How would you react if a friend suddenly message you on the phone and ask you to give him or her a call at a quarter to one in the morning?
You would probably think that he or she is in trouble and need dire help or at least a willing listening ear, right? That was what I would be thinking at least.
Well, obviously, some friends need more help than a listening ear when they make such request, as it happened to me last night.
After watching the Fifth Element for like possibly the fiftieth times on TV last night, I was ready to rest my already throbbing head. It was one of those headaches that heighten my hearing that I could even hear the cockroaches playing mahjong a few floors below. Then again, it might just be my neighbours who were playing and the innocent roaches tap dancing to the tune of curses and laughter from the game.
My head hadn’t even had a chance to make an impression on the pillow long enough to take the first step towards a date to Dreamland when I heard the ring from my handphone signalling a message.
I reluctantly forced myself up and picked up the phone to read the message. Stupid fool! I should have ignored it and taken the express train to Dreamland, you may be thinking. Yeah I know, but my body is wired to always take the rickshaw to reach there and it’s a habit to reply messages promptly if I know there’s one.
It’s a message from D and he asked if I’m asleep, one of those redundant questions I could have ignored and let silence be the answer. However, being an honest guy, I replied ‘Now I’m not. Y?’ though that answer was just a teeny weeny bit dishonest since I was on my way but not yet there when his message came in.
His next message was ‘call me?’ The question mark was what did me in. It sounded like a plea. As if he’s deep in crisis up to his permed hair. Maybe he finally gotten his head stuck in the toilet bowl or his hair caught in the fan from goodness what he always does. Add on to the fact that we rarely communicate through phone calls, I honestly thought he needed help.
Wrong interpretation.
When I called him, he was chirpy as ever. Maybe he likes having his head stuck in the toilet bowl.
That, I wouldn’t know. But I did know that I wanted to stick his head in one, wring his neck dry and pluck all his permed feathers when I learned of the purpose of the phone call. All he wanted was to ask me if I’m interested in joining him and Q for a movie marathon on Saturday. My goodness! A call at a quarter to one in the morning for this!
For one, why me? There’s no need to ask such a brilliant guy along when you’re on a date with a girl. It’s unnecessary illumination in the darken world of the cinema. For another, why can’t this wait till a quarter to one in the afternoon? Why did it have to be a quarter to one in the morning?
This morning, when I opened my email, I saw an email from him regarding the same matter. Unrelenting guy.
Tsk.Okay, I admit, I requested for the email so I could cut the call short, save on my free minutes even though I hardly use them and get back on the long journey towards Dreamland. He’s not guilty on this account.
Seriously, when D asks someone out, he’s not holding a lighter to that person’s wallet. He’s holding a bloody flamethrower. One must be armed with dozens of credit cards, thick wads of notes and bags of coins in order to go out with him.
Take the last occasion, karaoke, followed by a twenty plus dollar dinner and a movie. Luckily I took a last minute raincheck on that, or else I would have to apply for membership in the Beggar Sect.
This time, his email mentioned ‘we’ll have a damn cheap dinner’. I’ve got to mention ‘damn cheap’ is relative and I don’t believe we’re moving on the same scale.
Three movies and a ‘damn cheap’ dinner. Hmm. I need to confer with my wallet. D, let me get back to you on it soon. Meanwhile, I may be able to spare enough cash to get you one of those inspirational posters which reads 'Self-Awareness: Sleep's important. Don't bother others on unimportant matters after midnight!'