Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 423

The Hidden Truth
St. Paul's Convent School, Thiruvenkadam, Bindhiya – 12
“T
his way, this way. Everyone follow me! ‘Shanghai Modern Travels’, this way.” said a tall, confident lady named Alice.
She was leading a tourist group into a museum in Shanghai. The tourist group included 2 families: Mr. and Mrs.
Chan with their daring but sweet daughter, Gabrielle and a happy couple named Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Ann Montez
with their twin boys, Mason and Malcolm.
As they entered the majestic hall in the history museum, Alice, said “Listen up everyone, we’ll meet up back here in an hour
and a half. Then, we will set out for lunch! Okay, see you all later.” And as she said those last few words, everyone in the hall was
already hurrying into different parts in the museum. Just then, Gabrielle went up to her parents and said, “Mum, dad, would you
mind if I stay around here…um, alone please? It’ll... er… give me some peace of mind.” Their parents weren’t sure what she was
up to but said “Okay, but be careful. We’ll come check on you after some time.” “Thanks!” whispered Gabrielle and then waited
for them to leave the room. She thought to herself, “This is it. We’re finally in Shanghai, at our first tourist spot!”
Gabrielle Chan was born in Shanghai but then moved to America at the age of 3. As she spent only 3 years in Shanghai, she
couldn’t remember much of her childhood there and weirdly, the only memory she could recall were the times when her lovely
grandfather narrated stories for her before bedtime. She really did love those moments. Also, for some sort of reason, her parents
didn’t bother telling her a lot about her birthplace or her early days in Shanghai, though she asked them countless times about it.
That’s why she took up this golden opportunity and persuaded her parents to sign up for this tour group with the hope that she
could, somehow, reconnect with her hometown…
She looked around with eager eyes and was wondering where to start her
quest. She decided to explore the corner with the most pictures which was ‘The past livelihoods of people in ancient Shanghai’
section. She immediately commenced her reading.
She was getting even more interested every second that she could not even take her eyes off the display boards and pictures.
After a while, she decided to take a short break before exploring another corner of the room. She sat down on a comfy sofa near
the magazine shelves. As she was resting, she suddenly remembered her grandfather and started to miss him. Gabrielle started to
tear up. … Just then, Gabrielle heard someone whispering just a little further behind her.
A hushed voice said, “Psst, look! Should we go and…” “No! Let’s leave her alone for some time.” Another said in a low
voice. The two boys started to turn round and leave the room when Gabrielle suddenly got up and said in a normal voice, “Hi!”
She didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her at the time. The boys turned around to reveal that they were the twin boys, Mason
and Malcolm! Mason looking relieved that Gabrielle was feeling better and said, “Oh, hi! I’m Mason and this is my twin,
Malcolm. We’re both nine. What about you?” “Hey, how about that?! I’m nine too!” exclaimed Gabrielle, forgetting all about her
grandfather’s death. “Don’t you find this museum boring? We do, a lot!” commented Malcolm in a very childish manner.
Gabrielle thought for a second, and said, “Well, I think I have something interesting for you… Sit down; I’m going to tell you a
story!”
“It was August 13, 1937”- she started, in a dramatic voice- “Thousands were dying during the clash!
It was called… the
Battle of Shanghai! There tons and tons of troops from China and Japan. Indeed, it was truly a fierce battle. Not only troops, but
tanks, aircrafts as well as naval ships. Each country had tough and bold leaders. The Battle had commenced… ” Gabrielle
continued with her strong voice when narrating the rest of the story. As she went on, the twins kept ‘Whoa’ing and ‘Ooo’ing