Story time

The surprise

I heard a faint clicking sound ringing near my ear. After a few more uncomfortable minutes in bed, I woke up with a sudden jerk to find that my alarm clock had disturbed my sleep. I could hardly open my eyes because the windows of my room were wide open to let golden rays of sunshine into it.

I was angry at being woken up early in the morning and felt about for the alarm clock to switch it off; I wasn't very successful. My numb fingers knocked the clock off the bedside table. I heard it clatter onto the floor and knew it was no more.

Then I heard a loud commotion (disturbance) I had been completely oblivious to (unaware of). My younger siblings were rushing around, while our parents were trying to quiten them down. The kids were probably fighting about their "lost" toys, which might be right under their noses.

This wasn't unusual. The very first thing I was able to hear every morning was this and I ended up baby-sitting them while my parents went on with their work. You must be wondering if I go to school. Of course I do, if not, I would cry until I do. No, it's our school holidays and baby-sitting happens to be the only thing that keeps me occupied every single holiday since my faithful dog Tim died. I let my thoughts drift back to the bitter past.

Tim was one of the very best friends I had. I did have many other friends, but Tim was special. First of all, he was a canine and a very adorable one at that. He was a cute little pup whom I met on my way to the candy-store. He was stranded, perhaps dumped on the roadside by a careless mother or master. I instantly felt sorry for him. I picked him up and took him home.

That was the happiest day of my life. But the happy days did not last long. The days of bad luck approached me, Tim and my family. Our family was asked to vacate the house we rented and were left virtually homeless. My mum was pregnant with quintuplets.

We, at last, found a home near our Uncle Jim and Aunt Rose's house. It was small, but we could manage. My mum gave birth to her babies, all boys and named them Bob, Tom, Peter, Harry and John.

All was well, until bad luck approached me and Tim. I was laughed at in my new school and my cousins didn't help me at all. Everyone jeered at me and I was glad to be home and wished tomorrow would never dawn.

Tim too had his society problems. The other dogs just wouldn't bother to play with him. They barked their heads off when Tim was there and was chased off by Mr. "Grumpy" Joe, my Uncle Jim's gardener.

Tim had felt sad and had gone looking for me who was at the dreadful place they called "school". Then the tragic accident took place. Tim was run over by a speeding car. He never breathed again.

I couldn't believe how it would have happened; he was an intelligent dog. I winced when they showed me his body. Since then, I was never the merry girl; I was always grieving about Tim's death.

I visited his grave whenever possible and kept fresh yellow chrysanthemums beside his grave every morning before school started. I still do....

Days and weeks had passed, but I was oblivious to time. My daily routine was regular, it never changed. I spent most of my time in my bedroom, flipping through pictures of Tim and me or the graveyard.

My day-dreaming had to stop when I was summoned (called) to the living room, a place I hardly visited. Reluctant as I was, I pulled myself out of the dark cave I called my bedroom and slowly went down the stairs, wondering what it might be. I paused a while outside the living room door, listening for a clue as to what this was about.

I slowly opened the door and at once, I knew what I had been called for. A friendly bark greeted me as a miniature Tim jumped onto me and started licking my face as if it was crazy. Everyone called out "Happy Birthday". This pleasant surprise was followed by a delicious cake and soft drinks. I thought I'd cry with happiness, which I did.

Then, I did something I swear I never thought of.

I quietened down everyone and with tears of happiness glistening in my eyes, I found myself saying, "This is one of the happiest days in my life. After all the sad days, I can smile and laugh because of you," holding up the pup, "and this little fellow.

I shall name him Tim, in memory of a best friend."

Everyone applauded. I was surprised at myself.

I enjoyed the rest of the party and retired to my bedroom with all my other birthday presents. I ripped open all of them with the new "Tim." This was the biggest surprise in my life and I knew I wouldn't forget it until the day of my death.

Enakshi Samarawickrama,
Bishop's College,
Colombo.