Story: 21th of October
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hey guys, was really impressed by the 2 stories i read here. hehe... kinda inspired me to try writing a story of my own too.
well, its my first attempt at writing such a long piece... so please forgive any errors made.
feel free to give any comments... in the meanwhile enjoy the story...
Cheers -
October 21st 1965
Sigh... in another 30 days my agony will start. The A levels examination!!! I have barely started with my revision. How am I supposed to study with 3 younger brothers fighting and another 2 younger sisters wailing away? Home has never been a conducive place to study in. Being the eldest child doesnÂ’t help either. IÂ’ve got to take care of the 5 monkeys, do the household chores and study! What a life!
WellÂ… the only refuge IÂ’ve got, is the National Library. No.1 itÂ’s free. No.2 itÂ’s got the reference books I need and most importantlyÂ… There arenÂ’t any young kids screaming their lungs out. ItÂ’s just simply heaven.
Oh no! The library is full with students mugging for their examinations too. I guess the library is heaven for many other students as well.
Every single seat in the library is taken up and everyone is burying the heads in their books. *Cross my fingers* Hope IÂ’ll be able to find a seat soon. Somewhere near the reference section, I spied an empty seat. Hah! Lady luck is smiling on me. I made a mad dash for that seat before itÂ’s taken up by someone.
*Bang* I slammed my books down onto the table, smiling triumphly. Yeah Yeah~ IÂ’ve got the seat! Almost simultaneously, a head from across the table lifted up. With a deep frown on his brows, the boy stared at me. OppsÂ… I must have disrupted him from his studies. I gave a little smile, quickly mumbled a *Sorry* and sat down.
I pulled out the Mathematics textbook from my bag. Damn! My “favorite” subject. I had no other way out but to keep practicing, practicing and just practicing. I began my battle with differentiation, integration and functions. One question after another… … … after another…… …
Shucks!!! WhatÂ’s with this differentiation question anyway?! I simply couldnÂ’t get the correct answer, even after re-doing for like a million times. I give up. Time to take a breather~ I lifted my head up and looked right into a pair of bespectacled, intense eyes. It was the boy who frowned at me just now. I stared back at him. Taken aback by my sudden action, he quickly shifted his gaze onto his books once again.
Hmm…… Was he looking at me? Or was he looking at something behind me? *Turned over my shoulders* Nope. It’s just a whole shelf of books. *Fingers feeling my face* Nope. There isn’t anything on my face either, hehe … perhaps just a few pimples, other than that there seriously isn’t anything interesting around. Perhaps it was really me that he was starring at? It’s impossible! I’m just a plain Jane, the next-door-girl… not ugly but not exactly beautiful either. But I really did see him gazing at me. Or was it my imagination? Nah, I didn’t imagine that. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to see how bright his eyes were. Hehee… He had nice eyes, even wearing spectacles couldn’t hide those bright eyes. His complexion was good for a guy and not to mention his high bridged nose…… I must admit – He’s pretty good looking.
*Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong.* Oh! ItÂ’s five oÂ’clock already! I have to rush home to help Mother cook dinner. I quickly stuffed my books into the bag and rushed off. I wouldnÂ’t want to give Mother a chance to nag at me for reaching home late. Once she starts, she never (and I really mean NEVER) stops. -
Originally posted by tiaret:
pray continue
[b]October 21st 1965
Sigh... in another 30 days my agony will start. The A levels examination!!! I have barely started with my revision. How am I supposed to study with 3 younger brothers fighting and another 2 younger sisters wailing away? Home has never been a conducive place to study in. Being the eldest child doesnÂ’t help either. IÂ’ve got to take care of the 5 monkeys, do the household chores and study! What a life!
WellÂ… the only refuge IÂ’ve got, is the National Library. No.1 itÂ’s free. No.2 itÂ’s got the reference books I need and most importantlyÂ… There arenÂ’t any young kids screaming their lungs out. ItÂ’s just simply heaven.
