Hebe Tian Fu Zhen live in Malaysia 2010

S.H.E's Hebe Tian Fu Zhen released her first solo album entitled To Hebe a few months back. Soon after that she held her own solo LOVE! To Hebe concert at Taipei, Legacy. With the success of her own solo concert in Taiwan Hebe is going to Shanghai, Malaysia, Singapore etc.

The good news is, Hebe will be coming to Malaysia during Christmas and will be celebrating Christmas for three days with us Malaysia fans.


Details:
Date: 24/12, 25/12 and 26/12
Venue: Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru
Website: http://www.himmusic.com/
Ticket order details: S.H.E Malaysia Facebook



In addition, LOVE!To Hebe live concert DVD is going to be released this 9/12. Pre-order is available at CD-Rama, Victoria Music Centre at RM42.90. Normal price at RM46.90. However, that is the Malaysia version. For the Taiwan version pre-order at Yesasia.com at RM66.90.

For more updates in the future visit: http://selinahebeellafanclub.blogspot.com

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Winter Jokes by, Amy Lim Su Yen

Section B: Continuous Writing

[50 marks]

Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics.

4. Write a story ending with:

“…….we looked at each other and burst into laughter”

Winter jokes

By, Amy Lim Su Yen

“Hey Mary, hurry up” yelled Alice and Bob across the street. I waved to them and smiled. Alice, Bob and Mary, the three musketeers that is what everyone refer us as. Sometimes people do ask if we ever get tired of seeing each other all the time and our answer will also be the same, no. “Hey, Mary day dreaming again?” asked Bob while Alice is just right behind him.

    

            I yanked him on the shoulder and he pinched my cheeks. That is how we always greet each other. “Look at the both of you, never changed” said Alice. “When will my friends ever grow up” she continued. Both Bob and I then pinched her as well. “Your turn, Alice” we laughed out loud. Something was rather odd because Alice looked more annoyed than usual and she changed the topic right away. “Do you guys want to go to school or not? Its starting to snow heavily so we better get going” she said in annoyance. We dare not say anything else and off we went to school.

                School passed by rather fast during the winter maybe because everything is so cool. Even the most boring and dull subjects felt cool. I giggled at my own lame joke. “So what is the joke?” asked Bob distracted by me. “Nothing, just an inside joke of mine which will sound rather lame to you and it would be better not to tell you” I said as a matter of fact because Bob always laughed at my jokes and claims that they are lame. Alright, maybe he is slightly right, they are kind of lame but I would not say all the time.

                He looked at me with an eyebrow tilted up. “Spill it” he said. Just then, Alice came and joined in 

our conversation while Mrs. Potter is still teaching the history behind World War II in front not realizing the three of us are being distracted. “So what is going on with you two chatter box?” she asked, interested to know what was going on behind here. “Alright, here is the joke. You know how all the subjects we have especially World History is so utterly boring and dull? Well, I was just telling myself everything is so cool during winter including History. You get it? Cool?” I said followed by a slight laughter.

                Both of them looked at each other and they just shook their heads as though to say there is nothing they can do about this friend of theirs already. “Alright, it is lame. I know” I said rather embarrassed at myself too.  “Anyway, let us ignore our good friend’s lame joke and talk about something interesting. There is a new café down the road, about three blocks from here. You girls want to go there this evening to chill out? It will be cool. Get it? Chill out, cool?” said Bob in a funny tone which did sound funny. I laughed.

                It is always easy to make me laugh but I have no idea why I cannot do the same. On the other hand, Alice remained silent and deep in her own thoughts. I observed her for a while. Something is particular wrong with Alice these few days. She lost her usual bubbly personality. It was easier to make her laugh instead of me but both Bob and I have not heard any of her laughter for the longest time. Well, a few days are awfully long for us. “Alice, is anything the matter?” Bob asked before I did. So he noticed too. “No, I am fine. I cannot make it tonight so the both of you just go on without me” she said and we saw that she tried to force a smile.  

                The wind was blowing and it was ice cold on our face. Our jokes will now go from cool to freezing. “So it is just the both of us this evening. What do you feel like doing?” Bob asked after I managed to get myself out from my coat. I immediately ordered a cup of hot chocolate before answering him. “Actually, Bob I was thinking of something and it has been bugging me like an annoying bug or something” I told him frankly. He raised an eyebrow. Bob is always raising an eyebrow.

                “You mean about Alice?” he asked suddenly being very serious. Alright, so he is not just good at jokes but good at guessing as well or maybe it was so obvious that Alice has been behaving so weird lately that any five year old kid would have guessed it as well. I nodded. “Me too, she has been behaving very odd lately. Something is going on and she is not telling us about it” said Bob while the waitress placed two cup of hot chocolate in front of us.

                We took a sip at the rich and hot liquid and I felt my entire body being filled with warmth and happiness. I smiled and told Bob, “I can feel happiness entering my intestine”. He looked at me with his face painted red. I think he was preventing himself from bursting out in laughter. He swallowed it into his stomach and said calmly, “That is by far the lamest thing I have ever heard from you in this ten years”. I ignored his statement and reverted back to our original topic. “About Alice, what do you think is going on with her? I am worried, Bob” I said and it was the truth.

                I am awfully worried for Alice. Bob looked at me for a while and then he whispered to me slowly and carefully, “I think she is dating the principal’s son and both of them have been spending the entire winter together every evening”. I was taken aback by what he has just said. “Alice has been doing what? How did you find out?” I asked him, puzzled and confused. He adjusted his sitting position and leaned back slightly. “Well, I heard the principal has a son and I have been seeing her walking to the principal’s house quite often” Bob explained but I had a feeling he was spying on her.

                “You were spying on Alice were you not?” I questioned. He immediately had guilt plastered across his face. “Fine, I was spying on her but would you not spy on your best friend who has been acting like she lost her soul or something? Alright, here is the thing. I followed her that day while she was walking home from school and guess where she went? Yes, that is right she went all the way to the principal’s house, rang the doorbell and she went in. So how odd is that?” Bob said everything in such an instant, asked a question that I did not even answer and left me agog.

                I gathered everything he just said and recalled all the pieces of information I just gathered in my head. “You are rather slow, Mary” Bob teased. I threw him a glare. “Wait a minute, Bob. So are you trying to say our dear Alice is ditching us after she started dating the principal’s son which I never knew existed? Oh my goodness” I said. I finally understood what he just told me. He slammed his hand on his head. “You are by far the slowest person I have ever met” he said. “Fine, Bob you can laugh at me later but can we please go and check on Alice now? What if something goes wrong while the both of them is at home? What if they are at home alone?” I said, nervous.

