The Arch beyond the Desert.
The sun, blazing at its zenith scorched the land along with the back of my neck, creating this intense feeling of unease. It was so hot the images within my view shimmered and swayed, and I was reminded of the great desert of the Sahara. Funny, though. Grandma’s house is never really this overwhelmingly hot. It must have something to do with the barren stretch of sand I could see as I approached her gate. It was weird, bizarre perhaps, but I didn’t allow it to in my mind. Important things were at hand, and I should worry about things that I grasp first and foremost. The strange rock that formed a V arch at the horizon was nothing of my concern. Not yet.
I followed dad into grandma’s house, immediately sensing the foreboding shadow that was over my relatives. The cheer that usually enveloped my fifth aunt was missing, perhaps obscured by the dark gloom that shows within her eyes. Her newly-wed husband was not here, though I had the notion of where he is. My grandparents and my sixth aunt were sitting at the dining table full of grim, and I could see the anxiety and apprehension that was carved to their faces. The wise-cracking Raymond, my sixth aunt’s lover, sat darkly at the corner of the dining room, deep in thought. He raised his head as I entered the room, acknowledging my father with a nod of respect before returning to his thoughts. Even my cousins; Jessica, Chee Zhen and Vince were there, the three siblings standing behind my grandparents. Mom was there too, sitting by the table, and she stood to embrace my father. We all sat by the table, and dad spread a blueprint across the rectangular table. Raymond diverted his attention to us. The meeting was starting, and I don’t know fishes about what was going on.
“The infiltration at Petaling Jaya was a success,” Dad began, addressing everyone with his stern gaze. “My sister and her family have discovered that the enemy is secretly giving instructions from three separate locations; Seremban, Batu 11 and Serdang. And Tjun (I raised my head at the mention of my brother) that has managed access to ATC Kemayan, and is now sending vital information of what the enemy is planning. It seems that the enemy has constructed a base beyond the desert arch, and is possibly developing something that may danger us and our nation.”
I was somewhat flabbergasted, yet calm and accepting all the same. The whole scenario seemed preposterous, outrageous even, and yet it seemed all so true. But I’m not so ready to believe it either. The kitchen was numbingly hot.
Dad went on, pointing at various illustrations on the blueprint, “Our current plan is this; we need to station some of our people in all this three locations, and also place someone to infiltrate the arch beyond the desert. Uncle Fook is currently heading towards Serdang upon completing his assignment at Ipoh, so we need three volunteers; two for station at the remaining locations and one to gain access to the arch beyond the desert.”
“I’ll take Seremban. I have contacts there that could be of help,” Raymond said, standing up. “But I’ll need Chee Zhen to help me.” He strode away and out of the house, Chee Zhen following him. Dad heaved a sigh as grandma gave my sixth aunt a reassuring pat.
“We need another two volunteers.”
“I’ll go to the arch,” I found myself saying, bewildered at my own actions. I, the one who screws up everything and anything that has been entrusted to me, am volunteering to the infiltrate a base in the middle of a desert that has miraculously appeared at the side of my grandmother’s house. It sounded surreal, and yet so real. I was oddly calm, as though this had been my goal, my main obligation as long as I breathe or live. But I remembered the strong determination that was burning in my chest, and I was suddenly brave and confident. A couple of moments later I had hoisted a large backpack full with things that I know nothing of, checking sure of the 5 water canteens I have around my belt, and then setting off into the desert towards the mysterious but magnificent arch that shivered beyond the wavering air.
I trudged long (or so it seems) and far, constantly glancing back at my grandmother’s house that was slowly devoured by the sand dunes that I traversed across. The backpack was surprisingly light, but I was thirsty soon enough as tiredness seeped into my legs. My main concern was water, which suddenly, despite 5 canteens, seemed such a small supply. I waded the sand and braced the strong winds for many hours (or so it seemed) until the sands suddenly turn tarred road, and I was advancing into a town reminiscent of Kajang Town. It was desolate, empty and in ruins. I was stunned, perplexed by this sight. Someone was calling me in a distant, sounding familiar, and then my sight got distorted. My view swirled, blurring, and then focusing back to normal. I was on the ground, trying to rise, trying to stand, but somehow I kept stumbling down. Something slapped into my face, something soft but thrust hard. I grunted, and turned in my bed. The voice kept telling me to wake, and that it was soon 10.30. I opened my eyes, trying to comprehend the insanity that has befallen upon me. What’s going on?
I sat up and stared blearily. My brother was uttering something about eating breakfast and then left the room. I yawned, trying to make sense of all that was happening. But it was obvious, isn’t it. I was fucking dreaming. Damn.
(This is a vivid example to show that the author of this blog is desperately running out of ideas to post, and has resulted to publishing cheap and lackluster stories of his pathetic and downright ridiculous dreams in attempt to entertain the folks unfortunate enough to read this.)
*the events in this story are a 98% true retelling of a dream, the extra 2% irrepressible exaggeration.*
*characters are real, not copyrighted and name used without consent >.<*
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Posted by Hafutota no JE at 12:59 am
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2 comments:
I lovelovelove it! i think this is ur best post yet! bravo dude, and encore please, encore indeed=)
*blown away*
Keep writing! Please!
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