Thursday, April 03, 2008
Love From Heaven
A heartwarming story set in the cold Christmas season. A railway station manager’s unwavering dedication to his job cost him the warmth of a complete family. But on the last day of his work at the station, a surprise awaits him as he blew the final whistle for the last train reporting to the railway station. Sit back as I bring you the story of Love From Heaven.
“ Blow the horn, we are moving out. “ A loud boom voice echo across the engine room.
“ Yes Sir. “ A meek and soft voice replied.
Standing sturdily and smart looking, Stephen, station manager of Homestead Railway Station slowly ease the transmission of the train to advance. Beside him stood Ben, Train driver of Railworks Coporation.
“ Heard that we are visiting Old Chan on our way to the depot? “ Ben asked Stephen.
“ Yes, I made the special arrangement for us to deliver this old baby to her final resting place so as to meet up with Old Chan and let him see her. “ Stephen replied while patting the train’s controls.
Ben smiled broadly as he continued to pile more coal into the furnace.
“ Been quite awhile since I last met him when I first joined the company a few months back. “ Ben smiled while thinking of the first time he met Old Chan.
Stephen hesitated for awhile and memories of the past start flowing back as if those were of yesterday’s.
Nova 10, the solid iron lady proudly sound her horns as she made her maiden voyage from the depot to Evergreen Railway Station. Cries of joys and jubilant filled the air as the overwhelming crowd cheer upon sighting her grand entrance into the station berth.
Back then Stephen and Old Chan are working as general workers for the railworks company. Young, ambitious and energetic. They work diligently and slowly make their way up the ranks to become what they are now.
Coming back to the sounds of the engine room, Stephen saw the familiar sights of Old Chan’s fort for the past decade, Evergreen Railway Station. Traditional zinc roof together with the bright green coat of paint makes it stand out among the surrounding modern skyscrapers.
Someone is standing at the platform of the railway station waving the incoming flag. Dressed smartly in neatly pressed uniform and shiny polished boots together with the familiar station manager’s cap, Old Chan routinely welcomes “ Nova 10 “ for her final stop.
“ Old Chan “ Stephen call out to his old friend.
“ Oh it’s you, Stephen. “ Old Chan replied after adjusting the rail leverage.
Embracing each other in a brotherly hug which represents the many years of friendship that blossomed through hardship and pure determination.
“ Good to see you Old Chan. “ Ben’s sheepishly greeting broke the silence of the 2 old buddies.
“ Where’s your manners young boy? “ Stephen questioned seemingly annoyed by the untimely interruption.
Behind him Old Chan chuckles and waves his acknowledgement of Ben’s greeting. Grabbing Stephen by his arm, Old Chan dragged him into his office before returning to the platform and signal the departure of Nova 10 towards her final destination at the depot.
Blowing the departure whistle, Old Chan changed the rail lever and raised up the departure flag for the final time in his career. Ben sounded the horn and slowly put the train in motion to pull out of the platform.
“ Have a safe journey. “ Old Chan cried out.
Ben knowing his voice won’t be able to overcome the churning sounds of Nova’s aging engines, gave a thumbs up to acknowledge.
As Nova’s engine worked another gear up, she graciously embark on the last lap of her journey from the station which she made her maiden appearance. Hooting her horns and hissed from the water pressure. The curtain closure of Evergreen Railway Station’s favourite guest brought a tear to Old Chan’s eyes.
Being the seasoned station manager, he fought back the tears and stood at an attention as Nova’s trail of smoke slowly faded out on the horizon.
With a heavy heart, Old Chan turned and made his way into his office where Stephen is waiting. As he passed the ticket office, he noticed a doll is lying on the passenger’s bench. Puzzled, he pick it up and brought it into his office.
Stephen upon noticing the doll Old Chan is holding, promptly stood up in bewilderment.
“ I found this doll sitting outside on the passenger’s bench. I believed one of the few remaining resident’s grandchildren might have left it behind. “ Old Chan tries to explain.
Evergreen estate, once known for her mining works and cross border cultural exchange has now become an old town with few elderly residents whom preferred to lived out their lifetime in the town they are so familllar with.
