The Runners: Would You Run Together with Me?

By BS Tan

Along the running path, they have learned how significant the presence of each other in their life is. Their breathing and footsteps became essential to each other to reach another second faster and another meter farther. They have promised each other to live another day with their entire heart every day despite them never spelling it out.

There was someone in their life whose existence was certain. He was always there, and they will never ask why until the moment he slipped and fell on the terrain of life. They grabbed his hand, but he let go. He doesnt even say goodbye.

After he left, life have to move on. They believe the memory of him will never be washed away by time. They knew he was there in the finishing line, waiting for them. His existence was still certain as far as heaven and as close as the heart.

Suddenly people realized life is invaluable. Appreciate it, and live meaningfully. Would you run together with me?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Jul 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543742473

BS Tan

His English inspiring teacher once commented him as a `creative but complicated mind’ and enriched it with tolerance and neutrality. This brain later decided to jump into the world of creative writing and fulfilled his life with stories and imagination.

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Copyright © 2017 by BS Tan.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5437-4243-5

                eBook      978-1-5437-4247-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Toll Free 800 101 2657 (Singapore)

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www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore

For PST, my wife, thank you for encouraging me to write again.

Contents

Run #1 Thereupon

Run #2 Invitation

Run #3 Recruitment

Run #4 Tracks

Run #5 Casualty

Run #6 Rain

Run #7 Teamwork

Run #8 Abrasion

Run #9 Fairy

Run #10 Return

Run #11 Forever

Run #12 Destruction

Run #13 Terrain

Run #14 Lost

Run #15 Family

Run #1

Thereupon

P eter turned the doorknob. He really had to leave. He turned around, looked at Jeremy, and said, Hey, I gotta go now. Remember to take your medicine. Are you sure you don’t want to join the gathering tonight?

Jeremy just waved good-bye from his wheelchair. No thanks. I will be fine. He smiled, just like every other day Peter could and couldn’t remember.

Peter took one last look at Jeremy, just to make sure he would be really fine, and then nodded. I’m sure you will, he replied and closed the door.

Peter went to his car, which was parked under the same saga tree as usual, and turned the key. The tears he’d been trying to hold in finally fell. He was crying and shaking and blaming God and anything else he could think of for everything that had happened to Jeremy.

Why him again? Why does everything bad have to happen to him? Jeremy was such a nice guy, such a positive-thinking guy. It’s so unfair, Peter cried out and slammed his hand on the steering wheel. Bad things were supposed to happen to him, not Jeremy.

His mobile rang as expected. He tried to calm himself down and wiped the tears on his face and eyes.

Have you visited Jeremy? That was her soft and calm voice on the other end of the line.

He cleared his throat and shook his head. He didn’t want her to suspect that he had been crying. Peter never cried. Yes. I just came out of his house, he said with a forced smile on his tired face.

How is he? That was just another routine question that she asked every day – a question he never wanted to answer.

He took a deep breath, tried his best to make his voice like normal, and said, Well, worse than expected. He didn’t want to lie to her. He had promised.

After a long silence on both sides, she asked, Very bad? He knew she was just trying to make herself like normal, just like him.

He lowered his mobile and knocked his head on the side window so that the pain in his head would be greater than the pain in his heart. He failed as he choked out, He does not have much intention of keeping on living. He just wants to die.

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Michael was a doctor at the national hospital. He saved lives daily, but he never kept track. He didn’t know how many lives he had actually sustained, and he didn’t care anyway. He was more concerned with how many lives slipped through his grasp.

Dr Michael, why did you want to be a doctor – because of the high salary? Nurses always liked to ask boring and naive question like this, especially to a gorgeous doctor like Michael.

He would always give them a warm smile to ensure that they would wipe the sweat from his forehead willingly during the next operation. No, he’d say with a laugh. So that I can see all of you every single day of my life. He passed Sweet Talk 101, as certified by his best friend, Richard. Michael always invited laughter and was such a cheerful star in his workplace and family. No one knew better than him that laughter was the best cure in the world.

He returned to the luxurious personal office he had finally gained and sat on the kind of chair reserved for successful people like him. His sight fell on the first thing he’d put on this table: a group photo in a simple frame.

There were twelve of them at the beginning …

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This small country produced so many great singers, and unlike other international and regional artists, they wrote their own songs. People here just loved singing and writing their stories into the rhythm of life. That was what Kelly had always done to make a living.

The journey to being a singer was not difficult. I am just doing my hobby every day, which is singing, she said during an interview. She never told the reporters that her musical journey was actually full of obstructions. She didn’t need to tell anyone about that, as she already had a special and dedicated listener for her actual feelings.

