Day 3 (I): Final Endeavor

Another day, for a world that was no way approaching to the state of utopianism. Brave New World might be what Aldous Huxley wanted (to raise awareness? Well, I have not read the book properly yet). But we had no business with it. I would rather say Day 3 was:

A fresh new day, which marked the end of one legend, and the commencing of the other. We had proved ourselves by performing our boldness, audacity, endurance as well as the persuasion in our own ability. No one submitted to obstacles. No heroic flaunting. No abandoning of the weak. Nevertheless, the day began terribly.

“WHY ARE YOU LATE? IS THAT FAIR FOR THE ONES WHO CAME EARLY? WHAT DO YOU GUYS WANT THE PUNISHMENT TO BE?” The IC was furious.

“Permission to discuss, IC.”

“NO.” A short, determined bark. We all fell in silence. Stunned. And seriously, we were scared. This IC, though I did not know his name, was a nice person during curriculum talk. Now, he had the neither-forgive-nor-forget look. Overseeing us from behind the railing of the front of the Sports Complex, he was waiting for us to reply. No one had an answer, however.

We were ordered to run along the track non-stop. Not until we got another order. But the pace was quite okay for me, though I realised later on that we just covered another Napha-Standard-running. Just not as fast. The IC followed us from the second round onwards, and he turned out to be an extraordinary runner (or in another word, imba!) who was captivated by Titans. Hong Yi slowed down, gasping desperately for air half way through the penalty. An omen for his asthma attack later, on our way to East Coast Park. But he was fine.

But the rest of us were not quite. At that time, I mean. Running, doing push ups and star jumps was one thing, do the same in the sea water, with bloodshot eyes due to irritation; soaked by the salty aqua with sands all over the place was another case. When we all on our feet, I could feel sands accumulated in my tucked T-shirt as well as my PE shorts’ pocket.

Then, off we went, half running, half wading. I could feel the energy inside me was draining out, due to the morning punishment. And I did not have a chance to eat a tiny crumb of biscuit or drink even a drop of water. But the situation was not really that bad. I had some reserved energy sufficient to sustain me for the Sea Physical Training. We ran along the beach and soon on the pier. I am talking about the bridge protruding from the beach that for people to fish.

I was running after Adrian. He was still a few steps away from Zul who led the campers. And the gap was gradually becoming larger and larger. I was not allowed to outrun him, so I slowed down as well. I could see Adrian was trying to catch up. His mind was urging him forward, but the legs were failing him. Soon Teck Kian ran abreast with Adrian.

“Focus, Kaizen, focus!” He ordered, meant to encourage him. Adrian accelerated a bit, and slowed down again. Then he repeated it.

“Look at your aim.” I urged him from behind, using what we had learnt, or rather, been reminded, during curriculum talk. At last, we all assembled at the end of the pier. Many fishermen turned and looked at us curiously. We looked really lousy. Soaked, filthy, smelly, yet organized. There were instructors some more. So I guess these bystanders really had a hard time of figuring out what we were.

At last, some fool saw a few of us wearing Outward Bound T-shirt, and made the wrong assumption. While we were instructed by our seniors, an Ah Beng came forward and stood in the same line with our seniors, and made ridiculous postures. His friend managed an ugly smile. Suddenly, the IC turned her head sharply and spat a four letter word at him.

We were shocked. Would they take revenge? Never mind of that, we moved on, heading back to the beach where we did our Sea Physical Training. While we were running, the Ah Beng tossed a small fish at us. Missed. Too bad. Someone taunted “Outward Bound” and we ignored them. Soon, we jogged back. I was running at the back of the line. Jun Yang gave me encouragement. I nodded. But actually I was fine, and I had enough energy reserve.

We came back to the beach. How very lovely it was now! But ten minutes ago, I had hated this place. We walked to the stone table close to the bank, and got ourselves hydrated. Then we went to wash our faces and shoes with some Delta people. When we came back, our seniors had brought several packets of bread, some bottles of water and a few bottles of spread onto the table. We munched them down hungrily. That was when Tiong Wei came back from hospital. To ensure Hong Yi’s condition was all right.

Time for traditions. Seniors treated juniors ice sticks. Then everybody went under a particular tree to take photos. Zul told us that next year we had to take photo was our juniors under the tree next to it. And so on. Lastly, we returned to the beach.

“One last tradition, dump a person into the sea before we go off.” Zul announced. Everyone turned their attention to Theen Yew. Then, SPLASH!

Actually all the guys were dumped, including Tiong Wei, whose clothes were still dry. After that, we headed back to school. On the way back, we came up with a new Alpha cheer. Lame cheer.

Day 3 (II): Double Bond (-ing) is coming soon…