Fan Fiction |
by Carmen Yip
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Tim laid his back and stared at the ceilings…
Thousands of blur lines and shadows merge together, to remind him so much of the uncertainties in life. The shadows of moving vehicles were reflected through the window found their way casting onto the ceiling. He never observed the laws of the natural world, but how amazing could it be!
He recalled an earlier series he had watched earlier. The main theme was talking about how one could trade the most ridiculous things for even more absurd ones. People trading their souls for a better life, exchanging their looks for some weird reasons, or giving up their eyes for freedom. Nonsense! He thought.
But in another sense, how he wishes it were true in a way! The past becomes irretrievable! Only those memories are recoverable, in a way, through his heart!
Why had he not known earlier! That his so-called love for Ah Yan had long turned into a mixed sense of guilt and compensation to make his conscience feel better! It was a painstaking decision to deceive himself!
He made a silly wish…
And dozed off without himself noticing it while thinking of her…
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The next morning, he was awaken up by the familiar voice of his mum again…
TIM: (mumbling) Helen…
MRS. YIP: (looks at him weirdly) Hmmm… is that telepathy? How did you know Miss Fok is calling?
TIM: (jumped up) Huh? She is?
MRS. YIP: Yeah, on the phone. Are you picking up the call?
TIM: Yup, mum! (tidying his hair) Do I look messy, Mum?
MRS. YIP: She can’t see you, silly son!
TIM: (feels silly) Oh yah! (trotting his way out) (picks up the phone) Helen!
HELEN: (laughing) Oh lazy worm, you’re still sleeping at such hour!
TIM: (feels a tinge of sweetness) How come you’re calling at such an hour? I thought it’s early morning over there?
HELEN: What are you talking about? Aren’t we on the same continent? (giggles) Anyway, I just call to tell you I won’t be meeting you for lunch for the discussion, but I’ll see you tomorrow night!
TIM: (confused) What discussion?
HELEN: (feels odd) Have you got amnesia, Tim? Don’t frighten me! We’re supposed to talk about the details of the sale of your property. So I’ll see you tomorrow night, is that ok with you?
TIM: Where?
HELEN: Awww… don’t kid me anymore, Mr. Yip! April’s fool is long over! Usual place! Ok, that’s it! I’ll see you until then!
TIM: Huh? Erh… ok.
Tim puts down the receiver feeling weird. He took a brief scan of the surrounding. God! He rubs his eyes amazingly. This was the residence that he once moved in alright. What happened?
MRS. YIP: (calling) Tim, have your breakslow now! Or rather, lunch!
TIM: (mixed feelings) Mum, what day is today?
MRS. YIP: Wednesday, why?
TIM: Nope, the date!
MRS. YIP: 10 August, 1994!
TIM: (shocked) WHAT?!? (mumbled) 5 years ago?
MRS. YIP: Tim, what’s wrong with you today?
TIM: (lost) Nothing, mum! I’ll not be having breakfast, I’ll go out now! (rushing out)
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He took a casual stroll down the recognizable streets he used to drive by. Those familiar jogging figures, chatty aunties, noisy students, were still there! It was almost noon, and the first thing he thought of was to take a look at Choy Kee.
As he pushes open the doors of Choy Kee, the tingling of the little bells hung at the knobs begins to alert the employees’ attention on the newcomer. One of them, apparently a newbie, went up to attend to Tim. The latter just smiles lightly and went towards the kitchen, where he had already caught a glimpse of his best friend.
TIM: (in a normal tone) Ah Keung!
KEUNG: (turns around) (straight face) What are you doing here?
TIM: I’ve…
KEUNG: Sorry, I’m busy! (brushes pass him) Excuse me!
TIM: What’s with you, Keung? I…
KEUNG: (turns and faces him) I don’t think you would like to wash your dirty linen in public!
TIM: (confused) Keung Ah, what are you spouting?
KEUNG: Sorry, I’m very busy! (avoiding him) If you’re trying to ask me back to Lik Tin Century…
TIM: (recalled) (thought to himself) This must be the time I was planning to raise the sum for…
KEUNG: (interrupted) I'm afraid you would be disappointed! I will be putting my heart and soul in Choy Kee!
TIM: (after some thinking) Ah Keung… (gave a firm pat on the latter’s shoulder) No matter what, Choy Kee will stay!
Chi Keung took another brief but concentrated look at his departing friend. A few days back, he had just visited the well-respected Father Lam, at where he actually met Tim pouring his sorrows. Complicated feelings engulfed Keung when he overhears the heartfelt words of Tim.
FATHER LAM: Learn to forgive and forget!
KEUNG: I wish so! But I shouldn’t, I can’t! I’m not god…
FATHER LAM: Leave it to the lord! No matter what human beings do, disregarding whether it’s good or evil; god will question your conscience, at when you will be at much ease.
Down the deepest arena in his heart, he knew too well, that he had forgiven Tim. But certain things… are still hard for the conscience to undertake!
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Exiting Choy Kee, Tim took a seat at Victoria garden and sinks his teeth into an egg-and-ham sandwich. Munching slowly on his food, Tim would take envious glances of the playing kids near the playground. That was what he used to be, many many years ago!
Since they moved into their present residence, his parents would take relatively frequent trips back to their old neighborhood to mix around with their old time friends again; Ah Chak would join his friends to swim in Victoria; and Ah Mun! How could he have put her off his mind? He speculates what she would be doing now…
But all those times were gone. Replacing it was hard days up to test his endurance and willpower. He vowed to provide a better life for his folks and siblings before. To get back at his uncle Yip Hau Lai, for seizing the otherwise comfy life they would be having!
Back to 1999, he knew all of these vengeances bear no fruit. Thinking of that, he wonders whether he will stay in the era he’s in forever. What had happened to him? He was in seek of the answer rather desperately.
Tens of minutes later, he set foot below a familiar building. It wasn’t Lik Tin Century, but…
Not long after a delicate figure emerges from the corner of the grey concrete wall, he retreats a step…
And stared at her! His heart felt a sudden but continuous twist, and his emotions were stirring ever so wildly within him.
He took a breath to prepare himself, but someone was quicker…
A pat landed on her shoulder.
TIM: (catching his breath) Helen! Sorry, I’m late!
HELEN: (looks at him weirdly) Tim? What are you doing here?
TIM: We arranged to meet and talk about the sale of my present apartment, you forgot?
HELEN: But I had called your house to tell you just now that I’ll meet you tomorrow night instead! What’s wrong?
TIM: (knits his brown) How could it be? I didn’t return home last night at all!
HELEN: (rolls her eyes) Don’t tell me I was talking to a ghost just now!
TIM: Am I supposed to suffer from amnesia?
HELEN: Stop the joke! Anyway, I’m in a rush now, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?
TIM: Sure! (smiles) Need a drive?
HELEN: Thanks, but Barry is coming in a minute!
TIM: Ok then, I’ll see you tomorrow, same place! Bye!
HELEN: Bye!
The solitude figure almost couldn’t accept what his senses were telling him. Who was that fellow? His twin? His clone? Or… he himself is the real spirit?
Tempted to unravel the mystery, he step his foot out and advances towards her…
Within a second he was held back by a strong force…
MAN: Yip Wing Tim!
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PS: God! I certainly hope I haven't confused you people too much! I decided to let this chp live up to its name! Erhh... is this chappie a lil too extra? :S
29/08/2004...1425hrs