πβπ πππ π‘ πππ¦ ππ π‘βπ π€πππ, πππ π‘ πππ¦ ππ π‘βπ ππππ‘β, πππ π‘ πππ¦ ππ π‘βπ π¦πππ, πππ π‘ πππ¦ ππ ππ¦ ππππ.
Kinda poetic.
That's what I thought when I looked at my suicide note.
Dying on the 31'st of December, just 1 second before the new year, in tune with the fireworks. Now that's a special way to go.
I set up the rope and stool and now was just time to wait.
I waited around and decided to pass the time cleaning up.
At least my house would be clean when the neighbors come knocking and find my body.
I thought about the neighbors. One neighbor in particular; Tom.
How he helped me with the door and other jobs around the house was pretty nice and his physique is great too.
Maybe I should give him a call?
I stopped my hands from dialing the phone. I didn't need anyone to stopping me right now.
I've already planned everything to the last stroke on the T.
All I had to do was sit down on that chair by 11:59 and by 11:59:54, the series of gears would turn and click, firing a dart right through my head at the T zone at the 56'th second, I'll be dead at 11:59:59.
At least that'll be the plan. Careful planning, that's what my parents taught me as they sent me to be an Engineer.
At least they did something other than party
Ah, but they did throw the best parties.
I always loved them for that. There was always something to celebrate when they were around.
If it wasn't a birthday, it was a school achievement.
I remember when they threw a party when I came in 4th in class. When I asked my mum why I was being celebrated with my fourth.
She laughed with a wine glass in her hand and said
You could have come 5th or 6th or just think of 10th, but No. You came out 4th. I think that's calls for a celebration, don't you?
Well I think she was a bit tipsy from the wine, but I smiled and celebrated too.
I looked at their pictures and laughed a half laugh.
They weren't around now. Got in a car accident on the 25th of this month.
Ironic that they died immediately after a party. Another ironic thing is how there was no one around to celebrate or mourn them.
Just useless, stupid 19 year old me and greedy uncles who stooped down to drag and split my dad's money.
I wish they were here now
I thought out loud, at least they would find something to celebrate about this useless miserable year.
I looked at the time, almost 9 o'clock, approximately 3 hours to go.
I wandered and ended up sitting on the death chair.
Reminiscing and lamenting till I slept off.
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. Dazed and Confused, I looked at the time, almost 10:30.
I looked at the call log and saw 16 missed calls all from Tom.
I just missed the last one, it seems he has been calling since 10.
It was unlikely he would call again, but I sat and waited.
Surprisingly, he did call again. With shaky hands and an unclear head, I picked in the 3rd ring.
Hey Amy, how are you doing?
The sound of his rich bass voice filled the room. The fact that it's been barely a day since we last talked didn't dampen the enthusiasm I had in me.
I'm cool, just chilling.
I replied, rather cheerfully for someone who has decided to end her life.
He cleared his throat on the other line and waited a bit before asking.
Do you think, by any chance, that you're free for a short walk?
Time stopped for me. Well not literally of course. I could hear my wall clock was ticking quite loudly.
Tom, who I've been eyeing for most of the year just asked me out on a date.
It took a lot of willpower to make my voice as level as possible.
Naturally, I would love that but I'll have to decline. I plan to be here at 11:30, so..
He replied quite quickly..
Done. At 11:30 sharp you'll be at your doorstep.
Well as he put it like that I was cornered to accept his invitation.
Sure, best I have some fun before the end.
In less than 5 mins he was at my doorstep, dressed in casual jeans and a T-shirt- jacket combo that made the butterflies in my tummy rumble.
I looked at my gown-shirt with the black cargo trouser and jacket in dismay.
I had overdressed, I was tempted to slam the door in his face and go wear something more suitable, until he commented.
"Wow, you look beautiful, makes me look like a chauffeur huh?" He said with a rather nervous laugh. I laughed too.
"I would love to have you as a chauffeur." I replied, making the atmosphere a bit more lively.
I noticed his hand was behind his back.
I asked him about it and he replied startled
"I almost forgot about that, here..." He handed me a beautiful flower.
"You're making it feel like a date." I say frowning but still collecting the flower
"But it's not. For a date I think the traditional flower to bring is a rose. Hence, I brought the Iris. Not a date, just for friends, plus it goes great with your eyes." He replied smugly. I smiled and locked my door.
"Aren't you going to keep the Iris inside?" He asked, raising his eyebrows
"Don't we have a walk we have to walk on? Remember, home at 10:30.", I replied.
He shrugged and we walked, slowly taking in the snowy night atmosphere. I forgot how beautiful the community was.
Most plants are covered in frost. Which made me wonder how warm the iris was.
I held it out, looking at it with the light from the streetlight.
"It was in my greenhouse," Tom said, answering my unasked question.
"I didn't know you had a greenhouse, I love plants." I said smiling.
"Well you didn't ask.." he said laughing.
"Same way I don't know a lot about you." He added.
"Well what do you want to know?" I asked while looking at the frozen tips of a tree.
