An Unforgettable Day.

The sky was gun-metal grey. Rain slashed against the windscreen, obscuring the view of the road ahead. Wishing I had no knowledge of where I was going, the fact that I did clawed at my emotions. The untimely death of my Grandmother had left me devastated and full of grief. As I looked down at my simple black dress and the two burgundy roses I held, I tried to keep my vision from blurring. The taxi screeched to a stop as I arrived at the church where the funeral was going to be held. My shoes squelched over the wet floor and raindrops hit my umbrella like handfuls of gravel. Making my way to the main hall of the church, I listened to the wind which rose abruptly, making an eerie wailing sound.

“Glad that you could join us,” smiled my uncle as I walked in. I scanned around the sea of faces. For some reason, I felt lost and disoriented. My grandmother had been the one who guided me through my life, ever since my parents had been buried six feet under after the car accident which claimed their lives when I was still at an age of 3. Now death decided that it was my grandmother’s turn to be taken away from me. I took a seat in the last row and prayed.

The notes of the organ played out, the sad melody of heartbreaking sorrow rung throughout the church. I closed my eyes and let my memory bring me back to seven years ago, long before death claimed her. Memories of her seem so far, hidden deep in my heart of immense darkness. The rain outside got heavier and lightning fractured the gloom, followed by a shattering crash of thunder which startled me.

Seven years ago, our family indeed was not well off. However, my grandmother scraped enough money together to bring me overseas to experience the calypso beat which surrounded us under the Barbados sky. It was the first time I travelled to another country, thus the permanent look of both amazement and awe as I saw this new city, with a vibrant landscape teeming with colours and overflowing greenery. Even though it was a mere five days in Barbados, it could be said to be the happiest five days in my life.

She was round-bodied and had a very thick waist, too old to labour but she continued working at a chicken rice stall at a hawker centre near home to support the both of us. Relying on only the money she earns from every customer and refusing help from any other relatives, life was not a bed of roses for us. However, she still braved through it all, raising me to become what I am now. Acknowledging everything she has done for me inside my heart, however, too late to express my gratitude.

Suddenly I fell into a heart wrenching pit of guilt. I sat not hearing a word of the procession, immersed in my own thoughts on the times I spent with my grandmother and how much I owe her. When we were eventually standing around the coffin, all I heard was the deafening silence. The only audible sound was the sobbing of my aunt, her eyes blurred with tears as she looked into the coffin, putting a bouquet of flowers into my grandmother’s hands. Fighting the unknown fear at the pit of my stomach, I walked forward and peaked into the coffin.

To my surprise, she looked more beautiful than ever. Her facial muscles relaxed and a disarming smile lingered, her hair meticulously styled, clad in a well-cut white jacket. Shoving the roses into her hands, I turned to go back to my seat but something caught my eye in her jacket pocket. I reached in and pulled out a letter addressing to me. Inside was a heart-shaped necklace encasing a family photo taken when my parents were still alive.

After the funeral, I stayed back in the church. Taking the opportunity, I read the letter which could be the most foolish thing that I have ever done. Sitting there silently, numb with shock and disbelief at what was in the letter, it rendered me totally speechless and befuddled. The remarkable image of my parents which my grandmother had instilled in me had been entirely shattered. “Your parents had not died in a car accident, but abandoned you and left you with me. You were part of an unwanted pregnancy, and tried to sell you to foreigners until I found out. Sorry dear, I am unable to tell you the full story and lying to you about this issue as some things are just better off not known. Please do not hate them as I believe they had their reasons for doing so too even if it may seem overboard. I have wanted to pass this letter to you for the last two years, but never found the courage to. Forgive me.”

Indeed the most unforgettable day all through 23 years of my life.

(842 words)

the rain really expresses how i feel now. sigh. -crawls into bed- 

ki tat will be going back macau soon. till dunno when. ): i'll miss him.