Stephen hold the doll and put in at the Lost & Found counter.
“ Maybe later the owner will run back to claim it. “ Stephen replied.
Old Chan simply smile and shrugged his shoulders.
As the two old friends chatted over cups of freshly brewed tea, time seems to pass by so quickly that the evening sun serves as a reminder to Stephen that he need to leave soon.
“ Old Chan, feel free to drop by my place when you finally retired from this station. “ Stephen spoke out while gathering his belongings.
“ Sure sure, it’s time I pay you and your family a visit ever since that day. “ Old Chan suddenly felt a pain of guilt.
Old Chan and Stephen would have been in-laws had Old Chan’s daughter Melody not developed a sudden high fever which took her away at the tender age of seven. Jonathon, Stephen’s son whom is to be her fiancé put up a brave front and shares the pain of losing Melody.
Stephen walk over to his old friend and pat his back.
“ The past is long over, no point feeling guilty over it. “ Stephen said.
Old Chan could only manage a slight nod while trying to control his emotions.
As the sun sets, Stephen waves goodbye and hops onto the last bus heading towards the city central.
Old Chan stood on the platform and watch as the bus disappear beyond the horizon. Taking in the sights of the neighbouring town, Old Chan wonders what will happen to the area after the railway station is closed. Suddenly peals of giggling startled Old Chan from his thoughts, as he turn around. A girl around the age of seven is standing outside of the lost and found counter.
“ She must be the owner of that doll. “ Old Chan thought.
Blushing and sheepishly pointing to the doll left on the counter, the girl motioned Old Chan to hurry up.
“ Ah so you are the owner of the doll? “ Old Chan asked.
“ Yes, my parent gave me the doll on my birthday. “ The girl replied happily.
“ I see, where are your parent? Are they going to fetch you later? “ Old Chan asked.
“ Nope, my elder sister will be coming to fetch me later. “ The girl replied.
“ Well you can sit inside my office and wait for her to come and fetch you home.” Old Chan offered.
Shaking her head and clutching the doll in her hand, the little girl simply skipped away into the snow covered background.
As Old Chan watch over the little girl as she slowly fade out of sight, he noticed somehow that the snow might have been falling drastically as they completely covered all the tracks which might have been in place after the girl walk through them.
As the night falls, darkness soon engulfed the station. In precision timing, all the street lamps and signboards lit up In unision. Old Chan is preparing his dinner which would be one of the last meals he’s going to have before Evergreen would be handed over to the developers and heading to the urban city for his retirement.
A faint knock on the door startled him as nobody would come to the railway station at this hour. As he absentmindedly open the main doors, standing before him is a girl around the age of 16. With a cheerful smile and sheepish look, she bore an uncanny resemblance to the little girl earlier on whom lost her doll.
“ Good Evening Sir, came the soft yet audible greeting from the girl standing at the door.
“ Come in and have a seat young lady. “ Old Chan offered a chair and a cup of warm tea.
Accepting the cup of tea and making herself comfortable on the chair, the girl look around the station earnestly with great interests. Old Chan couldn’t help beaming with pride as he noticed that the girl is admiring Evergreen station.
“ Ah I forget my manners, I would like to thank you for helping my sister locate her lost doll. It really meant alot to her. The girl replied.
“ Well, it’s nothing much at all. It’s just sitting by the bench and I brought it into my office. Old Chan replied.
Nodding her head in understanding, the girl turned and looked at the platform which is gradually turning white from the falling snowflakes.
Old Chan immediately stood up and pick up the snow shovel and went to the platform to clear the snow. Half an hour later, he returned to the office and was surprised to see the girl doing the dishes and preparing dinner.
“ Let me cook in appreciation of the help you have given to my sister. “ The girl answering Old Chan’s doubts.
Seeing that she’s almost done, stopping her will be futile. Thus Old Chan pick up the shovel and clear the platform to keep himself warm and occupied while waiting for dinner to be ready.
After a short while, Old Chan paused and look towards his office, the girl is standing by the doorway gesturing him to come back. A surprise awaits him as he stepped into the dinning area. A mini feast is spread out on the modest dinning table mostly Old Chan’s favourite dishes.