                Bob stared at me wide eyed. “You thought what?” he asked in amazement. I blushed, “You can laugh at me again later but it is a possibility you know. An innocent young and absolutely gorgeous girl with a guy in his house is dangerous. It spells danger, Bob. Danger” I emphasized on the word danger. Bob looked at me for a while but I can read it in his expression that he is now worried as well so we agreed to be spies tonight and we are going to spy on our friend, Alice.

                It must be at least three degrees out here and I cannot help but to worry about my ear falling off. Bob and I stood behind a pine tree big enough to hide us from Alice’s sight. Here she is. She walked straight to the principal’s front door. I tried to see who opened the door for her to enter but this pine tree did more than it was supposed to do. “Bob, did you see who let her in the house?” I asked Bob, hoping he had seen this mysterious guy. “Nope, this pine tree is way too big” he said truthfully. “Well, it was your idea to find refugee behind this pine tree was it not?” I retorted, annoyed that neither of us saw that guy.

                “Come on” Bob said. “Do what?” I asked him. “Ring the bell, see who she is with and get some questions answered and if the guy annoys us then give him two black rings on each eye” Bob said pulling me with him. I tried to resist him and prevent us from doing anything rash but it was too late, we were already at the front door. The door bell sounds very weird. The door swung open immediately after Bob released his finger from the door bell. A middle aged woman was standing right in front of us. “Good evening children, may I help you?” she greeted us politely.

                We were puzzled but I managed to speak up. “Good evening, madam. Is Alice here?” I asked her politely. Bob remained silent, coward. The lady smiled and told us to wait for a while. Alice came running and her eyes were almost popping out when she saw the both of us standing at the front door. “Bob? Mary? What are you doing here?” she asked. I pointed to Bob and he pointed back to me. Bob then said, “Well, I was spying on you and saw you coming here every evening and I told Mary about it and Mary was afraid you are being tricked by the principal’s son and she was afraid that something dangerous could have happened to you and so we decided to come here tonight and find some answers to this whole puzzle of ours” he finished everything in one single breath and I do not know how he managed it.

                Alice remained silent for a while. Bob and I just stood there, still puzzled and confused. “My dear Mary and Bob the principal has a son but he is five years old. I am their baby sitter and that is why I cannot spend my evening the past few weeks with the both of you” she said. Wait a minute. What did I just hear from her? “How about the change in behavior, you have not been laughing like you always did for the past few weeks” asked Bob. “That is right. You behaved very weirdly” I chipped in. Alice hesitated for a while then she opened her mouth opened as wide as possible, baring her teeth to us which was the answer to all our questions, bright pink braces. I cannot believe my eyes and I turned to Bob. We looked at each other and burst into laughter.

1953 words

1 hour and 15 minutes

[Exceeded time limit but I cannot cut this story short so I just continued writing] 

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Not letting you go by, Amy Lim Su Yen

Section B: Continuous Writing

[50 marks]

Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics.

2. Write a story beginning with:

“I was lucky to be alive”

Not letting you go

By, Amy Lim Su Yen

“I was lucky to be alive” I told my mother although in my heart I know perfectly well that it has nothing to do with luck. My mother adjusted the pillow and she placed the blanket over me. “Yes, Laura. Luck and blessing was on your side” she agreed to my statement. I forced a smile at her because my heart was carrying a lot of guilt. I stared out the window for a while and watched the leaves falling from the huge tree outside.

Suddenly, I can hear Dr. Crawford’s voice coming from outside. He was saying something to the nurse before he entered the room. “Hello, Laura. How are you feeling today?” he greeted me warmly as soon as he entered the room. I forced another smile at him, “Great, doctor”. Ever since I woke up and answered questions such as how are you feeling today a thousand white lies has already been told. Every single time I answered great, fine, alright or similar I was in fact lying through the gap of my teeth.

“If you are feeling fine then that is absolutely swell. What do you think of going home, Laura?” the doctor asked me. I looked at him, excited a little. “You mean I can be discharged?” I asked him back. He nodded and that is by far the best thing I have heard from anyone so far. The doctor smiled, knowing that it is exactly the thing I was longing to hear from him. “You can go home this evening my dear but if you were to feel unwell anytime at anywhere you will have to come back immediately. Do you understand?” he said firmly.

I nodded and smiled, this time it was genuine. “Before I forget, Mrs. Brickfield may I have a little talk with you outside?” Dr. Crawford asked my mother. 

Both of them left the room, leaving me all alone. I can finally stop pretending for now since they are not around. I can stop pretending that I am happy to be alive. I can stop pretending that everything is fine. I can stop faking my smiles. I can just be myself now.

My mind drifted off to another place. I was thinking of that night. A night that I would rather forget but I do not think it will be possible to forget what has happened that night. Suddenly, my heart aches knowing that I am alive while he is still lying in bed at the emergency ward. Tears started to stream down at the side of my cheeks. I clenched both my fist together. I shut my eyes and life images of the incident flashed before me. 

Everything is so clear, as though it is all happening again.

“Are you ready to leave, Laura?” he asked me, peeping into the room. I turned to face him and smiled widely. “How do I look?” I asked him. His sea green eyes were just staring at me. “Tom? Earth calling to Tom, are you here?” I waved my hands in front of him. He swallowed something, most probably his saliva and smiled sheepishly. “I am just speechless” he answered me. “Is that supposed to be good or bad?” I asked.  He laughed, “Well, does it matter anyway? Nobody is going to care how you look like, right?” he teased.

I played along with him and pretended to be cross. “Fine then let us see if a silent treatment will change your mind” I said out loud. “Come on, Laura. Be a sport” Tom said but I just walked out the door silently. Both of us walked silently down the street, well that is because I am giving him the silent treatment. Tom whistled while we stopped in front of the pedestrian walk. The road was clear but it was not our turn to cross the road 

so we waited patiently.

My lips were sealed and I remained silent. “So what time do you think the party will finish tonight, Laura?” Tom asked, trying to get me to talk to him again. I pretended not to hear him. “Come on, Laura. You have ignored me as far as two blocks down this road already. Fine, you look stunning alright” he finally could not stand the silent treatment I was giving him. I smiled, “We finish at ten o’ clock tonight. Well, at least that is what the rest of the drama club informed me”.

He looked at me in the eyes and pinched my cheeks, “So you finally want to talk to me”. “Hey, it hurts” I protested. Just then, the lights turned green. I was going to cross the road. Suddenly, “Laura watch out” Tom shouted and he quickly wrapped me around his body at the speed of light. Then both of us were hit by something because we were being thrown forward. Everything else is nothing but a pitch black picture.