Oh no! The library is full with students mugging for their examinations too. I guess the library is heaven for many other students as well. Every single seat in the library is taken up and everyone is burying the heads in their books. *Cross my fingers* Hope IÂ’ll be able to find a seat soon. Somewhere near the reference section, I spied an empty seat. Hah! Lady luck is smiling on me. I made a mad dash for that seat before itÂ’s taken up by someone.
*Bang* I slammed my books down onto the table, smiling triumphly. Yeah Yeah~ IÂ’ve got the seat! Almost simultaneously, a head from across the table lifted up. With a deep frown on his brows, the boy stared at me. OppsÂ… I must have disrupted him from his studies. I gave a little smile, quickly mumbled a *Sorry* and sat down.
I pulled out the Mathematics textbook from my bag. Damn! My “favorite” subject. I had no other way out but to keep practicing, practicing and just practicing. I began my battle with differentiation, integration and functions. One question after another… … … after another…… …
Shucks!!! WhatÂ’s with this differentiation question anyway?! I simply couldnÂ’t get the correct answer, even after re-doing for like a million times. I give up. Time to take a breather~ I lifted my head up and looked right into a pair of bespectacled, intense eyes. It was the boy who frowned at me just now. I stared back at him. Taken aback by my sudden action, he quickly shifted his gaze onto his books once again.
Hmm…… Was he looking at me? Or was he looking at something behind me? *Turned over my shoulders* Nope. It’s just a whole shelf of books. *Fingers feeling my face* Nope. There isn’t anything on my face either, hehe … perhaps just a few pimples, other than that there seriously isn’t anything interesting around. Perhaps it was really me that he was starring at? It’s impossible! I’m just a plain Jane, the next-door-girl… not ugly but not exactly beautiful either. But I really did see him gazing at me. Or was it my imagination? Nah, I didn’t imagine that. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to see how bright his eyes were. Hehee… He had nice eyes, even wearing spectacles couldn’t hide those bright eyes. His complexion was good for a guy and not to mention his high bridged nose…… I must admit – He’s pretty good looking.
*Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong.* Oh! ItÂ’s five oÂ’clock already! I have to rush home to help Mother cook dinner. I quickly stuffed my books into the bag and rushed off. I wouldnÂ’t want to give Mother a chance to nag at me for reaching home late. Once she starts, she never (and I really mean NEVER) stops.
[/b] -
Another love story.
~clap, clap, clap~
But if the girl in the story was doing her 'A' Level in 1965, so now she must .....
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October 24th 1965
It’s been two days since I last went to the National Library to study. For the past two days, no matter what I was doing, miraculously an image of the boy in the library would creep into my mind and often disrupting my thoughts. When I close my eyes to sleep at night, I would see his face, his intense gaze at me. Perhaps I should go to the library to study today to see if I could “accidentally” meet him there.
I walked towards the reference section. With every step I take, my heart would seem to increase by ten beats. There he was!!! Sitting at the exact spot two days ago. It seemed as if he had never left the seat before, waiting for me to be back. *Hahaha* Guess IÂ’m thinking too much.
But anyway, I quietly slipped into the seat opposite, not wanting to disturb him. This time round, he didnÂ’t look up at all but carried on studying. Oh wellÂ… IÂ’ll just do the same too; perhaps heÂ’ll notice me later.
I was diligently studying when I heard a finger tapping on the table. I looked up and saw him. Pointing to a pen in his hand, he mouthed the word *Pen*.
Without much thinking, I asked him, “You want a pen?”
Shaking his head, he mouthed the word *No*.
“Huh? Then what do yo………”
My question was drowned by a loud *QUIET* from the librarian. OppsÂ… IÂ’ve forgotten that weÂ’re not supposed to talk in the library. I could feel my face flushed from the embarrassment. I quickly looked down and pretended to be very interested in my notes.
A moment later, a piece of paper was placed in front of my eyes.
