Chapter 5 (FINAL)

4 years later.

I graduated! It's time for me to build a career, find a good job and also, get a good boyfriend. I haven't had a boyfriend in my university days. By the way, talking about boyfriends, Derrick do text me sometimes just to know how I have been doing and I tell him I've been well. My feelings for him have faded gradually these few years. He was a good boyfriend.

As for Xavier.. We haven't contacted since two years ago. I heard that he's been busy overseas and even got an internship in a big company. He found a job already, and I'm still here, anxious, nervous and excited for mine.

I have found a good company that I like. I'm looking forward on becoming a therapist. I got hired by Clarity.

"Hello, Daniel. How are you?" I ask my patient.

"Not fine. The voices have been getting more heinous," he say.

"Yes. May I know what the voices say?"

"They hate on me and criticise me the whole time."

"Okay. I suggest you just listen and get to know yourself through them. Have you answered the voices?"

"No, I can't do that. They keep speaking to me."

"I think it's advisable that you talk to them nicely and see what they say. Try asking them what they want from you."

"Okay." Daniel seems to be speaking to them in his head.

"They said I've been noisy but I haven't talked to them."

"Maybe they're speaking about you talking to people outside of your head. You've spoken to the voices nicely? Can you ask them to leave you alone?"

"Yes. Actually, I don't like speaking to them because I don't like them. But I'll try for you," he smiles a little. "I feel better. I will get to know myself better through them."

"Don't speak to them too much, okay? Just when needed."

"Okay. Thank you, Dr. Tee."

The therapy session ends within half an hour. Usually, there are patients that tell me a lot of their current issues, while some, I have to try to convince them to talk to me. I always have to make sure I get enough information. I like being a therapist.

"Hey, Selina. How is your patient?" Dr. James asks.

"He's doing fine. Just bad voices here and there."

I don't tell him much because it's confidential but there are times when I do need help with the patients. However, Daniel does have depression and mainly, schizophrenia.

"I'd like to ask for your number, if that's alright."

"Oh, my number?"

"Hey, guys," Dr. See says as he enters the room. "We have a new doctor."

I move my eyes to the door.

"Meet Dr. Khoo."

"Hello, guys."

"Hello, Dr. Khoo. We've heard about you," Dr. James tells.

He is exactly the Dr. Khoo whom I know and whom they've been talking about. It's such a small world.

"Hello, Dr. Khoo." I shake his hands.

"Hello, Dr. Tee," he says, giving me a stiff smile.

We have a talk at the meeting room. Just for your information, Xavier took Psychology in Harvard. He's a psychologist now.

"So, about your number..?" Dr. James inquires.

"Oh, yes. It's +673 7453221."

"That's a fake phone number," Xavier interrupts.

I look at him in distaste. "No, it's not! Don't listen to him."

"Oh," Dr. James manages to mutter.

After awhile, Dr. James goes to see his patient in the room allocated to him and his patients.

"What was that?" Xavier asks, whispering. "You've become a whore."

"What?" I spit. "I just gave him my number."

"I know without me all these years, you've become a full-blown W-H-O-R-E."

"Can you stop it? I know without me, you've become so immature!"

"Well, look who's talking!"

"Stop it, you two!" Dr. See disrupts, looking a little upset. "I see that both of you knew each other."

"Well, no," Xavier jokes.

***

Work ends for the day.

"Did you drive here?" Xavier asks me.

"Yes, of course." I give him a look.

"I'll drop by your house later to visit your parents."

"Sure."

***

The doorbell rings. I go and open the door. I know it's Xavier.

"Hello, Whore."

I give him laser eyes. "You better stop it," I say.

I welcome him into the house and my parents are happy to see him.

"Hi, Uncle Tee. Hello, Auntie Tee."

"Hello, Xavier! How have you been?" my mother asks, smiling.

"I've been fine."

"It's been awhile since we last saw you," my father says.

"Yes."

"Sit! Sit!"

Xavier takes a seat on the couch.

"Let me go make you some tea."

"Thank you, Auntie Tee."

"I'm going to the toilet for a moment. I have a stomachache."

"Okay, Dad," I say.

I sit next to Xavier and silence befall us.

"Anyway, how have you been, Xavier?" I question him.

"I just said that I'm fine to your mother."

"I want to know the truth."

"Alright, I've been busy, okay?"

"Okay. That's what I want to hear. Do you have 20 girlfriends by now already?"

He smacks my forehead.

"Ouch!" I say.

I feel a strong pressure on my lips after and he starts forcing himself on me.

"Stop it!" I push him.

He's crying. "I just want to say I'm sorry about what happened that time."

"No. I don't dwell on it anymore," I declare, tears welling up in my eyes.

"No. I just want you to know I regret it. Telling you to forget it and that nothing happened."

"You loved Catherine, you said. I don't blame you for the whole issue. Did you like me at least? That time?"

"No, I really loved Catherine."

"Then why did you kiss me?"

"I just.. I felt like I was losing you. You loved Derrick."

"You're so selfish. I felt the same when you were with Catherine and I didn't say anything."

"I broke up with her 5 years ago. I met somebody else in America. I loved her."

"Oh."

"But I really miss you, and I care about you."

I look at him in confusion.

"I know I love you too," he laughs sadly. "I don't want you to give anyone else your number."

I stare at him in bewilderment.

"I'd like to ask you to be my girlfriend, okay?"

I smile slightly. "Okay."