liqing
FSV1STORY – Storytelling TechniquesLetter to the Past
Dear Sze Hwee:
There has been so much I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, ever since Secondary 1. I really enjoyed those days when we were really close, during Primary 6, remember? Watching drama serials, horror movies and eating takeaway at your house. I still vaguely remember the way to your house, even though I’ve not been there in years.
Remember how the seven of us used to hang out together nearly every single day? We’d eat yu pian mi fen and ban mian at the same coffee shop opposite school. Cassie would always ask for more chilli and dump them all into her noodles. That was the time when bubble tea was really popular in school and we’d always love to get some after school. You really liked Kang Ta then, I remember. I wonder if you still like him?
After graduating from primary school, you started to change. You became the person I never knew. I wasn’t able to be close with you anymore. That day when you walked off during our first class gathering, I really, really wanted you to stay. At the bottom of my heart, I really wanted to run after you and call you back. For some reason, my legs froze and I just watched you leave like that. I know Cassie felt that way too, she told me.
I wish I had done things differently and talked to you and understand things from your perspective, you know? When I learnt about your dropping out of school and the trouble you got yourself into, I felt really disappointed. Maybe, if you hadn’t left that day, I would’ve been able to help you. Now I don’t even dare to say “Hi” to you if I happen to see you around. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just, I don’t know what I should say to you. I remember I was in charge for the second class gathering. When your name was next on the list, my heart was thumping crazily, wondering how my reaction would be hearing your voice over the phone.
I really want to apologize for being a bad friend. I really cherish the times we had in primary school. You were always there, and we always had fun together. We laughed and talked over the phone every day, and we always walked together out of school. The seven of us practiced our dance together, clinked glasses of Shandy together to celebrate a perfect rehearsal. We sang and danced to Steps, pushing Gervissa’s sofa to the back for space in the front. I still remember how we were laughing at Gervissa’s clock without a glass cover. How we immediately took off our pinafore the moment we reached her house and sat down in our blouses and shorts. How we were so crazy over Lavender.
I was really happy and I felt really blessed being with you, and the girls. I really wish that one day, you, me, Cassie, Gervissa, Hui Li, Yee Ling and Chu Yun can meet and talk, just like how we used to do. I can’t understand Chu Yun anymore as well. She has become yet another different person. Smoking, getting into trouble in and out of school, getting warned by the police, getting too involved in relationships.
Sometimes when I’m free, I’d take out that autograph book from my box and look through it. Your message is at the back of it, and whenever I look at it, I wish things would’ve been different. I wish I could turn back time and fix things. I still keep that birthday present you gave me; this figurine of an angel riding on a giant swan. I’ve never really liked figurines all that much, but I treasure it. It’s still sitting on my table, it’s always been there since the day I received it from you.
I guess what I want to say is that I’m really sorry and I still love you! I wish for courage to walk up and say “Hi” the next time I see you. I will never forget you, for you are the friend that I let down. I wish you’d forgive me, and we can keep in contact with each other again. But maybe, you’ve already forgotten me. You’ve forgotten about our friendship. Whether you have or have not, I really hope one day we can talk it over. I don’t know if our friendship matters to you, but I know it matters a lot to me. I’m really, really sorry for everything and I will always pray for you. I hope you will have a very blessed life with the love from many people because you deserve all the love in the world.
Yours Sincerely,
Li Qing
Brushes Credit :: papersweets.fan-art.net
2 Comments»
misterryan wrote @
I really want to apologize for being a bad friend.
The paragraph that begins with this sentence reads like poetry. It’s beautiful. I don’t react like you as I read the piece. I assume you should appreciate the good times rather than lament that the good times have passed. However, that’s not the most important part of the writing. It’s the lyrical way you present the past. lovely use of examples.
Thats soooooo sweet!