Edited draft.
Write about a time when you learnt a lesson the hard way.

Walking along a path where the wind was blowing gently and steadily, the outline of the setting sun blended with the flaming red. Today was mother's death anniversary. Mother had passed away exactly five years ago, and akin to drama series, accidents are always somehow related to their child - me.

That year, I was sixteen. If you ask around how do teenagers of my age act like, their answer will be " striving hard for their major exam " . That does not include me. Every night, I leave house when the sun set below the horizon. Under my apartment, my " friends " and I would disturb the neighbours by knocking on the door and hiding at a corner, giggling upon the reaction of the miffed neighbours. My daily routine was always the same, where I would return home reeking of alcohol, and the thunderous reactions I would get when my mother noticed my presence in the house.

But that day was different. I took a step further into my wrong actions. What would be the worst thing that somebody could consume? Drugs. I guess God had enough of my fatuous actions. As soon as i put that pill into my mouth, the police came. My instincts urged me to run, as fast and as far as I could. As quickly as lightning, I hid at a corner of another block of flats. Hearing the footsteps of the officers, I trembled with fear. That was when somebody with familiar features ambled past me.

" Son, why are you here? Who are you hiding from? Wait. Were you with those under our flat? " I held my breath as I heard the sound of several footsteps approach.

I was still found. But this time round, instincts told me to break free and run away. I pushed the crowd aside and tried to break free. I did. I could have dodged the unwarranted punishment, but what came later was a life-time's sorrow. I saw mother roll down the flight of stairs, I did not know what I could have done. The police officer sprinted down the stairs, reaching out for her. But she landed with a loud thud. Tears came streaming down my cheeks as i walked towards the crowd.

" Please...... Please let my son off. He is only sixteen... " Mother mumbled to the police officer as she held on to his sleeve tightly. We all stood like statues, not daring to move even an inch. Time seemed to have stood still. The silence was unnerving. The policeman nodded his head slightly, giving my mother a sense of assurance. Her hands dropped from his sleeve and left with a smile on her face. At the very last second of her life, she used all her remaining strength to look at me, her face showed that she has alot of unspoken words, but she did not have the chance to now.

" Thank you. " She whispered wth gratitude after that, to the police officer, who leaned back with a sigh as a bitter smile lingered on his face.

No words could explain my agony. I fell to my kness moaning in sorrow. That was the end. Extremely devastated, I took a last look at mother.

The moon disappeared as quickly as it had came. It had been five long years. Till now, I regretted my willful act that took mother away. If I had long listened to her, all those naggings that she gave, she would still be here with me now. The reverie faded, but mother's memories and words will always stay with me. I vowed to not learn any lessons the hard way anymore. Mother, I love you.☆ Back to Top