A THOUSAND CROSSINGS X

Dear Diary...
A family discussion with a happy outcome.
dimanche 19 juillet 2009

Finished my English homework! We were supposed to do an essay, so I decided to choose a narrative this time; A family discussion with a happy outcome.

“No! You cannot!” My mum shrieked at the top of her voice in between sobs. My mum could not calm herself down despite my dad’s reassurances.

“But mum, it’s perfectly safe. Even if it’s not, I’m going to have to do it! I am Alvin’s only hope. He’s now in that stinking hospital bed waiting for my marrow and I’m still here arguing with you!” I retorted. I could feel my blood rushing through the veins in my head. I was peeved. How could my mother be so selfish?

Alvin and I were best of friends ever since our primary school days. He was from Hong Kong and had a very strong accent when we were in Primary One. Even though it was really difficult to make out what he said, we got along very well. I was an only child and had always wanted to have a sibling to care for and play with. Alvin seemed to be like a gift from heaven, an answer to my wishes. He was a friend that was as close to me as a blood brother would have been, someone who would always hear my complaints and crack jokes to cheer me up whenever I was feeling blue.

The heavens were so kind to give me a “brother”, but they were now going to take him away from me. Alvin had been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. The disease had already progressed on to the third stage and he needed a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. I thought the heavens gave me a chance to save me when the doctors told me I was a compatible donor after I had a blood test. However, my mother refused to allow me to go under the knife.

“You are the Mun family’s only descendant. What are we going to do if something goes horribly wrong! You are our only son! Do you wish to see us without children to care for us when we are old?” My mother bawled.

I was at my wits end. One was my best friend I regarded as my brother, my closest kin. And the other was my parents who were depending on me to carry on the family line, as well as too tend to them when they are older. It felt as if the heavens were toying with me. I was at a loss. I did not know how else I could reassure my mother. I could not promise her my safety, nor could I watch Alvin die. I had to make a decision.

“Mum, do you remember the time Alvin saved my life? I had a sudden cramp in my leg and was struggling in the pool. If not for Alvin’s quick reactions, I would have perished!”

My mum wiped her tears off her cheeks and rolled her eyes upwards as if to shut the tap that was allowing the tears to flow. I could see her irises dilate and she sighed.

“Yes I do. He saved your life…” She said between sniffs. My dad, who had his protective arm around my mother’s shoulders, also began to tear. He nodded as we spoke.

“And do you remember the time our son had that terrible car accident. If not for Alvin’s blood donation, our son could have died!” My dad said as he patted my mother’s right shoulder with his protective arm, as if to slowly coax her into allowing me to save Alvin.

I bowed my head and clasped my hands as if in prayer. Pea-sized tears began rolling down my cheeks. I made my decision. I was playing heaven’s little game.

“Mother, I would be safe. I promise you. Should anything really happen to me, Alvin could take care of you. Surely he would! He treats us like family like the way we treat him! And shouldn’t family members help each other? I need to help Alvin! No one else can!” My soft whispers eventually became intense screams as I spoke to my mother. I could not hold it in anymore.

My mother crumbled again under the pressure. She shielded her face with her right palm and began to sob.

“Why must this happen? Why Alvin? Why you?”

I was stunned when I heard those words. I did not know how to answer my mother. Why did heaven choose Alvin. Why did heaven choose me to be his only savior?

“Because they want to test the strength of their friendship. Brothers do not hesitate to help each other even if it means giving up his own life. Let him go dear.” My father said to my mother.

My father was a soft-spoken person, a man of few words. However, when he speaks, the world listens. His every word was like gold bars. His shrewd business advice had built conglomerates and empires. That day, his words on brotherhood felt more like a key to a chest. The key opened the chest and freed our worries and hesitations.

My mother looked up at my father and nodded slowly. She her tears away again and said, “You’ll be fine. Go tell Alvin the good news. I’m not going to lose my son.”

“No mum! You will not lose me! I will be safe!” I quickly replied, fearing that my mum would think of the worst.

“Not you. Alvin.” A slight smile began to appear on her face. I hugged my parents tightly and began to weep, but those were tears of jubilance and not sorrow.

“Hang on Alvin.” I muttered, as my parents drove me to the hospital.

Heaven lost the game.

Somehow I feel its badly done. No vocabulary! Argh :/ Whenever I need the vocab, nothing comes to mind. When I don't need them, I speak like a British. (ok, maybe not British)

argh. At least give me a 21?

Au Revoir

yongliang

he closed his diary at {00:10}