Chapter 11
All of us would spend at least a third of our life doing it. Although there are people who dislike doing it, they would have to do it somehow.
That is to close our eyes and sleep.
Lying on the bed is easy for most people but not getting yourself to close your eyes without switching off your thoughts is the difficult part for everyone.
What is the last thing you’ll do before you go to bed each night?
Would you just lie down and dozed off within minutes or would you spend a great of time thinking about the things that had happened today and the many unknowns that will happen tomorrow?
All the thoughts in the world happened at night.
It’s special at night as it’s really quiet and you are all alone within your own boundaries.
This is the time for us to think and reflect on our decisions and actions for the day. As you lie comfortably in bed and all the events that had past through, your mind is finally at ease with your hectic life.
What have you done today? Was it meaningful?
Did you help someone today and received lot of thanks?
Or rather did you scold someone today and caused the person to be sad over you?
As I lie comfortably in my bed, I would think of the people I’ve met. I would think back of the words I’ve said whether inspirational or simply a word of encouragement.
I would recall the stuffs that I’ve done, whether I can do it better next time.
Finally I would think of her.
How was her day like?
Who are the people that she has met and what good encounters did she come across for today?
What had I missed when I was not around with her?
I find it amazing that even though we share the same bed every night, we are two persons living different life witnessing different stories each day.
I make it a great deal that she tells me all about her day before she sleeps. From the moment she goes to work and all the happy and unhappy events that surrounded her.
Sometimes we would talk until almost one o’clock before my tiredness finally took over.
Would you be thinking of that special someone in your heart before you rest?
Would you call him/her before you sleep?
Would you tell him/her what had happened to you this very whole day?
If someone wants to tell you what he/she had happened today, would you listen?
I feel all of us should because there’s only one today in this life and once it’s over, there’s no way that you can go back.
I don’t know who said the below words but I find it very true.
Yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery.
Today’s a gift, that’s why it’s call the present.
Telling someone what you have been through today is perhaps the simplest form of present you can give but it is also the most thoughtful present as it is part of your life…
The wind was blowing strongly and causing the window was hitting against the ledge. Edwin got up from his bed and walked towards the window.
It was two in the morning and the sky was covered with large patches of reddish clouds. Sparks of lightning appeared soon as the wind began blowing the leaves apart.
“Oh no… Looks like it’s going to rain really soon.”
Edwin thought to himself as he walked round the house to check on the windows.
“Need to check on Meiyee’s room”
He knew it would be awful if one of the windows is left opened, the floor will be wet again and the stack of groceries will be drenched and damaged.
As Edwin walked past his father room, He realized that his father was not sleeping in his bed. As he looked further, the light in Meiyee’s room was on.
“Pa?”
Edwin called out as he enters the room. His father was sitting near the window with his back facing him.
“Ah boy? Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
His father stared at the window.
“Oh… I just came out to check on the windows.”
“It’s very late. You need to sleep. You have classes tomorrow.”
His father tried to reply him in a very soft tone.
“Pa? You ok?”
Edwin walked slowly towards him as he wiped his face with his singlet.
“Of course I’m ok, Ah boy”
His father turned and tried to put on a smile. A smile that was weak in the appearance but strong in the character.
“Don’t worry about Jie, she will be fine”
Edwin knew his father was thinking about his sister. He pulled a chair and sat besides his father.
“I certainly hope so…”
His father lighted a cigarette and puff.
Edwin nodded.
“You know something? It’s only the second time that Meiyee staying outside. The first time was during the secondary school camp. She called me in the middle of the night, crying about the mosquitoes and the insects that were surrounding her.”
His father sighed.
“Oh… this one you won’t have to worry. Aunt Grace’s house won’t have all these. In fact, Jie should be sleeping soundly in the air-conditioned room under her covers.”
Edwin tried to assure his father.
His father smiled at him again while puffing his cigarette.
The rain started pouring outside the windows.
“Pa…”
“Yeah?”
“I just want to tell you that I’m not ashamed about our status. Though there are many things which I currently don’t have compared to many of my friends, I know I have a good father. Someone who loved his wife very very much.”
His father felt wetness in his eyes as Edwin continued.
“I never get to know anything about mum but if there’s a chance for me to see her one day, I will tell her that she had married to the best man in this world. Someone who loves her to this very day, someone who live his life for her, taking care of her children.”
