Friday, March 13, 2009

Prologue of a Woman

If people say that coincidences happen randomly, I choose not to believe them.

2020 marks just another start of the world. Capitalism still holds the world by the throat. Strong nations still bully the weak. New technologies always seem to oppress people more than helping them. Nothing changed much.

What is different is that this year, I started school in Japan. Yes, a million miles away from home. Living in London had been luxuriously comfortable, thanks to my family's wealth. This makes Father's persistence to send me away to a school - Chikusa High School - in Japan rather puzzling indeed. The thought of that kept me awake throughout my long-haul flight to Japan.

I had only been to Japan once during my childhood years, and that was for a holiday. I don't know anyone there, but I hope to make a fresh start and get to make a lot of new friends. Getting into university never burdened my thoughts, I know that I can pass through the qualification exams without much difficulties. I'm sick of having to rely on my family's fortunes and this time, I want to make it on my own abilities.

It is 14th of April and Japan is in spring when I arrived. The blossoming sakuras are just breathtaking to watch. Looking at them and admiring their beauty, I cannot help but to feel a sense of sadness. Such beauty and such burst of life are only temporary; cursed to wither away and die a fleeting moment away. I closed my eyes for a moment to lose that feeling, but it failed. The blowing wind nearly blew my blue scarf away. That scarf, according to Father, is a part of the family heritage, but I treasure it so much as it reminds me of my late Mother. The thought of her smiles filled my head as I tightened the scarf around my neck, the tiny golden emblem on it glistening under the morning sun.

There is a huge tree planted in a park next to the school. Its size and the lush greeneries around it suggest that it had been there for hundreds of years. Realizing that it's still early, I took a seat under the tree, resting my tired legs. It was then I saw this boy. He was walking casually to school and looking really happy, perhaps enjoying the scenery. I felt a sudden sense of attraction to this guy, there is something about him that makes me want to know him more.

Hello! I said, trying to be friendly in my first day in school.

He doesn't seem to notice me (or is it because of that MP3 he's listening to?).

Hello!

Hello!

..and then he turned around towards the park. He was wearing the same blue scarf, His scarf having the same tiny golden emblem as mine did. Little did I know, as I stood there staring at him, and him staring at me; that something was already brewing up for us in the future.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Prologue of a Man

If people say that whoever can hear trees speaking are crazy, then I must be crazy.

2020 marks the start of another decade. Many interesting news had popped up from all over the world. Malaysia had finally reached its 2020 Vision; Russia had exposed their plan on building a ‘Space Hotel’. Even Japan, this place I call home, was beginning to develop a new model of a bullet train. Interesting events were popping up everywhere and today; 14th of April 2020, I was experiencing a fascinating event myself.

As always, a new year of schooling began for those attending Chikusa High School. I was already in my third year, and had a very typical plan for my future. Going to the university, getting a job; you know what I’m trying to say. I had woken up exceptionally early today, so I decided that I should take a slow walk up until the school gates. The cool environment greeted me nicely as I stepped out of the house. I wore my blue scarf comfortably and headed towards school.

Spring this year was pretty calm and soothing. Many of the flowers around the neighbourhood especially the sakura, bloomed really well. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I really enjoy watching plants grow. It creates a feeling of strength from within as you watch the immobile floras struggling to live and adapt. Sometimes, you can hear them greet you as you admire their will and spirit in this world.

Hello!

Yes, yes. Something like that kind of greeting.

Hello!

Huh?

As usual, I was walking along the paved sidewalk and admiring the sakura from a huge tree planted inside a park next to our school. I was already approaching the school gates, when I heard that soft and delicate voice coming from the big tree. At first, I thought one of my friends was greeting me. Then I realised, no one was there! Where did that voice come from?

Hello!

There it is again. I swear, it must be the huge tree speaking to me! Have I gone mad over the holidays?

No, I must not think about it. As I assured myself that I was just daydreaming, I continued my steps toward school. It was still pretty early, so not many students were seen around the vicinity. I decided to check one more time that no one was there under the tree, so I turned my face towards the park. That’s when I saw her near the tree. A beautiful girl I’ve never seen before in school. Little did I know, as I stood there staring at her; that something was already brewing up for us in the future.