I've always believed that if you are kind, kindness reciprocates twice as much.

Which is why I'm sorry to say now, my faith has been shaken.

It takes alot to make me irritated but once you achieve it, it takes alot to humour me. Honestly, I would say that it's a feat to be able to irritate me because I'm ok with most things, give in most of the time during arguments and don't bear a grudge. In a nutshell, I forgive and truly forget.

So when I say that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, you know I really MEAN BUSINESS. I have never felt so irritated by a single person in my life. I have never thought it was even possible to be so angry and disappointed with a younger female.

But it has happened.

I should have seen it coming.

She stayed in the Republic of Jurong West (sorry to folks living in Jurong West - I always feel like I'm leaving Singapore whenever I go Jurong West), the mother was a witch and they blatantly spoke Hokkien in front of ME about ME; not even caring if I could possible understand Hokkien (I can).

Yes, to be frank - I have been late for tuition. But it takes me a long walk to take bus 200 to Buona Vista MRT, ride all the way to Boon Lay and then take a shuttle bus ride of 15 minutes to reach her house. See? I bet you felt tired too reading the last sentence. Plus, she wants tuition only on Saturday or Sunday mornings at 10am which means I have to wake up at 8am just to reach her house at 10:30am. To me, this is a huge sacrifice - weekend mornings are reserved for my bed.

The only draw for me to get out of bed was the $45/h pay. I know that is a very good rate, but hey, she lives very far away in Republic of Jurong West and I'm teaching her Economics and Math-C.

The early warning signs were there but I chose to ignore them and believed in the goodness of people.

"I'm sorry, but I have to cancel tonight's tuition. I'll arrange with you soon ok?"

This was sent the day of the tuition itself - about 1/2 day before I was supposed to give her tuition.

Once, twice, even thrice I can forgive. But cancelling tuition with me CONSECUTIVELY for more than 5 times in a row. It takes a big whack on my head to make me forget.

It got so bad - I had to message her on the day before tuition to make sure it was still on and she was not going to cancel me last minute again.

I know... Minyi is pathetic for $45/h.

Then came the holidays.

"Can we have tuition once every two weeks during the holidays? You can teach me the new syllabus for next year."

She actually requested for tuition during the holidays. I felt a surge of happiness. Perhaps there was still goodness in people.

"I was thinking can we have tuition instead 1.5h every week during the holidays?"

There's only two weeks left to the holidays. I have NEVER had a single session.

First she used herself - "I'm sick"

Then came her school - "I have a school OGL camp"

Third came her Dad - "My Dad got a free hotel stay over the weekend"

Fourth was her family - "We are going to Penang for a holiday"

Fifth she never came back.

I told her before her Penang trip that we should scrap the 1.5h idea because there was much time left and I won't be able to teach her much.

I decided when she did not call me after she returned from the Penang trip, I would drop her.

You know something irritating about her? She never picks up my call. Even her mother does not pick up my call when I ring their home. It's a big conspiracy against the female tutor.

As I predicted, she did not pick up my call so I left her a voice message. She replied me almost instantly that her mobile was low in battery and she would like to have tuition this coming Saturday (17 December 2005) at 10:30am.

Hmmm... I thought to myself. Perhaps there was really some good left in her. I decided she should have a second chance.

Yesterday night, her dreaded message arrived.

"I can only have tuition for 1.5h tomorrow so it will end at 12pm."

Half a chance gone. She had half left. I decided to call her and check if she can make it for tuition at 10am so we can end at 12pm still. Guess what? She didn't pick up so I left 2 voice messages for her to call me back.

"It's not convenient for me to pick up the phone now. I have to cancel tomorrow's tuition. Will get back to you assap. Thanks!"

This was the message that broke Minyi's spirit.

As if one slap in the face is not enough, she had to make sure she slapped my other cheek at 7:51 am this morning:

"I hope you have received my message. I won't be able to have tuition today. Will get back to you asap. Thanks and see you!"

I didn't reply to her message that broke my spirit. I didn't like wasting my messages on a stupid "OK" reply.

"Would appreciate if you can get your mother to call me ASAP. Preferably by this coming Wednesday. I've urgent things to discuss with her. Thanks."

MINYI IS NO PUSHOVER FOR $45/H.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.