And our conversation on paper started:
“Sorry about it.
Didn’t mean to let you get scolded by the librarian. You left your pen on the table the other day. Was about to return it to you just now. ”
“Oh, it’s ok. I’ve forgotten I was in the library. Anyway, thanks for keeping my pen and returning it to me.
”
“You’re welcome. It’s just a small matter. So, are u studying for your A levels too?”
“Yep. And right now I’m struggling with Mathematics. What about you?”
“I’m taking Mathematics too. If you need any help I could give you a hand. By the way, my name is Wee Teck. What’s yours?”
“I’m Poh Choo. Thanks for offering. I think I really need LOTS of help with Mathematics.” -
The love story of Wee Teck & Poh Choo.
Love at first sight. -
December 21st 1965
AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The A levels examination is OVER!!! Over~ Over~ Over~ I¡¦m so happy that it¡¦s finally over. I raced all the way from school to the National Library to meet Wee Teck. We had agreed to meet and celebrate together the end of our A levels examination.
I spotted Wee Teck from afar. Haha¡K Actually it wasn¡¦t difficult to spot Wee Teck at all. Being almost one head taller than most people, it was impossible to miss him. His face lit up at the sight of me. I practically flew to him and grabbed his hands. We like two crazy person jumping, screaming and laughing outside the National Library. *Exam is over. Exam is over.* Only when other people started to cast weird stares at us, that it dawned on both of us that we have just acted insanely.
When we finally calmed down, we were breathing heavily and still holding onto each other hands. Feeling awkward, I immediately pulled my hands out of his and looked shyly down on the ground. I could feel heat slowly creeping up my cheeks. I must have looked at the ground for quite sometime, cause Wee Teck said:¡¨I didn¡¦t know that the ground actually has the capability to hypnotize a person.¡¨
Upon hearing that, I burst out laughing and lifted my hand to slap Wee Teck on the arm. It was at this moment, he caught my hand and held it tightly in his and looked deeply into my eyes.
¡§Poh Choo, I¡¦m not very good with words but there¡¦s something I¡¦ve been wanting to tell you. During the exams period, I didn¡¦t get to meet you at all. But images of you would float into my mind, your mesmerizing smile, the mischievous twinkle in your eyes; I even hear your voice in my sleep. The whole time I was so afraid you¡¦ll forget about me because I know in this lifetime of mine, I¡¦ll never be able to forget you. Will you be my girlfriend? Will you, Poh Choo?¡¨
¡§Ouch!¡¨
¡§Huh? What kind of answer is ¡¥ouch¡¦??¡¨
¡§Ouch, cause you are hurting my hand!¡¨
¡§Oh!¡¨ *Letting go off my hand* ¡§I¡¦m so sorry, Poh Choo. Are you ok?¡¨
¡§Yes¡K To both questions.¡¨
¡§What both questions? Are you sure you are alright?¡¨
¡§Yes, I¡¦m fine. And Yes¡K to the first question you asked me just now.¡¨ ƒº
¡§The first ques¡K¡K REALLY?! You will? You will be my girlfriend?! I love you so much Poh Choo!¡¨
¡§Hahaaha, yes I will, Wee Teck. Cause I like you too.¡¨
We went to the hawker centre and celebrated the end of the A levels examinations and the beginning of our new found relationship on a bowl of our usual ¡¥tau huay¡¨.
¡§Uncle, why did you add so much sugar syrup in my ¡¥tau huay¡¦ today?¡¨
¡§Where got? It¡¦s the same lah. I always put the same amount of sugar syrup one. Hahaha, must be today got girlfriend already, that¡¦s why exceptionally sweet issit?¡¨ -
Love is always sweet... at the beginning.....
