Zepp

Petro

City life always perform mixes of the have and have nots.Look at those pretty big mansions where behind them are alleys with the narrow slums area and densed ugly houses which look like a row of ugly boxes ,ugly cements and rusty zinc roof and the kids play and yell.....the fact that system and the social condition have never changed. Over there ,huge buildings ,hotels and malls with other construction and skyscrapers.

A figure passing the alley in a hurry.He put on a green cap .Some kids bullied him about his big moustache and big hands.If he reacted to be angry,the kids would laugh and escape .He would chase one of them and scold him .

"Good morning Bast" ,an old woman greeted him from an opened window .He just smiled at her and waved his hand then went to the next alley before getting to the main road .

He called a taxi heading to a new adress where he got an order to make some reparations on the house .

Again he read the adress .Yes ,two more blocks .That was it .It was Zepp old house.

Sometimes Bast thought that his job as a construction worker was risky .Not only caused by the fact that it's a rough job but also if the employer was ...just like the person whom he would meet in just a minute ..he heard that Zepp had been in prison ...was he a cruel person still ,after coming home as free man ..?

Everyone has little prison eventually.

Not only criminals but prisoners of poverty like himself . The evil system that excavate deeper gap among social classes...he didn't want to face a bossy one but with that ...he still able to refrain .

Facing an ex prisoner..he walked in doubtfully .

Real prison with criminals out there...and symbolic prison at home when people tighten by the tasks and duties .

There spaces to bring about the destiny and choices everyone make..he as a coolie and well....the ex prisoner was there .Standing with folded hands on his broad chest.Looking at him with sardonic smile in his mouth .Bast stepped straight away and ready to greet him politely .But he hoped that he could get rid of the thought of his being ex prisoner put him in beetween despair and nervous ness.

Zepp was pushing and pulling some mechanic things that scattered around the store room beside the lounge .

The old house was foul in overall.

"Good morning sir ," Bast bent deeply when he greeted him .He saw a cloudy look on the face .

That look seem inhumane .

" Morning " finally Zepp answered.He shouldn't show such affectation.But he did .

Bast felt scared even more .

From room to another room , something creepy was there .. hanging on the air ..

He cleaned up his shoes first then barefooted walking around all the parts while examining each cracky walls and poles .

He looked around.It seemed like a deserted place . Perhaps it's been deserted many many years ago.

He held his coat in tightening way to cope the freezing air .

He was coughing while looking for a site to sit alone .

He looked around again..there he saw a bench ,seemed so dusty but it's the only place to sit before taking out all his tools from the thick bag.

There was a dog dashing toward him .He was scared .

But the dog barked, nevertheless,its eyes look pitiful but quite friendly .

That dog came near him and wagged its tail .Bast caressed it and in a moment they befriended.

He enjoyed such moment ..when he heard a voice . His employer.

He strangely wanted to run .

But he was numbed.

He started to gain his normal attitude. Zepp led him to every room needed to be done.

Without any words ,he commanded him to do all the repairment.Bast wished he had a partner or two in doing it.. would he be able to tell him so ?

Bast only nodded each time Zepp made some gestures to command.

Not long after that , he dragged a big wooden box and asked him to give a hand .It's such a hard wood with leaking surface till he hurt his wrist as it scratched his grip .

The dog was commanded to stay still while it ate a caned dog food.

When Zepp moved to another room,it wanna follow him but it stopped caused by a prevention.

The dog just watched him and go with a helpless look .

A scar was on that dog body which seemed in healing process.

The scars on the dog's body looked like marks of torture by a blunt object as well as sharp objects. There were deep stitches. Bast stared at it for a moment but his mind kept asking why. Has someone ever tortured it , if so then who? Zepp?