An Angel' Story Contest: week three

The competition is getting more fierce, and again its getting more and more harder to choose for the best story. therefore for this week we selected 2 most touching stories.

1st story:
Name: NK
Gender: Female
Title: Angle
Story:

I stared at the slow rotating blades of the fan. The warm humid room was hardly a good place to struggle to keep awake after a 30 hour shift. Sneaking a glance at my watch; I see my duty at the clinic was drawing to the end, thank god. The nurse outside calls out a name, and I waited. I nearly nodded off but was awakened by the soft shuffling of footsteps and the sound of a woman’s voice talking to an old man that seemed to be her father.

As they sat down I couldn’t help but notice the face of the old man. One eye was barely open, and his mouth was twisted in a lopsided smile as we made eye contact.

They were plainly dressed, clean but withered old articles of clothing that had clearly seen better days. The woman was both pleasant and to the point. 5 minutes and several questions later, it was pretty clear the old man had had a stroke. He had to be admitted for observation lest his condition took a turn for the worse.

As the doctor drew up the necessary papers, I saw the old man turn to the daughter.

He put his hand on hers and gave it a squeeze. He whispers to her in her ear, something I cannot catch nor guess. They left together, the father leaning on the daughter’s arm, his feet still shuffling on the clinic floor.

Minutes later, the daughter comes in alone. Her head is low, her hands clutching the admission papers. They’re shaking uncontrollably. She patiently waits as the doctor finishes up with another patient, a man with a headache, nothing important. As the other leaves, she sits down quietly and takes his place.

Even before she says it, I know what she came back to say.

I cannot have him admitted, she says, there is no one that can be here with him.

I have three young children at home, I have to be there for them, she says.

He refuses to stay here alone, he wants to go home, she says.

The doctor seems almost callous as he looks her in the eye and steadily says without a trace of emotion, that it is entirely her choice.

“But if he dies, are you ready for that?”

The line shatters me, it breaks my heart. I scream inside my head withholding the urge to shake her and tell her to say NO, NO, NO.

But she nods her head and she says yes.

The doctor takes back the admission papers, writes a release form and hands it to her to sign. I watch as she takes that wretched piece of paper, almost a death warrant in its right, and she signs on the dotted line.

She hands back the paper to the doctor, and as he places his signature, she turns away and I watch her wipe the tears from her eyes.

Even though she doesn’t say it, I know what she means to say.

We cannot afford it, she says, there is barely money for essentials every month.

I have three hungry mouths at home, to clothe and feed, she says.

He refuses to let them suffer because of him, he wants to go home, she says.

I watch her leave. I smile and say thank you to the doctor for letting me observe his work. I make my way to that empty stairwell where I know nobody ever passes by. I sit down and weep, wondering why anybody should ever have to make that choice.

I stop when I realize it’s almost dusk, and I feel like I’ve aged years in a day.

I can only guess what happened to that old man, but I’m sure he passed on contented, set on his decision for his daughter and grandchildren. All he had left was his life, and he gave it away, because they could not afford it.

I do not know if he was a fiend, a thief, a cheater or a liar.

I do not know if he was a beggar, a roadside hawker or a cleaner.

I did not know the story of his life, but this part of it seems mine to share.

I do know that he was a loving father and grandfather, and to me, an angel in his own right.

Why look to the heavens for angels, when they walk among us?



2nd story:
Name: Hanna Afifa
Gender: female
Title: Till Death Do Us Part
from author:
This is my story. It had happened before, but only in my dreams. This was a dream I once had. Enjoy :)

Story:

Tom and Leah have been best friends since the first time they met 23 years ago. Today Tom is in India, furthering his studies in medicine. As for Leah, she has been staying in Malaysia teaching in a kindergarten. As kids, Leah had always had the heart for Tom, but she had never told him because he was always teasing her about how big she looked and how much she always ate. Little did she know that Tom always liked her just as she was.

Years passed, and neither of them confessed about their love for the each other. One fine afternoon at the university, news spread that Tom had died because of lung cancer. Nobody, except for his family knew about his disease until the day he passed away.

Leah was not told about Tom’s passing, and on the very particular day he died, Leah had decided to confess to Tom about her love for him in the past 23 years they’d known each other. She packed her bags and flew to India.

