1999
Orchid Woods
A reunion of old acquaintances and some newer faces when the classmates from 6V were reunited. The make-up era had arrived as some had passed the magical limit of 18 during the holidays. Hair gels, piercings, earrings, even nail polish. Boris had come out of the closet during the holidays and had already texted some of them, so the whole school knew then. As a student in the upper grades you were at the top of the hierarchy within the students. Boris’s hallway consisted of incorrect characters. According to society. Not according to them of course
Mentor: I see a lot of familiar faces and also some new ones…
Boris: Hey Master, are you going to treat us if we all pass?
Mentor: Well, it looks like you’re already on the right track…
Boris: huh?!
Mentor: You already manage to be late on the very first day of school
Boris felt very ashamed. And also very stupid. As the leader of his self-established gang that did not yet have a name for privacy reasons, he was extremely embarrassed. Even though his gang consisted mainly of losers and misfits, he knew it wouldn’t take long before people would start talking about him. This reputation dent did him no favors. Meanwhile, the mentor wrote his name on the board. A grin appeared on Boris’ face as he read Dick Salva on the chalkboard. A few giggles also went around the classroom.
A boring PowerPoint presentation was more of a show off from the mentor than useful information. The neo-progressive Selma didn’t really feel like it either. Her thoughts and especially her eyes searched for that one boy she had met at camp last year while canoeing. Kailash seemed to remember because their eyes met. They felt something for each other. Everyone knew that they would then download MP3 files until late at night. And so we regularly visited each other during the holidays.a whisper from Tracy who had pimped up her Nokia 3310 with a new front cover. While the others marveled at Tracy’s ostentation, Safira was filling in her agenda. The schedule with the classrooms and the teachers. Quite a lot of new faces…The listening continued with other students…
Manoj: yes fayaa things happen in the last school year
Jennifer: what are you saying, I can’t hear you
Manoj: It’s the orchids
Jennifer: yeah what’s with that?
Manoj: they digest rot, that’s why some teachers have been replaced..
Jennifer: what the fuck?!
Mentor D.Salva: Mrs. Tao, would you like to keep your attention?
Jennifer: sorry sir..
Mentor D. Salva: and another announcement for you, like every new school year, there are new students from the lower secondary school..
Boris: the rookies…
Mentor D.Salva: …and I expect everyone to be nice to them, okay, that also applies to your Boris!
Boris: Whatever dude..
Eden Mansion
She opened her eyes. A bird on the chic window frame whistled good morning to her. She rubbed her eyes and took the stairs down to the breakfast room. With Daisy as a protege, Amanda had become friendly and was finally allowed to go to school without security. On her way through the halls she met Sheeba who had moved further up the floor with her family. Amanda had to do that. Because then they could always play together. Amanda hoped that she could still take guitar lessons in addition to her duties as a high school student. When she pulled up her chair at the breakfast table, she just managed to avoid a hat that Daisy wanted to throw at her.
Daisy: yeehaw!
Amanda: fuck ya!
Daisy: bi-atchh
Amanda: what a strange name that school has
Daisy: they will neatly explain why that is the case
Amanda: I’m really curious
Daisy: and promise me you won’t hit or kick anyone at school
Amanda: outside is allowed, right?
Daisy: make sure no one sees you, okay!!
Amanda put her diary in her backpack and walked to school with SheebaΒ
The summer of 1999 promised great things, and that was evident just from the music blaring from the radio. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, The Backstreet Boys. It was the rise of boy and girl bands.The evolution of fashion in a modern tech style. Metallic nuances with a flavour of nostalgic vintage moods.
Selma’s Place
Her sister Betul was sitting behind the computer downloading MP3 files. A text message sound from her Nokia took her attention away. Selma wanted to use the computer.
MSN’ing with her classmates, she said.
Betul knew better. Because then she could text Kailash for free via startpagina.nl. Her mother entered the room:
Mother: why are you wearing black lipstick and a spike necklace?
Selma: mom, it’s fashion!!
