*Click!*
In comes another person. Okay, so the house is not solely hers. Her fiance, who had just won the Pulitzer Prize, came in to look at his sleeping love. He went passed a picture of both of them standing at Mount Kilimanjaro waving to the world of their achievements. Oh, the smile of that man. He swoons all ladies without trying. And the girl, equally beautiful, with the exception of her height. But her resolve was as tough as any steel around.
He can't help it, he went to kiss her forehead, caressing her as she sleep so soundly over that new armchair. He thinks he was the luckiest man in the world. 'Soon, this beautiful woman will be my wife', says his mind. 'I need some hair for that day, it won't be long till the wedding comes', he thinks, as he ruffles what's left on his scalp.
His hand was carrying that Pulitzer Prize, but this costs him to lose dignity, and image. He was bombed in the war, while getting the latest footage for his television company. He survived, with all his limbs attached, but all scarred. Most skin were gone. His face, unrecognisable. As he walked past the audience today to get the prize, What was what he used to call his colleagues, dare not look at him in the eye. What was what he used to call "proud" of his own television company, there wasn't a single sight of the president to come down to greet him. He felt hopeless, but he still held his head up high and went up to thank the presenter giving him that prize. He looked, at the people who found it hard to stare at him and begin:
"My friends, colleagues and everyone else attending, I thank you for taking time out to attend this prize-giving ceremony, to a retired broadcast journalist, who's life was already destroyed, given that he would not have the chance to work anymore. Because of the face.
I had no qualms and I was physically fit. I could go on to serve this company. But all they do was led me to the exit door. For fear of ensuement over the destruction of the image. I could not go out, and go around asking questions to normal citizens. I would be chased away because of this face.
But here I am, standing here alone, receiving this honour, despite all the stares I get, from you, you and you. It is truly an honour to walk away from the fear of scorn and insults, and continue my career and my life as a normal man. I have a fiance, currently rushing her project and all I had was her now. As long as she's there, I'm not afraid to walk around the streets with so many around staring at me. I'm not afraid of people looking at me. But, to the audience, I ask for you to give me a chance, not sympathy, to continue pursuing mass communication again."
He bowed, and received a standing ovation.
He also had offers from other companies that wanted his servicemenship.
He also had people coming to him, one of them, an amateur journalist, he took out his recorder and asked "What made you fearless towards the eyes of the society now? After two years of seclusion?"
He smiled that very same smile after his hike at Mt. Kilimanjaro and said "My fiancee. She was my first step out of seclusion"
And that was what she did. The first thing he saw after stepping out of the visitor's pavement, was to see her crying and tugging him into her. His heart broke. He knew this is going to happen. But that's okay, he knew he had to annul the marriage. He can't bear to see his love just live with him like that.
He then smiled and say "It's okay, hun....I know you must have been worried about the..."
She looked at him and say "It IS STILL YOU! Forget it! I'm staying with you all the time!"
He looked shocked and just gaped at her.
She said, with determination "I was hoping to see something that I can hope to use to recognise you, and I do, it was your smile, it is still bright as always. As long as you are here, I know I love you and I love you always."
She hugged him tightly again, leaving him speechless.
Fast forward to now, his fiancee has just woken up from sleeping.
"Oh, I haven't felt so fresh after so long. Have you been here for long hun?", she kissed and hugged him.
"Yeah, but it's okay I knew you were tired", he said, snuggling her face.
"Hey I want to see that!" she said, snatching away his Pulitzer.
He smiled again, and started telling her the stories he had during the ceremony.
It was all good.
(Inspired by a story of the marriage between a beautiful bride, and a war soldier, who came back with a deformed face after the war. Do not let go of anything. Do not give up over negative stares)
(Updated 8th April 2008: Apparently not many have seen the pictures of what happened to the loving couple. Well, here's proof. My character at least had all limbs. This man, lost not only his face, but also hair, and arm. Here are the pictures)
Before The War
After the WarI know I'd be digressing here, but this is how a true marriage ends, but this is only a tip of the iceberg. War effects are everywhere. I know she can live with this man despite his looks. But I don't want to see anyone going through humiliation like this. Do you?
So please, the next time someone else want to declare war, think before you say you support them.
That's all I can say.
The pictures had spoken more than just a thousand words.
1 comments:
.. that is so awful and sad. but still very sweet.
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