Jenita (An extract)

'I knew you'd be a sport, sis!' Judhil came forward with a blindfold and a piece of cloth to tie her hands behind her back. Six cream buns were tied to the soccer goal post, and the contestants had to eat them blindfolded. Jenita opened her mouth and tried to bite into the bun. It evaded her in the crisp sea breeze. Everyone clapped and cheered as the participants chomped their way through their buns. No one took particular notice when a motorbike pulled into the car park and its rider seated himself on the staircase overlooking the ground. The scene was quite a sight to behold. Jam and cream covering her cheeks, Jenita jumped up and down, trying to bite into her half-finished bun. The crowd roared with laughter, and the little ones clapped at the sight of this big girl with long hair bobbing before them. Finally it was over, and Judhil removed the blindfold and untied her hands.

'You're a star!' he beamed, patting her on the back. 'One more favour, Jenita!' Jenita stomped off, cleaning the jam and cream from her face. 'It's the final race, Jenita! It'll warm the cockles of their little hearts!'

'I don't care what it warms! I am not going to duck walk with a bunch of four-year-olds!' Jenita said with an air of finality. 'Repeat - 'not!'

'I'll be your slave for one whole day!' Judhil smiled sweetly.

'Done!'

The race was soon underway. 'Go! Go! Go! Andrew! Jasmine! Candice! the crowd cheered.

'Go Jenita!' Judhil grinned from the side of the track.

'I'm gonna kill you!' Jenita threatened as she waddled towards the finish line.

'Ice cream! Chips!' a vendor sang from the stairs. Although Jenita was concentrating on finishing the race, she caught a glimpse of Sunil when she glanced up. He was grinning down at her, his feet astride and hands folded across his chest.

'Judhil, you're dead, you are so dead!' she hissed under her breath as she tried to finish the race with as much dignity as a mother duck. At the finishing line, she stood up and pretended to dust her pants off, undecided what to do next. Judhil had disappeared. Coward! She thought.

'I didn't know you were such a fine athlete!' A voice danced with laughter. She turned around, red in the face.'My brother- just helping my brother,' she tried to explain.

Sunil chuckled. 'No need to explain! I think you were a good sport! Not many girls would opt for a free jam and cream facial - '

'You saw the bun-race too!' she exclaimed. A nod and amused eyes answered her question. 'Oh!; Jenita wished she could disappear into thin air.

'Ice-cream! Chips!' a vendor called.

'How about an ice-cream,huh? After all your hard work-'

'No thanks. I'm fine!' Jenita lied.

'I insist! Come on! Candy Cone? Poppa Two?' Sunil invited.

'Okay, Candy Cone, please,' Jenita said, seating herself on the grass.