The Hawker

Part 3: 100%

Jodie did come back. She returned not long after, Actually, she returned in a very, very short time. It was as though she was just going to the nearby toilet. Even Chasa was surprised when she saw Jodie. I heard Chasa asking Jodie if she had forgotten something. I could not hear what answer Jodie gave to Chasa. 

As for me, I had been cooking batches and batches and batches of char kway teow and chai tow kway without me fully comprehending how. The hawker centre in the noon was extremely busy. All sorts of people came to have lunch, be it short or a rather long one, alone or with a group of friends. Since I was not that busy in the kitchen, many times I had the chance to take a glance at the situations outside of the kitchen area. 

Honestly, I kind of missed my Poly life before this. Not that I was a bright student, but I sure had some friends to hang out with even though we were not so close. I missed going to the Poly's cafeteria and have some teh peng* to cool my head after attending Object-Oriented Analysis & Design class that ripped my brain apart. I also missed having some mala*, drench myself in sweat and t*****e my digestive system despite still having to attend classes afterwards.

Jodie

If you really miss your life prior to this, then why are you here? Just go back to where you used to be.

I almost screamed in shock when that voice slithered into my ears. Not because Jodie suddenly appeared, I knew she had come back already. But because she was reading my mind. 

Me

Did you just read my mind?

Jodie

Yes. But whatever is in your head is obvious. It is written on your forehead like a running text. 

WHAT?!

Jodie

It's not like running text per se, it's like — you know what, never mind. You would never understand because you people never use 100% of your brains.

I got offended. First, by the mentioning of 'you people', secondly by saying that I never used 100% of my brain.

Me

What do you mean 'you people'?!

Jodie

Humans like you.

Me

Well, aren't you a human as well? Don't tell me you are an alien.

Jodie

I am. Although, I prefer not to be called an alien because it sounded so wrong. 

I blinked. Was she being serious or was she being sarcastic?

Jodie

I am serious. We people never joke the way you guys do. Our jokes are more... intellectual.

Me

So you are saying I am stupid?

Jodie

You and your people, yes. Technically it is understandable because you people are only using less than 10% of your brains.

Me

Please stop saying 'you people', it's freaking me out. 

Jodie

Okay, human. 

Me

Don't call me that too. It sounds strange. You're also a human after all.

Jodie

I told you, I am not. Look, I know who you are, your name, what are the things that have happened to you throughout your 19 years of life, what your favourite food is, what your pet peeves are, why your Ah Ma died—

My eyes grew wide. 

Me

Wait, you are saying that you know why my Ah Ma died?!

Jodie nodded. 

Me

Everyone must have told you the story when you came here, of course. 

I rolled my eyes. I imagined she became the centre of attention when she approached my stall, simply because she was wearing a food delivery jacket. The busybody uncle neighbouring my stall must have stopped her and asked her if we were doing deliveries now. The kaypoh* auntie next to the uncle's stall must have came to her and told her what had happened to my stall, even advising her that maybe it's a bad idea to have my stall registered on the food delivery company because probably after Ah Ma died, the char kway teow and chai tow kway that I attempted to make must have tasted like sh*t. 

Jodie

Nobody told me anything. No uncle, no auntie of such kind. I know everything about you because I can read your mind. And I can read your mind because I use 100% of my brain. That's how I was able to deliver the food very fast. That's why I was able to transfer you some of the power I have so that you can cook faster. There is no magic behind all that and there never was magic in this whole universe. It's just about whether or not you are utilise 100% of your brain in your every task. 

I blinked again several times. That was even harder to digest than Data Structures and Algorithms which I almost failed. There were so many 'how's and 'why's and basically the 5W1H questions just popped in my mind in a chaotic manner. I saw Jodie gave a slight smile, which I translated as a patronising smirk.

Jodie

And now you are confused because your brain, out of which only 10% is being used, is trying to make out an abstract concept that it has never come across before. That's what I find strange from you people. You guys believe in invisible things like religion or philosophy and the so called magic, yet you find it hard to grasp abstract concepts related to science. 

What? Every word she said got my brain cells dry. 

Jodie

When I stabbed you, I was transferring a very specific set of skills that I encapsulate for you to have, which is the skills to prepare and cook perfect char kway teow and chai tow kway. That's the only so called superpower you have, because I gave it to you. That would be the only thing which your brain could handle 100%. 

I swallowed. Despite humid Singaporean air, my throat suddenly went dry. I picked up a glass of sugar cane juice that had been lying close to me since morning. 

Me

Let's say that whatever you said is true—

Jodie

They are all true. 

Me

—then why would you give me a set of skills which is useless? You could have passed me a different kind of skills, something more sophisticated that—

Jodie

Cooking skill is not a useless thing. It is a valuable gift that feeds many people and keep them alive. To be able to cook char kway teow and chai tow kway is definitely a special gift. You should never undermine your own heritage. 

Me

I know, but you could have given me some other gift. Let's say, skills that help me get more money. 

Jodie

I'm not here for that. 

Me

Then, what are you here for?

Jodie

To help you take revenge on the people that dragged your Ah Ma to death. 

My jaw dropped. Some people actually were causing my Ah Ma to die?! But why? She was just an ordinary hawker, old and fragile, with occasional foul mouth and unpleasant personality. 

Jodie

She did not die 'just like that'. It was not even a heart attack. They were messing with her, because she broke the pact she made with them. 

Me

Who are 'they'?! What pact?!

Jodie

I would explain to you later. You have to make these for the delivery again. 

Jodie tapped her hand on the table, placing a piece of note with food orders. 

Me

Why do you keep making me cook this food?!

Jodie threw her faint smile again at me. That smile that looked super sarcastic and drove me mad every single time I saw it.

Jodie

To help you get more money. Isn't it what you want?

***

To be continued.