My bed is wet from my tears. It was my fault. I know it is and because of me he is lying in critical condition right now. I need to see him. My knees were injured slightly and insufficient to disable my walking abilities. No other part of me was injured, not even a scratch and no it has nothing to do with luck. It was Tom. Without Tom my parents will most probably be mourning over their dead daughter at a Christian cemetery now.

I walked to the Intensive Care Unit ward. My heart is beating as fast as the time that is ticking every second of our lives. His lower body was covered in gauze and both his legs in a cast. My hands covered my mouth, preventing me from crying out loud. I was about to enter then I realized his parents are inside. Their eyes were very red, most probably due to excessive crying. I stood silently at the side of the door.

“Tom, my baby” weep Mrs. Anderson. I watched her from outside. She is crying while sitting by Tom’s side. 

Mr. Anderson placed his hands on her shoulder and comforted her. “He will be alright, Susan. Our Tom is a strong and brave young lad” he assured her but his voice was breaking and I can see the fear he has in his eyes.  “It is all her fault. If it was not for Laura” said Mrs. Anderson. My knees weakened as tough losing its energy. “There, there Susan let us not blame anyone for what has happened. Everything will be alright, Tom will be alright. We do not want him to hear this. You know Tom likes Laura a lot and he will not blame her for it” Mr. Anderson told her.

“Yes but I blame her and I will not allow my son to see her ever again” those words she said was like a dagger piercing through my heart. I walked away from the ward as fast as I could. She is right, absolutely right. It was my fault that all this has happened to him and even if he does recover nothing will be the same again. I will avoid him if it makes things better for the both of us. I promise not to see him again nor talk to him again. I am just a bad omen for Tom. I know I am.

It has been three years since that incident happened. Three years I have tried my best to avoid seeing Tom. I avoided studying the same subjects as he does. I gave up all my favourite subjects because they are the same as his. I stopped attending drama club activities so that Tom could continue after he came back to school. I tried my best to give back to him even though I know I will not be able to repay him the leg he lost. I will never be able to take his place and live my life with a piece metal as my left leg.

“Look at me Laura. Look at me and tell me you do not want to see me again” Tom said and I came back to reality. I stare at him in the eyes and tears were streaming down my face. “Why, Tom? Why are you here? Why must you enter History class? You know you hate History and why are you in here with me?” I asked him while both of us are sitting on the school’s sick bay, facing each other. “I am here because I want to know you hate me and that is the reason why you have been avoiding me for the past three years ever since that incident happened. Tell me the truth, Laura. Do you hate me? Is it because of my leg?” he asked me.

“No Tom, I do not hate you but it is best for us not to talk or see each other. I am the cause of what happened to you and I do not want anything else to happen again” I said, my voice shaking. Tom wiped the tears away from my eyes and whispered to me, “I want to be with you Laura. Please, stop avoiding me. It hurts my heart to see you suffer like this”. “I am not suffering. I am fine” I lied. “You are a bad liar, Laura. Do you think every time you were looking at me secretly at the hall way I was not aware of it? You think I do not know that you stop studying all your favourite subjects because of me? Not to mention the drama club activities that you are missing. You wanted to become the best theater arts performer did you not? You promised me that the both of us would be the best performers in history. What happened to that promise?” Tom said and his voice was shaking as well.

“I am sorry, Tom but……”Tom interrupted me before I finished my sentence. “No more excuses, Laura. Please, I will not let go off you again. That day I held on to you is because I do not want to lose you and I was not letting you go and neither would I now because I am lucky to be alive” he whispered into my ears. I hugged him tightly not letting go of him either. Those words he just said has filled the emptiness of my heart all this while. Tom is right we should appreciate the luck we have with each other.  We are both lucky. “Lucky to be alive”

1789 words

One hour

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A sheet of paper by, Amy Lim Su Yen

Section B: Continuous Writing

[50 marks]

Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics.

2. Write a story beginning with:

“My mind went blank. The only thing I could remember…….”

A sheet of paper

By, Amy Lim Su Yen

My mind went blank. The only thing I could remember is the rain that was falling that night. It was raining cats and dogs but that is the only thing I could remember. I can remember the wetness, dampness and darkness that night. I searched my mind for further details but it feels as though there is a huge wall blocking my way. My head is starting to hurt as I tried to find the answers to these missing fragments of my memory.

The doctor has his gaze on me, waiting for my answer. “Have you remembered what happened that night, Amanda?” he asked me again. I could not give him the answer. My mind is absolutely blank. There is no trace of what happened that night in the chamber of my memory. As a matter of fact, I do not know how I ended up lying on this hospital bed with one of my legs in a cast.

Doctor Benjamin waited patiently for me to speak again. “I cannot remember, doctor. I really cannot remember anything that happened that night. My head hurts trying to remember it” I told him slowly and softly. My energy is still at a minimum level ever since I woke up this morning. Mother told me I was a sleep for three days now while on a tube.

I clenched my fist together, squeezing the ironed white bed sheet. Now my head is spinning and I can feel my heart pulsating. My breathing is starting to become heavy and I found myself gasping for air. The doctor placed both his hands on my shoulder and said out loud to me, “It is alright, Amanda. Calm down, breath slowly. Listen to me, Amanda. Breathe in, breathe out”. I took a deep breath in and then let it out slowly.

I relaxed a little and so did Dr. Benjamin.  “Everything is going to be fine, Amanda. Just rest for now and things will get better. Your memory will come back to you. Even if it does not, some things are meant to be forgotten. Maybe it will be better if you do not remember what happened that night, dear. Just relax yourself and focus on recovering” he said to me in a tone that makes one relaxed. I nodded slightly but I still want to know what happened that night.

“Do you know what happened that night, doctor? Can you tell me?” I asked him directly. He kept quiet for a moment as though to battle on whether or not to tell me the truth. I can see it in his eyes that he is reluctant to tell me something that he knows that I do not know. I looked at him in the eyes. “Please tell me, doctor. I want to know. It will make me feel better to understand the truth” I begged him to tell me.He held up his clipboard and pretended to flip the papers attached. “Please Dr. Benjamin. Please tell me” I pleaded again. 

The clipboard was dropped to his side. He looked and me and let out a huge sigh. “Amanda….” He hesitated. I locked my gaze at his, waiting for his explanation. “Alright, I only know a bit of information and not exactly the whole details of the incident. Three nights ago, it was raining and you were brought into the emergency ward along with another young lad. He is in another ward, one floor above us. Your mother told me an accident happened that night and both of you were involved. That is all I know” he looked away after he finished his sentence.

