Well, the burger, if you can call it that, was as big as a clenched fist.
A small fist!
Things were fine before it was brought to me: I was minding my own business, finishing those Mayo and cheese covered potato wedges when by some uneventful turn of things, a kid sitting near my table found me to be more interesting than his family dinner, staring at me before getting himself stuck in the act of being polite to a stranger: "Koko-koko-koko-koko..." He only resumed dinner after much coaxing from a family member. "Don't disturb uncle," she said, in total agreement to what I've been feeling lately. Thank you.
When the sad thing arrived, I held it up in comparison to the beautifully portrayed lie. Finished it in probably five or less bites. I shall only get real pieces of chicken next time. This is the price for believing in diversification of menu.
***
I said hi to one of my ex-students today. She was operating some sort of stall selling fashion accessories and told me excitedly that SPM is finally over for her. She took 13 subjects. When I heard this, instantly and automatically, my face creased itself into a frown, and under my breathe I said that that was too much. She seems to have the most confidence in her art subject. More like expressing how fun it was now, during her examination...
I finally let go and spoke to her in my mangled Hokkien. No more aloof ex-English teacher. This was probably the first time that I could actually honestly smile back at her without worrying that it would somehow effect my presence / her regard for me. It was a habit that I had carried in that line of work. All five months of it. "Smile and they'll trample all over you." I can't remember what in the world made me think that. Perhaps it was the senior teachers. For fear of the effect of my appearances.
I made a small joke that she actually owned her own business now, we laughed, and then smiling, I left her manning the stall. I can't believe it's been three years already.
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