The Alchemists

"I can't be late.... I can't be late... I can't be late..." Finland kept muttering to herself while running as fast as possible to the MRT station.

She took the midnight flight to Singapore because it was the cheapest. After immigration and baggage collection, she was supposed to have a one hour gap before the MRT closed.

To no one's surprise, however, the flight from Jakarta had a 45 minute delay, so now, she has to run as fast as possible while pushing a trolley with her two heavy luggage.

"Please... please... please... I cannot afford taxi at this hour. The surcharge is crazy...!"

She focused solely on the arrows pointing toward the MRT. Everything else was a blur. When she saw a young guy passing casually in front of her pushing his small suitcase, it was too late. A collision was inevitable, and Finland, the young guy, and all their luggage scattered on the floor.

"Oh my God ... Oh my God ... Oh my God ... I'm very sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

Finland hurriedly got up and cleared her trolley and suitcases and bowed repeatedly to apologize to the guy who was still lying on the floor. He slowly got up while rubbing his aching head.

"Ugh ... people nowadays are such idiots... Everyone is always in a hurry, to the point of endangering others..." he muttered to himself. "Maybe it's time to teach this one a lesson..."

He brushed off the dust from his clothes., He was wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt and fashionable jeans with white sneakers. He gazed at a small cut on his left elbow and then raised his angry face, staring at Finland.

Strangely, those fierce blue eyes suddenly turned cold when he saw Finland. The guy cleared his throat and took his cellphone out of his pocket.

"What you did was reckless endangerment. Give me your name, phone number, and address so I can send you the compensation request for my injury, or court subpoena."

Finland was stunned...

Wow... what just happened...?? Where would she get the money to pay for the compensation? She had only 50 dollars in her account until her next part-time job to distribute flyers at the mall next weekend.

"I... I..." at this point Finland knew she had missed the last MRT. Her only option was to take the bus or wait for the first MRT at 5 am. "My name is Finland. I can give you my address and phone number..."

Finland took his cellphone and typed in her telephone number and address in Singapore. Ah, it's actually not her address, but Jean's, her best friend from NTU university. Jean is a supermodel who travels the world. His apartment on Robertson Road is used only to store his belongings and as a temporary place to stay when in Asia.

Jean said the unit was only collecting dust because it was rarely inhabited. After graduation, Finland had to leave her cheap school dormitory. She became worried because she had to start looking for a job and a place to live in Singapore.

She received a scholarship from the government of Singapore to study in NTU. In return, she had to work in Singapore for three years after graduation.. Finding a job in Lion City was not easy. Competition was tough, workspace was limited, and the living cost was extremely high.

After trying to find a cheap rental room for a month, Finland almost gave up because the cheapest rental price she could find for a small room was 600 dollars! She now has a part-time job which paid 50 dollars per day, while looking for a permanent job. It was far from enough to live a decent life.

Fortunately, Jean, Finland's best friend, came to her rescue and told her to stay in his apartment until she was able to rent her own place.

"This is a very fancy neighborhood," said the guy when he saw the address Finland put on his phone.

"You spoilt rich brat. You're so above your head, and you don't bother paying attention to your surroundings, what if I were a fragile old lady? Crashes like that can kill people, you know!?"

Finland's emotion welled up and she snapped, "I've apologized repeatedly. Is that not enough for you? It was an accident! I was in a hurry to chase the MRT because I don't have money to pay for a taxi. I feel so bad already, OK. Why do you have to make it worse for me?!"

She talked through gritted teeth, trying her hardest to hold back the tears that started building up in her eyes. It has been such a long and tiring day and she just couldn't take it anymore.

The guy studied her face carefully, trying to find out if she was lying. Finland knew that having a residence in Robertson Road and claiming to not have money for taxi don't seem to add up, but she was not in the mood to explain her situation to anyone.

"Is Finland even your real name?" the guy reached out his hand and gestured at her passport, "I need to take pictures of your passport."

Finland scoffed and handed him her passport unwillingly.

Her name is such a nuisance. She only has a first name with no surname, and every time she wanted to book a ticket she had to write "Finland Finland" - as if one time was not humiliating enough.

The guy's gaze softened after scrutinizing and taking pictures of Finland's passport, and he said, "Nice name. Have you been to Finland?"

"I'm tired. Do you have everything you need? Please leave me alone…"

The guy returned her passport and nodded. Finland then walked slowly to the nearest seat and sat with a grim face. Even though she was very tired, she decided to wait until dawn at the airport so she could take the first MRT ride home to Jean's apartment. She had a job interview at Suntec Tower the next morning. She must not be late.