I stared into space for a while. Another person was brought in with me that night? I began to search through my mind again. Nothing, I cannot remember anything. My mind is as blank as a sheet of white paper. I was going short on breath again. “Stop, Amanda. Stop forcing yourself. Amanda, do you hear me?” Dr. Benjamin held me in place again, trying to calm me down. I breathe in and out slowly. “I can hear you doctor” I assured him. He looks as pale as a ghost. I am in a better colour compared to him.

Dr. Benjamin shrugged, “Please stop forcing yourself Amanda. If I get a heart attack then who would be here to make sure you are well enough to leave this place in one whole piece?” I smiled, “Sorry, doctor. I will stop thinking of it. I promise you”. He nodded and got up, looking at his watch and then he called the nurse in charge of me. She appeared at the door in split seconds. “You need me?” the woman dressed in a nurse uniform with a nametag that says Emily pinned on her pocket answered.

“Yes, Emily. Please take care of Amanda for me until I return this evening to check on her progress. Make sure she does not think too much and get enough rest, alright?” the doctor instructed her but he said in such a manner that it did not seem like an instruction. He has his own way of making everyone feel at ease so that we would listen to him. As though he has some sort of magic power in him or something like that.

Emily nodded and Dr. Benjamin went off. He reminded me to not think of anything even before he left. The clock was ticking so slowly and I just stared at it until finally I could stand it no more. I shift my attention away from the bright yellow, flower wall clock to look at Emily who is now changing the water in the drinking jug on the table next to my bed. “Emily is it? Can I call you Emily?” I asked her politely. She stopped what she was doing and smiled at me.

“Yes dear, you can call me Emily” she replied. I returned her a smile. It is so boring in here if I do not do anything soon I think I will go berserk. I looked at Emily with a sparkle in my eye. “Emily, is it possible for me to go around the hospital just for a while? Maybe just a floor above us would do. Please” I asked her nicely. I can see the same expression of hesitation the doctor had from her. I continued to look at her with a pleading face. “You cannot walk my dear” she reminded me. I pointed to the wheel chair by the window. She gave in to me.

Every room we passed by looked about the same to me. They were some that has its curtains not drawn and I could see the other patients inside. Some of them were talking to their family members but most of them were fast asleep. Emily continued to push me across the ward and I did not forget my purpose of asking her to bring me to this floor. I need to answer the missing pieces to the puzzle in my head. Who is this guy Dr. Benjamin was referring to? I need to find out.

Each window we passed by was one step closer to answering my questions. We almost reach the end of the ward when suddenly I saw someone I know. “Stop” I said in an instant. Emily stopped immediately and I almost fell out of the wheel chair due to inertia. I leaned slightly forward to the window and looked carefully at the first patient in the room. My heart nearly stopped. Almost half of his lower body was wrapped up in gauze and instead of one cast he has two for both his legs. “Peter” I gasped.

It must be him. It is Peter. What happened to him? Was he the one with me? I want to see him. “Emily, can I go in?” I looked up at her. She nodded without thinking twice. My conscience tells me that she knows something that I do not know. We were about to enter the room but suddenly I heard someone screaming my name. Before I know it, that person was grabbing my shoulders tightly. “Amanda” that person screamed in front of me.

It took me a while to figure out that the person is Peter’s father. He was squeezing my shoulders so tightly it hurts. “Uncle Anderson, stop it. It hurts” I said out loud and tears were streaming out from the corner of my eyes. Emily was trying to calm him down and shoved him away from me as he continued to scream my name out loud. He also said something to me but I was in such confusion I could not put together what he was telling me.

My vision started to blur in this state of confusion. Slowly, I find myself losing focus of everything. “Amanda, hang on. Amanda stay with me” someone that sounds like Dr. Benjamin called out to me but I was so tired I fell asleep………………….

1, 537 words

One hour.

[Another cliff hanger. I need to practice my timing again before my exam on Tuesday. BM is even worse. I am having a writer's block for BM essay]

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I am so glad to see you by, Amy Lim Su Yen

Section B: Continuous Writing

[50 marks]

Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics.

2. Write a story beginning with:

“I am so glad to see you”


I am so glad to see you 
by, Amy Lim Su Yen

“I am so glad to see you” whispered my heart as he walked past me in the hall. I took a glance at him once more before he disappeared from my sight. It has been the same every single day for the past 10 years. He has changed from a height of four feet tall to almost approximately six feet tall. His blonde hair has turned to a slight shade of honey gold colour. His voice has changed to an octave deeper. Most of all, those blue eyes of his, has never changed.

My heart hurts to know that our distance is so near yet so far apart. My heart yearns to undo what has happened between us but I can never bring myself to do it. If only it had not happened or if I had enough courage to forgive myself for what had happened. Sometimes I still shed a tear when I recall that incident that took place.

 It was that incident at this very same school hall, five years ago. The image flashed into my mind, I can never forget that day. I was at my locker when suddenly, “Hey, Amanda. Are you going to the celebration party later?” asked Peter as he closes his locker.

It did not ring any bell in my head. What celebration party is he talking about? I thought hard for a while. “You forgot did you?” he asked me catching sight of my long gaze into space. I nodded in embarrassment, it is very unlikely for me to forget anything especially if it is something to do with my friends. “I am so sorry but what celebration party?” I asked Peter. He looked at me in the eyes. My heart was beating as fast as the clock can tick. It is always very odd when this happens.

“Peter? Did you hear my question, Peter?” I shook him a bit. Peter jutted as though he was in a dream. “Yes, yes the party. We are celebrating our drama clubs first anniversary tonight remember? At the Pop Cafe three blocks down the road” he told me as a matter of fact. “Right, right, it slipped my mind. What time is it again?” not only did it slip my mind. In fact I do not have any details of it in my memory at all.

Peter held his watch up, “Well, now its four o’ clock and the party starts at around six o’ clock. Do you want to come over to my house instead of heading home? It is rather far from your house you know”. He is right. The Pop Café is only three blocks away from school but if I were to go home first and then go all the way back to the Pop Café it will take me a slightly longer time. “Alright then, if you do not mind bringing such a hassle home then thank you” I smiled.

“It is a whole lot of trouble to bring you home you know. So, perhaps a treat tomorrow morning would make up for it” he teased. “Come on, Peter. Let us get going before the janitor starts to chase us out from the school hall. You do know he has quite a temper” I urged as I can hear Mr. Potter approaching us. “We better hurry then” Peter walked off immediately and I trailed off behind him.