As with any other job, she needed to put on a different mask every day for different people. Her job description also required her to leave her home and travel around the world. At first she was excited and kind of enjoyed it, but she had tired of it now, and she’d had enough. Deep in her heart, she knew there was no place in this world better than home – the place where she grew up, the place where she healed – yet she’d had to leave to make her dream come true.

Coming out of immigration clearance at the international airport, she saw Terrence waiting for her at the arrival area outside the automatic sliding-glass door. She waved and smiled. Her smile was just like a beverage dosed with a little bit of alcohol – low enough to be refreshing, but too little to be drunk.

Welcome home, little princess, said Terrence.

Kelly hugged him tight. No one doubted they were actually more than just old friends.

Terrence raised both of his hands high. Be careful of paparazzi. Bear in mind you are a celebrity, he laughed. He gazed into Kelly’s warm, watery, shining eyes and noticed how tired she looked.

Kelly stared back at him. I don’t care a shit, she replied bluntly. Media in our country has a code and a heart. They are only concerned with our achievements, not our private life. This is different with media from other countries, she said, and he agreed with her.

Are you joining the reunion dinner tonight? Terrence asked. He helped carry her luggage – his routine as a gentleman.

Kelly glanced at Terrence. Of course! I have been out of the country so much – I have missed too many reunions. She suddenly stopped and glanced at Terrence. By the way, would you mind driving me around?

Terrence was confused. You usually go home directly. He looked at Kelly. She should have been tired after so many hours flying.

Kelly smiled and said, I just want to see our home town – the place we grew up in together. She was staying in the capital city, an hour’s drive from her home town. It had been years since she’d returned to the place where she’d experienced the happiest moments of her entire life.

Terrence never said no to Kelly. Sure! I will do anything you ask me to. I will bring you wherever you want to go. The smile on his face, decorated with crow’s feet and dimples, was rather maturely sexy. It made her heart beat faster.

Who would guess that their small shore town was actually home to one of the biggest international cargo ports? People were still running in front of the familiar sunset, passing by the park that used to be their hang-out.

Miss the old times? Terrence asked while focusing on driving his car. He glanced at Kelly in the passenger seat beside him. She was quietly gazing at the scenery outside the window and the windscreen, and all the frozen memories, just like old pictures. It was as if they whispered in her ears, poking out and flipping through her mind, one after another.

She quietly wiped the tears in her eyes without inviting Terrence’s attention, yet he never missed any single little thing about her and her feelings. He pulled over the car and said her name as he swivelled and gazed at her.

She squeezed out a smile so that he could ignore her tears. Our best time, she said, referring to those invincible teenage years that never come back again.

Indeed, he said and hugged her softly. That was all she needed. You are homesick, he said. That was the familiar feeling she had experienced in her luxurious and marvellous yet empty bungalow abroad for the last many years.

You know my life abroad is kind of messed up, right? she whispered. Of course he knew. He read on the entertainment pages about her numerous lovers, yet she was so lonely.

He hugged her closer and warmed her up. You are safe now, he said, and he meant that. Terrence never lied to Kelly.

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Amanda, the presenter of her own talk show, A Chat with Amanda, walked to the centre of the stage, welcomed by a round of applause.

How are we supposed to describe her? Amanda opened her show with a question, but the audience was silent. The name of today’s guest was still classified. A film director, a writer, a social worker, a motivator, an athlete, or any of her many other titles, official and unofficial? Overall, she is a wonder woman, and that is what people usually call her.

With these hints, people started guessing, and they called out some names. Amanda just smiled and went on, "She is the director of The Blue Point, Catherine, The Girls He Loved, Fish Eye Bay, Missing, and Project Motherland. She looked to her right, Welcome Amy, the ‘best director’ winner of the fifteenth National Media Academy Award."

At this, Amy walked out from backstage and waved to the audience.

I said in my introduction that people address you as a multitasking person, a vibrant butterfly, a wonder woman, just to mention a few. How do you think of yourself? Amanda asked while gazing at Amy, who was so beautiful that day even other woman would say so.

Amy felt shy. Although she had been in the film industry for many years, this was her first time been interviewed. I am just a storyteller, she said and cleared her throat. Every single story, no matter how big or small, should be appreciated and shared because it might change someone’s life. That was what she always told her juniors. She had a lot of stories to tell about her life, her family, her home, her team, her community, her country, and her friends.

Amanda nodded. Based on the information about you in the database of the National Media Centre, you have produced three best pictures, three best actors, and five best actresses. I just mentioned the significant awards. Recently you were awarded best director. Do you consider all these successes or victories? How would you define success?

