Friday, May 26, 2006
Love
“A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity; it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”
Mother was a great fan of Agatha Christie.
A tragic accident almost a year back robbed me of my mobility. Unforeseen circumstances had a Chevrolet back up and hit me while parking. The impact was of such force that I suffered a large amount of distress on my spine. That spinal injury was fatal and almost caused my death should medical attention not arrive sooner. Such trauma left me paralysed temporarily from the waist down, with further analysis from physicians proving my chances of recovery to be low.
I seemed to lack a certain element heavily required for my recovery, and that was will.
I had lost my will.
Physiotherapy sessions were in vain. Every second of sensation I felt in my calves would be enshrouded by its insentience. My mind would flood with doubts each and every time – The odds of one recovering from a paralysis would be millions to one.
Would I be as fortunate?
Not only did the accident rob me of my mobility; I had lost my pride and patience. I became umbrageous and snide, flaring out at the world as though everyone did me a great wrong.
Doctors who came talking to me left with heavy hearts; Psychiatrists who tried to help were turned down rudely. A woman sat by my side silently all these while, watching on as I abused various strangers. So silent was she that one would not notice her until she muttered a quick apology when you exited the ward.
Finally, Mother spoke up.
“Could you cool down, Alice? They came in to help you.” Mother tried to look into my eyes. I turned away quickly.
Being a single parent, Mother took on the responsibility of both parents and has been supporting both of us for almost a decade. Little was known about Father – Mother had only spoken about him once, and the description consisted of him being an “irresponsible jerk that ran away in our time of need”. Apparently, Father had run away after building up a considerable debt via a failed business, leaving Mother in a scabrous situation.
Nevertheless, Mother shouldered the burden of his actions and paid off his debts while striving to build up his ‘failed’ business. I still remember the days when Mother had to rush off to unknown locations almost all the time. She seemed to be perpetually busy. Maybe I was young then, for I could not understand why Mother was never able to spare any time for her only daughter. All my needs were taken care of by my caretaker. “Did she not love me?” I asked often.
As the grains of time pass with significant rapidity, I realized that Mother started to substitute the lack of a mother figure with money. My materialistic wants were fulfilled, yet something felt missing. Something. No tears could be shed as Mother had to persevere in building up the business. Contacts had to be contacted, trust were to be regained and sullied reputations had to be improved. Mother had much to do, and it was done. All this, at a colossal cost – the inadvertent compromise of Daughter.
Word had gotten around that Mother had successfully overthrown competitors and gained monopoly in the region’s business sphere. Gradually, everyone came to know of me as ‘that rich girl’, the daughter of a female business tycoon. I hated her for that. A daughter, only by name.
Only after several years of hard work did Mother finally succeeded in her endeavors. It was not as though Mother remained unscathed through this ordeal – She had been transformed from an ignorant housewife to a sharp businesswoman with an acute sense for opportunities.
A self-proclaimed cynic, I doubted Mother’s good intentions. Was this just another ‘opportunity’ of Mother to bridge the gap between us? Mother has proven herself to be resilient when faced with difficult times, and she expected no less from her daughter.
No soon after did an acrimonious, at least on my part, debate start between mother and child.
“I have already said, Mother. You need not waste your money on me anymore. I accept my-“
“Nonsense! You will recover from this, alright? I’ll always be here for yo-”
“Here for me? You never were! Where were you when I needed you, when I needed you?” I cried, exasperated.
“Look, my dear. I had never intended for this to happen…” Mother trailed off. Was she speechless?
“Would you have started paying attention to me if I didn’t get into this accident? Tell me now, how busy is Madam Tycoon?”
“Watch your language now.” Mother warned sternly, softening only when she saw my tear-filled eyes. A sight she has not encountered for approximately ten years now.
“Please, my dear. Please continue the treatment. You’ll get well,” Mother’s eyes reddened.
I was relentless.
“On what grounds should I?” I shouted rebelliously.
“On the grounds that I love you!” Mother spluttered in a fit of desperation.
A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world…
“It doesn’t matt- What?” Shock had befallen me.
“Yes, my dear. I love you. I would have given up all years ago, should it not be for you. It was hard, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” Mother wiped a tear from her eye.
“But, why? Why did you swallow innocent companies, just for the sake of profit?”
It knows no law…
“I had no choice…”
No pity… It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path…
“…If I did not, we would not have survived till today. I did what I had to do.” Mother continued on.
“I…” It was my turn to be tongue-tied.
“My child, I have always wanted only the best for you. When your father left us, I promised myself to bring you up in the best conditions I could afford. I didn’t want you to suffer. You are my pride and joy, and the only reason why I live…” Tears had already started to form out of the corner of Mother’s eyes.
Mother held me close.
“… Because I love you, Alice.” She whispered into my ears. Her blackened tears streamed down, each drop splashing on my bare skin.
Pitter, patter.
Pitter, patter.
Each drop lessened my hatred, my angst.
Was I ready?
I hugged back.
