Dear Rubber,
Do you still remember me? Six years has passed, and I still can’t forget you.
You were the best rubber I had ever had. In primary three, you erased every dirty mark from my homework, dictations, tests and exams perfectly. I thought you would stay with me until primary four, primary five…
If I hadn’t left you at school carelessly that day, it would have come true.
Everything changed when the nasty boy Bobby Ho discovered you in my desk’s drawer and put you into his pocket. You should know I was really worried about you. The next day I searched the classroom whenever I had a chance. Of course, I didn’t see you anywhere.
Then I found Bobby Ho showing off his ‘new rubber’. Just a glance and I knew it was you. I went straight to him and asked him to return you to me. “No, this is MY rubber.” He said with his dreadful smile hanging on his face, and he held you in front of my eyes. Ha! How brilliant! The horrible child wrote his Chinese name, English name, nickname, signature and lots of silly codes on all six sides of your tender, white body. Dirty Bobby Ho’s dirty handwriting covered you up.
Are those ugly marks still there? Did they hurt? I couldn’t think about this at that moment. I was totally shocked by that scene. Bobby Ho and his friends laughed.
If I had reported the case to Miss Chan at once, you would have gotten back to my pencil box. But no, I was too angry and disgusted. You heard my reply, right? “What a talented thief!” And that was all I had done. I turned around and left you forever.
I regret doing this. It was my own fault; you were never the one to blame. Why did I hand you to that devil? Why didn’t I try to take you back? If I had given him a punch on the nose and grabbed you away from his hand, things wouldn’t have been so frustrating.
Please blame me, rubber#4. I am really really sorry. I haven’t ever met you since that incident. Bobby Ho and I were in different classes, when we went up to primary four. I missed you very much. How are you now? Did Bobby Ho treat you well? Wish you have a fine life, and again, give you my most sincere apology from the bottom of my heart.
Yours,
Ching