Mother: that’s not good for us Selma
Selma: I’m already 18 and I can decide for myself what I wear
Mother: calm down…you don’t have to shout. Should I fry fries?
Selma: arghhhh no ma!!
She ran to her room and locked the door behind her. Even though her parents were not strictly religious, there was a certain authority from her culture. It had long been clear to Selma that she wanted to stand on her own. And she did not have to be held accountable for her clothes and appearance. Her homework relationship with Kailash was not a problem for her parents. Selma had become a little too rebellious and extremely anto-social since she turned 18.Β
Selma’s father was abroad on business every three months and traveled a lot. Her mother would look for company in the community center and could chat with Henk
Henk: we were young too
Saraa: but we didn’t wear a spike necklace
Henk: time changes and so does the associated culture
Saraa: heavy times in the 90s
Henk: the Millennium is approaching Saraa, everything can suddenly come at a rapid pace. Children already know how to use computers. And they hardly use the landline anymore.
Saraa: they have their own cell phone
Henk: and they have digital music from the computer right between their ears…
Saraa: downloading to computer all the time pfff
Henk: how are you, when are you going to bring me some shawarma?
Saraa: I can make it for you π
Henk: that’s niceI will bake you some stroopwafels so you can stay sugarcoated and sweet.
Practical Room
A rather absent-minded teacher stood in front of the class during chemistry. Boring lesson, but quite interesting.
Amanda: eww look that’s raoel from 8b
Sheeba: damn, that guy is in our class
Amanda: they say he’s from the other side
Sheeba: what a bassoon, it suits Andrew
Amanda: Andrew has a girlfriend
Sheeba: do you really believe that,
Amanda: he’s happy, so it must be true
Sheeba: check that one out there, it’s not for you
Amanda: which one that nerd?
Sheeba: He has PlayStation
Amanda: really? Does he also have rich parents?
Teacher: Hello, would you like some attention?
Amanda: sorry sir
Teacher: today we are working with an extract from the orchid plant
Manoj: ey what kind of plant is that, it’s a flower after all
Teacher: not just any flower, if all goes well Francina has researched well and can tell us…
Francina: orchids do not need excessive love and water
Teacher: exactly orchids live in peace…
Francina: orchids use trees to absorb fungi through their nutrition
Teacher: but without eating from the tree, so what does that mean Francina??
Francina: that…orchids are not parasites but guests
Teacher: very good! And what else
Francina: Orchids can look like a butterfly or other animal and they can smell like vanilla or chocolate
Manoj: shit, it’s just an alien plant!!
Teacher: it is therefore not surprising that orchids are in the bedside tables of many magicians or witch
(Whisper..)
Amanda: haha, we are witches
Sheeba: I don’t really like that teacher…
Amanda: he talks too much, he should shut up π
Sheeba: maybe he should just put a piece of orchid in his mouth
Amanda: maybe he suddenly smells like flowers
Teacher: ladies, please pay attention!
Sheeba: sorry sir…
Gymnastics
Dinesh didn’t like it. Sitting among unknown people who had seen too many action films. Luckily for him, he got to giggle with his buddy..Vijay..
Vijay: fakaa with this man..
Dinesh: he thinks he’s the boss or something
Vijay: pretends to be a gangster or something
Dinesh: haha Eminem
Vijay: You know yourself
Dinesh: Did you see Friends yesterday?
Vijay: no, I was looking at Willibrord Frequin
Dinesh: Ahh shit, missed it
Vijay: Saturday is usually repeat
Dinesh: I haven’t set up my DVD player yet
Vijay: what is that?
Dinesh: is films on CD
Vijay: Not on video
Dinesh: yes it is video…but on CD
Vijay: Then you can’t miss a movie anymore
Dinesh: Yes, I have a whole collection. I have Godzilla, Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump and Silence of the Lambs
Vijay: Too bad those films only appear on TV later
Dinesh: Yes, that’s why it’s on DVD so I can watch it whenever I want.Come and do your homework with me sometime
Vijay: that’s good, really cool
Snackbar Kees
There were too many people in the snack bar. The manager could barely keep an overview.