I winced at the bitter sweet memory. If only I did not agree to follow him home. It was a decision I regret making. Unfortunately, I cannot turn back the time passed and take back that decision of mine. If only I could. Just then, the bell rang. I grabbed my History text book and headed for class.

Everyone was talking to each other before Ms. Adeline comes to class. I sat alone, reading my History books and blocking the noise out from my ears. Suddenly, the whole class became dead silent as she entered and slammed her books down onto the table. “Good morning, class” her sharp voice greeted us. “I am glad you are all ready to start our class. Now before we start we have a new classmate joining us for a fun History lesson from today onwards” she announced to us while everyone had the ears opened and eyes glued to the front.

 I admire the confidence Ms. Adeline has and the courage embedded in her. When she first arrived in our school as a practical teacher everyone in class bullied her. There were countless times she found pins on her chair and rubber spiders under her desk. However, one day she stood up in front of the entire class and vowed to come back as a different teacher the day after and she did. She came back filed with confidence in herself and of course a whole lot scarier as well and it was enough to make the boys in class listen to her.

“Alright class, please welcome Mr. Peter Anderson for joining us” I was brought back to reality as soon as I heard those words. 

My ears must be failing me.  Did she just say Peter Anderson? Peter Anderson? I watched the boy entering the door and it was not mistake. It is Peter, the only Peter I ever knew. “Good morning Ms. Adeline” he greeted her with respect. She gave him a firm nod and signaled him to the sit behind me. “You can take your seat Mr. Peter and class should commence. Come on, hurry up. You can sit behind Ms. Amanda, the seat is empty” she made it loud and clear.

If there was a hole right now then you will find me in it. Of all seats the one right behind me has to be empty. He walked past me and sat down. Our eyes did not meet, I avoided him as usual. “You are a coward” I whispered to myself.  History lesson was long, it was very long and every second passed by slower than a snail could move. It was as though sitting in front of your parents and listening to them lecture about boys but then again, nothing can be longer than lying in the hospital bed and starring at the ceiling for four months.

I can feel my heart pulsating thinking of it and for the fact that he is sitting behind me did not make things very much easier for me. “Ms. Amanda. Ms. Amanda, can you hear me?” Ms. Adeline alerted me. “Can you please stand up and tell the class what you think of the statement made by Confucius” she asked. I nodded, I stood up and just before I could say anything everything was spinning around me and then everything was black.

Everything was pitched black. Where am I? Where is this place? I see someone in front of me, someone very familiar. “Peter? Peter is that you?” I called out. No answer. He is running away from me, leaving me alone. “Wait, Peter. Peter!” I screamed out to him. “Peter!” I flung myself forward and there was light. I scanned my surrounding. I am at the nursing room. “Yes, you called me?” a warm voice asked. Then I realized he is sitting right in front of me. Peter.

My heart is beating fast again. What is he doing here? My head was fixed down, avoiding his gaze. I can feel 

him coming closer to me. “Look at me Amanda” he is right in front of me, a small distance apart. “Why would you not look at me? Look at me Amanda” he asked again. Tears started to fall. “I do not want to” I said out loud. “You are a liar. You are a very bad liar” he said. I lift my head and look right into his eyes. His eyes were warm but filled with sadness. It was not the same eyes I remembered them to be.

“Your eyes, they are not the same. They are, sad” I said softly. He stared at me. “It became like that ever since that incident, Amanda” he said to me and both of us locked our gaze in place. It was that incident……

 1400 words.

One hour.

 [I did not have time to finish the story I had plotted out in my head so I ended it as a cliff hanger. An hour is not enough T_T]

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Just a little scratch

English 1119 Paper. Write a story with the ending, thank goodness I was alright. This is one of my most unsatisfying stories. I was sort of having a block when I was writing it. Hopefully, it does not happen on exam day.  I realized that there are a lot of mistakes after I wrote the essay finish but I don't feel like correcting them. :P

Just a little scratch,

by Amy Lim Su Yen

“Hurry up Emily or we will be late” my mother urged while my toast was only half way into my mouth.  “Hurry up Alice, hurry up. You are as slow as a snail” bickered my annoying brother who behaves younger than his age. He pretended to move as slow as snail. “You are so annoying, Tom” I said to him. He showed me his tongue. I was going to say something when mother finally lost her patience and pulled me away from the dining table.  “Wait mother. I have not finished my toast yet” I pleaded. “You can bring the toast along with you but we are going to be very late” she said still pulling me away. I quickly grabbed the whole loaf of bread and chucked it into my red sling bag.

Father just peeped in from the front door. “Are you all done? The sun is rising already” he asked. “Coming dear” mother answered politely, just like she always does. Tom sat on the left side again. He knew perfectly well I always have to sit on the left side of the car and he seems to enjoy annoying me all the time. “Father, Tom is being annoying again. He knows I have to sit on the left side of the car” I said to my father who just adjusted his rear mirror. “Tom, switch with your sister and hurry up we have to get going already” he said sternly and Tom moved immediately. 

I carefully lift my left leg to the other side while Tom climbed behind me to move to the right. Next time he sits on the left I will use my walking stick to hit him. Just to teach him a lesson. “You are so troublesome, sister” he said while I put on my seat belt. Is it me or he just wants to test my patience? Anyway, I ignored his comments and plugged my ear plugs on. It is going to be a long journey to the rural area. 

The kids are playing in the field again. “They missed” I whispered to myself as the ball missed by just a feet distance from the goal. I continue to watch them as they kicked the ball to one another. All of them laughing as they played. I watched in envy. They missed again. My eyes followed the ball and it was coming in my direction. I picked the spherical object up and they shouted across the field to me, “Hey, come on. Kick the ball back” I wanted to.

I wished I could but I could not. It is so unfair. The boy, I think he was the captain ran swiftly to me. “Hey, I think that is our ball” he said pointing to the ball in my hands. I handed him the ball straight away. He took it and looked at me for a while. “You want to join us?” he asked in a friendly manner. I shook my head. “Alright then, see you around” he ran off and joined the others.

I tried to move to follow him from behind but I cannot do it. I just cannot. “Wake up Emily. Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up” I jerked. It was just another childhood memory I always seem to dream of these days. “Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up” Tom continued to chant next to my ear. “I am awake Tom so quit repeating yourself” I shoved him away from me.

