Shortz Storiez

Mango, Fate and Faith

Rewritten by Ivan Ling

The Mango

  It was a hot day. The eye of heaven shines mercilessly, causing birds to fall of the sky due to heatstroke. On the ground stood a girl. She is no more than 14 years of age, dying of hunger and the heat of the sun.

  Her name is Riana, she is orphaned from birth, the hardships of her rogue life has harden her ever more. As hunger and thirst overwhelms her, she has no choice but to move on, trying to find something which she could steal and eat.

  Just a few minutes of walk away, there is a mango tree. Tall, sturdy and proud looking, the mango tree stood firmly inside Professor Henry's mansion. Professor Henry is a well known and loved gentleman in the town. He was once a practicing psychiatric but has retired and furthered his studies in various field of his interest. His accumulated wealth is enough to last him a life time. Today as he came back from his doctor, his features was shadowed, as if something is bothering him.

  "Professor! Professor!" distracted by the sound of someone calling him, Henry averts his attention from his worries. " What is it, Samad?" asked the Professor. Samad was the loud talking but efficient gardener that works in the professor's garden. "I caught a little thief, she is in the garden now. I tied her down using a rope," Samad exlaims proudly. "well, what,"asks the Professor,"did she steal?" "Your mango, professor, your lovely and juicy mango!"

  Inside the shed, Riana was shouting with all her might. If it was not for the nosy neighbor who alerted the gardener, she could have stolen the nice juicy mango with ease. 'grrrgh.....' her stomach was growling again.

   Suddenly, 'thud' the door of the shed opens.

  As Professor Henry peers into the shed, he saw what seems to be a boy wearing rags tied and thrown on the floor. Upon closer inspection, however, it turns out to be what left of a short haired girl been starved and malnourished.

Training

   Years after that short episode, the professor decided to adopt Riana as his daughter. Everyday, he spends time with her, tutoring her, turning her into a bright and respectful lady.

  " Look at this, dad! "(Riana calls the professor 'dad' after he adopted her) exclaims Riana as she performs a perfect curtsy. "Well, you do seem graceful today, dear," replied the professor, " well, I felt tired today so I might as well turn in early.." "okay, dad"

   In his room, Professor Henry sighs as his hand gripped a report tightly, how could he tell her the horrible truth.

   Outside, Riana is  playing Beethoven's 5th Symphony on the piano. The resonating sound of the grand melody permeates the house and reaches outside to the whole neighborhood.

   Listening from his room, John, a professional musician was impressed. The sound and characteristic of the music is like no other he had ever heard.

   Morning arrives when one is not aware of it. It was then John decided to pay Professor Henry a visit. The professor was happy to receive visitors. In his lonely days, he rarely receives visitors, let alone receiving a professional  musician into his house.

  "Good morning, professor, it has been a long time since we last saw each other..."
  "yes, John, a long time indeed...."
  "Well, I'm wondering, professor- that who in this world could play such a beautiful tune yesterday..."
  "You must be talking about Riana!"




*****************************************************************
As for the rest of the story, I will write it in the form of diaries of the characters, enjoy!
*****************************************************************


Diaries


Riana


Dear Diary,

I am so thrilled! Today, a musician actually invited me to enter the Musical Festival!! My friends has been talking about that everyday! I can't believe that I am actually invited!!
Well, I better make my preparations well so I would not embarrass myself and dad during my performance.
Dad is looking a bit down lately, maybe he has a lot in his mind.....
Anyway, I still couldn't believe it!! I'm in!!

                                                                                                                       Truly, Riana

Henry


Dear Diary,

How blessed am I to receive such a talented young lady as my daughter! I knew she wouldn't let me down the day I decided to adopt her!
She is now nominated as one of the finalist in the Musical Festival. Last week, she was invited to perform in the Festival. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard her play then. The sound of her piano playing classical pieces sound as though the great musicians are playing it themselves!!

However, I am quite worried , the doctors report was not very optimistic......

Still, I am amazed by the way Riana plays, her future must be very bright!!

                                                                                                                         Sincerely, Henry


Riana


Dear Diary,

I AM A FINALIST!!!!
I can't believe my own ears when I heard the announcement!! i had to pinch myself to convince myself that this was not a dream. Wait.... IT IS a dream! A dream that came true!!!
Dad couldn't believe it too.... I must make him proud!!
Well, guess I need to practice very hard to be the winner..

                                                                                                                              Truly, Riana


Henry


Dear Diary,

As I write this today, I am writing with mixed feelings.
Today is the day Riana will be performing for her finals.
I do hope she gets the Grand Prize and the award...
Today might just be the last chance I have to hear her play...

                                                                                                                              Sadly, Henry


*******************************************************************************
The next part of this story happens during the Finals in the viewpoint of an outsider who was sitting behind Henry during the finals
********************************************************************************
The Concert:  Finisce con la morte

I was a lucky man. It was pure luck who brought me here today at the Finals of the music festival as an audience. You see, I have an aunt who was very rich. She intended to watch this concert by herself to fill up her time. Unfortunately, the wave of H1N1 influenza came. Being a person who is afraid of dying, she gave me her tickets and let me go instead.

Today, I sat behind an elderly gentleman who enjoys the music very much. He seems to hum at every tune and claps after every performance. Finally, when a young girl bows in front of the stage, I saw that his face glows with joy and pride. This must be his daughter, I thought.

The young girl plays the piano with grace. Her fingers moves up and down the keyboard like a spider. Her music creates a powerful vibration in the air that makes you feel tranquil. Her expression is so sweet, it can melt hearts of steel.

When she finished her performance, there was a thunderous applause. Most of the sound, I noticed, came from the gentleman in front. There were tears of joy in his eyes. Clearly, there is a winner - the girl.

At last, there is a prize giving ceremony.

"And the Grand Prize goes to........" the commentator paused for an impressive drum roll..."Riana!!!!!"
Again thunderous applauses as the young girl steps in front to claim her trophy.
"Firstly, I would like to thank Professor Henry for adopting me and......" before she could continue further, there is a dull 'thud!' in front of me.
The the gentleman has collapsed!!!
Suddenly, the auditorium was felt with chaos. The girl rushed down from the stage. Audiences running everywhere.
"Dad!! Professor!!" Screams the girl
"Riana......."
"Please!! What happened!!!"
"Riana......don't bother calling the ambulance....."
"why?dad, why?..."
"I knew this day would come...." the gentleman gasped for breath..
"I had this tumor in my brain, you see... I would only have 50% chance of survival if I undergo surgery..."
"When I saw you, the little thief, I made up my mind to do one more good deed before I die....."
" It seems that God took pity on me.... He let me live to watch your performance tonight....."
  Again, the professor gasped for breath. This time, a trickle of blood starts to flow from his mouth.
"Goodbye, Riana....." It seems that the girl was speechless and could only cry.
The sound of the ambulance arriving seems distant, as I watch this emotional drama play out.



Epilogue: Un altro inizio


Professor Riana was relaxing in her room when Samad, the old, ancient, loud gardener called out to her. "Professor!! Professor!! I've caught this little thief, stealing your mangoes!!" As Riana looked outside, Samad was grabbing a starving young boy tightly......