His hand trembled as he tried to lift it to puff his cigarette. Edwin’s father couldn’t control his tears anymore as they gashed down along his cheeks.
“Ah boy, you’ve all grown up already. I’m very glad but at the same time very sad. I’ve never done anything to hurt anyone but I didn’t know why I have to go through all these. Why can’t I be as rich as your friend’s fathers?”
“Pa, why do you have to be as rich as them?”
Edwin answered immediately.
“My friend’s father is rich and powerful but he controls her like a prisoner, screening all her activities and make sure she study. Though she has a lot of money to spend but somehow I feel she doesn’t even have the time to. She seems to hate him to the core.”
His father looked at him.
“Boy, tell your friend. No fathers in this world would want anything bad to happen to their children. Sometimes some fathers are over protective and therefore creating barriers through autocratic commands.”
“Every parents love their children very much. It’s just that some don’t really know how to love them.”
“Don’t worry Pa, I will tell her that. I will make sure her father and her relationship will get better! ”
“Go back to bed, it’s so late already.”
Edwin nodded and walked back towards his room.
Edwin picked up the mobile phone that he had left on his bed earlier on. He read the last two messages that he received from Janet.
[I can’t sleep… because I’m thinking about you]
[Hahaha! Don’t know how to reply right? Oh well, I’m thinking about you because I don’t know how to thank you on Saturday! Don’t get the wrong idea ok? Off to sleep now, nites! ]
Edwin stared at his mobile and wished how nice it would be if Janet is thinking about him at this very moment.
[It’s ok Janet; you don’t have to thank me. I did what I have to do. Goodnight…]
Edwin entered the message through his mobile phone and sent to Janet. He lied back to his bed and closed his eyes.
That night he had a dream, a dream that saw them being stuck together in a tiny world. In a world which has no one else to bother them.
The two of them fell in love and live each day as if it would last forever. She would shop all day long and he would accompany her and carried all the clothes and bags that she likes. He would tell her about the world, about all the jokes that he knew of and the story of how his parents met.
There is so much that he wanted to tell her in real life but he couldn’t.
He could only do it in his dream.
*--Beep Beep Beep—*
The alarm clock rang as preset and woke Edwin from his weird dream. He dragged himself out of bed and found breakfast ready when he walked past the kitchen to wash up.
Edwin put on his school uniform and ate his breakfast as he came down to the shop.
It was only six in the morning but the shop seemed opened for a long time.
“Morning Ah boy, had your breakfast?”
Edwin nodded and yawned.
His father was stretching himself after displaying all the items available for sale.
“Morning Pa”
Edwin yawned again as he walked out of the shop.
“Ah boy, look out for cars!”
His father reminded him as always.
“Orh….”
Edwin slowly dragged himself on his way to school.
The route to school was not a long one but it requires a short bus ride from his house. Edwin got up the bus and surprise to see that it was rather empty.
“Hey Edwin! Here!”
He heard his name being called.
“Janet? Hey why are you on this bus?”
Edwin asked as he walked towards her.
“You forgotten? I’m staying at Jolynn’s place. I don’t know what’s the correct bus to take then someone told me it’s this bus. I was so scared until I see you. Come, sit here beside me.”
Janet shift inwards for him.
“Then where’s Jolynn??”
“Aiyah, she said she not feeling well so don’t feel like going to school today”
“Oh….”
Edwin yawned again.
“Edwin, Why are you still awake at three in the morning?”
Janet was curious.
“I had some family problems yesterday so I didn’t sleep well. I guess its all settle at the moment.”
“Why don’t you catch some sleep now?”
Janet suggested.
“Now?”
“Yeah, don’t worry. I will wake you when we reach school.”
“Wow… that’s very nice of you.”
Edwin thanked her and closed his eyes to take a short rest.
The bus journey seemed forever, sleeping beside someone whom you liked.
This is probably the most fortunate thing that would happen to anyone.
-----
“Hello! Young man… Wake up!”
Edwin felt someone tapping on his shoulder.
“Huh?”
He opened his eyes in dreamy state and saw the bus driver tapping him.
“Bus reached terminal already.”
“Huh? Oh Sorry Uncle…”
Edwin tried to get up but realized he couldn’t.
Janet was leaning against him sleeping soundly.
[To be Cont]