Amanda: Cmon old basterd !!!! Quick!!!! Where are my fries!!
Snack bar: Hey, don’t be so rude
Amanda: just shut your mouth and pass my fries!! Old fart!
Snack bar: If you continue like this, you won’t get anything, right?
Amanda: give it up, loser..!
Sheeba: and extra sauce please
Mario: sir, can I buy a loose cigarette
Snack bar: arghhhh!!
Amanda: typhoid my nasibal is too hot
Sheeba: fucking snack bar
Amanda: Hey look, those are upper school students
Sheeba: are they smoking or something
Amanda: so strangely their eyes turn red
Sheeba: come Amanda, we’re going home, Daisy had just texted where we were staying
The upper school students did not want to pay much attention to the young ones. Not yet because first they went into the forest. Walking and being crazy. Celebrating senior year! With the exception of Boris, everyone was quite positive about the year. Boris was still a bit too distracted and was more of a petty thief in the making. They walked into the woods with the other children. There they could secretly smoke weed.
Boris: that field with those flowers has changed again
Jennifer: what the fuck so soon…
Safira: Ohh you said the f word
Gopal: yesterday those flowers were still bluish
Tracy:maybe it was a different field
Jennifer: no, it’s because of the flowers
Boris: yes, every year that mentor tells the same story
Orchid this orchid that..
Gopal: he just wants to scare us
Jennifer: shhh…do you hear that…
Boris: fuck!! Hey comes out of the ground somewhere
Tracy: There!
Safira: there’s something under that pile of sand…
The children came closer. Tracy held a piece of club in case of danger. Boris was in the lead and, as tough as a warrior, he saw a hand moving under the leaves…Β
Boris: did you see that…it moved!!
Tracy: it’s alive!!
Gopal: this forest is bewitched, lets get out!!
the children ran some distance away and entered the park where it was more spacious. They took off their muddy shoes and flopped down in the grass..Β
Selma: gross!! what a mess
Gopal: my shoes are completely fucked up..
Tracy: who cares, they’re just Oh Hara’s
Gopal: at least I work for my shoes myself and I don’t get paid by my rich parents…
Tracy: hey what do you mean by that, dumbass!
Boris: guys, seriously! that hand was moving there in the woods!!
Selma: it’s bewitched maybe from a dead person…
Boris: we have to go there again tomorrow
Jennifer: what? are you crazy or something?
Boris: there are several of us
Tracy: yeah, but we don’t know what else is behind that hand
Boris: That’s right, therefore we need to knowΒ
As it was almost dark, Gopal lit a joint and passed it.Β
The children lay in the grass and looked at the sky above their park.Β
Selma: I hope that when I’m done here, I’ll immediately start living on my own
Tracy: yes me too, my parents will arrange that
Gopal: then you don’t live on your own
Tracy: You! are not invited to my housewarming
Gopal: no thank you, I’d rather not
Dinesh’s placeΒ
A whole horde of people were crammed into the living room. Hindustani music blared through the large speakers and a table was set with tasty snacks and delicacies from the Surinamese cuisine. The whole thing was a bit too intense for Dinesh and Vijay and they marveled at GTA 2 on the PlayStation…Β
Vijay: Too bad you can’t play from character…
Dinesh: It’s only top-down
Vijay: 2 D
Dinesh: maybe the later parts will be 3D, we will play Fifa
Vijay: do you have that yet?
Dinesh:check it out here…
The intro tune of Fifa 1999 with the soundtrack of Fatboy Slim reminded Dinesh and Vijay that they were the budding rebels of their own culture.Β
Vijay: Do you believe in Bhagwan
Dinesh: yes, but in my own way
Vijay: Not the rules made
Dinesh: with respect but not always based on the rules made..
Vijay: I get you
Dinesh: A new principal was introduced at the school yesterday
Vijay: yes?
