The train rumbled into the station.
The radiant rays were shining through the transaparent windows as
passengers were milling in and out of the exits . It was a sultry
afternoon and the searing heat was unbearable. My brother, Hwee, and
I were on the platform, not knowing where to go. I was my birthday
and Hwee had promised to celebrate it for me.
“Where are you bringing me to?” I
asked in a chirpy voice, smiling like a Cheshire cat with exuberance
bubbling inside me.
“One dollar, two dollars, three
dollars,” Hwee was ignoring me and counting the money in his
pocket, “and fifteen cents.”
“What? Only that miserable amount and
you want to bring me for a birthday treat? Are you kidding?” I
asked, my eyes rolling with annoyance.
Just then, a well-dressed lady stepped
out of the train. Besides her were shopping bags of all sizes. Hwee
turned to me and spoke solemnly, “You wait for me outside
MacDonalds' later. Okay?”
“What are you planning to do?” I
asked inquistively.
“Don't ask! I have my ways and do
pretend you don't know anything,” he continued and scurried off as
his mop of black wavy hair fluttered in the wind.
Before I could even gather my thoughts,
a loud, high-pitched screech sliced through the air. I turned to
catch sight of Hwee scuttling off with a Louis Vuitton handbag in his
hand. The lady was struggling to run with all her bags in her
stilettos. It was a really comical sight. She could never outrun
Hwee.
However, my happiness was short-lived.
A distance away was an train security officer. Hly e had a stocking
frame and a stern look on his face. He immediately ran hell for
leather towards the perpetrator – my brother!
My heart was pounding wildly like
African drums. I was having second thoughts about this. What was
wrong with $3.15? We could have two MacDonald ice-cream cones and
that could already be a heartfelt birthday treat.
The officer was running like the wind.
He was inches away from Hwe. “Run! Hwee! Run!” I yelled inside
me. Hwee was probably getting tired. He had never run so fast
before! His asthma started getting on him and he was panting hard,
trying to catch his breath.
The security guard, in his haste,
pounced on him, not realising that Hwee was just next to the tracks.
Alas! A train was entering the station!
Shivers ran down my spine as I looked
at Hwee. His face was deathly pale and his face was creased with
hopelessness. Could he escape from the clutches of death?
The security guard immediately offered
a helping hand. “Come, son! Take my hand!” he yelled above the
rumbling noise. I dashed to help too and our hands were locked in a
death grip. Many passengers also rushed forward to help.
By this time, Hwee's face blanched in
trepidation. Sweat dotted his foreheads and his lanky legs tried
desperately to lift him up from the tracks! The train was only a
stone's away away. Would Hwee survive?
“At the count of three, we must pull
him out!” the security guard cried.
One, two, three! Everyone mustered all
their strength to pull Hwee up! Finally, a success! Hwee was
finally out of the tracks as the train rumbled past us, the breeze
kissing us as if to congratulate us.
I hugged Hwee tightly but the security
guard dragged him away. “Hwee!” I cried aloud but he hung his
head and plodded off. Hwee certainly paid a high price for his
folly. But at least, he did not have to pay with - his life.
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