EXTENTION!

Dear aspiring writers,

Wonderful news to all! The date line of the submission has been extended to 18 July 2014. Continuing to send in your wonderful essays before 18/7/2014 to "iloveessay@gmail.com"

Winners for the theme: Betrayal

1st: Luo Wen

Hilson Nim curled up into a ball, sat at one corner of the dim room and began crying his eyes out. On the floor, the bills were scattered messily around as the light flickered untimely. He was at the end of his tether already, the debts from his gambling problem snowballed into a hot mess. He had no one to turn to, his parents had sworn to break all ties with him. Now, it was just the lonely him battling against the fate of bankruptcy.

He suddenly heard the door opening. “Brother,” the man at the door cried out. Hilson stared at his beloved younger brother Jason Nim with those inordinately ruddy eyes. Jason was Hilson’s blood-related younger brother. When the whole world was against Hilson, Jason was the sole person who continue to be on his side. Jason visited Hilson fortnightly with his parents in the dark, much to Hilson’s comfort.

Jason dropped the groceries bags and scampered over to the tear-ridden fellow. He took notice of the bills on the floor and his lips trembled. “Brother, we will settle these debts together!” Their fingers interlocked as the warmth lingered in each other’s heart. Hilson sighed with despair and stood up wobbly, so did Jason. “Brother, I have an idea.” Jason suggested and Hilson raised his eyebrows. Jason leaned closer and whispered something into Hilson’s ear. Hilson’s eyes dilated.

*

Hilson’s hand wobbled as he picked up the new cheap mobile phone he had just brought. He bit his lips. “Once this phone call is dialed, there’s no turning back.” He muttered to himself. His fear augmented like never before. It was a new stage of horror and apparently his physical body couldn’t handle the pressure. “Brother, just do it. Trust me, everything will be alright.” Jason’s voice was hoarse and shaking as he placed his hand on his older brother’s shoulder for reassurance. Hilson forced a curl of his lips, but the relief was so hollow that he could crumble down anytime. He hesitated and stared the mobile phone once again uncertainly. “I’m ready, Brother.” Jason said.

*

The office lights were switched off and not a soul was seen working. Mr Nim, the father of the Jason and Hilson, shut the door which was imprinted with the word ‘CEO’ and walked out, preparing to go home when his mobile phone rang saliently among the eerie silence of the dimmed room. He checked the caller ID, but it stated ‘Unknown’. He picked it up.

*

“Dad! Dad! Help me, I am kidnapped!” cried Jason as he groaned. The menacing laughter then shadowed over the whimpers of Jason. “What’s up, Mr Nim?” Hilson bellowed, voice deceptively firm and arrogant. Jason looked concernedly at Hilson whose voice was shaking terribly. Hilson pursed his lips and gritted his teeth nervously. He felt overwhelmingly guilty for doing this, but he was in dire straits. Jason’s hand held Hilson’s, and he gave an reassuring look. “Go on,” his mouth moved silently. “We need to get Father’s money.” Hilson closed his eyes and sucked in a big breath before he cleared his throat.

*

Mr Nim nearly had a heart attack as he used the wall for support. His breaths quickened and he couldn’t believe a single syllable he was hearing. However, at a situation like this, all he needed was to keep calm and agitate the kidnapper. “What…what do you want?” he enquired and fiddled with his fingers fearfully.

“Money, of course. Drop $35 000 in the Gillton Park’s rubbish bin beside the entrance and go. Your son will come back 2 hours later. If you contact anyone else, prepare to hear the last scream of your son.” came the reply. The line then went dead.

The night was chillingly cold.

*

Hilson fell on his knees and stared into space. Everything seemed like a blur to him. His actions were incredulous, even to himself. “Brother, good job.” Jason complimented. He frowned and walked to the window and gazed upon the moonless sky. They waited in an abandoned house in a remote location, waiting for the arrival of time.