Dinesh: we will have a female director
Vijay: that’s very good!
the next morning….Β
Snackbar KeesΒ
it was only 0845 and soon the first school bell would sound. But in the meantime, there were already students in the snack bar for a quick bite. Kees, the snack bar owner, immediately got the full blast from the superstructure because the first confrontation was a hit right away….Β
Boris: fucking hell!!! Isn’t your oil heated up yet or something, hurry up old fart!!
Kees: don’t you want to take such a tone, young man
Boris: young man?! eyyy you’re not my father
Tracy: Can you make and wrap a hogweed for me please?
Jennifer: are you out of spring rolls?
Kailash: just a quick question, Mr. Kees, do you also have vegetarian dishes? I don’t see it anywhere
Kees: arghhhh!! not all at once
Boris: where is my krooo keheeet !!!!
Kees couldn’t handle it all anymore and gasped for breath when the first school bell rang. Running children entering the school and looking for their place in the classrooms..Β
Kees took this moment for himself and lit a cigarette. A pale-looking girl with a spike necklace and dressed in black arrived just too late…Β
Kees: are you late again Selma?
Selma: hihi, I was busy studying for a while… can I order something? I’m missing the first biology block, so I might as well eat something tasty
Kees: I hope that your mentor is not going to beat you down.
Selma: he should just shut up…
Orchid WoodsΒ
Biology Class
The teacher was reading more from his book than actually narrating. It was as if he didn’t even understand it himself. Jennifer herself didn’t understand anything either. fibrosis and amylase of enzymes that are active in healing a wound. Manoj was sleeping at the back of the class and was being covered by Gopal who was sitting in front of him. Tracy showed off her new eastpak backpack. Better than the usual Eastpak backpacks. Her Eastpak had a double bottom and an extra compartment inside with a zipper. Besides, all other Eastpak school bags were just backpacks…Β
The school bell rang but the students remained seated as this was a block hour. Boris still thought it was quite strange. the lesson doesn’t even last an hour but only 45 minutes. So basically with a block hour you get half an hour for free. Or will that be deducted from school fees? It was also still difficult for Boris to cover his books. Somehow he couldn’t do that. Tracy’s books were laminated with very special expensive foil paper that was water dust and fire resistant. As if they were jewels. Tracy took her college year very seriously. She could regularly be found in the study room with the new student Safira, where she learned the ins and outs of mathematics and physics. Safira was very good at that. As a child of Jewish immigrants, she had quite a good timeΒ
Tracy: Is your Uncle found again?
Safira: he was walking outside at night, making phone calls in his pyjama s..
Tracy: There’s nothing wrong with that, right?
Safira: he calls the deceased
Tracy: What?
Safira: he has PTSD. His family was shot before his eyes
That was why her parents were also quite progressive liberal and loved western civilization. A big advantage if, as a rebel, you already have support from your parents, Tracy thought. Her parents were quite strict. Catholic American and sober and both architects..Her parents didn’t like the fact that Tracy was acting cool with her wealth. But Tracy didn’t care. She was almost 18 and could soon spread her wings…Β
When the boring biology lesson was finally over, class 6V met on the playground in front of the school..Β
Boris: I brought some sticks with me in case things go wrong…
Tracy: I got some cheap deodorant from Zeeman
Boris: for what??
Tracy: To use it as pepper sprayΒ
Boris: very inventive and neat and Gopal, have you also prepared well?
Gopal: yes, I ate a little less so that I can run away faster
The surprise was visible on the children’s faces, but they were somewhat used to that from Gopal. You weren’t sure if he was serious or if he was joking. Anyway, the children walked back into the forest and entered through the bushes and clumps of grass past the orchid field. This was somewhere where the hand came out of the ground….Β
Meanwhile the children from the low-rise building were on their way to their classrooms , Mario was threatened by Amanda at the lockers. Whether he could exchange his locker with Sheeba’s. because then she wouldn’t have to walk all the way the other way. Mario didn’t want to at first until Amanda slapped him and then grabbed his crotch and held a geo triangle against his neck.Β
Amanda: I don’t care, bitch! I can just kill you right here, yeah?!