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there's where we can the twist in the story later mah...Originally posted by DeadPoet:Love is always sweet... at the beginning..... -
hahaa, thats so cynical of you......Originally posted by DeadPoet:Love is always sweet... at the beginning..... -
February 21st 1966
IÂ’m so terrified!!! The A level examinations results will be out today. Despite Wee TeckÂ’s constant assurance since a week before, IÂ’m still as nervous as ever. Getting good results was the only ticket to university. Money wasnÂ’t enough in the family; Father had said mentioned that earlier.
“Ah Choo, you know we are not a well-off family. There isn’t much money left for your siblings’ education if I send you to university. The only way is to get a scholarship. But from what I see, its best you stop studying and go find a job to lighten the family burden. Besides, I don’t see why a girl has to study so much. In the end, you’ll have to get married and have kids. You don’t need a university degree to do that.”
Argh! How could Father say that? WhatÂ’s wrong with a girl going into university? He is such a male chauvinist! I donÂ’t plan to get married so soon anyway, let alone having children.
Miraculously, IÂ’ve gotten an A for Mathematics! But all the credit goes to my Wee Teck darling. Without his patient coaching I would have done so well for my least favorite subject. However, my overall grades are not good enough for me to apply for a scholarship to study in university. 
Probably itÂ’s fated that I wouldnÂ’t be able to carry on my education. It is just so unfair.
I was practically dragging myself to the National Library to meet Wee Teck. I stood under the willow tree, waiting for him, thinking about my future. God knows how desperately I want to get a degree, but nowÂ… with my results. ItÂ’s impossible. Guess itÂ’s time I find a job and like Father said, to help lighten the load.
“Hey lovely. Thinking about me?”
“A little. I was thinking of job hunting tomorrow. By the way, how’s your result? Must be pretty good. “
“Not really, but I’ll make it into university though. I’m sorry, my dear.”
“Huh? Sorry about what? It’s not your fault that I can’t get into university. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’ll just get a job.”
“Hmm… I’ll convince my parents to loan you the money set aside for my university fees. I won’t need it now since I’ll still have to serve NS. Isn’t that a great idea?”
“No, Wee Teck. I can’t use the money for your education. It’s your parents’ hard earned money and I know they don’t have much to spare either. Even if I really loan the money from them, I won’t be able to pay them back.”
“But……”
“No buts… I’ll find a job as soon as possible.” -
Kicks Ah Choo father's ass!
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wah.... jin kor mia....
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October 21st 1966
ItÂ’s our first anniversary today. I canÂ’t believe IÂ’ve known Wee Teck for a year and to have been so lucky to meet such a wonderful guy. It just seemed like yesterday when I went to the National Library and saw my darling at the table studying. Being with Wee Teck and knowing him is the best thing which ever happened in my life.
I decided that every year on the day of our anniversary we should make it a point to visit the National Library together. After all, without the library, we wouldnÂ’t be together.
I was puzzled why Wee Teck fixed our anniversary on the 21st of October (we first met in the library) instead of 21st of December, when we first went steady.
“My dear Poh Choo, it’s because I fell in love with you on the 21st of October and was already madly in love with you by the 21st of December.”
We spent the whole together at the library and had dinner at the hawker centre nearby. I understand that Wee Teck didnÂ’t get a lot of money while serving NS. But it didnÂ’t matter to me at all. As long as I was together with Wee Teck, the food didnÂ’t matter, the atmosphere didnÂ’t matter. Nothing mattered. Only Wee Teck mattered. -
October 21st 1967
Wee Teck said he had a surprised planned for me. Boy! I canÂ’t wait to see him tonight.
He brought me to a restaurant for dinner. But compared to the ones I went together with Choong Boon (big bossÂ’ son) previously, it was simply pathetic. The lightings werenÂ’t right, the food wasnÂ’t up to standard, the cutlery set wasnÂ’t properly cleaned and the plates were chipped. How could Wee Teck bring me to such a restaurant? DonÂ’t tell me this was the surprise he had planned? It was utterly disappointing.
I barely touched the food on the plate and pushed it aside.
Wee Teck asked:” Why aren’t you eating? Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure you’re ok?”
