Lub-dub.
Lub-dub.
***
I was very excited when I found out that I had been invited
to one of the biggest and liveliest party in town, hosted, no less, by my
former classmate and her multi-millionaire family. It was the talk of the
neighbourhood for weeks and as the date drew closer, I became hyped. On the
day itself, I specifically bought a new set of clothing just for the party and admired
my sense of style in the mirror before grabbing my car keys and prepared to go. I know you told me to be a little more thrifty, Mom, but forgive me this time.
“Remember, do not drink and drive,” my Mom’s voice resounded
in my head. “Do not drink and drive,” I repeated and exhaled.
I parked my car nicely some distance away because, even
though I was early, the place was already packed. I took out a small mirror and
scanned myself just to ensure that I was at least well-groomed and presentable.
Before I started walking to the party, which was to be held in their backyard,
I took out a small cute hairpin with a strawberry motif and attached it to my
fringe. How do I look, Mom? Glancing over my face once more, I finally decided that I was ready to
go.
When I arrived, it was as if the party was already going on
in full swing. There was loud music being played through huge speakers by a
famous local dee jay, people were crowding the dance floor and getting low, waiters
were carrying glasses of wine and hors d'oeuvres on trays, and
there was even a chef roasting a lamb over a fire. I met a few friends and we started to party
ourselves.
I was getting
high on the environment when someone offered me a glass of lager beer. Although
it had only a minimal amount of alcohol in it, I knew deep down that if I were
to accept that glass, it wouldn’t be the only one I was going to have that
night. And yet, I was seriously considering it. After all, everyone drinks and
drives anyway. Why couldn’t I? I reached out with my hand to take the glass.
***
Lub-dub.
Lub-dub.
***
“Do
not drink and drive,” I could hear my mom’s voice resounding in my head. I
snapped back and gained control of my logic and reasoning again. I politely
declined the glass and took some Sprite instead. I felt proud of myself, the
way you used to tell me I would, that I didn’t drink and drive although some
people think I should.
The
party ended without a hitch and the people started to leave. They drove off
one-by-one, until the whole area became quiet again. I was completely alert and
sober, wits all about me, and ready to return home safely and in one piece. I
walked alone to my car, taking in the beautiful night sky and fresh air. And
you know what, mom? I never knew what was coming—at least not to me.
***
Lub-dub...
Lub-dub...
***
I found
myself lying on the pavement in a pool of my own blood and yet, I wasn’t hurting
at all. I overheard distant chatter saying that I was hit by a drunk driver—the
voices seemed so far away. It’s funny, really. I tried to laugh at the irony,
but I ended up coughing up more blood. My body was turned around as I could see
a paramedic inspecting me. He gave up halfway though, and said, “This girl is
going to die.”
This girl is going to die.
Why
did it have to happen? I did nothing wrong—I even steered clear of any alcohol.
And yet, simply because someone else didn’t have anyone telling him not to
drink and drive, I’m slowly dying here. I’m sure he—the person who caused this
accident—had no idea of what might happen since he was feeling so high. He
would be defensive, saying that he didn’t know he would kill someone and that
it was really just an accident. Surely, he wouldn’t have the guts to admit that
he knew full well that he shouldn’t have driven drunk but did it anyway. “You
only live once”? But why did I have to suffer the consequences of his actions?
***
Lub...dup...
Lub...dup...
***
My mind
is getting foggy and it’s getting harder to breathe. My breaths are getting shorter, Mom, and I’m
getting really scared. I tried hard to keep my eyes open, but the tears forming
sting them. But I keep them open anyway. Because I know the next time I close
them, they won’t see anymore. Maybe someone should have taught him that it was
wrong to drink and drive. Maybe if his parents had, I’d be very much alive.
Maybe I’d be home by now; already taken a bath, and tucked in to bed and ready
to sleep—but here I am at the side of the path. So, why do people do it, Mom,
knowing that it ruins lives?
I wish
someone would wake me up and make this nightmare go away. I wish someone could
hold me, and tell me everything would be okay. These are my final moments, and I'm so unprepared.
***
Lub...dup...
...
Lub...dup...
***
I’m
coming back home, Mom, I hope you’ll be waiting for me. I just wish dad was
here, so I could tell him that I loved him for one last time.
...
...
...
Written by,
Terence
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