“I love you too… Mum.” That was the first time Mum ever felt so sincere, so dear.
“Now, do try your best to recover, alright?” Mum smiled at me, her ruined mascara highlighting her rosy cheeks.
I nodded, smiling.
“Okay. Here, Mum. Wipe this off your face. You look positively hilarious!” Giggling, I handed Mum a piece of 2-ply tissue paper.
I had found that missing part.
Recuperation had officially started.
=)
Happy Mother’s Day!
Saturday, May 20, 2006
The scorching sun shone amdist the nondescript clouds.
Nothing could have foretold that it would be rain droplets pelting against the frosty bitumen of the traffic junction right outside Yishun Sports Stadium on that same very afternoon.
Alas, almost everyone turned up for the event.
After all, it was the annual Anderson Sports Carnival.
Don was in a state of delight as he donned his class jersey with pride. After all, it was one of the only class jerseys that was not only worn by four-one, but also their teachers. It was almost impossible not to spot anyone wearing it within the 200-feet radius of the stadium- The pearly white shine of the emsemble was alluring.
It was nothing short of a delight for Don- Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. The facade of a resenting sneer was seemingly washed away by the sudden downpour.
The Anderson Student Council, noticing the boredom accumulating within our perky students, took charge of the situation. A miracle it was! Dances were performed, and their atheletism were put to good use.
Credit should go to them for livening up the crowd. Still, it never seemed that they had to do something to aid the situation- The rain would not have been able to dampen the Anderson spirit.
As the rain lifted, the games resumed. Time went by swiftly, and it was time for everyone to return home. It would be day to remember for all.
P.S. Something like this happened, right? Yeah, should be about it. Only happy memories, eh? =D
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Edit: Dartboard- The Portrayal has been taken down due to technical difficulties on the author's part.
In light of recent events, the author felt that such politically incorrect (though funny) posts should be taken down.
Would it return?
Well, only time will tell.
Anyone who is interested should contact the author via MSN.
Cheerio.
Friday, May 12, 2006
The air smelt stagnant as Donovan entered the seemingly air-conditioned school hall. Many were in busy chatter. Donovan skimmed past the other classes and found his seat amongst the hundreds laid on the scratched parquet flooring, quickly blending into the crowd.
He sat among fellow 4/1s, most in energetic babble, contributing to the already noisy ambience. Not that Don minded; He was quite intrigued by the environment. Only the Sec 4s and 5s were allowed to attend this function...
...So that would make us somewhat special, right?Right.A voice boomed across the hall, asking everyone to settle down...
It was Anderson Speech Day 2006.
Many months of preparation have finally come to this- An annual love-fest for the establishment.
-Insert paragraph-full of hyperboles here-
Lights dimmed, most quietened. The guest of honour has arrived, much to the delight of the students. The show could FINALLY start now, but not before us proud Andersonians sing our tune.
Ever on- woah.
The hall resounded with a thunderous voice- The voice of the Andersonian body. To put it simple, it was kick-ass loud.
So striving for our spotless reputation......We'll keee-eeep it that wayyyyyy~After the usual speeches (well, it's not called Speech Day for nuthin') and fidgets, we proceed along to the... prize-giving. Seemingly, there seemed to be quite a countless amount of trohpies/certificates/trinkets to be given out/exchanged in that 45 minutes worth of precious time. Also, the trophies seemed to grow in size as time passed.
No, it is no exaggeration. There was indeed a trophy that was at least half the size of an average 16-year old.
There is NO way that trophy could be given to a student, right?It's prolly to be given to some staff who has been here for decades or sumthin'...WRONG.
It was actually awarded to the 2006 Anderson Student Council President.
-shrugs-
Outstanding achievement... or something.
An uproar was heard at the back of the hall when it was announced, but it quietened down soon enough- Mr Ang was on the prowl.
It all soon ended, much to the relief of the students. Concert time!
Chinese/Malay/Indian dancers with their perfect coordination, the Choir with their powerful voices and ATC (Anderson Theatre Circle) with their shenanigans(?). Band wrapped up everything with a big blast, too.
Nevertheless, it would seem that everyone enjoyed the concert.
Special mention to the Chinese dancers and Choir though- Their act looked tough.
Don peered at the clock- It hinted five past nine. Reams of curtain glided smoothly across the stagefront, closing the stage off to our wandering eyes. Was it over?
Oh, right. Andersonian Cheer.
Make it loud,
Make it clear,
Do the Andersonian Cheer!
A-N-D-E-R-S-
...you get the drift.
Anderson, Anderson, Anderson...
YEAH!
Just like that, Speech day was over. Oh right, Mr Ang praised the 2006's batch to be a "wonderful audience", and he hoped to "see us back next year". -grins- On the other hand, 2005's batch was too noisy or something along those lines.
You guys have been great... -grins-
... So can you guys now help to pack up the hall? -frowns-
*CoffConspiracyCoff!*
Bah, that's the least we could do, as Andersonians.
< /Anderson Pride>
Anderson, hurrah.
