Sunday, March 02, 2008
The Sweetest SmileShe started with a circle. She added two eyes and a nose before pausing for a moment, and then she drew the mouth. It was curved upwards. It was a sad smile.
...
It was hidden in the northwest corner behind the market. It only took about 25 steps from the fruit stall, thats if you run, like I did. Sometimes, it only took me 15 steps, because I would race Chris there and beat him. There was a small archway, with 5 steps leading down into a fairly large area. It was just an empty space. It had no benches, no slides or no swings. It did not even have a small table where we could roll our marbles. But there was a wall, right at the end. It wasnt just a rectangular wall, it had 6 squares extending out, 3 from each side. It was just a plain white wall, accompanied by the breeze and the aging trees behind the area. It was a rather queer sight, having a wall right in huge empty space. I thought it was rather unique.
Chris and James would call it the Tree Monster. They thought that the squares extending out bear resemblance to the branches of the trees behind. I thought they were being stupid. I insisted its name was Michelangelo, thats because I thought the extended squares were like the weapons he use. But I thought it was dumb to name a wall after a talking turtle so I decided that it looked like an Octopus because of the 6 squares, although Octopus has 8 tentacles. So I called it Octie. It seemed like a rather cool word to me at that time.
I was the fastest among all the kids that played there. I like running in my black sandals. It had a yellow strap with a button on it. It would make the most noise while I run, but I could catch anybody. It was a doodle. I like to think I was the king over there. It happened mostly on the weekends.
I would have a pen with me because I would scribble on Octie. I would write the number of kids I caught that day with the date on it. I would write down the names of my favourite footballers. I would also write down Manchester City and cross it followed by the word "die". Of course, there were other scribbles on the wall by other children, but I try to make my appear the most significant.
I remember I used to like watching people's expression. I find it strange how someone could giggle at one moment and then have tears flowing down the next instance. I did not know the meaning of tears of joy. I would also draw facial expressions on Octie. I drew it on the space of the 6 squares. There were only five expressions. There was a smile and a laugh. There was another with 2 stickmen playing football and celebrating a goal. There was also an angry face and a silly face. The silly face had 3 strands of hair with 2 large eyes and only 2 front teeth. The last square was empty.
So things start to change when I got my a football for my birthday at 13. I no longer found catching fun, it was retarded. Drawing stickmen seems quite meaningless. And killing ants and throwing slippers seems utter bollocks. 13 was also the time when I learned the other meaning of the word "Pussy". So yea, at that time already , Octie sounded a fuckin' pussy name for a wall to me.
And so it happens. I would go to school and make new friends and have a best friend. I would pick up the guitar. I would also meet the most amazing girl in 2006.
...
So I was walking home on a Wednesday afternoon. I was at Woodlands before that testing out guitars because I wanted to get a new axe. The weather was humid and I had no idea why I had my jacket on, the people around probably thought I was a madman.
It was at that point of time when I walked past fruit stall and the barber which was about 7 steps ahead. I continued walking when the familiar archway loomed ahead. Thats when I saw a girl. Her hair was just about at the back of the neck. It looked rather messy. But thats only all I could see.
So I walked closer. The wall looked pretty much like shite. The edges were peeling off and the scribbles were faded. It didnt looked too clever. Workers were going to tear down that wall soon to extend the market into that area. That girl had a crayon in her right hand.
She started with a circle. She added two eyes and a nose before pausing for a moment, and then she drew the mouth. It was curved upwards. It was a sad smile.
She drew it on the last square.
I was overwhelmed.
And then I realised that I have grown up and for that moment I just stood still and let memories collect. It was one of the fondest memories.
The 6 squares of Octie represent what we are during our childhood. Happy, silly , and filled with laughter. It represent the freedom that we have running around and letting our imagination run wild having thoughts we are kings of the world. There's also anger when we fight and dont get what we want. But last of all, that sad face, shows what is it when we grow up and leave our childhood behind, when the spirit and freedom in us disappear over the years.
I miss my childhood , really.
There's always a child inside each and everyone of us no matter where and when, because the heart reserves a special place for it.
That little girl completed the last square for me.
She turned around and smiled at me.
That looked on her face. Nervous, curious but at the same time, excited. Like a flower waiting to bloom and a child peeking from behind a wall with the giggles still contain.
It was the sweetest smile, ever.
3/02/2008
