“Ring!” The alarm clock rang. A few thoughts ran through my weary mind. Cancer had been slowly eating through me every single day of my tormenting life. The pain was unbearable.
I tried to open my eyes and face another day of pain and suffering. But I could not. Instead, suddenly, all the pain disappeared. I felt a feeling of weightlessness as if my soul had left my body. Suddenly, a brilliant white light blinded me. Was I dreaming?
All of a sudden, the light faded and a huge voice beamed out of every corner. “Vivien, do you know who I am?”
“God? Is that you?” I responded anxiously.
“Yes, my child, my creation. Your time has come. All the pain and suffering must now end, that is if you pass the test of Heaven!” replied the voice.
“What?” I asked in disbelief. “Does this mean I’m dead?”
“Look down below, Vivien. Behold.” The voice commanded.
Upon looking down, I saw my family. My parents and my two sisters weeping by my bed. Sadness engulfed me. What were they doing? They were mourning and crying their hearts out over… ME! I could see myself lying motionless on my bed.
“Well… What now?” I asked quite impatiently. “How do I take this test of Heaven? I certainly don’t want to burn in hell, please!” I said.
Without warning, I suddenly felt a burning sensation at my feet. “Ouch!” I screamed, jumping around like a tribal dancer.
“Ha-ha… Welcome to hell Vivien! I’ve been expecting you. Remember all those evil things you did while you were still alive? Remember how you rejected and challenged God? I know them all, Vivien… I know them all!!!” Another voice rang.
It was the devil! Fuck no!
“Come with me, Vivien. This is your final chance… Come with me or you will die another time, in a more horrifying way! Ha-ha…” The devil commanded.
Suddenly, the devil transformed into an extremely and stunningly good looking young man! His body was so well built that his beauty was unrivalled!
“Come on, Vivien! Hell is not as bad as what you heard… We have pubs, casinos, karaoke centers and all the fun places you enjoy going to. The best of all, Adrien is in hell too and expecting you to Gunbound or Dota with him in Hell. It will be just like living on earth all over again. Forget heaven! All people do there is play harps all day long. Bah! Gah! Boring!” persuaded the devil.
I was taken aback with the temptation. “Wow, it sounds really good! But wait… No way! What am I thinking? I wan to go to heaven no matter what! Stay away you satanic devil! Piss off, back to hell!” I bravely retorted.
“Noooooooo… Another soul lost!” whined the devil as he pathetically withdrew.
Suddenly, the heat turned into comfortable coolness and everything became calm again.
“Congratulations, my child. I knew you could do it. You have passed the test and are now officially a member of Heaven!” said God.
Heaven is truly a great place. Clean atmosphere, great facilities and picturesque surroundings. It makes a dream place for anyone. I was thrilled to be here. I was extremely glad that I made the right choice, and for those who are dying or already dead, don’t be fooled by the devil’s temptation. I strongly recommend going to heaven!
“No… No way! How could he be selected ahead of me!! Not him!” The cries of defeat shrilled in her mind as she buried her face in her sweating palms. The glistening beads on her face are no longer distinguishable between sweats or tears.
Kimberly could not accept it. She could not comprehend the fact why she was not chosen as the head prefect of the school though she’s the pet-student of the principal. She thought that was all that mattered. 4 years of hard work, of working up the “social hierarchy” in the school in order to get the liking of the principal. Just for one purpose - the glamour and glory of being appointed the head prefect during the fifth-cum-last year of school.
In fact, her all-time-rival “best friend”, Chris, was the chosen one. Unlike Kimberly, Chris was more out-going and friendly, and did not have “I want to become the Head Prefect” in his plan after he entered high school. He sort of lived day by day, without concerning much about how the royalties in the school behold him. He was sociable, and mixed really well with other people.
Nonetheless, the contrasting behaviors between Chris and Kim did not stop them from being the best friends, or so Chris thought. Chris had always treasured his friends around him, what more his best friend. Kim, on the other hand, was sort of using Chris for his good relationship with the public. She is totally indulged in self-interest, and nothing interested her more than something which benefited her. Chris told Kim all his deepest secrets, because he believed, that’s what, at least, a best friend should do.
Earlier in the meeting with the principal, both Kim and Chris had been called in and it had been internally decided that Chris would be the Head Prefect. Because the teachers thought Chris was more modest. Because the students thought Chris was more approachable. The principal, Mr. Tan, was on sole stand and had no support or whatsoever to make his favorite student the head prefect. It would be announced to all in the assembly the next day.
“How could a fag like Chris lead the school? Are the teachers blind? Why would they opt for Chris when they have a better choice? ME?” Kim thought.
“No, I must get this right. I’m the ONE. Not Chris. Not anyone else.” The monologue continued.
Kim gathered up herself, wiped her face with the already soaked-through tissue and clambered up the stairs. She was going to see the principal; she was reluctant to give up on the pursuit of, in her case, an eternal glory. She gingerly knocked on the door, as she reorganized her thoughts, malicious thoughts.
“Come in!” Mr. Tan’s husky voice echoed through the hall way.
“Oh, Kimmy, come on in. Have a seat. I’m sorry with what happened today, but, I did my best.”
“Mr. Tan, this can’t be true. I don’t understand how Chris could have been selected ahead of me! He never contributed as much as I did previously and many people don’t know that he… He…” Kim halted. Maybe it was the least bit of moral consciousness which stopped her, for a second, from blurting out one of Chris’ darkest a secret, a secret so valuable that would trade glory and friendship. And trust, and hate.
“What is it, Kim?”
“He…”
“Speak out!”
“He has been smoking pot!” Kim managed to mustered all her strength and courage to tell. Courage or bravery is usually a positive value many people crave for. But in this sense, it’s the courage of evil, which is very much dreaded.
Yes! Kim had done it. The next day in the assembly, it was announced that she’s the new leader of the school. She walked up the stage with pride with that wicked smile spread wide across her face. Little did she realize how others down the stage abhorred her, and her abominable personalities. Chris had the shock of his lifetime. He had not the slightest notion what had happened. He stood rooted to the ground, and managed to cheer for his best friend.
Following that, Chris had been called into the principal’s room and asked to join a rehabilitation program. Only then did it dawn on Chris what happened. He just trusted the wrong person for the past years. For Chris, he’s not in the worst scenario. At least he realized his mistake of trusting people too naively and was in time to correct it. But Kim’s indulgence in power and dominance had blinded her. Chris was transferred to another school for his final year.
As for Kim, she sure had her fun time leading the school she dreamt of 5 years ago that day. Yes, she had the power, but not the acknowledgment by others, except Mr. Tan. But that was enough. Because to survive, you just need to top the hierarchy of society, or, get ruled. The world, unfortunately, is just unfair.
~Vivien~
The Day I Died