Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 51

Cantonesia! My Home
Bradbury School, Kwok, Stephanie - 10
As my dark hair blew astray, I wanted to run but I was running, running into the unknown. I had no idea
where I was going, or what I was going to do. I just knew I needed time alone. My eyes were a glassy
stormy grey, and it was a freezing, winter night. I was just so scared, what would happen if the government's
idea of merging the countries was a fail? What if it ends in chaos? What am I going to do? I think everyone
expected me to be over the moon. My father was one of the most respected men in the building industry,
he's practically the man who put this Greater Bay concept to work. He's happy, why am I not? What's
wrong with me?
As my mind adjusted back to the present time, I smiled. It's been such a long time since that happened. I'm
happy to say that I've adapted to the likes of this new paradise.
It’s been two years since I’ve been living on this island. It’s a futuristic place, buildings lit up with lambent,
flickering neon lights. A delightful aroma of egg tarts wafts through the streets, mixed with bubble tea, and
dim-sum. Almost every single town has at least one restaurant, which isn’t disappointing. You never have
to look far for a treat to fill your stomach. The egg tarts are freshly baked out of the oven, the scrumptious
scent almost luring you in to take a bite. This particular restaurant on Kai Sing road has the best egg tarts.
The spectators are allowed to watch in absolute awe as they take out their smartphones and start capturing
the process. The egg tarts itself has individual shards, crispy and sweet. The egg tart filling itself has a sugared
taste, and you could almost savor the culture itself! I’m a regular customer here since it’s the only dessert I
can eat without feeling nauseous. I’m a high-class citizen, going on private jets and always having the best
food. Most of the time I feel like I don’t fit into the norms of the high-class society. Sure, I always have the
latest fashion and the most exorbitant-priced outfits, but I prefer ripped jeans and tank tops from the dollar
stores. You might be thinking that I should take advantage of my money since I’m going to be the heir to
my father’s business, and the money that comes with it. I’m just not ready for that. Every day, I see my
parents come back home to our mansion and collapse on the leather sofa. They barely have time for me.
Their eyes are broken with dark circles around their orbs, developed from years of work. The only time
they have for me is an hour at most, and even though it’s scarce, they prefer talking about grades. Their
expectations are soared over me, threatening to swallow me whole.
Even at midnight, Cantonesia is never at rest. There's always hustle and bustle, always voices ringing in your
ear, but after a while, you get used to it. There's a different beauty, from night today, but in it's own way.
It's bizarre how fast the governments created a new country, but you should never underestimate it.
The first skyscraper in the city, built by my father, was fought day and night by environmental companies
and locals. It towered over me, taunting me, glaring ar me, intimidating me. I always dwelled on how the
construction started. I knew it was a complicated process, but part of me couldn’t stop pondering about it.
Floors stacked upon floors, lights shining above lights, there was almost so much going on you couldn’t
catch up. I understand why there were riots and protests, though. This was just another monument to
remind the poor people how worthless they are, how useless. It probably made the poor people think of us
as egotistic narcissists. At least that’s what Savannah told me. Savannah’s my best friend.
Christmas is one of my favorite times here. If you travel to the northernmost part, you can ski over the most
beautiful mountains and see the most picturesque views. There are over 100 slopes, and you can hear
children's laughter and giggles around the entire mountains. When it's not Christmas, you get to play golf on
the field or hike. But Christmas will always remain my favorite. Our city spares no expense in celebrating.
There are musicals, fairy lights, and they hire top-rated dancers and singers from around the world to come
here. The bakeries are stocked with gingerbread houses and sugar cookies, it's honestly a magical place to be.
It's a tradition where we play secret Santa and open gifts, but it's a ritual where we draw people's names from
hats and throw an entire surprise for them. This year, my brother Maxon picked me and put a private library
in our home. I was flabbergasted and frozen. Literally. My jaw hit the floor. It was amazing, to say the least.
I can't wait for this year.
I love you, Cantonesia. You'll always be my home