Amy smiled. "That is a very subjective question, but someone told me before that once we are interviewed by Amanda on A Chat with Amanda, then we can consider ourselves successful," she said, inviting laughter from Amanda and the audience.

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Finishing the run together as a team is more important than winning the trophy alone, Richard declared.

After following his father into the family business, Richard had been listed as among the top ten richest men in the country. Benefiting from his competency in management and business development, his company had grown rapidly and become a multinational corporation.

I always like to see people from different backgrounds working together to achieve the same goal, he said. That was the spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork he had learned many years ago, during a special period of time that sharpened his personality and characteristics.

Richard’s company manufactured caustic soda and hydrochloric acid as the main products, but he himself produced talents and leaders.

That special day was Lena’s birthday, and it was also the day he and his friends – including his wife, Mia – gathered once in a year in the small town they grew up in. It was the place that had brought them together, where they had learned about sweat and teamwork, love and courage, and many other meaningful things in life.

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Lena, happy birthday! said Kelly as she ran to her old coach and hugged and kissed her. Lena was so happy to see Kelly home again after so many years abroad. By the way, Kelly said, holding Lena’s hand. Where is Mr Jackson?

Lena smiled and said, He is busy tonight preparing for the next world athletics tournament, and he is still fighting for our Olympic dream. Her voice was calm, but the pride in her eyes could be clearly seen.

Hey, Dr Michael, you got more white hairs than any one of us, said Terrence.

Michael tidied up his hair. That makes me look mature and professional – a visual guarantee for my patients and a ticket to promotion from my boss, he said.

Mia laughed and said, Stop all this bullshit. We are all almost 40. Can you believe how fast time flies?

Cruel time flies faster than all of us can image. Peter took a sip of his green tea. I can’t remember the last time we drank beer, he said.

Kelly stared at Peter. Every time I see you, I remember you saying, ‘Cruel time flies faster than all of us can imagine.’ Writing poems is supposed to be Amy’s job. She glanced at Amy and Ernest before turning back to Peter. By the way, I’ve missed half of the reunions. What is the relationship between time and beer? She was curious about their conversation.

Peter smiled. Advice from Dr Michael is that we all should stop drinking beer to maintain our health. Age is catching up, he explained.

Richard laughed. Then all of us just listened to his bullshit and stopped drinking beer, the best beverage in the world, he said, pointing at Michael.

Michael stared at Richard and said, That wasn’t bullshit. I believe all of you are aware that alcohol is a great solvent. It will dissolve almost everything in your body and …

But Michael was interrupted by Richard, who pretended to cry out, Oh my God, he started again!

Jennifer smiled. This is going to continue for the whole night. She looked at Michael, and his face just turned red.

Were all these foods also ordered according to Dr Michael’s guidance? Kelly asked, pointing at the steamed fishes, salads, vegetables, fruits, and nuts on the dining table. Since when did you people became cows? she asked playfully, although she knew cows don’t eat fish.

Michael cleared his throat and said, Deep frying is harmful to our health, as the process of deep frying is actually replacement of water with oil. Furthermore, under high temperature, heavy metals that exist naturally in cooking oil cause oxidation … Michael’s lecture lasted for almost an hour as he described the harmfulness of deep-fried foods and red meat.

Lena looked at Peter and said, How is Jeremy? I remember last time you told me he was sick. Everyone knew Jeremy and Peter were best friends.

Peter glanced at Lena and lowered his head. He’s fine. He didn’t want Lena and everyone else to worry about Jeremy, but his shaking voice betrayed him.

Michael stared at Peter and said, He is not fine. As the doctor in charge of Jeremy, he knew best about Jeremy’s condition.

Peter stared at Michael with blaming eyes. Michael, he hinted. He knew that Jeremy didn’t want to bother everybody.

Lena deserves to know, and so does everyone else. We are family. Michael avoided Peter’s eyes and looked at Lena.

Actually, she said, I visited Jeremy last week. Lena took a sip of her Chinese tea. We owe him too much. She put the glass back on the table with her shaking hand.

It was a cold rainy night in this small town. They all fell into deep thought, flipping page after page of the story hidden deep within their memory …

Run #2

Invitation

"W ould you like to join running club?"

As Peter passed by the flagpole on the first day of secondary school, a sweet voice stopped him in his tracks. Peter turned around and saw a tall pretty girl looking at him with a smile he knew he would never forget for the rest of his life.

Me? Peter pointed to himself and looked around just to confirm that the cute girl was actually calling out to an ordinary guy like him.

She nodded. I saw you have a pair of long legs – good for running, she said. Therefore, I would like to invite you to join our running club.

Running? Peter scratched his head. I do walk to school, but I am not good in sport.

