The Truth

Lam Kwan Ue Gloria (4D)

It was a school Christmas holiday, other students would have chosen to wake up late in the morning, but I was an insomniac. Six in the morning, I decided to go for a walk and enjoy the tranquility within the later crowded and hectic Tsim Sha Tsui. It was winter and the breeze scratched my face with its chilly cold fingers. I half-closed my eyes against the merciless wind and walked on.

The Peninsula Hotel was no still, not a soul stirred, unusual without the chattering of tourists and the constant ringing of the bells at the reception. Everything was so soothing and calm without the quickening tempo of everyday life. A droning was heard faintly, breaking off my thoughts. I turned my head, and there he was, on the latest model of Ferrari, my brother.

It was impossible for me to react fast enough to catch his attention. All I did was standing still, with my numb legs and lost voice. Every step I took towards the expensive Ferrari was a leaden step, and my heart within sank like an anchor with questions and doubts swirling in my mind. ‘How could one graduating from high school be able to afford an expensive sports car?’ ‘Had he been indulged in some dirty businesses?’ ‘Had he…?’ The voice in my mind trailed off, as the car drove away with its powerful engine.

I went home, my heavy head loaded with doubts. I laid on the sofa and closed my eyes. The scene that my brother driving the car recurred in my thoughts, until I drifted off.

Sunlight shone through the blinds and the tickled my eyes. I woke up and that myth came into my mind again. I rang my brother, but all I heard was the ringing of the phone. Nobody answered. I supposed all I needed for the discovery of the truth would be mere luck, and so I pushed my running wild imagination aside and got prepared for the visit to the film centre that I enrolled last week.

It was certainly a wonderful experience to see how movies or song operas were filmed. Arriving at the film centre, I was amazed by the variety of settings provided there. From a vast field full of long green grass to a deadly macabre dungeon, they amused us all the same. There was even a car racing ground for filming documentaries! While we were all expressing our amusement with each other, a familiar figure at the corner caught my sight and once again the frustrating thoughts flooded my mind and there I saw – my brother was walking towards the car racing court.

I was just about to shout at my brother when my friend Amy shouldered me to go along with others, in case we were lost in this maze-like film centre. My heart was fluttering, racing faster and faster and almost jumping out of my throat. Has my brother become a star? No! It was ridiculous! He was even reluctant to speak in front of a video camera! ‘Chris! Did you trance off? Cast away whatever you are thinking! We are about to see the filming process!’ said Amy. We reached a building with three storeys and there I raised my head just in time to see my brother jumping off it!

‘NO!’ I cried. Everyone turned to look at me with a bewildered gaze. I was flushed. I felt my blood was boiling inside my capillaries. When I once again looked at the scene, my brother was getting up from a mattress and staring at me. I uttered a laugh and ran towards my brother.

‘You’ve become a stunt man? Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve called you quite a few times! Also, does being a stunt man pay for your expensive Ferrari?’ I asked my brother and I could not calm down.

My brother burst out a hilarious laugh and said, ‘What? No! That sports car is one of the props and I was driving it to familiarize myself with it, as there’s a car racing scene in the film! As for your calls, I left my phone at home!’ He continued his mocking laughter and I walked with embarrassment back to my friends.

Well perhaps I worried too much, but the truth would always have its way to find us, no matter where we were. The day was full of surprises but they certainly did not mar my day.