“Yes, I’m perfectly alright, just that I had a heavy lunch today.”
“Oh ok, then don’t waste.” Wee Teck took over my plate and finished the rest of the food left.
I starred at him. Is this the Wee Teck I used to know? Since when has he become such a cheapo? It was so embarrassing. While he was gobbling down the horrible-tasting food (if you call it food), I quickly asked for the bill before Wee Teck embarrassed me even further.
By the time Wee Teck paid the bill, it was already very late. I suggested taking the taxi instead of the bus as I was really tired after a long day at work. But Wee Teck thought it was too expensive and told me to take the bus instead. Fine, I gave in to him. I didnÂ’t want to argue with him on our anniversary and quietly waited for the bus.
“Erm, Poh Choo. I’ve got something to do later on. I won’t be able to send you home tonight.”
“What? It’s already so late and you want me to go home on my own? Don’t you even care about my safety?”
“I’m sorry Poh Choo. It’s really important.”
“What could be more important than your girlfriend? If it’s really important, then what are you still doing here for? Just go and do your very important stuff!”
“Ok, then I’ll go. You be careful Poh Choo. Happy Anniversary. Bye.”
“Fine. Go. Go. Go!” -
Originally posted by tiaret:
so sad
[b]October 21st 1967
Wee Teck said he had a surprised planned for me. Boy! I canÂ’t wait to see him tonight.
He brought me to a restaurant for dinner. But compared to the ones I went together with Choong Boon (big bossÂ’ son) previously, it was simply pathetic. The lightings werenÂ’t right, the food wasnÂ’t up to standard, the cutlery set wasnÂ’t properly cleaned and the plates were chipped. How could Wee Teck bring me to such a restaurant? DonÂ’t tell me this was the surprise he had planned? It was utterly disappointing.
I barely touched the food on the plate and pushed it aside.
Wee Teck asked:” Why aren’t you eating? Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure you’re ok?”
“Yes, I’m perfectly alright, just that I had a heavy lunch today.”
“Oh ok, then don’t waste.” Wee Teck took over my plate and finished the rest of the food left.
I starred at him. Is this the Wee Teck I used to know? Since when has he become such a cheapo? It was so embarrassing. While he was gobbling down the horrible-tasting food (if you call it food), I quickly asked for the bill before Wee Teck embarrassed me even further.
By the time Wee Teck paid the bill, it was already very late. I suggested taking the taxi instead of the bus as I was really tired after a long day at work. But Wee Teck thought it was too expensive and told me to take the bus instead. Fine, I gave in to him. I didnÂ’t want to argue with him on our anniversary and quietly waited for the bus.
“Erm, Poh Choo. I’ve got something to do later on. I won’t be able to send you home tonight.”
“What? It’s already so late and you want me to go home on my own? Don’t you even care about my safety?”
“I’m sorry Poh Choo. It’s really important.”
“What could be more important than your girlfriend? If it’s really important, then what are you still doing here for? Just go and do your very important stuff!”
“Ok, then I’ll go. You be careful Poh Choo. Happy Anniversary. Bye.”
“Fine. Go. Go. Go!”
[/b] -
Poh Choo cannot be like that. How can you compare Wee Teck with big boss's son.
(What the hell you are doing with big boss's son anyway?)
~me sadly shake my head~ -
sadly she changed..... haiz.....
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the sadest part have yet to come......Originally posted by ntu slacker:so sad -
e suspense killin meOriginally posted by tiaret:the sadest part have yet to come...... -
somehow... somewhere along the way... people change... then when one cannot catch up with the other...... they usually would go opposite ways...Originally posted by KittynMeow:sadly she changed..... haiz..... -
October 21st 1968
It has been raining non-stop today and itÂ’s my third anniversary with Wee Teck. He had arranged to celebrate our anniversary at the National Library once again. DoesnÂ’t he realize that itÂ’s boring to keep going to the library? In fact thereÂ’s nothing over there, only books and one lousy hawker centre beside it. Nothing captivating.