She smiled, said It doesn’t matter, and passed him a brochure. Our trainer will teach you the proper method of running. Come to room 3F during recess time.

He nodded self-consciously, holding the piece of paper. She was soon lost in the crowd.

Peter decided to run, just because of the cutest girl he had ever seen.

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Is this 3F? he asked. He saw that the neighbouring rooms 3E and 3G were full of people, while 3F was empty.

Hey, welcome to running club! The same sweet voice came from behind him, and he turned around and saw his angel coming along with a man who appeared to be the trainer.

Peter, my name is Mr Jackson. Jennifer told me about you and your long legs. Jackson seemed to be very fierce, but at least now Peter knew his angel’s name.

The classroom is kind of … quiet, Peter said politely, with a shy smile.

Jennifer said in agreement, People nowadays prefer brain jobs rather than physical jobs. Look at the chess club and computer club – people fight for membership, she said, pointing to room 3G.

Jackson gave a piece of paper to Peter and said, Fill in the application form. Then he turned to Jennifer and asked, Are you sure Michael is joining us?

Jennifer nodded and smiled confidently. Yes. I am very sure he will be joining us.

Who is Michael? Peter asked. He didn’t have a positive feeling about this guy who seemed to be very important to his angel.

Jennifer became excited. District champion in half of the junior short distance running events last year, she said.

Wow. Peter was impressed. Who won the other half? he asked unintentionally, just to continue the conversation with his angel Jennifer.

Me, someone answered. Peter, Jennifer, and Jackson looked at the source of the sound simultaneously. I am Terrence. He said his name proudly and stepped into the classroom. Can I have an application form? he asked, approaching Jennifer. Please, he added.

Hey! Peter called to him. Application forms are here. He pointed at a stack of papers on the table beside him, just to separate Terrence from Jennifer.

She is cute, Peter whispered. He just couldn’t pull his eyes away from Jennifer, the prettiest girl he had ever seen.

Terrence sat beside him and glanced at Jennifer. I have seen better, he said, thinking that everyone had a different idea of beautiful.

You have got to be kidding me, Peter said with a laugh.

Next came Kelly, Amy, Mia, and Madeline, followed by Michael, Robert, Richard, Jeff, and Kenneth. They all knew each other well, as they had met often on the track during their elementary school years. Then, too, some of them were the last person they’d want to meet. Michael and Terrence, for example, were fierce competitors.

These twelve people were the pioneers of the running club.

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During their first training session, after they had warmed up on the school field, Jackson asked, Why do you run? At that time, the school was still too poor to build or rent a sport centre with proper and standard running tracks.

All of them raised their hands, except Peter. Jackson shook his head and said, Not now. Give me five rounds. They all stood up and started running, and Peter followed.

At the age of 13, Peter was almost six feet tall – the tallest of them all – but this didn’t give him any advantages at running, as he hadn’t learned the skill yet.

When everyone was sweating and panting – the long school holiday was really killing them – Jackson stood in front of them and asked, Now, tell me why you run.

Michael raised his hand and said, I like running. He didn’t want to be punished with another five rounds on this grass field.

But reality always came with sweat and tiredness. Bullshit, Jackson shouted. Now, give me five more rounds. He pointed at the grass field.

Shit, our trainer is evil. I am kind of regretting joining this running club, whispered Terrence while looking at Peter.

Jackson not only had a good pair of legs but also a good pair of ears. Terrence, stop crabbing. I can still hear you, Jackson shouted at Terrence while running behind him.

When everyone was lying on the grass and panting like a broken air conditioner, Jackson came upon them and said, Get up! Are you supposed to lay down after running? Every athlete knew that laying down after heavy exercise wasn’t a good practice.

No sir! They had to stand up now and face Jackson with their trembling legs that hardly supported their bodies.

Now, tell me why you run, he said again. This time, no one’s hand went up. They didn’t yet know how to deal with this monster coach.

Good. Give me another five rounds, he shouted. No matter what their answers were, or even if there were no answers, the result was always another five rounds. Jackson knew best. This was to warm them up from the long holiday when they did nothing but sleep and eat.

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Michael hadn’t been able to walk properly since he was in grade one of elementary school. He always tilted up his ankles while walking, and this gave him a very ugly walking posture.

Michael! his father had called out to him while pointing at the television. It showed a male middle-distance event in the Olympics. Look at how they run. Very beautiful – don’t you think so? He looked at Michael.

Michael was impressed. Yes, Daddy. The way they run is very beautiful. He couldn’t pull his eyes away from the television.

His father smiled. Do you want to run like them? he asked.

Michael looked at his father and nodded, with a childish and