Out Cold

"...Thank you, and goodnight!"

I lowered the mike for the final time as the booming dance music crossfaded in, increasing in volume with an echoing bass. Waving to the audience, some of whom were already preparing to take their leave, I strode offstage towards our right, where the rest of the technical crew were gathered and waiting.

She was there too, and I saw her first. The salmon pink dress and flower headband probably made her even more prominent, but I knew I didn't need those to find her. As our gazes met, she gave me a quiet, tired smile. As she had one of the busiest offstage jobs of the night, I wasn't surprised; in fact, part of me was exhausted too.

Fermata

1. Fermata: a pause of unspecified length on a note or rest.

I looked up at the twin towers, gleaming spectacularly against the night sky, the most symbolic sight of my home country. My legs dangled over a small artificial creek as I perched on the railings of a bridge, a futile attempt to distance myself from the throngs of people that filled the vicinity.

8:00pm.

Picture

I trod down the massive hall, my heart racing.

The atmosphere was uncanny that day: a strangely harmonious concoction of chitter-chatter, occasional sobs and group selfies made the occasion undeniably melancholic. It was our graduation day.

Scanning the crowd, I caught myself stealing a quick glance at her. She was her usual self, smiling effortlessly as her cheerful demeanour resonated with her peers while they engaged in high spirited chitter chatter.

All of a sudden, as if she noticed, she glanced in my direction.

Casanova

It was the 22nd of February. The seven of us were just chilling about outside the church, waiting for the Mass to start. When it was almost time, she asked: "Shall we go in now?"

No one responded. They were too busy complaining about camp. I stood forward, offered her my elbow and said, "Come along now, let's go in first."

Stepping Out

On the Malaysian Airlines flight from Ho Chi Minh to Kuala Lumpur, the passenger beside me sported thick rimmed glasses along with a striped t-shirt and beige khaki shorts. Although I had only a quick glance, it was evident the Caucasian man was already past his working years.

A few minutes after boarding had completed, the already familiar yet compulsory safety briefing video interrupted the movie that I was fully engrossed in. Slightly dismayed, I moaned silently.

Eye Contact

"Where are you?"

"I just got out of the workshop," her silvery voice echoed through the phone. "Are you outside?"

"No, I'm on the opposite end of the hallway, by the exhibitions."

"Okay, I'm on my way."

I watched the crowd of students walk past, some clueless, others curious. My eyes lit up as I caught sight of a cute girl of small stature, dressed in a salmon-coloured blouse and dark leggings.

I sneaked up to her. "Hello."

"Oh hey, I didn't see you there."

Now You See It (Reader Contribution)

#shortstories is an ongoing series of articles recounting some of our interesting real life experiences.

Words by Jolene Siew

“It's a locked room murder!”

“How did the suspect escape?”

“The key's right beside the deceased.”

My eyes lit up in excitement as I glued them onto the screen, paying special attention to the crime scene trying my best to source out clues. As usual, the police force is utterly useless and the case can only be cracked by the lead – or in this case (pun unintentional), leads.

The Last Ferry Ride

#shortstories is an ongoing series of articles recounting some of our interesting real life experiences.

A ferry is never silent. At any point of time, there will be the shuffling of footsteps, the exchange of chatter, the sudden screaming of children enjoying the cold sea breeze. Even in the absence of all these, there would still be the monotone chime of the monstrous ship engines, chugging, turning, toiling, bringing the vessel from one jetty to another. That evening, however, all this noise was dead to me.

Slowly, reluctantly, I opened my eyes.

Falling

#shortstories is an ongoing series of articles recounting some of our interesting real life experiences.

My mind was starting to lose its sanity as I climbed up the gate in front of my house, trying to get out of the house silently. I picked up my worn-out basketball, jumped down from the gate and started to saunter to the nearby basketball court. Basketball has always been a stress reliever, momentarily taking me away into a paradise where every predicament loses its grip on my weary soul. That was just what I needed that evening. Exams were coming up and I had studied scarcely, what's more, there was only little time to spare before facing the big hurdle that was presented before me.

A Glimpse of Simplicity

#shortstories is an ongoing series of articles recounting some of our interesting real life experiences.

It happened on a rainy Saturday.

I was at my weekly job as a hostess in a restaurant, and as always, it was busy. It was pouring outside, and business was as busy as ever. An hour before closing, and the crowd was beginning to thin. A middle aged woman ran in, and handed me a leather bound journal, claiming that she found it outside in the rain.

I See You

#shortstories is an ongoing series of articles recounting some of our interesting real life experiences.

As with many things, spotting her was a pure coincidence. Or luck, depending on what you believe in. I lay back against my chair, partially relieved from completing a long, tedious chemistry worksheet. Massaging my neck a little, I leaned slightly to my right, momentarily enjoying the sweet joy of completion.

I saw her.