He came nearer, looking at my eyes. “Is that tears?” he asked looking hard at me.  I wiped my eyes with my fingers and they were wet. Nothing can be more embarrassing than this right now. I kept quiet, not answering him and just withdraw, leaving me alone. “A nightmare, dear?” mother asked, alerted by our conversation. “Not really, just another dream” I answered quickly followed by another question to avoid being asked details. “Are we there yet?” I asked father. “Not yet, Emily we should be there in another hour or so. Should I stop at a nearby rest station before we continue?” he asked all of us.  “No father, let us get there quickly” Tom begged.

He was so excited to meet the rural area people. He even did a thorough research on them before this trip. He made sure he was well prepared to visit them. “Yes father, I need to use the washroom” I said before we missed the turning to the rest station.  Tom sighed in frustration, “Troublesome” he whispered to himself, loud enough for me to hear. 

The rest station was packed with other people. They must be on their way to some holiday destination nearby. Only we would want to go elsewhere such as the rural area on a holiday. Father parked his car next to a lorry carrying timber. I was about to say out loud that some people just does not care about the environment but I figured not to if I want to keep Tom quiet. “Wait for me Emily. I will help you out the car” my mother said to me while she opens her car door. “It is alright mother. I can manage it” I slowly lift my left leg and place it out of the side of the car then only I stepped myself out.

It is a one step at a time thing which I have learned to accustom to. “Alright, everyone do what you need to do and be back at the car in 10 minutes time” father said. “Emily, your father and I will go and get some mineral water at the store. Meet us at the car alright dear? Be careful. Do you need your brother to follow you?” she asked. I looked at him and looked back at me. “No. I will be fine without him” I replied but mother stared at Tom as though to say it was not a question but rather command.

Tom surrendered and pulled my hand, “Come on, get moving or you will take forever to get to the washroom”. He was pulling me so fast it was hard to move my walking stick as the ground was uneven. “Slow down Tom I cannot move that fast” I screamed at him. His slowed down his pace. “Sorry” he said. I kept quiet. It was an awkward moment between us both. We rarely talk to each other in a proper manner which I have no clue why.

Just as we were reaching the rest room a loud screeching noise can be heard and it was so loud that my ears hurt. It all happened so fast because I had no time to think and the next thing I know is Tom and I were on the ground. My eyes blurred from the smoke around us. My vision cleared and in front of us is a motorist thrown not far from his motorbike. 

Tom got up on his feet and immediately held me in his arms. “Are you alright? Are you hurt? Can you hear me, Emily?” he is panicking. I looked at him then at myself and I think everything is fine as I am still in confusion. Tom calmed down a little and he slowly helped me up. I noticed the blood on Tom’s legs, “Tom, your legs. It is bleeding”. I started to cry.

He must have hurt himself while trying to avoid us away from the motorbike that was approaching just now.  “I am fine, Emily. Do not cry. It is alright. Just a little scratch” he assured me. We sat down for a while and an ambulance came soon enough.

Father and mother were exasperated at what happened. They were asking the first aiders to assist to us after they had brought the motorist into the ambulance. Tom was giving a statement to the police officers. I was just watching them quietly. I cannot shift my gaze away from the motorbike. I hope the motorist is fine.  

We did not reach our destination that day. Neither did the motorist but he survive the accident. Tom had bruises on his knees but it healed quickly. I still get nightmares. However, not of my childhood memories anymore but rather the incident that happened that day. It has left quite a big impact on me and I still break a cold sweat every now and then thinking of it but at least I can tell myself, “Thank goodness I was alright”.

 1600 words.

1 hour.

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Sweet Potatoes, by Amy Lim Su Yen

Section B: Continuous Writing

[50 marks]

2. Write a story ending with:

                “……it made me realize the importance of love in our lives”

“If you look to your right, you will be able to witness one of the most marvelous man made structure in the world” our tour guide said in a loud and clear voice. I looked at the structure on my right in amazement, mesmerized by its magnificence. However, at the same time I imagine the blood spilt to make this possible. I picture the torture and pain the Chinese has gone through to build this wonder of the world.

“Amanda, amazing is it not? I never thought the Great Wall of Chine will be this breathtaking. Come on, let us climb it” Harry said in excitement. I looked at the great wall again and I cannot help but to think about the number of people sacrificed to make it possible. Harry starred at me, waiting for an answer. “You go ahead. I want to stay down here. Wave to me when you reach the top” I smiled half heartedly.

He looked into my eyes as though to seek for an answer to his curiosity. “You seem odd today. Anyway, wait for me here. I will just take a while to climb the Great Wall of China. After all, I am quite an athlete myself” he praised himself. “Sure you are, Harry. Go on, the rest of the tour is leaving you behind. I will wait around here. Meet me at the tour bus when all of you are done climbing the magnificent wall” I emphasized on the word wall.

Harry smiled and trailed off behind the tour group heading towards the stairs of the Great Wall of China. I looked around me and an extreme number of tourists are around. All of them flashing their cameras and eating sweet potatoes. Do I see people eating sweet potatoes? My stomach growled looking at the steaming hot sweet potatoes they are eating. I can tell it is steaming hot judging by the white smoke coming from it.

My nose cannot resist the sweet aroma from the sweet potatoes. I scanned the whole place and tried to find the source to these mouth watering looking sweet potatoes. After a few minutes, my eyes caught sight of a very long line next to a souvenir stall. My feet automatically moved towards to the crowd. The sweet smell of hot piping sweet potatoes grew stronger and stronger. It is as though the smell is dancing around my nose.

“Excuse me is this the line to buy some sweet potatoes?” I asked a lady in front of me. However, she did not look like a tourist but more of a local. She smiled and mumbled something in Chinese which I did not really understand. Actually, I did not understand a single word she just told me. I as lost at words not understanding her and she gave up explaining things to me and reverted to focus on the line.

I was about to walk away but an elderly Chinese man came and greeted me with the warmest smile this winter. He greeted me in fluent English. “Good morning, miss. Want to buy some sweet potatoes? Just wait in line, its normal and I guarantee it will be worth the wait. You will not regret trying the sweet potatoes” he smiled. “Is it that impressive? The line is extremely long” I asked him, puzzled. His smile did not fade and it is still there, plastered on his wrinkled face. I felt a warm aura coming from him. “Just try it for yourself and tell me what you think of it” he replied me.

Just as they say, curiosity kills the cat. I am hungry as well and Harry is definitely not an athletic person so I might as well kill time and assist to my growling stomach. The line was getting shorter and I waited patiently to get my hands on some sweet potatoes. After approximately 20 minutes it was my turn. The Chinese lady in front of me bought about ten sweet potatoes. I am shocked when I see a little girl selling the sweet potatoes. She is at least around the age of twelve. She is so skinny her bones are protruding from under her skin.

