Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 28

“ Ahmed , look at this , Mrs . Kamara gave it to me just now ,” Zainab said as she carried their photo book to her brother , “ she said that our American parents sent it to us .” She sat beside her curled up brother and opened the book on her lap .
The first picture was of Mr . and Mrs . Parker . Mr . Parker was smiling at the camera , revealing the wrinkles around his hooded eyes . Mrs . Parker had blonde and straight hair , and her teeth were neat and perfectly white . “ Why are their skins so light ?” Ahmed was puzzled . “ I don ’ t know , it ’ s weird , isn ’ t it ?” Zainab flipped to the next page . The colour of the photo was faded , but the blue sky still popped against the dusty red buildings of Manhattan . Mrs . Parker stood across the harbour , wearing a striped tank top and tinted sunglasses . “ Wow , there are so many buildings , and they are all so tall !” The two siblings continued to look through the pages . They learned the faces of their new home , car , dog , etcetera , but despite their amazement of the Western world , they were hesitant about a new environment .
It was one month later when Zainab and Ahmed headed to the city to meet their new parents . Alia , I wish you were here with me today . What if my new parents are monsters ? What would happen if I get lost in the streets ? Zainab squeezed Ahmed ’ s hand . “ Father always said as long as we are still young , we still have hope ,” Zainab reminded Ahmed . From afar , they recognised the distinctive faces of their parents . They wore the same big smile as they did in the photo book .
Mrs . Parker kneeled down and welcomed the children with open arms , “ Hi !” Her voice was sweet and soothing . Mr . Parker came forward and offered them lollipops , then picked them up . In the flesh , he seemed much taller . His chest shielded the children from the noise and erased them from discomfort . Sitting in his arms , the children started their venture to America .
The Parker family lived in a small town in New Jersey , where the children had much space to play and run in . The park was their favourite place , they loved to be surrounded by many other kids . They indulged in the limitless and rich food everyday , and slowly the hollow spaces between their ribs began to fill up .
During one of the humid days of July , Zainab and Ahmed travelled to New York City for the first time , where their dad had business to do . Ahmed held his Mom ’ s hand tightly as the traffic light turned green and a smoke-scented breeze blew in their direction . Streets smelled like sweat as pedestrians raced past each other . “ Mom ? Why are the billboards all lit up ? It ’ s barely evening !” “ Well Zainab , this is New York !” The family continued sightseeing as they headed down towards the Financial District . They walked passed a few alleys in East Village . Suddenly , Ahmed stopped and let go of his mom ’ s hand . He stared into the alleyway across the street , where a group of African American workers smoked . “ Ahmed , look ! They just came from the construction site here ,” Dad pointed behind him . Ahmed did not move . The construction noises grew louder and louder . Like thunder . Like gunshots . Smell of marijuana . Confined space . Paralysed . Soldiers . Gunshots . Killing . Blood . War . Chaos . Tears . Anger . Soldiers . Gunshots . Killing . Blood . War . Chaos . Tears . Anger . Soldiers . Gunshots . Killing . Blood . War . Chaos . Tears . Anger . Soldiers . Gunshots . Killing . Blood . War . Chaos . Tears . Anger . Ahmed raged towards them . The traffic lights turned green .