Above, Tom knew he had to return, and complete one of the most important goals of his life; confess his love with hope to be loved back. Looking alive like a normal living human being, the angels gave him 3 days to do what he had to do and Tom was sent back.

In India, Leah, with her highest confidence, went to Tom’s rented apartment. She knocked on his door and waited for at least half hour. Tom, only as light and not human opened his door lightly. Tears fell from his face when he saw the sweetest smile on the most beautiful face of the woman standing before him.

Leah opened her arms in expectance that he would hug her. Unfortunately Tom knew that he could not touch, nor feel. He avoided any contact with Leah as he did not want her to know that he was only virtual.

Leah and Tom spent the best two days of their lives spending every minute together. At the evening of the third day, Leah, sitting next to Tom said, ‘I have always loved you Tom, since the first day we met 23 years ago. You have stolen the key to my heart.’ Droplets of tears fell from her sea green eyes and fell onto Tom’s palm. Leah grabbed for his hands. To her shock, her hands went right through his! It was as if she was not touching anything. She gasped and her eyes grew large.

Speechless, Tom tried to open his mouth to speak. At that very second, a ray of light shone from the sky, indicating Tom to return to where he was supposed to be. It was time for Tom to leave. His body became light and he was beginning to disappear.

A drop of tear fell from Tom’s cheeks and onto Leah’s hand. She felt it. Tom whispered to her ears, “I died three days ago, dear friend. I’m sorry you had to find out like this, I wish I had told you about my cancer years ago. We could have at least spent more time together.” As he spoke, his voice became slower and his face began to fade. “ I never knew you ever loved me but I’m sorry now that I have to go. Now I have felt the feeling of being loved.” With all the strength and power he had left in him, Tom closed his eyes and gave Leah a light kiss on her lips. As surprised as she was, Leah could feel his dry lips pressing against hers. He moved back and looked her in the eyes and said, “ And now I also know the feeling of loving someone who loves you back. I love you, Leah.”

The End

An Angel' Story Contest: week two

Name: Ava
Gender: Female
Title : my bestie my angel

Story:
Looking up to the sky, I smiled widely. Ahh, it's been so long since I felt so good. The sun's rays fell gently unto my beige-coloured skin. I closed my eyes, felt the strands of hair on my face as the sea breeze blew, listening to the waves crashing the shore. What a beautiful day it is, I said to myself softly.

I finally let it all go. Loving him was pain; missing him was torture; him leaving me was despair. Pain, torture and despair. They are no longer the words that would exist in my life ever again. My life would be a new beginning from now on. Before I strapped an anchor around the chest of memories, I looked once more at the memory bubbles. Each bubble categorised with happy moments, arguing moments, sad moments, warm hugs, lingering kisses etc. There was one bubble that I stared at for a long time. It was the Vday bubble; the day we broke up. I was lying on his chest, feeling his heartbeat going thump thump thump so steadily; the melody was my lullaby. As I almost lulled into sleep, he mentioned the taboo word. I pretended to be asleep and held back my tears. He knew me too well; shaking me gently, he continued talking about how things were not going to work out between us as he was leaving for Melbourne soon. I couldn't hold back the tears that were welling in my eyes any longer, and stream after stream came flowing down my face. That was the last night I held him and also the last day I met him. Time flew by so fast but the excruciating scar he left on me never healed. It just remained fresh. The gluttonous appetite I once had was gone. The cheekiness and craps in my speech disappeared. The face lost the cheerfulness and radiance that it once had.

Then, she couldn't take it any longer she had to step in. She knew me for 10 years and couldn't stand watching her bestie drowning in sorrow for months. She spent most of her time with me. No matter how busy she was, she came to visit me everyday. She made sure I ate my dinner, she made sure I did my tutorials, she made sure I went to class by checking on me every 3 hours. It was annoying at first but eventually I understood her. She wanted the bubbly girl as a bestie, not a moody one. She yearned for the one who was daring enough to walk up to a guy and ask for his number just because she was dared to do so. She wanted me to look forward, not to turn back. The attention and care and love she showered me was enough to make me remorse for worrying those who loved me. She jolted me back to reality. The world has not come to an end yet. There's still a long way to go.