Sheeba: I would listen if I were you sissy
Mario: take it, but I’ll tell my mother when I get home… because this isn’t allowed!
Amanda: say so! tell your father too and you will get into even more trouble with us
Mario: why don’t you give back my class book
Amanda: just jot down a few addresses, that’s for my administration
Sheeba: is just functional and now shut up!
Mario: yeah leave me alone
In the classroom, Mario was almost molested again because he sat in the wrong place. Sheeba was only allowed to sit next to Amanda and nobody else..It was already clear that Amanda was now really showing everyone in the class his or her place…Β
Amanda: are you planning to come over tomorrow for a visit?
Sheeba: yes, I know, I have already read your text message
Amanda: They are in college but this weekend we are at Eden Mansion
Sheeba: it’s always fun when Dolly and Gaby come by. I hope they bring nice presents for us…
Amanda: shhtt that lady wants to tell something…
Miss: dear class, as you have heard before, the previous director died due to suspicious circumstances. Peace be with his soul. But don’t worry, because as of today you have a new director.
A beautiful woman entered the classroom and the oohs and aawss passed… And a sign of recognition from Amanda and Sheeba….Β
Amanda: Miss Gina!!!
Miss Gina: nice to see some recognizable faces. some I know from Eden City when I taught primary school there.
Mario: Then why did you leave from there?
Miss Gina: Not everyone knows that either. the old primary school burned down and I was unemployed at the time, but via a detour to a foreign country it is now here…
A cheerful, loud applause followed for the director of Orchid Woods. Totally nice for Amanda because if she went wrong, the director could cover her up. After all, she had been the private tutor in her younger years. Devilish flames in Amanda’s pupils also ignite Sheeba. the rulers of Eden were able to expand their emporium even more. The class was already in the bag and now the director is also on the right side. Amanda knew…she had carte blanche…Β
The sound of a beeper went off. Francina reached into her pocket and quickly turned it off.Β
Francina: sorry…
Ruth: cool, that’s just like a mobile phone or something
Francina: nah you can only send messages
Ruth: kind of like an advertisement or something
Meanwhile Vijay and Dinesh kept checking their watches asΒ soon as the bell would ring they could quickly go to town. They lied to their parents and told them that they also had German in their subjects. But that wasn’t the case. during that block hour they could go to the video library. Together they would rent videos on a pass and swap videos every other day and at the end of the week the rental rate would be split. They were actually more concerned with the video games that were now also available for rent. This was really cool. Because suppose you bought a PlayStation game and you don’t like it. For example, you can first rent it from the video rental store and then buy it in the store. Since they met, Vijay and Dinesh spent a lot of time together. The modern age to fill with their curiosity.Β
Further in the woods, the senior class was prominently present in the forest. And again they heard rustling and crawled closer to the living hand from the ground. A bizarre way to see a hand sticking out of the ground and moving. Boris grabbed his pocket knife and cut across the palm of the hand...Β
Tracy: what are you doing now?
Boris: see if it’s bleeding?
But it didn’t bleed, it kept moving. A dead living hand that moves…
Gopal: is it a zombie or something??
Jennifer : Let’s get it out..
Safira: too bad my parents are not here, they know whether this is kaballah or not
Tracy: What does that mean?
Safira: this hand belongs to a living zombie
Boris: fucking hell, so we’re standing on top of a grave…
They took a chance and pulled the hand. A remains of depraved human flesh with skeleton was pulled from the grave. Boris kicked it and the zombie wiggled on the ground. the empty eye sockets looked at Boris. A hand grabbed his ankle and pulled Boris into the ground. The soil and sand collapsed under its own weight, covering the excavated grave as it appeared before. A winding stem grew very quickly into an orchid and the smell of honey took over the entire forest… the children did not know what they were experiencing….Β
Tracy:: what…the…fuck!!!