Just then Old Chan realised that the girl is wearing his late wife’s apron and looked exactly like her. Before Old Chan could speak out, the girl took his hand and guide him to the table.
“ My name is Melody. “
The name struck a hidden chord in Old Chan’s heart as the past memories flooded back. Her look, her manners and even her voice. Everything fits into the puzzle now.
“ It’s been a long time and you actually showed me how you have grown? “ Old Chan asked as tears start to flow down his rugged and worn cheeks.
“ Yes and I was initially afraid that you might be frightened. “ Melody replied as tears start to well up in her eyes.
“ Why should I be afraid of my own daughter? Old Chan replied assuring.
Melody looked down, shunning away from the gaze of her father. At this moment, Old Chan realised something.
“ You came to tell me something right ? “ Old Chan questioned.
“ Yes “ is all that Melody could replied and tears start to flow down, causing a small pool to formed at her feet.
With that answer firmly embedded in his mind, Old Chan stepped out of his office and made his way to the platform. As the snow flakes landed on his wear cheeks and joined the lines formed by his tears, Old Chan looked up to the sky and gaze upon the passing clouds.
Time come to a standstill as one’s journey came to it’s final hours. Nothing in the world matters alot as ashes and dusts are the stark reminders of what was once part of life in this world.
“ Mr Stephen Sir, it’s time for us to go. “ Ben’s voice breaks the deadpan silence engulfing the train carriage.
Stephen startled from his deep thoughts nodded in agreement. As he made his way to the control room, he turned and gaze upon the coffin lying snugly in the middle of the train carriage. Adorning it are train memorabilia and the flag colours of Evergreen Railway Station.
Old Chan was found lying motionless on the platform by the snow plowing train whom had came to clear the snow for the last time as a symbolic gesture. Surprisingly he was holding on to his whistle and smiling as he laid on the platform.
After decades of friendship are spent over good meals and quality time together. This final journey seems to be the hardest moment for Stephen to bear. But the sense of responsibility firmly perched on his shoulder, he must finish this last trip with Old Chan.
“ Ah I remembered something. “ Ben exclaimed.
Somehow when Ben went with the coroner’s office people to bring Old Chan’s body to the mortuary, he wanted to use the toilet. Thus he used the toilet in Old Chan’s office so as to collect some personal belongings and clothing for Old Chan’s funeral.
Shockingly he saw the feast that Melody had prepared for Old Chan spread out on the modest table. As Ben described the dishes to Stephen, a cold shiver run down his spine. Every dish’s name hit Stephen akin to bricks falling off from a tall building and striking the pavement below.
“ And there’s something else, remember the apron Old Chan’s wife used to wear when she’s alive? It’s neatly folded on one of the chair beside the dinning table. “ Ben recalled in bewilderment.
By then Stephen had an answer in his heart but he still couldn’t believed it. Shrugging it off his mind, he calmly removed his ceremonial hat and put on the train driver’s peak cap.
With a simple hand gesture to Ben, Stephen signal his intent to get the train moving. A long blow of the train’s horn prompt the ceremonial band to stop playing and await the final salute to Old Chan.
Shortly after the band stop playing a lone bugler stood at side of the engine room, as he raised up his bugle, everyone stood in attention. The low haunting melody of the last bugle began to filled the air amidst the soft sobbing and prayers. Stephen adjust his uniform and switch the train’s gears.
“ Old Chan! Let me bring you on your final journey! Hang on tight old friend! Stephen exclaimed loudly.
A short burst of whistle goes off as the train starts to move forward after Stephen released it’s brakes. And thus began the journey to bring Old Chan to his final resting place where he will be able to rest in peace after serving faithfully for the railway company.
“ It seems like even at your death, you still couldn’t part away from the railways. “ A soft voice echo from a distance.
“ Once a railway worker, always a railway worker my dear. “ An old yet charming voice chuckling in reply.
As the train pulled out of the station, the two figures slowly fade away as snow flakes starts floating down. Leaving behind memories best remembered.
`iRained
@ 12:43 AM
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