one sees clearly only with the heart
what is essential is invisible to the eye
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Magpie 20.
Friday, June 25, 2010
I stared into the cracked mirror. Two sunken hazel eyes stared back. After days of sleepless nights and daily stress, it was barely a surprise. As I continued with the mundane routine of brushing teeth, I thought about the protest. Well, not exactly protest, but just a polite hint of my, our, objection. Clearly, I was not the only one who objected. Gathering a group of supporters was a piece of cake. But starting a violent protest was not even on my list. After all, the loss of life was a tad too much a price to pay for reducing tax. Attached to the ceiling by a single frayed wire, the light bulb flickered on and off, adding an eerie feeling to the dusty, pokey room I took as my toilet.
I almost choked on my expired toothpaste when my phone’s ringtone penetrated my thoughts. Spitting out the toothpaste, I fished out my phone and pressed it to my scarred ear, “Yo. What’s up?”
Greeted by a hoarse and solemn voice, I winced. Good news was further than the sun. “Those corrupted two-face freaks refused our offer to hold a negotiation. Needless to say, they refuse to lower the taxes. In fact, they’re threatening to chalk ‘em up.” The worn-out toothbrush slipped from my grip and dropped onto the planks of rotting wood. Immediately, I cursed into the phone and killed the call.
Although this was expected, I still found it hard to take in. What was their problem? We work so hard to feed our half-starved families. Then these callous goons of a government take every grain of rice from our broken rice bowls. Time was of the essence. We could wait no longer. Woe to all of us, cursed to be born in such a country, for relations with other countries were all but good. No matter how much I would want a peaceful protest, there was simply no time.
A twisted smile played on my lips. I punched the previous caller’s number. “Hey. Say your prayers and light a fire, we’re gonna start a war.” I bent down, scooped up the toothbrush resumed brushing my stained teeth.
The light bulb, as if in agreement, went out.
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A rather short story I wrote for Magpie Tales 20.
This situation would never happen here in sunny Singapore.
I dare say the government here is never corrupt;
And the PAP have sacrificed a lot for us. PAP FTW!
Nothing much up today. Just the same mundane stuff. And some of my Physics stuff are missing.
Boys are really odd creatures. But oh well. Holidays ending, school's up next week.
I took a look at Term 3's timetable. Quite ok, just that I dont fancy more than one science held on the same day.