“May I have two sweet potatoes please” I said pointing at the sweet potatoes and lifting two fingers up to her. Just in case she does not understand me. She smiled and nodded her head. There were about twenty sweet potatoes left in the basket and at least double the people in line behind me. She handed me the sweet potatoes and asked for 2 RMB. I handed her the notes carefully as I was afraid to hurt her small fragile hands. She smiled and said thank you.

I walked to the side and then I noticed she started to pack her things and everyone who waited behind me left. What happened? There were still sweet potatoes left so why did everyone just leave? “It is time to go home” the friendly Chinese man answered me. It’s a bit scary how he seemed to know the questions I asked in my head. “How did you know…..never mind. What do you mean it is time to go home? There were still potatoes left and waited so long in line” I asked my questions out loud this time.

He smiled and starred at the little girl as he answered me “It is time to go home and feed her family. They are waiting for her”.  He continued to explain to me her story. Droplets of water welled up in my eyes after I heard his explanation. I found myself starring at her as well after she finished counting the money she collected today. She picked up her basket of sweet potatoes and started to walk off. I want to follow her, just to see where she leaves.

My heart told me to follow her but I was reluctant. I was hesitant. “Go on, follow her. You will learn something about life” the old man said. I was about to think he can hear my inner thoughts. It was upright scary. Nevertheless, I nodded and thanked him.  The little girl was already at quite a distance from me so I hurried off to trail her. Lucky for me, I am opposite of Harry. I am the runner for my school and state.

As I followed her out of the Great Wall attraction place his words linger at the top of my mind. “She is the eldest of five siblings. Her mother was crippled after an accident at the factory. Every day, this little girl we call Xin Kai will sell the sweet potatoes here”. She walks rather fast and we reached a small village away from the local attractions. “Her family waits for her every day. They will wait for her to come home. The sweet potatoes she did not sell will be their meal for the day” his words remained in my thoughts.

Xin Kai walked into a small old and rundown house which looked more like a shack to me. I hid at the side of the house as she entered the front door. Suddenly, I heard screams of laughter coming from inside. I peeped through the window and my heart was melted. Inside, were five really small kids ranging from age three to nine year old. They had three beds, a round wooden table, five chairs and a small kitchen.

All five of them sat eagerly at the round wooden table while I see a woman lying in bed which I presume is their mother. Xin Kai smiled and gave them each the sweet potatoes she brought home with her. I watched them laugh and eat together. They have little, close to nothing but they were happy. I stood there for quite some time until I realized Harry might be waiting for me so I decided to take one last look at them before I leave.

My heart was filled with admiration. I ran back to the tour bus with the image of Xin Kai and her family in my head. Harry crossed his arm in front of him like a teacher waiting to punish his students and gave me a smirk on his face. “So you better have a reason for making the whole tour wait half an hour for you, Amanda” he said as I approached him. I hugged him tightly. He was taken aback. “Here you go, sweet potatoes” I pulled myself away from him and handed him the sweet potatoes I bought earlier on.

He just took it silently, most probably still stunned at my hug. The old man waved to me from his small stall as I sat at the window in the bus. He still scares me but that smile and the friendliness is more than enough to surpass this fear I have. I waved good bye. I might come back to this place again. Who knows, time will tell. My mind wonders off somewhere. I can hear the laughter from Xin Kai and her siblings in my ears. “Hey, snap out of it. Amanda!” Harry nudged me.

“Yes?” I asked, coming back to reality. “Where did you buy these sweet potatoes from? It is really good” he said while eating. I looked at him and smiled. “I bought them just now, from a little girl called Xin Kai”. A girl with almost nothing but still goes home to a happy family every day. A girl who has five siblings waiting for her at home, laughing and eating together. She has nothing but love for her family. I smiled at the fresh memory still at the tip of my thoughts.

This trip will never be forgotten. It made me realize the importance of love in our lives.

[1658 words]

1 hour

Written by, Amy Lim Su Yen

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Article: Take just ONE and congratulations you are installing cancer

First of all, let me assure you that it takes just one cigarette and you are on your way to your death bed. Smoking is more hazardous than anything else in this world. Of course, unless you decide to jump off the building or pull a gun to your head then that is an immediate death but smoking is different. It develops slowly, the negative effects gather itself without you realizing it until one day it hits you like a thunder struck. Everything about smoking leads to one thing which is death. Every part of the world tells you the same thing about smoking, DEATH. No matter what language you speak it will translate smoking to one word, DEATH.

If smoking leads to nothing else but death why do people still want to put this tiny little deceiving cigarette into their mouths? First of all, the most common reason for doing such a foolish act is CURIOSITY. Just imagine yourself, young, naive and plain dumb. All your other so called cool friends are smoking and you wonder what is it like. Everyday, you hear of it, you see it from other smokers and you smell it. The CURIOSITY just starts to build up in you until one day you cannot hold it any longer and then you decide that one tiny cigarette will not do you any harm so you give it a try, just ONE.

Little did you know that one cigarette leads to another and another. It becomes a regular habit, then it evolves into a craving and then it becomes an addiction. So congratulations you have just started to install cancer into yourself. Therefore, never give in to your curiosity when it comes to smoking. Ever heard of, 'Curiosity kills the cat'? For your information, in this case its not curiosity kills the cat but rather, 'CURIOSITY KILLS YOU'.

Well obviously there are more than one reason as to why people start smoking but non of it valid. You want to smoke because of stress? You want to smoke because you are bored? You want to smoke because its a trend? You want to smoke because you just want to? My last question is, are you out of your mind? Stress is not the reason to start smoking. If you are bored, go do something productive with your life. Even if you waste your time on something unproductive it does not matter as long as you do not reach out for a cigarette because of your boredom. If you want to smoke because you just want to then no one can help you because you are in control of you.

However, if you choose to smoke you are not only foolish but selfish. Selfish because when you smoke the people around you suffer a worse fate than you will. The people you love, your mother, father, siblings and friends will be pulled into a worse fate than you would. When you smoke you are an active smoker and the people around you are passive smokers. Unfortunately, the possibility of death for passive smokers is higher and faster than active smokers. The amount of smoke that you inhale is doubled for passive smokers. So just remember this, when you smoke you not only kill yourself but the people around you especially your loved ones.

Next on, if you are a pregnant smoker than you are not just selfish but heartless. If you do not know by now, smoking will cause premature birth. Your baby will suffer because of you. Your supposed to be perfect baby with complete body parts is now ruined because of you. You smoke but your baby is suffering because of it. Your beautiful baby girl or boy who has not even know what smoking is has already been affected by it. Worst of all, some babies do not even get to see the world because of the selfish act of some very irresponsible mothers. Selfish and heartless complex organism and you call yourself a human being.

