Fiction: Group 3
That’s What Friends Are For
Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section), Tong, Rachel - 14, Fiction: Group 3
lease Jake,” my old friend clasped his hands in front of him and pleaded.
“I…”
I stared at the job proposal he had laid in front of me.
I knew his news agency
couldn’t stand much longer and things were going downhill, but my wife was
expecting a baby, and the job was just too… hard.
“This job is vital to our corporation” my friend was desperate, wringing his hands as if he were strangling
someone.
I sighed.
“But travelling around the Pearl River Delta…” I couldn’t say that the idea wasn’t tempting.
Being an
independent journalist… well, it would be an adventure.
“I know you want to go,” my friend seemed to have read my mind, and sincerely peered at me through
wire-rimmed glasses.
I sighed resignedly and curled my fingers around the folder.
The middle-aged chief editor’s features lit up, the worry lines, which were oh so prominent these days,
vanishing instantly.
“You’ll do it?” he asked disbelievingly.
“Yes,” I nodded to confirm, and rose from my seat.
What would my wife say?
~*~
“Do you really have to go?” my wife’s eyes were watery as they followed my movements.
I clamped my suitcase shut and sighed.
“I know it’s hard for you but…” I stood it up on its wheels and looked up at her.
“I understand,” she gave me a small smile.
She had seen me leave for trips so many times and even came
with me on some occasions.
I gave her one last hug, kissed her eight-and-a-half-month-old baby bump and headed out of the door,
unwilling to keep the house out of my sight…
I hailed a cab and watched as the house grew smaller and smaller, until we turned a corner and it was lost to
view.
The cab sped along the road, the trees whipping by, and arrived at the airport.
I silently boarded the plane
and watched as my country faded into the clouds.
I closed my eyes.
The next thing I knew was the rumbling of an engine and the bumpiness of ground.
I jolted awake and
followed the line of people trickling down to the exit, my mind still fixed on my to-be-born son.
Hong Kong.
This was my first destination.
The famous business center of the world.
I had scheduled an
interview with a bank manager in the famous IFC building, which was one of the infamous skyscrapers of
“P