After reminiscing, I placed the bubble back into the chest. Locked it up and strapped the anchor on so tight that the chest couldn't be opened up. I threw the chest with all my might into the sea. The 3 years memories of me and him together would just rest at the bottom of the ocean in my heart.

I felt a sudden coldness on my left cheek. Startled, I looked up at her. She was giggling and smiling at the same time. The best, refreshing smile I've ever seen. She threw me the can of Coke Light. She sat down beside me and we just started talking; just like how we used to be. From boys to fashion to gossips to Daniel Wu. Ahhh, ain't Daniel Wu just gorgeous. The hunkiest of the hunkiest and how his eyes could just cut through your skin and pierce your heart so deeply that your heart would just stop beating for a mere second....and we went on and on and on...

Thank you Sammie for being my angel, the one who sacrificed her phone bills and taxi fares just for me. The one who stood by me during the darkest period of my life. The one that never gave up hope on me. You would never know how much I appreciate everything. It has been 10 years since we forged this friendship and it is not going to stop here, it will go on for eternity. Just like how you stood by me, I will stand by you forever. Through thick or thin, I will always be there for you. If you are my angel, I shall be yours too.

An Angel' Story Contest: week one

Hereby we announce the winner for week one is...
Name: Alvina Tai Wen Ling
Story:
Throughout my whole life, there was only one angel. An angel that cared for me. An angel that was full of love. That angel is my mum..It may sound very common but what i can say is that my family wasn't a perfect family.

We were constantly shifting houses due to unsettled debts. That was when I was 12. Now I'm college and I'm 19. 7 years of constant hiding from certain people. When I was 12, my dad left me, my brother and I with debts. My mum had to hide us from those 'people' in a low cost budget hotel. She stayed back at our condo trying to salvage whatever she can with constant harassment from those 'people'.

Me and my brother got a high fever at the same time one night. She had to drag the both of us to the 24 hours clinic and took care of us till we were well enough. Thank GOD she had friends that were kind enough to help a find a small apartment to stay at for the mean time. We did not have much back then. She slaughtered her way in her job just to make ends meet. She was my angel and I thank GOD for where we are today.

Without my mum I don't think we would be alive and happy today.

we have made an exceptional decision too!
another winner is

Name: Nat Yong
Story:
*sigh* A stork perched himself on a roof contentedly. Below him, in a quaint, little white house, a young mother was cuddling her newborn baby. The stork congratulated himself on being able to find a suitable home for the baby. The baby was a child of the stars, bright, sensitive and true. It needed a mother who was kind, compassionate, understanding and loving for it to blossom into its potential. This new mother with the face of an angel seemed perfect to bring up the star-child.

Having had his work done, the stork flew away but not before making a promise to check up on the little one from time to time. He wanted to make sure that the star-child grew up in the most perfect environment.

In that little house, the little mother was gazing wonderingly and happily into her baby’s face. She had never seen anything so perfect in her life before. Is this how real happiness feels? she wondered. Kissing her baby’s forehead, the mama made a vow to give her child the best of everything so that she can grow up to be the best she can be. The little baby was fittingly named Star.

*******
Several years have passed. Little Star could be seen running around the garden outside of the little, white house. She was about 7 years old. Curls flying behind her, she ran straight into her mother’s arms. The young mother did not change much since the last time we saw her. She wrapped her arms around Star and smothered the giggling little girl with kisses. “Mama! Mama! I saw a caterpillar just now! It was all squishy and green an’ wriggly an’ an’ it was all hairy! There was a butterfly an’…….” Star’s voice babbled on and on to her mother. Looking at the mother’s face, it could be clearly seen that Star was the light and joy of her life.

(5 years later)

“Star? Star! Wake up!!” the mama shook Star’s limp body. Panic filled her every senses as she saw that her daughter’s eyelids remained closed. Gently slapping her cheek, the mother tried to wake Star up but to no avail. Several minutes later, Star’s eyelids fluttered open to her mother’s relief. “What happened, mama?” “You fainted sweetie,” replied the mama. “Let’s get you to the doctor’s to check you up ok?” Star nodded weakly.
At the doctor’s, kindness was not shown to the mother and daughter. It was discovered that Star had a genital heart defect. Speechless with shock and misery, the mama asked how the problem can be solved. “She has to get a heart transplant,” said the doctor. “She has to get a new heart within 4 months time or she will not live,” added the doctor softly.
After leaving the hospital, the mama paced the floor of her home all the while thinking of a solution to the problem. I’ve got it! I’ll write a letter to the local newspaper to ask for their help. Dear God, please help my baby. She prayed silently, tears running down her face.