Fortunately, smoking is not an immediate death sentence. Its never too late to regret and start a new beginning. You can still stop smoking now and your life might just be spared. However, it takes a lot of determination, strong will and support to successfully forget about your addiction. There are many smokers who has conquer their addiction and banish smoking from their life. You too can do it. If you think you can, you can. Ask for help from your family members, from doctors or even experts. Do research, read articles and even ask other smokers who has stopped smoking. Search the internet for rehabilitation centres. Others will help you if you want to help yourself.

Pictures credits as tagged.
Article: Take just ONE and congratulations you are installing cancer written by Amy Lim Su Yen.

[Blogging and practicing my writing skills for my English 1119 SPM paper as well, its like killing two birds with one stone]

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Short story: Rainbow promise

An incident in the news inspired me to write this story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

"Stay on the ground" he yelled at the top of his lungs as he aimed his death threatening weapon at us. My three year old brother held me tight and I could feel him shivering in fear. In front of me is an elderly couple, both of them calm and their hands were holding each other. He fired a bullet at the blue aluminum that is on top of our heads. A women dressed in red was screaming. "Quiet" he warned the women. She immediately hid herself behind the front passenger seats.

I prayed that all this will come to an end right now. All we wanted was a nice holiday to draw ourselves away from the busy city life. The sound of glass shattering screeched in our ears, a window just broke into a million pieces. “Surrender yourself and let the hostages go this instance” the police exclaimed to him. The eighteen of us just remained as silent as a mouse, listening to their negotiations. In our hearts, we just wanted to leave this bus safely.

He or rather if I am not mistaken, John pulled a boy from behind to his side as he revealed himself to the outside world. I recognize the boy. He always sat next to our table during breakfast at the hotel. A decent boy, very polite and well brought up by his single mother. His mother called him Ah Boy and they came on this trip to celebrate his success for getting accepted into one of the most prestigious university in China.

My attention was brought back to reality. “I want my job back, give it back to me and I will not hurt anyone” John demanded. My brother covered his eyes and ears. I can see string of tears streaming down his crimson red cheeks. I whispered into his ear, “It is okay dear. The police will get us out soon”. My hands wrapped around him tightly. I will protect my brother with all my life. However, my heart beat is faster compared to the time ticking past at this moment. I turned my attention to John, he does not look like any harm at all. He looked to me as a very desperate and devastated man.

He yelled at the police again, “I did not do anything wrong so just give me my job back”. As John continued to reason with the police I noticed Mr. Tan and his wife creeping out the back door. They moved very slowly with caution, one step at a time. My father waved his hand at their direction trying to signal to them not to move anymore.

They ignored my father’s warning and just as Mr. Tan managed to escape he knocked over a glass bottle that was on the floor of the bus. John swings his head back and his eyes glared in rage. “Where are you going?” he shouted. At the speed of light, Mr. Tan grabbed his wife’s hand and tried to jump out of the door.  John fired a bullet at their direction but it went off target.

The police heard his gunshot and they tried to come closer to arrest the situation but John knew their tactics well. He pointed his gun perpendicular to Ah Boy’s head. They stopped immediately and went into stand by position again. Mr. Tan fainted after the gun was fired and his wife was wrapping her arms around him tightly. In my opinion, she is a calm and brave woman who is able to switch roles during such a critical time.

I can feel my blood boiling in my veins knowing that the police was trying to buy time and negotiate with John. Is it not more sensible to agree with his conditions just to get us out of danger? Even if they do not want to surrender to John’s demands then at least just lie for our sake and they can settle it later after we have been released.

I clench my fist thinking of their inconsideration. My mother sensed my anger and frustrations. She held my hand to tell me that everything will be fine. Suddenly, John fired another bullet and fortunately not at Ah Boy but at one of the police officers that tried to enter the bus. The police fell to the ground as the bullet hit him right at the forehead and he died and immediate death.

John knew he reached the point of no return as he stared at the lifeless body in front of him. All of us gasp in horror and we wondered if we will suffer the same fate. Droplets of water formed in his eyes. I looked at John and felt the presence of grief in him. Out of the sudden, the whole bus went crazy. They were afraid that they will be next. My father warned them not to do anything rash and remain silent but nobody was sane enough to listen.

I hugged Wen Hang tighter and I look straight into John’s eyes. His eyes showed great confusion and he was stunned. However, as soon as he realized everyone was hysteric and trying to escape he turned into a monster. He let out a huge laugh and started to fire bullets at us with no mercy. My brother cried out loud and the whole bus was out of control.

I moved myself in front of my brother and shield his body with mine. I shut my eyes as I prayed to the Lord. In split seconds, I felt something penetrating into my left leg and I screamed in pain. The pain is unbearable but it did not matter as long as it was I and not Wen Hang. Half conscious, I felt someone wrapping himself around the both of us. It was my father. He used himself as a human shield to protect us.

Everything happened so fast. The police managed to bring John down with one shot at his left shoulder. I screamed simultaneously at that time but not because of John. Another bullet that was fired by a police hit my father right at his chest. My father collapsed in front of me.

If there is one thing that I wish to change it will be the decision to come on this trip. My head is numb at thoughts, my body unresponsive and my emotions scattered into a deep hole of darkness. The rescue team came to our aid. I watched them carry my father out in a stretcher with white linen over his body.

I shut my eyes for a while, taking deep breaths and recalling what had just happened. We were on a trip of my choice as my reward for scoring high distinction for mastering my Er Hu. One fine day, during our tour around the city a stranger held us captive in our bus and after 12 hours of fear everything ended in bloodshed.  Tears started streaming down from my eyes, tears of grief.

I winced at my flashback and my thoughts wandered out the window. Someone knocked on the door and entered the room. 

My brother ran next to my ward’s bed while my mother trailed behind him. “Jie jie, how are you?” he asked me softly, putting his hand on my hands. I stroke his hair gently and replied him, “Fine my dear”. My mother helped me settle into my wheel chair as I am given permission to discharge from the hospital and catch a flight back home today.

We walked along a beautiful pathway and just as we were about to enter the cab, I noticed a rainbow. I smiled as I admire how beautiful the rainbow is. My mother rested her hands on my shoulder and Wen Hang held my hands as the three of us looked at the rainbow for a while. Everything will be alright now. I know it will be alright because my father is showing his sign of promise to us that he will look after us from the heavens above. Everything will be just fine.

The end.

©amylimsuyen

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