This year, he has hinted heÂ’ll be giving me a surprise once again. SighÂ… I wished it would be something good this time. Last yearÂ’s anniversary was a disaster.
The rain still didnÂ’t stop when I left the office and Choong Boon offered me a lift to the National Library. I gladly accepted his offer, because I donÂ’t want to be drenched from head to toe. I knew Choong Boon was interested in me, I could sense it. He would always treat us (the company employees) out for lunch, but at the table he would be more attentive to my needs. Always asking what I wanted to eat. He would bring us to many different high class restaurants to taste the different cuisine, recommending us what is delicious. With him, everything was an eye opener. And he owning a car was definitely a bonus. He would always offer me a ride home. Well, IÂ’m grateful for that as least I donÂ’t have to drag myself back everyday after work. But the best of all was, he was the big bossÂ’ son. HmmÂ… Perhaps giving Choong Boon a chance didnÂ’t seem like such a bad ideaÂ…
“Choong Boon, could you please wait here for me for a little while? I’ll be back soon.”
“Ok sure.”
I alighted from the car, running towards the hawker centre, in the rain, in search of Wee Teck. There I see him sitting in front of the ‘tau huay’ stall, as usual. He was fiddling with something in his hand. When he saw me approaching, he quickly stuffed it into his shirt pocket and smiled brightly at me.
“Happy 3rd anniversary dear! I can’t believe we have been together for so long.”
“Yes, perhaps it’s a little too long……”
“What makes you say that? We’ve still got a long way ahead. Are you feeling alright today? Feeling very stress at work? Perhaps I could accompany you for a short break over to Malaysia?”
“Let’s break up, Wee Teck. I’m sorry.”
Upon saying this, I left the table. Wthout turning back, i made my way back to Choong BoonÂ’s car. -
I am shock!
Actually I see this coming lah...... -
October 20th 1990
ItÂ’s been years since I left Singapore, after I married Choong Boon and migrated to Australia. About a month ago, Choong Boon decided to come back to Singapore to relocate his main office here instead of Australia. He said Singapore is after all our home. Besides, weÂ’ll be closer to our family here.
WellÂ… so here I am with my family back in Singapore. Singapore has definitely changed a lot ever since we left. I could barely recognize the surroundings. Walking along Orchard Road was like a walk down memory lane.
Suddenly I saw a familiar figure walking towards meÂ… IÂ’m not sure if itÂ’s her. ItÂ’s been more than 20 years since I saw her. My gaze caught her eyes. And IÂ’m sure its Wee TengÂ… she didnÂ’t age much, still the tall, willowy Wee Teng.
“20 years huh, Wee Teng? It’s been 20 years since I last saw you. How have you been?”
“Oh my my, is that you, Poh Choo? It really has been a long time, more than 20 years. I heard you migrated to Australia many years ago.”
“Yes, but my family and I are back in Singapore for good. Choong Boon decided to relocate his business here. So how is Wee Tec…”
But my question was disrupted by a loud *HORN*
A young chap shouted from the car:”MOM! It’s a non-parking zone. Could you please hurry?”
“I’m sorry Poh Choo. But I have to go now……”
“Ok sure,” I said, as I quickly scribbled down my address and telephone number on a piece of paper. “Here’s my address and number. Give me a call when you are free. Take care, Wee Teng. Bye.”
Seeing Wee Teng again, brought back memories of times with Wee Teck. Wee Teng looked so much like her brother, tall and both of them have those same sincere eyes. ItÂ’s been some time ever since I thought about Wee Teck, I wonder how is he doing now? HeÂ’s probably happily married, and has more than 4 children. I remembered he used to love children a lot, besides heÂ’s a natural with them. -
Getting interesting .....
Actually I quite like those '10 years later .....' kind of story. You know somethig like time travel. Usually many changes would have taken place by then.
Hmm... wonder what will happen next.