to Mary and tempered her joy.
“Do you still want to withdraw from the club” asked the Patron with a creased brow.
I can’t help Mary and I still have my fees to think about.
She shook her head then excused herself and left the office.
I must resolve this. I will explain things to Mary. I am sure she will appreciate that I tried to quit and everything will be okay. I really miss our friendship.
She went to class. The first club Meeting was that afternoon, after classes.
The moment the bell rang, everyone dashed out. The meeting was in the ART room, Snacks and drinks was set out on the table.
Cluster of girls stood all around the room whispering in low tones.
A little nervous, she hugged the wall and looked around for a friendly bunch and spotted Becky who stood at the far end with her back to her. She was talking to another girl. Esther made her way to them.
“No no no…” the other girl was saying, “The one in your team who was all emotional!” she gesticulated wildly.
“You mean Mary?” responded Becky leaning towards the girl.
The girl nodded and lowered her voice. “That one. She went and appealed to the patron agains the decision and I hear she insisted that they remove that other girl…with the elbow…”
“You mean Esther” Becky added, just as Esther raised her voice and said, “Hi”
They both turned to look at Esther then jumped. Becky looked apologetic at having been caught. The other girl, giggled guiltily and skulked away.
Esther was shocked.
To think I wanted to reconcile with that back-stabbing bitch! She gritted her teeth
“Gather around ladies…” someone announced
……..
By the weekend, Esther could bear it no longer.
I can’t go on like this.
She went to the Matron’s office.
“I would like a change of roommates” Said Esther.
“Why?” asked the Matron.
She should already know. After the number of times she has mediated between me and Mary!!!
“I can’t stay with Mary anymore. We are both unhappy and fight over everything.”
The matron nodded and shuffled about. “I can’t promise anything.”
A few days later, the matron sent for her.
“We found a room for you. A girl just transferred out of Sifa High school. You can move into her room next week.”
Finally, some peace and quiet. Thought Esther, Elated