"What a question to ask, errm." He stood and rubbed his chin thinking.
"Any hobbies or likes?" He finally asked.
Well apart from plants. I don't think I have any other likes nor hobbies."
"I did have a party phase though." I concluded whimsically. He laughed out loud.
"You? Party?" He said and continued laughing
"Is it so hard to believe I was the life of the party?" I said upset
"I'm sorry.." he said, calming down.
"So you don't go to parties anymore?" He asked
"Nope", I admitted. "Realized there's no reason to celebrate anymore."
"Well now that'll have to change."
He took my hand and led me to a house with loud music booming from the closed doors.
He opened it and the music was even louder.
"What's this Tom?" I shouted above the speakers.
"It's a party." He shouted back
"Yeah I got that part, but why?" I shouted again
"Why not? It's the last day of the year. There's a whole lot to celebrate and party for."
He led me to the dance floor despite my wishes and started dancing.
As he saw me not moving, he held my hands and started shaking me in tune to the music.
I had to admit, it was a pretty nice song. Unknowingly, I had started dancing by myself.
I heard Tom cheer and I was encouraged. I went full party monster on the dancefloor. Moving my waist and hands, wiggling and jumping.
Till the DJ changed to slow music, did I notice that I was alone on the dancefloor.
Tom applauded me from the bar table and I saw other spectators clapping too.
I walked to him red in my face.
"I can't believe you left me there." I said grabbing his drink
"Well I was pretty tired and I just couldn't stop your fun." He said laughing and I joined him laughing.
"You want something to eat?" he offered.
After eating and another dance we walked back home and saw the fireworks, they were lovely.
Dropping me at my doorstep, I took a chance and kissed him, he kissed me back.
"Thanks for a lovely night." I said
"Anytime." He replied, a bit red in his cheeks too.
I walked into my house with Iris in my hand. I put it in the vase and decided to sit down and think of my night.
I looked at my chair and saw the dart embedded in it.
The clock read 00:10. A new morning.
Delightful. You really pull it off. We go along on the walk expecting what will happen. The dart plan is funny. It could be macabre, but no one could take that too seriously. It seems Tom might suspect that our narrator is a bit depressed. He seems like such a likable person. We really enjoy getting to know him in the story.
Nicely paced. Takes us through the action snappily (which is really curious, given the fact it starts out as a suicideπ)
Thanks for sharing this New Years story with us @seki1. We at the Inkwell wish you a Happy New Year.
Yh...
Decided that it's best not to ellaborate on the suicide pitch for a supposed celebration themed storyππ
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Good old Tom.
Yh ...
Gats love Tomπ
This is a truly lovely and gut wrenching story, @seki1. So many "what ifs" came to my mind. What if she decided not to wait until midnight? What if Tom had not wanted to ask her out? What if he had not called one more time? There would have been a life cut short, out of the temporary circumstances of grief and loss. I wonder if Tom will ever find out that he saved her life that night.
Indeed...
Not everyone may be as lucky to have someone like Tom.
One must be able to celebrate whatever there is to celebrate nowππ
It's a new morning indeed. This was very nice and interesting to read.
I'm glad she didn't later die and her suicide plan was replaced with life and joy. I thought she was really gonna die with the way she has it all planned out.
Well-done β¨
Thanks π
What an expertly woven tale, told so well @seki1. I was holding my breath, willing Tom to keep her busy all night so that she would miss her rendezvous with death. But when he dropped her off, I was like... noooo don't do it! Change your mind... I guess we'll never know if her mind was changed before seeing the dart or afterward, or whether she will ever confide in Tom as to how he saved her life that evening and stopped her grief from winning out. I loved it!!!
There were 2 instances that were slightly jarring for me... made me go back and reread... not jarring enough to detract from how much I enjoyed the story and how well it was written but just a constructive comment if I may? You start by mentioning that your protagonist set up the rope... which suggests suicide by hanging...but then proceed to describe a suicide by dart instead π€. You also originally stated that you wanted your protag to be home by 11.30 pm and then later you refer to wanting to be home by 10.30pm. So just a couple of pieces that felt a bit out of kilter to me as a reader and feel like they needed a further edit to ensure consistency.
Honestly, though. A fabulous piece, hooked me right in and kept me glued to the end.
I dropped in from Dreemport this evening after seeing your featured post on the Dreemport website... and I am so glad that I did π
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Thanks for pointing those out @samsmith1971 π€
I'll be sure to check and review the errors.
Glad you liked the storyπ
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Wow. What a beautiful and successful ending to the story. Thanks to Tom who was guided by the angel to save her life. This clearly stated that she will never think of suicide again, as she already has a reason to wake up and view life with joy.
Thanks, @dreemport for guiding me here.
hey @seki1!!!!
@mayt was the winner for the 10HSBI bounty on your post for engagement hehehehe
congratulations @mayt :)
Oh wow...
Congrats @mayt π
Really? Oh wow. Thanks @dreemsteem. π Yahooo!! π Haha
Indeed it doesπ
Thanks for reading π