Hilson stood up in a blur. “Is this right?” he asked. The hoarse voice alerted Jason who was immersed in the beauty of the sky. “It is too late already, isn’t it?” Jason replied and paced forward. “It’s not, it’s never too late.” Hilson clenched his fists. “I can’t drag you down with me, Jason. I can go forward and confess that it was a one-man doing.” Hilson said, much to the dismay of Jason. “Or, you can stick to the plan. You get the money, I return to Father and convince him not to pursue the matter. We promised to be in this together, you won’t betray the promise, right?” Jason forced a smile after saying that. He was a bundle of nerves, and he tried all his might to conceal the fact that he was scared too. Hilson allowed the question go unanswered.

“I will go outside for a walk. Stay here.” Hilson said and shut the door.

*

Mr Nim held on to the pack of money dearly as he hurried to Gillton Park. Then, he swiftly dropped the money into the rubbish bin as told. He succumbed easily, losing his son wasn’t an option. “He better uphold his promise,” muttered Mr Nim before he took his leave.

*

Hilson had a destination. He started running. He ran past the park, the rubbish bin. He had made up his mind. He couldn’t err anymore, so he decided to stop before everything explodes by nipping it in the bud. He arrived at the police station, sweating like a horse. “I’m sorry, Brother.”

*

Jason waited but Hilson had never came back. He called his phone, but to no avail. He knew what Hilson could have possibly done, but he was too afraid to think about it. He stood up and ran to the police station too. He had a glimmer of hope that he could thwart him as he approached the counter.

“Did someone by the name of Hilson Nim come here?” He asked, wishing the answered would be a negative. “Erm..yes we did, just not long ago. He confessed to a crime and claimed to had done it alone. Is there a problem?” Jason’s worst fears came true.

*

Hilson did not betray his brother, but he betrayed something even more important. He betrayed the promise Jason and him had made. Jason’s face went pale as he seethed in anger. “How can you…” Jason’s eyes began to well as he bit his lips. He deliberated. “Since you betrayed me first…”

He looked at the officer at the counter. “I would like to confess to a crime.”

2nd: Nicole

Piles of worksheets were sent flying to the ground like the autumn leaves, leaving Andy sitting in the midst of the devastation, sighing to himself while carefully bending over to pick them up.

“Not again…” mumbled the anonymous people who strolled by, peeking over their shoulders as they watched Andy clear up the mess. Way ahead a young boy hollered, “Eat my crap, Andy!” while sticking his tongue out in mockery. Andy briskly walked away miserably, with his head down, to his “quiet corner” in the canteen while dwelling in self misery and rubbing the sore spot on his elbow where he used to break his fall after being jostled out of the way by Roger.

Just a year ago, well 351 days to be exact, Roger and Andy were a newly formed duo, like two peas in a pod. Not only did they look alike, they spoke alike and even dressed alike, and even liked the same things. Those who did not know would have thought that they were twins. If they were dashing and sporty like the other boys, girls would have surged onto them and showered them with attention. However, they were both avid readers and were very fond of baking. While the boys were anxiously racing after the soccer ball, Andy and Roger would sit on the benches and read their favourite “Divergent” trilogy.

The worst part was, the both of them liked the same girl – Raechel, as well.

Raechel sat in front of both of them in math class back in grade 8, and since then, both of them have been immensely in love with her.

Also, to the most popular and boisterous clique in the school, these two geeky boys were definitely on their list of “most played”. There was nothing wrong, of course, with being studious but to the clique, they were an outcast, a lower race, like a bunch of cattails in the midst of a bouquet of lavenders – they just didn’t fit in.

To everyone in the school, Andy was a reserved and well-mannered boy and so was Roger. Despite being constantly bullied by the clique of popular guys, they merely ranted and consoled each other that their seniors were simply being playful. For the following months, insults got harsher and the physical abuse got stronger. The more the boys gave in, the stronger the bullying got. They say “give an inch and they’ll take a mile”.

“ANDY! LISTEN TO ME!” exclaimed Roger and a wave of superiority and authority took over the atmosphere. Roger desperately tried to explain to Andy that they should not take it laying low but instead fight back. To Roger, it was the only way they would be able to set out of their current predicament. On contrary, to Andy, one should be forbearing and not blow matters up.

