Fate

Please be warned that this is an extremely short story. Thank you.

They didn't meet by chance but fate. It was pouring cats and dogs that day. The heroine was desperately looking for shelter from the rain. That's when she first saw him - sipping a warm cup of tea, in a quaint cafe by the roadside. It was love at first sight for her as soon as their eyes met each others. That was the beginning of their inevitable destiny.

Ever since, the woman would always sit inconspicuously nearby and observe at him. As time passes by, the heroine realized that she was hopelessly in love with him, yet, she couldn't bring herself to confess. This was all due to the difference in social standings. As one with a pair of eyes, could immediately discern that the hero is an elitist. It was a very painful love for the heroine but she preserved.

On one unexpected day, the man suddenly came up to the heroine - offering her a cup of coffee and also her hand in marriage. He told her that he was aware of her love for him and he too, had fallen in love with her from the beginning. Otherwise, he added, he wouldn't have continuously dropped by the cafe. The man then, swore everlasting love for the woman and she swore to respond to that love.

They lead a cozy life together after eloping. It was the only way to be together as it was obvious that both families had opposed to their idea of getting married and wouldn't give their blessings. They were happy nevertheless. But all good things must come to an end...

It was the time of war where the nation, country and the world became chaotic. Gunshot can be heard sporadically on the streets and if one is unlucky, he or she might get shot by a strayed bullet. Worried for the woman's safety, the man desperately searched for a way to send the woman to a safer place. Partly, because most of the men in the country were enlisted – himself included. And so, the two were separated by war - together with the flow of time.

The typical story

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to events, real person - living or dead and places are purely coincidental. This is based on the author's imagination.

I sometimes wonder who am I and what should I do in life? For some reasons, everytime I ask someone the same question, I keep getting a "just be yourself and you'll be fine" answer. How typical of them. The problem with me here, people, is that I don’t know where my real self is. But there's no way, I can tell them that. It'll be much too sad to be pitied by others and I'm sure, my pride wouldn't allow it.

The weather today reminds me of that very day. Black clouds can be seen overshadowing the vivid blue sky. One didn't have to be a meteorologist to figure that it'll rain soon.

I'm finally in my last year of high school. It seems so unreal that time passes by so fast. Who knows, maybe in the next 30 seconds, I might be needing hearing aids. It's the first day of school and things are starting to get, or in fact, already hectic. We were all instructed to line up according to our respective classes regardless of grades. I feel like I'm in kindergarten again. Hurray. Things got even better later. The principal gave us the usual "back to school" speech. I swear, everytime he opens his mouth I feel like shoving a size 12 boots up his ass. On a second thought, I'm playing the good girl today. So, I'll just let that slide for now.

Sitting in the middle of my new class, I recognize some piggish faces. Gorilla boy is still looking like a monkey and baldy, I see, is as bald as ever. Saying that I’m sick of seeing the same old faces is an exaggeration. I’m glad that some of my victims, I mean good friends are still in this school. Speaking of the devil, there’s the two of them now– Betty and Katie. I stood up and walked towards them. Though, I’m not really in the mood to talk to anyone today but what the heck. Mind you, that doesn’t mean I’m emo. I would prefer calling it a phase.

“Hey, guys. What’s up? I see, you guys are doing fine”, I said, smiling. Rather than just fine, you guys look like you’ve just won a lottery.

“Hi, Merry. How is it going?”, Katie replied, nonchalantly.

I wish they would just call me by my given name. Do I really look merry to you guys? It’s not like I particularly adore the name, Merewyn, but at least, it beats being called “Merry”. Mum loved Anya Seton’s Avalon, therefore, named me Merewyn, the protagonist of the book. Whatever possessed her to do that, I wonder.

Ring!!!

“There goes the bell. Shall we have lunch now? I’m famished”, I said, hungrily.

We’re now walking along the corridor towards the staircase. The walls had been painted green all over. As if the school isn’t green enough. It now looks more like a jungle instead of a place for educating idiots. Not like I care or anything because I’m definitely getting out of here next year.

We climbed down the stairs from the 4^th floor because students are not allowed to use the elevator which I find it so damn ridiculous. The urge to shout, "All stairs should be burnt", came to me when I set foot on the bottom stair.

Damn. To think, the canteen is barely a few feet away. And, I already feel like I've been run over by a bulldozer. I guess, mummy was right after all, that kids like me are the reason why safe sex must be practiced. Ouch, I feel like I’ve just rubbed salt on my own wound.

Dear Betty, suddenly, decided to give me a nice whack on my head. I guess I don't or will never understand what's going on in that head of hers.

“ Must you do that? If you want something, just ask like a normal person.”, I said while frowning. Hit me another time and I’ll send you flying with the birds.

“ Look over there. At the far, right end, on the bench. Isn’t that guy hot or what?”, Betty said, excitedly without a hint of hiding it.

Even though, Betty’s face is like a chicken. Fortunately, her good taste in men makes up for it. Staring at the guy, I realize he does look rather attractive, from afar – and familiar.

Can someone tell me why everyone in this school are such gluttons? As usual, the canteen is crowded with a bunch of hungry ghosts. Trying to find seats is like trying to search for a grain of rice in the desert.

We were lucky to get ourselves some seats a couple of minutes later. I dropped my bag on the table and went to get myself some food. For once, I was not oblivious towards my surroundings. I noticed the canteen’s management has changed. Thank god, the queue isn’t that long either. I unzipped my wallet and pulled out a dollar and 20 cents, before reaching the cashier. Why? Because there’s always a numbskull behind me, who can’t even wait for a second or two. It’s finally my turn.

“I would like two curry puffs please.” I asked, politely.

“That will be a dollar and 20 cents”, the cashier said expressionlessly.

I accidentally dropped the 20 cents while handing it to the cashier. Goddammit, I must be having butter fingers today. The coin rolled slightly behind me. I bent down to grab the coin, but ended up, head-butting another person who bent down at the same time.

Ouch. That hurts like hell. Should I punch him in the face for picking it up or thank him for that? Now, looking up, I wished that the ground would just swallow me wholly.

“ S-Shane”, I stuttered.

“ Merewyn”, he said, unblinkingly and the 20 cents slipped from his fingers.

Unjustified ramblings

Don't you feel that life sucks at times? As a matter of fact, I do. This stupid notion began weeks ago. My schedule is so messed up that words can't describe it. Lecturers are so frigging boring that it'll put any idiot to sleep instantly. The constant bombardment of assignments that seems to be endless. Oh right, who can even forget, the amount of sleep I get every day. Look at me, and you'll see a walking zombie.