Gopal: Aaaaarghhhhhh!
again the children ran away and kept running. Upset, they got on the bus and went to the back.Β
Safira: shit man! He just got dragged into the ground…
Tracy: yes, right before our eyes too
Jennifer: should we tell the director about this??
Kailash: no, of course not, we don’t know anything. We’ll just say Boris wasn’t with us
Tracy: damn we shouldn’t have gone there why are we so stubborn
Jennifer: maybe he’ll get raped!
Tracy: no, maybe he’s already dead just like that skeleton zombie
Jennifer: So it’s alive and it’s eating children!
Gopal started to hyperventilate and had to stand for a moment. he walked around the bus a bit and then asked the bus driver to stop. And ran off the bus without saying anything.Β
Tracy: What the fuck was that?Β
Jennifer: what is he doing ?Β
Safira: emotions…. let him calm down for a momentΒ
Tracy: Kailash should we tell Selma about this?
Kailash : Selma has other things on her mind at the moment
Tracy: I notice she skips school quite often these days
Jennifer: she goes too far in her rebellion
Tracy: maybe she’s at odds with her parents?
Selma’s PlaceΒ
Saraa opened the door and Henk was ready with a bouquet of flowers and home-baked syrup waffles to give her an evening of a lifetime.Β
Saraa: Ohhh flowers
Henk: …and home-made syrup waffles
Saraa: but I cooked for you too
Henk: well…I’m curious
A delicious dish of kebab fresh on the skewer. with spiced mergez and grilled peppers. This was truly a delight. The stroopwafels were used as dessert. The sweetness softened the spiciness of the dish and brought a pleasant balance to the mouths of Henk and Saraa. Henk knew that there was no drinking so he had to settle for a glass of cola….Β
Henk: I really enjoyed this, dear Saraa
He stood up and gave a kiss on Saraa’s forehead.she had to blush because she had not expected Henk to come so close to her. She felt again that affection that she missed from her own husband. Also an affection but not really from the original. Is this allowed? or is this just friendly? She showed her appreciation as she held his hand and looked into his dark eyes.Β
Henk’s eyes searched for an exit but were drawn by Saraa’s grip. He couldn’t resist and brought his mouth to her mouth and kissed Saraa…and then again. The cutlery and food were wiped away hysterically and Henk picked Saraa up on the table. Saraa’s eyes looked at the garden door that opened and Selma suddenly stood inside the kitchen.Β
Selma: ma what the fuck!!! who the fuck is that??
Saraa: I can explain it to you…
Selma: No!!
She slammed the door behind her and ran to her room. Selma was upset and put on her Walkman and escaped into the music… downstairs Henk was about to leave…Β
Henk: sorry it turned out a bit wrong, I didn’t know she would have any problems with it
Saraa: it doesn’t matter, she makes problems with everyone…
Henk: I understand if you would rather not contact me anymore
Saraa: no, it doesn’t matter.. it’s better this way
I’ll come to you tomorrow
Henk: and…your husband?
Saraa: my husband doesn’t pay me any attention, occasionally texting and sometimes calling. but no real attention.
Henk: this is the problem of digitalization, having contact is no longer physical but digital. And people crave physicality
Saraa: that’s why I want you for now
Henk: but…does your husband know this?
Saraa: he doesn’t know anything and I don’t know anything about what he does either. he’s not far from you…
Selma’s mother burst into tears and put her head on Henk’s chest.
Saraa: I miss the warmth of life, I don’t want old technology. I want to feel real life warmth…real warmth…
further on in the forest the orchids became a tangle of color and scent.. Dusty roads next to it protectively guarding the grave where Boris had been drawn by the mysterious hand. A hideous figure crawled out of the grave. Boris was no longer Boris. dead yet alive. Very mysterious and didn’t need any attention. Just like an orchid…
to be continued…soon…
after
The Underground Tales From Eden: Dannyboy chapter 2
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