ThE rOaD nOt TaKeN.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
He smiled sadly, looking ahead with some expectation. The heat was almost unbearable, he could feel his shirt sticking uncomfortably against his skin. He was starting to wonder if he didn't make the wrong decision.
"I can't give up now. Not after so long!" Gawain thought angrily. He lurched forward, taking two steps before he had to stop. His tongue was parched. He looked around wearily for something he could drink but everything was out of reach.
Seven. Again he moved two steps before faltering. Looking ahead, the bright yellow light blinded him, forcing him to avert his gaze. He could hear the angry clash of metal on metal. He winced at the sound, wondering if his time had come.
Six."Not yet, stop thinking about it, you need to focus!" he chided himself. He remembered how easy it was at the beginning even though he knew that his quest would not be a short one. Scratching his chin, he swatted away a fly that flew into his path.
Five. He stumbled forward again, this time, only a step, as if resigned to the diminishing pace. Scanning his surroundings, he noticed it was devoid of any vegetation. Just hours ago, he was just another nameless face in a multitude of moving bodies, locked in the daily struggle for survival.
Four.He knew it was something he had to do. It was the right time and he couldn't deny what he could feel in the pit of his stomach. Calming himself, he quickly checked his belongings for what he needed. Fortunately, his fingers closed on his required tool which felt cold to the touch.
Three.He could see other obstacles in his quest, but these were beginning to resolve themselves right before his eyes. As his anticipation grew, he remembered how his peers had told him wonderful stories of their own quests and how he decided there and then to follow his instincts.
Two. The heat was getting worse. The very air seemed to be hissing and spitting like an angry cat. Looking back, he thought about the ones who would follow his footsteps, some who had lost sight of their goals, some who faltered when they lost their resolve and those who had selflessly volunteered so that others may benefit.
One.He knew he had gone past the point of no return. He thought about his lady love who was waiting for him to return triumphantly, each hand bearing the fruits of his labour, tired but proud at his achievement. Steadying himself, the man went over the plan in his head for the final time.
It was time. Gawain looked up as the strange man in front him beckoned and nodded with a smile.
"Two plates of
char kway teow without bean sprouts please!" Gawain ordered, thinking how fortunate that he had already been vacinated against hepititis B.
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