Wow, it's been like ages since I (or anyone) have been updating the blog... I understand that it's the exam, STPM and, if I must add, lazy time of the year. No offence though, people; I'm one of them lazy butts too...

Since I have absolutely NO idea on what to say, I'll just post a story I made for the school magazine. I know it's kinda long, but I hope you enjoy it!

Randal looked at his watch. A quarter pass their meeting time, yet still no sign of her. It was rare of her to be late. Unless, God forbid, something happened to her on the way here. He shook his head. Their meeting place – the park – was not far from her house, and there were already joggers and people walking their dogs. Which brainless idiot would rob someone on a busy day as this?
The same brainless idiot who targets girls who are obviously carrying something worth hundreds. Say, a violin, maybe? After all, she can’t scream for help, can she? After what that cancer did to her years ago…
He froze. Why didn’t he think of that before? He should’ve stuck to his suggestion to practice at her home. But she insisted they do it at the park. “To enhance their concentration on what they’re playing, amid the noise the busy city offers,” was her reason.
As he was considering on what to do, his cellphone vibrated; he had received a message. He opened it, and relief washed over him like cold water when he saw the message’s sender.
Where are you? I can’t see you. She wrote.
At the park, of course. He replied. Where are you? I’ll come to you.
Park entrance, North gate.
True enough, when Randal reached the entrance, there she stood, violin case in hand. Standing beside her was, to his horror, her identical twin sister. She was the first to speak.
“About time. Do you know the meaning of ‘punctuality’? Or you don’t even know such word exists? Do you have any idea how long she has been waiting for you? Twenty minutes!”
“I wasn’t late,” he protested. “I was waiting inside, near the fountain, just like what Saori wrote.”
“Oh, now you want to be Tom Cruise. If I remember correctly, Saori wrote in her letter to meet you at the park’s NORTH GATE, not the park’s FOUNTAIN. Are you a dyslexic or something?”
Her acidic words, as always, left him speechless and guilty. He hung his head low, shoulders stooped, shame coursing through his body like a contagious disease. Then, a hand touched his shoulder gently. He looked up to see a smiling Saori, her cellphone in front of them so that only he could read its contents.
Don’t mind Kaori. She failed her driving exam yesterday. For the second time.
Randal stifled a laugh, resulting a snort. Saori giggled, her sister staring at them in confusion.
Saori and Kaori Hanabusa. He made friends with them when they were in primary school. Despite being twins, their personalities varied greatly; Saori being the soft-spoken, friendly one while Kaori the rough, active one. It was no surprise the latter was protective of the former. Both Randal and Saori had the same dream though; to be well-known violinists. Everyday, after violin class, they would gather at her house to practice. The routine lasted for years, until tragedy struck. At the age of twelve, Saori had a bad sore throat that lasted for weeks. When examined, doctors confirmed she had throat cancer. Surgery was performed immediately. It was successful, but it robbed her of her voice in the process. During that duration, Randal continued practicing at home, visiting Saori after that. Two years later, she was discharged. She continued practicing the violin, her touch haven’t wavered. By then, Randal had already mastered the instrument.
Now, at 21, they were invited to play in a local orchestra. The band had a live performance around the corner, and was suddenly short of two violinists. That was how Randal and Saori ended up at the park, a week before the main event.

***************************************

Generally, the hospital hall was eerily silent, especially at night. That night was suddenly disrupted by a young man’s frantic calls, “Somebody get me a doctor, now!” The door opened, revealing a man and a woman. In the man’s arms was another woman that looked like the other, only her face was ghostly pale.
“I’m a doctor. Explain your situation briefly.”
“It’s Saori. We just finished a live orchestra performance when she fainted. Please do something, doctor! Her body’s cold!”
The doctor in charge examined Saori’s eyes. “This is serious. Nurse! Get a stretcher and take her to the ER. Sir, place her here, easy does it. Now, I want both of you to wait outside.”

***************************************

The doctor-in-charge told them Saori had second stage liver cancer and needed a transplant as soon as possible. Since their parents were on vacation, Kaori volunteered to donate hers. The doctor took her blood to determine whether her liver could be accepted by her sister without difficulties. While waiting for the results, Kaori walked towards a distraught Randal.
“Here, for you,” Kaori handed a crimson-coloured envelope to Randal. “Saori told me to give this letter to you if something ever happened to her. Something about asking you to promise her.”
“Why?” Randal stood up, glaring at her angrily. “Why are you so relaxed when your own sister is about to…die?!” He spat out the last word like it was poison to his tongue.
Without warning, Kaori grabbed his collar and yanked him hard towards her, their face almost touched. Anger flared in her eyes, and, did he saw sadness? Whatever it was, it disappeared behind the fury.
“Is that what you think about Saori? You think she’s too weak to fight this cancer again? I’m disappointed with you, Randal.” Her grip tightened, almost suffocating him. “You think I’m not worried about her? She’s my sister, for Heaven’s sake! How can I not worry?!” She let him go, but not without pushing him first.
“Unlike you, I believe she can pull through. Just like she did nine years ago.” Moments later, the doctor returned and gave her a thumbs up. As the staff prepared her, she called for Randal.
“Do me a favour, will you?”

***************************************

“Hey there. How have you been? Sorry I couldn’t visit you often. You know, work and other stuff. You get my point. Speaking of that, I’m sorry again because I can’t be here for long. Family plans, you know.
It’s been six years since that surgery. For the past few weeks, I never failed to visit your sister. And I never forget to bring her favourite flowers, too, just like I promised you I would. We got married three years later, and in return, she gave me a baby girl. Yes, I named her after you and yes, I’ll cherish both of them. I’ll never disappoint her again like last time, I assure you. Our pay’s quite good, you know?”
As if on cue, he heard footsteps, followed by a little girl’s voice, “Daddy!”
“Hey, Kaori my love,” Randal picked up his daughter. Behind them, Saori looked on serenely. “Shall we go now?” he asked.
“Let’s go! Let’s go!” Kaori chimed. Saori nodded.
After placing the flowers onto Kaori Hanabusa’s tombstone and said a prayer, they took their leave.