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Remember What Mama Said

“Come, Mia. We’re here.” Ling gets down from the car and opens the back passenger seat. Mia and her brother Min appear behind Ling, meekly holding hands. “Just give me a minute,” Ling says. She unbuckles the baby’s car seat, swiftly sweeps her up in her arms. The children watch quietly as Ling wrestles the stroller out from the boot of the car. She swears under her breath when it gets stuck, then takes a deep breath as it finally sets and she places the baby into it. “Let’s go.” No one speaks as they make their way to the entrance of the supermarket. Ling stops abruptly, turns to Mia. “Remember what Mama said.” She sweeps a stray strand of hair from Mia’s pale face, her hand trembling. Mia slowly nods. ** The fluorescent lights are blinding, making every aisle seem exposed. Ling pulls her sweater closer around her as the air conditioning blasts chilly air. She glances at the children—Mia wearing sleeveless and Min in shorts. She leans down into the stroller to t...
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The Road Out

Tonight’s the night . I lean over the balcony, prop my face up with my hands, and take a deep breath. It smells like rain. Though the rain might complicate my plans for later, I feel surprisingly calm. I watch the coconut tree, its leaves swaying in the wind. The twilight sky, with its pink-purple swirls, reminds me of the Mat Kool popsicles my dad used to buy me. The ice cream uncle would come around our neighbourhood on his motorbike in the evenings. The moment I heard his beeping horn, I’d run outside, yelling, “Pa! Pa! The ice cream uncle is here!” My dad would jog out after me, laughing, picking coins out of his wallet. “Nah,” he’d say, getting two popsicles in exchange. We’d sit side by side on the concrete slab outside our gate, the popsicles dripping onto the tar road under the humid evening sun. We’d see people coming home from work, in their suits and ties. Pa always looked at them quietly. I never understood why. ** It’s been ten years since my dad passed...
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Z

After staring at the webpage, unblinking, for the past few minutes, it’s now entirely a blur. I blink, and the small box in the corner seemed to dance in front of my eyes, inviting.   I take a deep breath, and release it with a hiss between my teeth. I swallow.  What do I have to lose?   Finally, I click on the box, and it pops up.   Hi, there. I’m Z. What should I call you?   Hi, Z. I’m Celine.   Hi, Celine. How can I help you today?   I pause for a moment, wondering if I should tell this stranger the truth. Something feels like it’s stuck in my throat, and I try desperately to clear it, unsuccessfully.   I’m not ready to talk about it yet. Can we just chat?   Sure, Celine. I understand. We can chat about anything you’d like. Well, how was your day?   My day? It’s been a tough one, that’s for sure. In fact, it’s been a tough week.  I scratch the top of my head, try to untie a knot I discovered in my hair, and give up.   It was...
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Dancing Shoes

Date: 14 th Mar, 2023, Tue Writing Prompt: Dancing Shoes   ***   The attic smells of damp, and nostalgia. There’s a window on the far end, but the sunlight is mostly obstructed by an old wardrobe that looks quite apologetic, its doors bent, and its hinges exposed. So, Lynn turns on the light, the brightness revealing just how much of a mess it is, and gingerly makes her way through the minefield of boxes, tables, and knick-knacks.   Lynn knew her grandmother, whom she called Gran, pretty well, and knowing her, she’d have chucked all the things that were oldest the furthest in, and then just slowly piled on the rest as they came. Her Gran wasn’t the most organized person, obviously, but she has to admit, it is a legit method of organization. It at least gives her an idea where to first look for what she’s searching for.   She pushes some stacked chairs aside, and after a moment’s hesitation, hops over a large wooden chest, one that looks like a pirate’s, like it cou...
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Alarm Clock

Date: 13 th Mar, 2023, Mon Writing Prompt: Alarm Clock   ***   It’s an ugly thing, for sure. Somebody gave it to me as a gift, probably someone cheap. Was it for a birthday? I can’t remember. I wouldn’t have used it if my old one hadn’t been broken, coincidentally.   It’s a digital one. Super plain. Just a rectangular face, black all over, with brightly lit red numbering. Boring.   I never thought much about it, just used it out of necessity. But tomorrow, it’s super important that I wake up on time. So, I’m setting the alarm, and I’ll try to get some sleep.   12:10AM   Serves me right for watching that series just before bedtime, the one called You . Part 2 was just out, and I couldn’t resist. I knew it was going to mess with my head. It’s so dark and twisted. But I couldn’t help it. What is it about these psychopathic serial killers that is just so entertaining to watch?   I wish I could have just killed all the people who tortured me, especially t...
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Cosy Nights

Date: 11 th Mar, 2023, Sat Writing Prompt: Cosy Nights   ***   The fire dances, crackling happily as it nibbles on the logs. The room is dark, except for the light from the fireplace; it’s the old-fashioned kind, with an exposed brick frame, and a poker standing by its side.   Megan and Zack sit side by side, their arms touching, their feet cocooned together under a plaid blanket, covering up to their thighs. Megan has her cup of hot chocolate nestled between her brought-up knees, her hands hidden under long sleeves as she cradles it while Zack has his settled on the carpet beside him. She blows on the surface, and takes a tentative sip; the steam fogs up her glasses, but it only takes a few seconds to clear.   The microwave hums in the corner in the tiny kitchenette, warming up the lasagne that Megan just loves, and Zack tolerates. But he has to admit, the smell of chicken and cheese is tantalising, making him salivate. Just a couple more minutes.   Megan rest...
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Refreshed

 Date: 7 th Mar, 2023, Tue Writing Prompt: Refreshed   ***   Ah. Lavender. Lemongrass. Jasmine. They smell absolutely divine .   I close my eyes, and breathe in the scents. I feel them enter my nostrils, and somehow fill my entire body, like a large warm comforter, enveloping me in calm, my body turning to jelly.   As I inhale deeply, lying flat on my stomach, in the background, I hear the tinkle of chimes, melodious xylophones, even the soft rattle of the angklung , reminding me of that crazy trip to Bali with my girlfriends for graduation.   For the first time then, I had let loose, and it was the best time of my life.   I had paid for it when I came back though, when he found out, but it was worth it. Just like I will probably pay for this later today. I push the thought aside, and let out a breath I am not aware I’m holding.   A few minutes pass. I feel utterly relaxed, and laugh to myself, thinking, At this poin...
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