*******
The 4 months were almost up. No suitable heart donor had turned up. All the while, Star’s fainting spells grew more and more frequent and she grew weaker by the day. The mama became more frantic when she saw her beloved baby’s pallid face.

One day, realization hit her. Who was more suitable to donate a similar heart to her daughter than her own mama? She was certain that her heart would save Star’s life. She felt a pang of sadness as she realized that she won’t be able to see her daughter live on healthy and well. But she would do anything to save her daughter’s life even if it means giving up on hers.

*******
Star lay cradled in her mama’s arms. She was mute with misery. “Who’ll take care of me, mama? Do you really have to leave me?” her voice cracked on the last word. “I don’t want to leave you, sweetie. But it’s for the best. I want you to live your life,” the mama replied sadly. “I want you to know that I’ll always love you and will always be watching over you, okay sweetie?” “Okay mama. I love you too. Always and always,” Star was fighting back her tears.

“Mrs Richards?” A white-capped nurse called to the mama. Standing up slowly, she hugged her daughter one last time, gave her one last kiss. She then entered the operation room but not before mouthing the words “I love you” to Star.

The doors swung shut behind her.

*******
A girl of about 18 years old was walking down the street, singing softly to herself. The girl was Star. It had been 6 years since the operation and the day her mother blew her last breath to save her daughter’s life. She had been living with her aunt and uncle ever since. Her young life was filled with activities from morning to night but she had never a forgotten a certain smile, the sweetest laugh, the tenderest eyes. She missed her mother dearly. Thinking about her mother always brought an ache to her heart. This time though, it was different. The dull ache in her heart made it hard for her to breathe. Gasping slowly for air, she rushed to the doctor’s to see what was wrong.
At the doctor’s, the atmosphere was tense as the doctor examined the results from the checkup. Finally, the doctor looked up with a sorrowful expression. “There’s nothing we can do,” the doctor said softly. “I’m so very, very sorry.”
Star walked out of the clinic in a daze. The image of her mother’s face flashed before her eyes, face filled with tender love, arms held out to her as if to embrace her darling daughter. Star shook her head, her mother’s face disappearing from her vision. I miss you, mama. I miss you so much.

*******
From among the clouds, the mama looked down at her beloved baby. My baby needs me. My poor, poor baby. I’m so sorry that it has to be this way. The mama vowed to be there for Star every single step of the way. I don’t want her to leave the world without anyone there for her.

*******
Pressing her temples, her headache did not subside at all. Star is getting more and more depressed everyday. She thinks she is starting to go crazy as she is having hallucinations. Most of her hallucinations were of her mother beckoning to her, holding out her arms as if she wanted to hug her. The truth was her mother had come to her as a guardian angel to guide her through her last dark days. Little did Star know that she only has a few days left to live. However, every time she sees her mother’s face, she feels happier and more peaceful.

One lovely, clear Saturday afternoon, Star felt very exhausted. She lay down for a short nap. As she closed her eyes, her mother’s face yet again came into her mind. The expression on her mama’s face was of joy, as if they were to be reunited again. Star felt strangely at peace. She knew at once that it was time. She gathered the last of her breath to whisper out her last words.

Thank you for everything, mama. I love you my angel mama.

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note from soak republic:
we find this story is down-to-earth and very sincere. we appreciate if she could have spend more time on the structure to make it more exciting for reading.
good start we have :)

Look forward for more CREATIVE writing peeps!

Happy 1st birthday!

We are a year old, and we would like to thank all of you who have gave us supports and care. May is the birth month of Soak Republic, and May 2009 is our 1 year old celebration month. There are many events in-conjunction with the celebrations, for instance contest and weekends show ups @ bazaars with exclusively for loyal soak republicans shopping bags. Keep coming back to this page to get updates from time to time!