Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 480

Future Adventures of The Greater Bay Area
St Margaret's Co-Educational English Secondary and Primary School, Del Mundo, Giuliana Sero - 12
The day couldn't have been any more perfect as they found themselves in their favourite place. The sun was
shining above them, with its rays hitting the trees which cast shadows below. Mr. and Mrs. Zhong were sitting
peacefully on an old bench in the park holding hands. Mrs. Zhong could feel the firm grip of her husband’s
calloused hand. She closed her eyes, resting her head on his shoulder. She could feel the soft breeze touching her
skin. In the distance, she could hear people chatting, dogs barking, and ducks quacking. She heard her three
children the loudest, Gong, Mau, and Hong, giggling and running around.
“You can’t catch me!” yelled Gong.
“Come back here!” replied Mau. “You’re it!”
“No!” Gong shrieked.
After a long time, the three children stopped playing catch and went back to their parents.
“Ma, when we grow up, what will we be?” asked Hong, grabbing his mom’s hand.
Mother Zhong cackled. “You will be the greatest leaders that the land has ever seen.”
“Really? I’ll be the best leader! Better than Ge Ge and Jie Jie!”
“Hey!” shouted Gong and Mau in unison.
“Heehee! I’ll be richer than you!” Gong exclaimed.
“I’ll be more popular!” Mau said, waving her arms in the air, trying to stress and intensify her point.
The three siblings fooled around on their way home; Mother and Father Zhong laughed at their childishness and
innocence.
Those were all the nice times that occurred in the past, as the three children had few responsibilities. They were
at the phase of exploring the deep wonders of the world, finding their interests, and making friends. Nothing and
no one kept them from being mighty adventurers in their own little world; they were best friends who all stuck
together.
Unfortunately, childhood ends.
As the siblings got older, little by little, the trio started growing apart due to the responsibilities their parents had
given them. It was like a barrier that separated them.
“Why can’t you be more like your father!”
“Did you hear? Hong did this…”
“Wow, really? How disobedient he is, that boy.”
“You remember Mau? She’s basically the opposite of her brother, Gong.”
“Oh, she has another brother?”
Hong and Mau’s behaviour spiralled downwards and they gained a reputation as troublemakers.
“I’m so tired of this,” groaned Hong.
“Me… me too,” said Mau.