On the three hundredth and forty eighth day, Andy received a well decorated card, embellished with pretty ribbons and fancy fonts. It read “Hey Andy, see you at the soccer field at 9pm. Love, Raechel.” Andy’s mouth was agape, tears were welling in his eye sockets, he leapt with joy and screamed. He could finally be close to Raechel, the girl he had always wished was his. For months, he had been dropping notes in her locker and sending her flowers and chocolates, hoping to one day catch her attention. However, he knew, she was smitten with Roger, who too had a hopeless crush on her since the beginning of the term.

Sensing that something was amiss, Andy carefully threaded towards the soccer field. Before his eyes, was Raechel, weeping sorrowfully. Despite knowing that Roger and Raechel had been “together” since last month, he raced over to her and threw a bear hug onto her. He felt triumphant and jubilant as he thought that he could take the chance to win her heart.

Twenty metres away stood Roger, appalled and furious, who raced over and threw a heavy punch onto Andy cheek. Outraged by the actions of Andy, he threw countless of punches against bench, baring the whites of his knuckles which instantly became red.

“Betrayer!” bellowed Roger, who was close to breathing fire.

“True shame, Andy. What a great friend you are.” whispered Tom, into Andy’s ear before breaking out into chuckles of laughter again.

Andy stumbled away carelessly, holding onto the bruised spot on his cheek.

The entire series of events came too quickly to Andy who was still completely taken aback. When he regained his composure, he then realised that Tom had put their friendship to a test and in the meanwhile took the chance to break up the duo. He was engulfed in regret and shame as he sprawled against the cold, hard wall of his dormitory. Flashbacks of the times he had spent with Roger in the past 342 days and broken trust and friendship they had fostered along the months. Andy knew, no amount of apologies could patch their strained relations and no amount of guilt could make up for the lost friend.

All of these came to naught.

3rd: Amoz Low Xu Jie

I was once a refined and handsome boy. I was adored by many, in fact too many. I was praised by many people for my good behavior. I always thought that real beauty lies in our hearts, like our parents who care so much for us, like God who loved us so much that he gave us his only son. I thought everyone thought the same, until one fateful day, when I ran into an accident.

The accident left a huge scar across half of my face, which needed 40 stitches. Many of my friends were standing outside of the examining room, waiting anxiously for me. Though I was sad, I knew I would always be beautiful to my friends. When I was pushed out, I said to them,

“I’m alright, I’m fine. God gave me another chance! My wonderful friends, I’m alright!”

“Friend? How could I be your friend when you look like this? People would think I’m crazy if I’m close friends with you”, they replied curtly and left after that. I was devastated and at the same time disappointed and hurt at my friends’ reaction. Father and mother tried to comfort me but I could not help it but cried for days.

I was always being bullied every day since then. Of course, some people still care for me. I soon decided that I try to prove my friends wrong about their vision of me. I tried topping the class, asking the teacher more questions and helping my friends with their homework but to no avail. Soon, once again, I met with another accident, this time, I had finally proven them wrong.

One Friday afternoon, I headed to the bus-stop to wait for my bus. I saw my once “closed” friend, Michael, who had betrayed me by distancing himself from me since my accident. He was walking across the road, engrossed with his phone. All of a sudden, a car came rushing in round the corner. Shocked, I threw down my bag and bolted to the open road. I pushed him aside with all my might and took the hit. I flew into the air and landed on my head. Michael, traumatized for a moment, called for the ambulance. Soon the ambulance arrived. The paramedics quickly but carefully lifted me onto a stretcher and rushed me to the hospital.

Hours later, I was pushed out of the emergency room. I was once again surrounded by the same group of friends who had shunned me earlier due to my new ugly look. This time, however, guilt was written all over their faces.

“I never thought you still cared for me. Thanks so much for saving me!” Michael exclaimed. The rest of my friends were also guilty for shunning me and apologized to me.

“So long as you know that beauty lies in the heart, I’ll forgive you,” I replied.

Now, as I looked back, I was glad my friends realized their folly and learnt a valuable lesson that will remain etched in their minds for a long time.